Hundreds of gamers of all stripes set to descend on Moose Jaw during Feb. 7 weekend

When Moose Jaw Gamers Association held their first Gamer’s Expo a decade ago, there were high hopes for the future.

More games, more players and especially more money raised for charity.

With the 2020 Winter Gamer’s Expo – better known as GAX -- set to take centre stage in just under a month’s time, they’ve reached that goal and then some.

And now they want to go even bigger.

Close to 500 players of all stripes and skills are expected to take part in the event at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre from Feb. 7-9, playing games of all stripes and, in this case, literally sizes. From video games to board and card games to even Dungeons and Dragons and Warhammer 40K sessions, Winter GAX is shaping up to be better than ever.

“We’ve been hoping for it to go this big, this fast the past 10 years,” the MJGA’s Kristian Sjoberg said with a laugh. “The last three GAXs it’s gotten exponentially bigger, and if we keep doubling season after season, 300 this time and 600 in the summer, that’s really our dream. Then, hey, 10,000 people and take over Mosaic Place and the Golden Nugget and all the conference room space we can find.”

First things first, though: dealing with the 2020 Winter show.

One of the biggest new highlights will be the inclusion of special War Rooms, which will feature miniature battle tournaments from games like Warhammer, BattleTech and Flames of War. To help make things that much better for players, the MJGA went on a bit of a construction run to make sure the massive battlefields had plenty of room.

“There are a whole bunch of guys from Regina and Saskatoon coming down, we had to build 12 four-by-eight tables for them and they’re really excited about that,” Sjoberg said. “Normally they have to make do with whatever tables they can find, but we asked them what size of tables do you need? They were thinking maybe a three-by-five, but it’s easier to buy plywood in four-by-eight sheets, so that’s what we ended up going with, building all these big, monster tables.”

The always popular Smash Brothers will certainly be back, as will a host of other video games for players to try their hand at. The always popular Smash Brothers will certainly be back, as will a host of other video games for players to try their hand at.

In addition, the Matrix Gaming Centre out of Regina will be setting up gaming consoles of all styles with a host of the newest and most popular games. Also on hand will be Dragon’s Den Games from Saskatoon, who will be running role playing games across multiple rooms throughout the facility.

The always popular LAN computer gaming room by MooseNet will also be making it’s return, a pair of Virtual Reality rigs will be on hand and everything in general will be simply that much bigger and better.

“We wouldn’t be able to do this without all the support we have from our sponsors, both old and new, and we’re really appreciative of that,” Sjoberg said.

It certainly doesn’t hurt that the money is going to an exceptionally good cause.

For the past 10 years, GAX has donated to various children’s charities in Moose Jaw, and they’re continuing to throw their support behind the Moose Jaw and District Food Bank’s Mighty Munchies program this time around.

The program provides snacks for school age children as part of family hampers, so when class breaks take place, youngsters won’t feel left out when their peers are enjoying their tasty tidbits.

“So the food bank can use the cash we give them to go out and buy things for the Mighty Munchies and help kids out that way,” Sjoberg said.

2020 Winter GAX begins on Friday, Feb. 7 from 3 p.m. to midnight before running from 8 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, Feb. 8 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9. All the action will take place at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre located at 217 Main St. North.

LAN and PC gaming seats are $30 each, while general admission is $20 and players under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. All early registrations will be entered into a draw for a $50 gift card of their choosing from Steam, Xbox, Playstation or a local gaming store.

For more about the event and to register, check out www.mjga.ca.