Las Vegas has always been synonymous with all forms of gambling. Playing the slots, throwing dice, choosing a horse – these are just some of the activities gamblers can enjoy. But, for those of us who are not into that, there is a whole other side to Vegas. No, we are not talking about sports betting. Vegas is not really the place for that, and, honestly, just looking up “how to get Betin promo code MAXBONUS?” would be a much better use of time than reading an article about Vegas conventions. Oh wait, there’s a link to that, so you don’t even have to search.
Believe it or not, Vegas is actually a great place for conventions, particularly of the gaming kind (bright lights, catchy music, a multibillion-dollar industry – who knew?). There are also comics and other geeky stuff. Here are some of the most famous gaming conventions in Las Vegas.
E3
The Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, is the biggest gaming convention there is for networking. Seriously. It costs almost a thousand bucks to enter, and that is if you are in the business of making, selling, or reporting on the games. This is not a place where you will find geeky memorabilia, stands where you can buy retro gaming systems, or beautiful girls dressed as Tracer, or Sylvanas.
E3 is there so that companies could announce their news, and see what the competitions is up to. If there is a new console generation, technological advancement (like virtual and augmented reality), new games, or simply new additions to existing games and platforms – they will be announced here. One could argue that this is the con you can only attend if you have made it in the gaming business.
Sabakon
Every year, a humble little expo emerges from hiding and into the light. Or rather, Las Vegas lights. This is a convention for Otakus, cosplayers and gamers, with amazing guests, like the voice actors of your favorite TV shows, comedians and other entertainers.
There is a swap meet for people willing to part with some of their comics, games and costumes in search of something new. The entrance fee is $15 for children, and up to $55 for a three-day pass that you buy at the entrance, though you could reserve it online for a cheaper price.
EVE Vegas
This is as game-specific as it gets. EVE Vegas is, as their website claims, the biggest EVE meet in the world. For clarification, EVE Online is an MMORPG (a Mass Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game), where players can choose a race and explore the unknown universe, all the while fighting each other for resources and fun.
This convention is dedicated entirely to the fans of the game. There are discussions and theories about lore, gameplay features that need changing, an active community, the presentation of new in-game items and features, and so much more. However, if you’re not a fan of this particular game, you may want to skip this one.
G2E
Global Gaming Expo is actually an event centered on games of chance. That’s right – it is Vegas after all. However, it is a useful convention to attend even if you are not into this type of entertainment, since you would be in a position to find out more about new advances in mobile gaming, AI, AR and VR.