I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again: MAGFest (The Music and Gaming Festival) is the best gaming convention I go to all year. The gathering of thousands of video gamers, tabletop gamers, cosplayers, chiptune music fans, and all other manner of nerds creates an electric atmosphere that lasts through four whole days, both day and night.

Other fan-focused conventions like PAX can capture some of that feeling, but the presence of major game publishers at those shows ends up creating a more corporate feeling. Over 18 years, MAGFest has maintained its atmosphere as a grassroots gathering of all manner of fans, giving them a chance to share in their common interests in a safe and controlled space. It's the perfect way to start a new year.

Here are some of the most interesting images I encountered during this year's show.