Game On! Worlds Await at VGU_Con Video Game Convention
The VGU_Con video game convention in Washington, DC was a spectacular event that brought together gamers of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. For many, it was a trip down memory lane, a chance to revisit classic games that brought them joy as kids. For others, it was an opportunity to discover new worlds and explore alternate realities.
As I walked through the free-to-play arcade, I was struck by the range of games on offer. There were games for every interest, for every level, for every age. From old-school consoles to stand-up machines and modern consoles, there was something for everyone. I was able to play the games that made me laugh as a kid as well as new games that made me feel like I was in the middle of some Hollywood epic.
My go-to game of choice?…Ms. Pac-Man! I can play it all day every day. For as long as I can remember it has always been a source of joy. Every time my cute little yellow avatar is bitten I feel it at my core and I jump. My other all-time favorite, Mario!!! Who doesn’t love that little red plumber and his brother Luigi? When he saves the Princess, we save her together and the joy of victory against King Koopa is as real as any. In the gaming world, it’s so easy to be lost in fantasy and live a life beyond your wildest dreams. It was nice to experience this all over again and share the joy with my son.
Video games are travel for your mind.
I had forgotten the power of gaming to transport you into an alternative reality where you write the outcome of your existence by every move you make, a world where a second chance to right your wrongs is as simple as pressing the reset button.
But more than just entertainment, video games are a powerful tool for teaching creative thinking, logic, and reasoning. Players are not only the actors in gaming but they become writers and directors of their character’s realities. Any child exposed to such an expressive outlet has access to a tool that can stretch them without limit, where the only boundary to their exploration is the one they create themselves.
VGU_Con had set up an incredible free-to-play arcade that included modern consoles old-school consoles and even stand-up machines. There were games for every interest, for every level, for every age. It was the perfect event for family time. I was able to play the games that made me laugh as a kid as well as new games that made me feel like I was in the middle of some Hollywood epic. My son taught me all about the games he loved and we were able to suspend reality for a time and just get lost in our little worlds.
The VIP lounge at VGU_Con was an added bonus, where we were able to rub shoulders with celebrities, enjoy wonderful catered cuisine, and lose ourselves in the fun and excitement of the gaming world. It was a magical experience, one that brought out the inner gamer in me that I had not seen in some twenty years.
Luckily, we also had the bonus benefit of access to the VIP lounge, where we were able to rub shoulders with celebrities, enjoy wonderful catered cuisine, and lose ourselves in the fun and excitement of the gaming world. I was even bitten by a vampire (True Blood’s Riley Smith), my son played his game alongside next to an NFL all-star (Clinton Portis), I snapped a pic with Rufio (Actor, Danté Basco) and we were able to lose ourselves in the fun and excitement of the gaming world. There was wonderful catered cuisine, an open bar, plus a chance to do the cha-cha slide with Spider-man. Talk about living the dream!
Video games are not a waste of time.
Ironically, I remember when video games were thought to be brain drainers, something smart parents steered their kids away from. That is certainly the stance my parents took. Books, books, and more books are what I was given. Indeed, all things in excess can be bad; however, this event showed how powerful video games were as a tool to teach creative thinking, logic, and reasoning.
Video games are not bad for kids but rather something parents should value as part of their kids’ routines. Players are not only the actors in gaming but they become writers and directors of their character’s realities. Any child exposed to such an expressive outlet has access to a tool that can stretch them without limit, where the only boundary to their exploration is the one they create themselves.
The VGU_Con video game convention in Washington, DC was an unforgettable experience that reminded me of the power of video games to transport players into alternate realities where they can explore, create, and think outside the box. It was a perfect event for family time, a chance to share the joy of gaming with loved ones, and to discover new worlds together. I can’t wait for next year’s event, and I’m filled with anticipation to see what new worlds will be created for gamers to explore and what new platforms will have evolved. This is an exciting time for the world of gaming, and I’m so happy to be a part of it and to be able to share it with my son.
