Second annual game expo coming to Edmonton this weekend

Game enthusiasts from across Alberta will spawn in Edmonton this weekend for a critical mission — to play, promote and level-up Alberta-based video games.

The second annual Game Discovery Exhibition (GDX) is coming to MacEwan University’s Robbins Health Learning Centre this Saturday and Sunday. The exhibition will host two days of Super Smash Bros. tournaments, indie game tournaments and playable video games from more than 50 regional creators. Talks will also be delivered by speakers such as BioWare studio general manager Aaryn Flynn, Edmonton Journal editor Carson Jerema and University of Alberta computing science professor Michael Bowling.

Event-goers can also try a large selection of games by Alberta-based studios, such as Thirty Three Games, the creators of a Flappy Bird-esque endless runner, RunGunJumpGun, and Ego Ant Productions — the creators of the Oculus Rift virtual reality game, DAWT. Additionally, Edmonton’s TableTop Café will host yet-to-be-played board games for those who prefer a more analog experience.

GDX was not always a 50-plus game event — initially, it was a small indie game exhibition by the U of A’s Video Game Artwork and Design Club. The exhibition transitioned into a province-wide event as it gathered interest from game enthusiasts, aspiring developers and local entrepreneurs, Kwan said.

“We wanted to find some way to connect U of A students,” U of A alumnus and GDX director Derek Kwan said. “A lot of the people who are into game development in university are computing science students. Video games are inherently interdisciplinary, so it causes a problem when everyone you know is a computing scientist.”

Last year’s exhibition drew approximately 650 visitors — more than double what organizers expected.

First-time attendees are advised to start with the nominees for the “Best of GDX Awards” to figure out games and studios to prioritize, Kwan said. His own suggestions include RunGunJumpGun, DAWT, Mad Capacity’s death-match space shooter, AsterVoid 2000 and Infinite Monkey Entertainment’s Life Goes On — a puzzle platformer where players must die to advance.

While demonstrations and gameplay make up the backbone of GDX, the event is also an opportunity to show visitors that Alberta’s gaming industry is growing and viable, Kwan said.

“I want people first and foremost to have fun and enjoy the offerings that the developers provided,” Kwan said. “I also want them to realize that in Alberta we have tons of developers, tons of artists, tons of really talented people and that our industry can be bigger.”

Event passes for GDX 2016 are available online and day passes are available at the door. More event information can be found at gdxedmonton.com.