

SYRACUSE, NY -- RetroGameCon is coming to Syracuse for its second year after its successful 2013 debut in Cicero. On Saturday, Nov. 8, gamers and collectors will gather at the Oncenter to celebrate video games from decades old classics to their modern successors.

This year's convention will play host to a variety of panels led by game designers and experts, gaming tournaments, cosplay fashion shows, and vendors selling unique, retro game inspired wares.

Popular online personality James Rolfe, better known as "The Angry Video Game Nerd," will also appear at RetroGameCon this year to sign autographs, present a screening of "Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie" and answer fan questions in a Q&A session.

Angry Video Game Nerd

Appearances

» Screening of "Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie" 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

» Fan Q&A 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

» Watch the trailer (some explicit language)

Panels and Screenings

16-Bit Wars - Two-Faced Games

» This panel will focus on the Bit Wars, the conflict between Nintendo and Sega during the 16-bit console era of Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. Specifically, panelist Adam Nelson of Infinite Lives will discuss "two-faced" games, which were marketed with the same title on the two systems, but were actually completely different games.

» When: 11 to 11:45 a.m.

» Where: Hyrule Room

Cosplay from Concept to Creation

» Experienced cosplayers and costume designers will discuss

the process of bringing characters from video games, movies and anime to life. Cosplayers Bruce Wayne and Mako and costume creators Jennifer Syas and Kate

McKay will take the audience through the cosplay process from coming up with

ideas for designs to creating props and costumes. The panel will take questions

from the audience after they have made their presentation.

» When: 11 a.m. to Noon.

» Where: Green Hills Room

The Console Wars: Past, Present, and Future

» Gamers can be fiercely loyal to specific brands of consoles.

This panel will examine the history and future of "the Console Wars," the

competition between different companies' gaming hardware. Panelists Vince

Terio, Justin Conte, Pau Tschudi and Mike Stith invite fans of all consoles to

attend and participate.

» When: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

» Where: Raccoon City Room

Retro Roadshow

» A play on the "Antiques Roadshow" format, this panel is a chance for gamers to bring in their rare games, comics and toys and show them to a panel of local gaming experts. Panelists will include James McKay of Clutterducks Emporium, Pat Baker of Gizmo's Videogames and Wrestling, Patrick Milligan of River City Retro, and Adam Nelson of Infinite Lives.

» When: Noon to 1 p.m.

» Where: Hyrule Room

The New 8-Bit Heroes

» Game designer and former resident of Central New York Joe Granato will discuss

"The New 8-Bit Heroes," his recently funded Kickstarter project

that includes a game for the Nintendo Entertainment System and a documentary on its creation. Granato will explain some of the challenges of making a retro game today and the techniques his creative team is using to overcome them.

» When: 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.

» Where: Raccoon City Room

Game Maker Studio Workshop

» A game designer with credits on Xbox Live and the Nintendo eShop will teach attendees the basics of 2D game design. Using Yo-yo Games Game Maker Studio, panelist Michael Hayes will show attendees how to get started making their own side-scrolling games.

» When: 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.

» Where: Hyrule Room

Game Over: Remembering Fallen Video Game Companies

» Sprite Lovers, a husband and wife team of video gamers and YouTube video creators will take a look back at video game companies that did not manage to make it. Throughout the panel, Nathan Grant and Meghan Hickox-Grant will talk about large hardware and software companies that held enormous sway over the industry in the past and smaller companies that left their mark on gaming before they went under.

» When: 1:15 to 2 p.m.

» Where: Green Hills Room

It's a Zelda World

» James McKay of Clutterducks Emporium will discuss the history and industry impact of the hugely influential game franchise, The Legend of Zelda.

» When: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

» Where: Raccoon City Room

The History of Wrestling in Video Games

» Patrick Baker of Gizmo's Videogames & Wrestling and Ken Klobus take an in-depth look at the relationship between video games and wrestling from the 8-bit era to modern consoles.

» When: 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.

» Where: Green Hills Room

My Life in the Video Game Industry

» Panelist Sam Skelton will discuss the ups and downs of his career in the gaming industry. Skelton has been involved in designing a game and setting up displays at multiple major gaming conferences around the United States.

» When: 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

» Where: Hyrule Room

Screening of MEGA-LO Mania Documentary

» When: 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.

Contests, Tournaments and Special Events

Salt City Series Tournament

» The first annual Salt City Series will take place at this year's RetroGameCon. Entrants can register to compete in fighting games including Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Ultra Street Fighter IV for Xbox 360, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and Soul Calibur V for PlayStation 3, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii.

» Registration costs $10, which includes entry to the convention, and the winners of the Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Street Fighter IV competitions will receive a $200 bonus to the prize pot.

» When: 10 a.m.

RetroGameCon Magic 1K Tournament

» Play the Game Read the Story will host a Magic: The Gathering tournament with a prize pool of $1,000. The prize money will be distributed among the top eight players in the competition. Entrants must register their decks prior to the tournament.

Registration for the tournament is $25.

» When: Doors at 10 a.m., event begins at 11 a.m.

Adult Cosplay Contest

» The 2014 Adult Cosplay Contest at RetroGameCon is a competition of costume design, craftsmanship and embodiment of character. All entrants will participate in a pre-judging session and a catwalk display where they can show off their commitment to their characters. The first, second and third place winners will receive $25, $15 and $10 Dave and Buster's gift cards respectively.

» When: Pre-judging from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m., Contest begins at 2 p.m.

Kid's Cosplay Fashion Show

» At the Kid's Cosplay Fashion Show, children age 7 to 13 are encouraged to come have fun and show their costumes. The fashion show will not be judged, and every entrant will receive a certificate of participation. There are limited slots in the fashion show, and registration is available through an email application form on a first-come,

first-serve basis.

» When: 1:30 p.m.

Pokemon XY Tournament

» RetroGameCon will host a Pokemon XY tournament. After a series of non-elimination rounds, the top eight competitors will battle in a single elimination playoff.

Each entrant must pay a fee of $5, and the top three competitors will receive a percentage of the total entry fee pool. For a list of rules and excluded Pokemon, visit the RetroGameCon Events webpage.

» When: 4 p.m.

Family-Friendly Dance Party

» This year's RetroGameCon will close with a Family-Friendly Dance Party where convention attendees can continue to show off their costumes or just have a good time.

DJ Silenze will provide the music for the party.

» When: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Vendors expected: