My comments about CGE, post-show

[j_factor]

I definitely had a great time, but I was a little dismayed at the lack of vendors. I still found more than enough shit to buy, thanks mainly to that one "specialist gamer" dude, he had a lot of good stuff. But I kind of miss some of the things from years past, like that one that specialized in CDi stuff (even though I don't have a CDi, it was still neat seeing that Sony CDi unit hooked up with Zelda), and the Moby Games booth from 2k5 (I still have my t-shirt from them). My memory is a little fuzzy on other past exhibitors, but I remember there being several that were more fun just to check out, not necessarily buy from.

Also, what was up with the swap meet room? It wasn't clearly marked and it was closed half the time. At the last show, I got half my stuff from the swap, but this time I didn't get anything.

I didn't go to any of the panels this year. I've really enjoyed panels in the past, but this year's seemed like repeats. I don't really know what it would take to bring in fresh panels, though. I did, however, really enjoy the screening of the movie Joysticks. Maybe we should show a movie at every CGE.

This post sounds more negative than positive, but I really did thoroughly enjoy myself. I'm a little worried about the tone of the letter from the organizers. I really hope this isn't the last CGE, or the last "big" one.

[Bojay1997]

I definitely had a great time, but I was a little dismayed at the lack of vendors. I still found more than enough shit to buy, thanks mainly to that one "specialist gamer" dude, he had a lot of good stuff. But I kind of miss some of the things from years past, like that one that specialized in CDi stuff (even though I don't have a CDi, it was still neat seeing that Sony CDi unit hooked up with Zelda), and the Moby Games booth from 2k5 (I still have my t-shirt from them). My memory is a little fuzzy on other past exhibitors, but I remember there being several that were more fun just to check out, not necessarily buy from.

Also, what was up with the swap meet room? It wasn't clearly marked and it was closed half the time. At the last show, I got half my stuff from the swap, but this time I didn't get anything.

I didn't go to any of the panels this year. I've really enjoyed panels in the past, but this year's seemed like repeats. I don't really know what it would take to bring in fresh panels, though. I did, however, really enjoy the screening of the movie Joysticks. Maybe we should show a movie at every CGE.

This post sounds more negative than positive, but I really did thoroughly enjoy myself. I'm a little worried about the tone of the letter from the organizers. I really hope this isn't the last CGE, or the last "big" one.

I actually gave the vendor situation more thought today as I was tallying what I purchased and frankly, there are only a couple of additional vendors that could have been there given that all the rest (including the CD-i guy out of Arizona, Jack Berg Sales (well, they are almost sold out) and even O'Sheas) have pretty much sold out their stock and closed. Classic Game Source and Best Electronics are two that I would love to see there next year, but CGS isn't exactly the most capable company and I'm not sure why Best never came back after World of Atari. I imagine the logistics of transporting large amounts of stock to Las Vegas can't be easy and adding to that the uncertainty of selling enough to cover your costs and vendor table fees makes it even more daunting. Other than those two and maybe McVans or a couple of other regional chains, I just don't know of any other vendor out there anymore other than maybe a few more local game shops from California, Arizona or Nevada.

[loop006]

I definitely had a great time, but I was a little dismayed at the lack of vendors. I still found more than enough shit to buy, thanks mainly to that one "specialist gamer" dude, he had a lot of good stuff.

Hello, I was running the Specialty Gamer booth, glad you found some items to pick up! I hope I gave you a good deal

I wound up blowing a ton of money on Jag and 3do stuff this show, it was rad!!

Hope to see some of you folks at the Portland show... my booth will be over 2x as big

-Gerald

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Aw man,

Listening to the AT 1UP podcast right now ...

... Jade Kraus and Frank Cifaldi from 1UP were at CGE and I missed them?!?!

I would've loved to talk to them in person.

[portnoyd]

You met Frank Cifaldi if you talked to TheRedEye.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

You met Frank Cifaldi if you talked to TheRedEye.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm .... don't know if I did. If I did it wasn't a deep enough conversation to get that info.

So many people there and not every one was forthcoming with their forum handles (and they were teeny tiny on the badges that did have them, requiring you to basically grab the badge/lanyard from them to look at it if you didn't have 20/20 vision).

[Anotherfluke]

I really enjoyed my time at cge this year, but I was so overloaded with work that I missed the entire first day, which apparently was the day that everyone was around I'll definitely make sure that doesn't happen again next year!

[Sothy]

totally dont remember seeing you Fluke!

[PapaStu]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm .... don't know if I did. If I did it wasn't a deep enough conversation to get that info.

So many people there and not every one was forthcoming with their forum handles (and they were teeny tiny on the badges that did have them, requiring you to basically grab the badge/lanyard from them to look at it if you didn't have 20/20 vision).

Frank bought one of the mystery boxes at CGE (the first one guy who had to get more $$ and the box had the mass of common games in it).

Yeah, I went the safe route and stepped away since I was told about an after party, so I just naturally assumed that CGE would stay family friendly and be alcohol free and then all alcohol would happen at the after party. Obviously alcohol would be bad at the museum since holding an adult beverage, drinking, and leaning over looking at shit is bad.

if it is cool to walk around with a corona, i will need to remember that for next year

There were people walking around the main hall with drinks, though not a ton. The museum didn't allow that stuff in anyways, so your beverage would have been sitting near the door along w/ your bags.

[Sothy]

CGE is alcohol friendly. I assume it wouldnt be cool to stumble around the show all shitfaced though. You can even buy 300$ Coronas! Just make sure you man up and chug the damn thing