Classic Gaming Expo 2008 (Cancelled) [Archive]

PapaStu

02-08-2008, 01:36 AM

I'm going to shimmy this to Events & Gatherings (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=24) for the time being. Once some official news hits on where/when the CGE subforum will be re-opened.

Keep an eye out on the boards for a general announcement and at www.cgexpo.com for further details.

**Shimmy**

GrandAmChandler

02-10-2008, 07:36 PM

Site has been updated with an announcement from the organizers:

http://www.cgexpo.com/

antmeister

02-24-2008, 12:24 AM

Site has been updated with an announcement from the organizers:

http://www.cgexpo.com/

They are having problems finding a place. My question is does it have to be on the strip. I live in Las Vegas myself, and know of some places that are off the strip they have good sized spaces. Sams Town is one of the places that would be very good I reckon. Good transportation options to the strip, (goes down Tropicana Ave, past the pinball museum!) :-)

DreamTR

02-24-2008, 01:38 AM

The Strip and the Downtown area (it used to be at the Plaza Hotel downtown) had things to do, but not much, especially since the Riviera is so far north.

I would say the Green Valley Ranch Resort and Casino is an EXCELLENT place to hold it. You don't even need to leave the hotel, they have a lot of food places in general, and if they have no problem with a fighting game tournament holding 1,000 people in a giant area, should be no problem with the CGE.

I'm just crossing my fingers that this is in JULY and not AUG/SEPT

Dan Iacovelli

02-24-2008, 06:31 AM

as long they keep along the same route the Duce bus travels(strip and dt) it is ok with me. (even though I'm skipping this year,might return next year though)

98PaceCar

02-24-2008, 11:52 AM

When I'm needing to go to Vegas on the cheap, I'll usually end up at the Orleans. Has a pretty good amount of restaurants, a decent arcade, and the requisite gambling. Being off the strip, it's a good bit cheaper than any of the other hotels. But it has a shuttle service that brings you right to the middle of the strip for free since it's owned by the same folks that own a couple other hotels.

Chainsaw_Charlie

03-06-2008, 10:34 AM

still no further update because I plan on going this yr and dragging my friend from NC along with me

esquire

03-31-2008, 03:11 PM

Still no update yet? I am starting to get the itch for Classic Gaming and gambling.

Just wondering as I am starting to set out my summer travel plans, and vacations. Coincidentally, I may be in Las Vegas for business August 10-12, so I have my fingers crossed that it might be the weekend prior, August 8-10.

udisi

04-01-2008, 01:14 PM

I talked to John Hardie this past wekend and he said they're not having it this year :( I guess too many problems finding a venue this year. He did however say there will be a 2009 show for sure.

Sniderman

04-01-2008, 02:21 PM

I talked to John Hardie this past wekend and he said they're not having it this year :( I guess too many problems finding a venue this year. He did however say there will be a 2009 show for sure.

I groaned outwardly, until I saw today's date. :evil laugh:

Bojay1997

04-01-2008, 02:58 PM

I groaned outwardly, until I saw today's date. :evil laugh:

Except it's now April and it makes it very hard to plan a trip to the show when there is no venue or date set yet. It's really not that hard to find a venue. You just need to decide what your budget is and make some calls. Venues will either be into it or not. I really don't get what the problem is.

udisi

04-01-2008, 03:06 PM

regardless of the date, I regret to inform you I am 100% serious. He said it's not happening, who knows, they may change their mind, but he seemed pretty sure it wasn't happening this year

Coldguy

04-01-2008, 03:37 PM

Philadelphia and Fort Washington: Casinos close by and venues to boot.

Phosphor Dot Fossils

04-01-2008, 04:00 PM

I'm with Sniderman - you'll just have to forgive us if we don't believe it until we see Big John post such an announcement himself.

There's a difference between a harmless prank and actually doing someone some damage. And even if this isn't either of the above, there's also just plain bad timing.

sidnotcrazy

04-02-2008, 05:03 PM

See this is why I hate April Fools. I don't think I am the only one who forgets what day it is. I really hope their is a announcement soon, because I am about to run out of time to put in for a vacation.

nationgamesdepot

04-02-2008, 09:21 PM

From what I have been told this is a no go as well. It would really be nice if they would let us know one way or another if they already know for sure. I check the CGE site daily in hopes of an official word.
~~NGD

swlovinist

04-05-2008, 03:25 AM

It would be nice to have some offical word on this. This would give people time and options to go to other retro shows that are happening.

digitalpress

04-05-2008, 11:15 AM

It would be nice to have some offical word on this. This would give people time and options to go to other retro shows that are happening.

I can't give you official word because there's still a 5% chance that the show will go on. But representing the CGE Organizers the last thing we want you to do is miss something else because of us. Make other plans if you must.

Coldguy

04-05-2008, 06:18 PM

5%? There is still hope!

nationgamesdepot

04-05-2008, 06:22 PM

digitalpress

04-05-2008, 08:34 PM

Joe that for unofficially letting us know. Now I can more forward with my plans for having a show in the south late summer. I didn't want to plan a show if CGE was already happening cause it would have been way to much funds to tie up. Hopefully CGE will be back for 09?
~~NGD

Yeah '09, and '10 and all the rest. It was never our intention to skip this year, but sometimes life happens. Like I said, still a sliver of a chance that '08 will happen, it's just unlikely.

Sothy

04-05-2008, 09:15 PM

Man......

I hope you decide to go with it.

smork

04-05-2008, 09:56 PM

That sucks. I was hoping to make the trip for the first time this year....

Kaboomer

04-05-2008, 10:32 PM

My wife and I went last year and had an absolute blast. It was a great show, and if it does not happen this year, it will be truly sad. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Vectorman0

04-05-2008, 10:42 PM

Assuming it doesn't happen, the following CGE will just end up being twice as great.

PingvinBlueJeans

04-05-2008, 11:22 PM

That sucks. I was hoping to make the trip for the first time this year....
Same here.

Assuming it doesn't happen, the following CGE will just end up being twice as great.
Positive thinking...I like it.

swlovinist

04-06-2008, 03:37 AM

Bummer if it does not happen...but understand first hand that things happen out of our control sometimes. Best of luck to future shows if this year does indeed not work out.

Chainsaw_Charlie

04-06-2008, 05:49 AM

I was planning on going as well for the first time hopefully next yr I'll be there but now I need a new show or some sort of out of town vacation

punkoffgirl

04-06-2008, 09:16 AM

"Unofficially" :? Joe's one of the organizers, so that's as official as it gets :)

He said, "unofficially," because Joe said he wasn't giving an "official" answer in his post.

jeannerocket

04-06-2008, 04:30 PM

Maybe we can do the show in the fall or the winter instead. This would give extra time, plus it would be a nice change in climate at that time of year. Why doesn't the riv want us back? <3

nationgamesdepot

04-06-2008, 04:36 PM

For any of you folks in the southeast. There will be a new show AGExpo (hosted by NintendoAGE.com) in Knoxville, TN in early Sept looks like. Of course it wouldn't be nearly as large as CGE, but it looks to be shaping up to be a pretty good show. Might be an alternative till CGE 09 is upon us.
~~NGD

RetroYoungen

04-06-2008, 05:08 PM

y-bot

04-06-2008, 05:39 PM

I was so looking forward to going this year, I might not have the chance to next year... if I can help in any way, maybe calling up a casino or two to see what can be done, I'll do whatever I can. I've been wanting to get back since we left, it's always such a blast. Any of the organizers, let me know if you need some kind of help (except financially, which might be what it comes down to... all that hot retail money just doesn't keep in the wallet well. lol).

It'd be sad to see this show take a year hiatus for the second time.

I was just going to type out a message that says almost exactly what Retroyoungen just said. I'll be really sad if CGE doesn't happen this year. I've been planning my whole summer around it. If there is anything that I can do to help please let me know. I think the amount of feedback that was given after last years CGE shows that there are many people here that are willing to help. I'm also totally okay with it being in the fall or winter.

y-bot

Sothy

04-09-2008, 01:37 AM

I will also concur that fall or winter would be fine. Living out here I can assure you the more mild weather would be a godsend for people bringing equipment etc.

vincewy

04-10-2008, 02:37 AM

Another thing is communication, had I known they needed the hotel's occupancy, I would've booked and stayed at Riviera in a heartbeat, I can understand why Riviera isn't keen on working with CGE this year, perhaps back to Plaza again?

GrandAmChandler

04-10-2008, 09:30 AM

16-bit

04-10-2008, 10:36 AM

vectrexer

04-11-2008, 05:56 AM

Yeah '09, and '10 and all the rest. It was never our intention to skip this year, but sometimes life happens. Like I said, still a sliver of a chance that '08 will happen, it's just unlikely.

Alright. Git off yer dead one an let's git to another place.

What??? do I need to drive out to Javits or something just to have a nice venue? CGE08 in the DP Store this year? Let's see what yer neighbors think of that?! Tents up an down the sidewalk just to house the event! Not too keen on a Xcountry trip but I will do it. Not too keen on paying Tony Soprano fees for "security" either.

About the Riviera,,, not too keen on the daily hike that place represented. Or bazillion dollar mail receipt fees for the packages mailed to the hotel. Nice people in the office servin up evil fees.

If you guys are having problems getting tiem to see other places then let me know. My STeed is just itchin for a reason to ride out to Vegas on a venue huntin trip for the show.

Or is the real reaon for all the waffling becasue John hit the wagon so there's no more Corona desires allowed?

Chainsaw_Charlie

04-11-2008, 08:31 AM

I know it's a long shot but we have a downtown convention center here in Rochester with 3 hotels nearby within less than 10 mins walking time

antmeister

04-12-2008, 01:52 AM

As a Las Vegas resident myself, I offered my services as a face to face negotiator for the casinos around the place, but I never got a reply.

Offer is still open however.

esquire

04-12-2008, 02:29 PM

It was on the front page of cgexpo.com for months, how better can the staff communicate?

I think where he was going with was the fact that CGE had negotiated with the Riveria that they could guarantee a % of occupancy for the expo; however, many people were going through travel agents and online discounters like Orbitz, rather than using the CGE disocunt code when making the reservation, thereby not providing an accurate head count as to the number of reservations based upon attendance at CGE. If I recall, it was not until 30 days out that the website made a plea to book the hotel. At that time it was probably too late as many people had already made non-refundable reservations through other means, rather than using the CGE code.

vectrexer

04-12-2008, 04:20 PM

however, many people were going through travel agents and online discounters like Orbitz, rather than using the CGE disocunt code when making the reservation,

That is what happens when the news the show is going to happen occurs late in the game.

lucifershalo

04-17-2008, 04:40 AM

many people were going through travel agents and online discounters like Orbitz, rather than using the CGE disocunt code when making the reservation, thereby not providing an accurate head count as to the number of reservations based upon attendance at CGE.

it doesnt help either if when you call the Riviera to book a room and talk about the CGE discount code, the hotel's receptionist doesnt know what you are talking about.

vectrexer

04-17-2008, 12:39 PM

it doesnt help either if when you call the Riviera to book a room and talk about the CGE discount code, the hotel's receptionist doesnt know what you are talking about.

I had no problem with the Riviera knowing about the discount code. However, I did not get the room upgrades some had mentioned. On the plus side they did put me in the same tower as the John and the banquet like I requested. So the staff was somewhat accomodating.

Chainsaw_Charlie

04-17-2008, 06:32 PM

DreamTR

04-17-2008, 06:49 PM

The convention center in my city can hold CGE(hell they have held a convention as big as Kodak)

Would someone let the CGE people know this and try to salvage the event summer in my city is slow season and CGE is a summer event

Rochester is not a major city, and this late in the game, I doubt they can get the keynote speakers all the way out to the other side of the country when most of them live in California.

PapaStu

04-17-2008, 08:06 PM

The convention center in my city can hold CGE(hell they have held a convention as big as Kodak)

Would someone let the CGE people know this and try to salvage the event summer in my city is slow season and CGE is a summer event

You have to realise that it was a huge undertaking to even move the stuff to California from Vegas for the two years that it was held in the Bay Area. To pull everything thats in storage in Vegas and load it up to move it back to NY just isn't going to happen. It would take close to a week of driving to move the stuff.

PingvinBlueJeans

04-17-2008, 08:07 PM

Rochester is not a major city, and this late in the game, I doubt they can get the keynote speakers all the way out to the other side of the country when most of them live in California.

As much as I'd love to see CGE on the east coast, it's unfortunately not an option for a variety of reasons as I understand it.

Chainsaw_Charlie

04-18-2008, 06:08 AM

I know Rochester is not a major city and it is on the east coast. I was just offering an idea incase there is a possibility to stage a scaled down version of it. There was a game room show in town just last weekend.

TorkLugnutz

04-21-2008, 02:23 AM

At this late a date, I doubt you'll be able to get the ball rolling for '08, but here's some ideas:

The Gold Coast casino: Home to the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly festival. It's off strip, but they've got a decent hotel, good eats, and adequate ballroom space.

Downtown casinos are pretty inexpensive and underbooked. Check with the Plaza, as they are exceptionally dingy and cheap, yet undeniably Vegas-y. Kinda like the Riviera, but less ritzy. Other options: Fitzgeralds, the Golden Nugget (probably pricey), The Las Vegas Club, The California, Binions (maybe no ballrooms?), and Neonopolis. The latter is a shopping mall with very low occupancy surrounded by food, entertainment and discount lodgings on Fremont St. As a local, I prefer to hit this neighborhood for fun. Also, the Deuce has a stop right next to the mall.

Similarly, the Sahara has convention space and cheap rooms. Might be some opportunity there.

Let me know if I can be of any help!

LucidDefender

04-21-2008, 03:03 AM

CGE isn't going to be anywhere but Vegas. Why? It's Las Vegas. If you're inviting guests for keynotes, alumni events, they'd like to do other things while using their vacation time besides just hanging around the hotel for the convention; same goes for many of the attendees.

You'd be marginalizing the the best classic gaming show, if you did it half-assed in any way.

CGE 09 is okay with me, although I was looking forward to 2008. I know it's a ton of work for Joe, John, Sean, and everyone else involved, especially when the cards don't fall into place way before the event.

Chainsaw_Charlie

04-21-2008, 08:31 AM

Please there's a bunch of cities in the US that CGE can be held in(yes I know about the storage in Vegas which is a problem in of itself)

LucidDefender

04-21-2008, 06:03 PM

Please there's a bunch of cities in the US that CGE can be held in(yes I know about the storage in Vegas which is a problem in of itself)

There's not many cities adults want to spend their limited vacation time to go to for just a video game expo. CGE would also lose much of it's glamor if it were held elsewhere.

shertz

04-21-2008, 10:17 PM

There's not many cities adults want to spend their limited vacation time to go to for just a video game expo. CGE would also lose much of it's glamor if it were held elsewhere.

AGREED!! BTW, if I recall, people were BEGGING the CGE staff to move out of NoCal and move it back to Vegas.

Chainsaw_Charlie

04-22-2008, 02:22 PM

There's not many cities adults want to spend their limited vacation time to go to for just a video game expo. CGE would also lose much of it's glamor if it were held elsewhere.

Wouldnt it get boring having it in Vegas year after year? Having it in Vegas somewhat IMO would diminish the likelihood of me coming back a 2nd or 3rd time because I would be bored when not at the event IE having it in other west coast cities. The CGE is like the World Series or Super Bowl of gaming events and neither of those are in the SAME city every yr

Sniderman

04-22-2008, 02:26 PM

Wouldnt it get boring having it in Vegas year after year?

No. Next question?

The CGE is like the World Series or Super Bowl of gaming events and neither of those are in the SAME city every yr

No, but sporting events like Wimbleton, the Indy 500, the Tour De France, the Rose Bowl (and all other college Bowl games), the Masters Golf Tourney, the Kentucky Derby, and the Boston Marathon ARE held in the same city every year.

And other conventions like GenCon, Origins, DragonCon, ComicCon take place in the same city each year. Hell, other videogame conventions usually stay put too.

So what's your point again?

Chainsaw_Charlie

04-22-2008, 02:53 PM

I guess I didnt make this point clear enough. You go to event in said city see what you want to see and do what you want to do but dont get to quite everything so you come back the next yr and see everything. I know Vegas is a poor example because the entertainment changes but if that were not there all there is gambling and that gets boring. Maybe I am OCD but I am the type of person that would rather see something of this nature switch it up every now and then. Or I could it put it this way, There are people like me who loathe vacationing in the SAME city ALL the time

y-bot

04-22-2008, 03:03 PM

I love the fact that it's in Vegas. I was really looking forward to going there again just to hang out in Las Vegas. Having a booth at CGE = free/cheap trip to Las Vegas for me. Going to Las Vegas without CGE = $1000-$2000 wasted. San Jose and whatever that shitty place by the San Francisco airport is called were ultra-lame. CGE was great but there was absolutely nothing else to do in the area.

y-bot

98PaceCar

04-22-2008, 05:14 PM

Vegas is the way to go for sure. I attended all of the CA shows and found that they were much more expensive and not near as fun. Flights to Vegas are plentiful and cheap, hotel rooms are everywhere, there is every manner of food you could ever want in every hotel, and there is plenty to do to keep significant others entertained while you spend time at CGE. Moving it somewhere else (again) would be mistake.

Coldguy

04-22-2008, 06:17 PM

Why not have CGE as an every other year thing? In the lulls some other event can take place on the East Coast. Problem solved.

Phosphor Dot Fossils

04-22-2008, 10:03 PM

I have yet to get bored in Las Vegas. Seriously. I wouldn't want to stay there for, say, two weeks or anything, but for a weekend? There's always something new.

And I thought this fella:

Why not have CGE as an every other year thing? In the lulls some other event can take place on the East Coast. Problem solved.
...might be on to something. It might be easier to work the numbers financially to make it every other year, and lessen the possibility of burnout among attendees, organizers and special guests.

CGE isn't the World Series - it's the freakin' Olympics. So every other year wouldn't break my heart to be honest. It's almost an overwhelming experience every time I go.

But it really, really needs to stay in Vegas. I don't even think that's open to debate. As much as I might want it to come to my back yard - I've got actual acreage for square footage, and I'd even buy some of the beer - the real deal only happens in Vegas. That's as it should be.

DreamTR

04-22-2008, 10:47 PM

I honestly think there is no burnout year by year. It's something to really look forward to.

Chainsaw_Charlie

04-23-2008, 07:07 AM

I think the every other year thing is a great idea. I would be moring than willing to help out with an east coast event

WizDawg

04-23-2008, 09:52 AM

jeannerocket

04-23-2008, 02:40 PM

I completely agree that Las Vegas is not boring. I stayed there almost a week last year and barely gambled at all. There is so much rad stuff to do: gondola rides, animatronics shows, Cirque De Soleil, pop culture museums, water shows from the Eiffel Tower replica and some of the best food in and shopping in the world. That’s not even close to being a comprehensive list of Las Vegas entertainment highlights.

I would also contend that skipping years makes CGE lose momentum, not prevent burnout.

Flack

04-23-2008, 05:50 PM

If CGE does not happen in Vegas this year, I noticed a few other neat conventions (if you need to get out there :)).

http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex/ - Plaza Hotel 7/26/-7/27

http://www.defcon.org - Riviera Hotel 8/8-8/10

ps. But I'm still crossing my fingers that CGE happens.

I attended both of those last year as part of my CGE trip as well. Icebreaker, 98Pacecar and Ubikuberalles went to CommVex with me. If you are in Vegas and interested in the C64 then I recommend hitting CommVex ... but if you are making a special trip just for that, I am afraid to say you will not find much to do. When we were there, there were less than a dozen people there. IIRC there was only one table selling anything -- most of the people there were just there to hang out. The people were all extremely nice and I had a good time talking to people, but we had seen everything in about 10-15 minutes. My pictures of the show are in the middle of my GGE photo album -- it starts with a sign for the show.

http://www.robohara.com/albums/cge2k7/

I also attended (and spoke at) Defcon last year. Here are pictures of that.

http://www.robohara.com/albums/defcon

ubersaurus

04-23-2008, 06:33 PM

I also disagree with the notion of it being biyearly. I was really looking forward to hitting it again this year up until the shenanigans in Vegas. It's just a great convention to go hang out at. And why move it again? I liked San Jose and all, but there's a hell of a lot more to do in Vegas outside of the con then there was there.

Here's hoping something comes together. If not, I guess I'll see you folks next year! Maybe I'll have some good amounts of spending money piled up by then ;)

Bojay1997

04-23-2008, 07:12 PM

I agree, and I echoed that comment when the possibility of skipping '06 came up. I was against moving the show to Cali (because it was firmly established in Vegas), but also against moving it back (b/c the Cali attendance #s were better than any year in Vegas). It's a shame CGE and CAX never joined together, but teaming up with Tim Arnold's Pinball Museum last year was a nice bonus. Hopefully that will be expanded on next year.

I would really love for the show to happen this year, regardless of location. I do have to say that I liked the California show better, if only because it wasn't so exhausting to walk around casinos to get to the show, there was no dealing with heat and to try and find a place to eat didn't require fighting huge amounts of traffic, etc...Also, it seemed like we got a better mix of speakers including Woz if I recall correctly. When I go to CGE, it's pretty much only to go to the show anyway. Vegas is not a place you can spend more than a day in without wanting to leave. I have to go occasionally for work and when given the option, I try to fly out the same day if at all possible. In any event, like everyone else here, I am more than willing to do whatever I can do to help get the show moving forward for this year and will volunteer to help during the show if needed as well.

DreamTR

04-24-2008, 10:54 AM

Midwest Gaming Classic and CGE are the only shows with comparable attendance to one another, and both are slightly different beasts, but I look forward to both EACH year. I honestly liked the Vegas shows better because it was established there, and the two different locations in San Jose and near San Francisco just did not seem as enthusiastic, but you can sure get a lot more game industry folk having them up there.

rolenta

04-24-2008, 11:00 AM

and the two different locations in San Jose and near San Francisco....

BURLINGAME, CA

Everyone seems to forget the name of this city where 2005 CGE was located, but it's very important in the history of videogames. It was here where Sanders and Magnavox showed off the Odyssey before it was released, and where Nolan Bushnell saw video ping pong for the first time.

swlovinist

04-24-2008, 11:07 AM

While I think that the speakers offer flavor to the show, I often saw most speakers talking to a paltry small amount of people in the crowd. I really dont care where the show is. I am just lucky to go to several of these in the past. I look forward to seeing more of these hopefully. Helping put on the NWCGE event in Portland, planning an event can be exhausting a huge headache. I can only imagine how much of a headache planning from thousands of miles away from the event can be. Good luck with future shows guys.

y-bot

04-24-2008, 02:47 PM

BURLINGAME, CA

Everyone seems to forget the name of this city where 2005 CGE was located, but it's very important in the history of videogames. It was here where Sanders and Magnavox showed off the Odyssey before it was released, and where Nolan Bushnell saw video ping pong for the first time.

I've been trying to forget that place. Walking down some nasty busy street to get to some greasy mexican restaurant that wasn't very good. There just wasn't anything remotely cool near there. Not saying it's not historic just not Las Vegas.