8Bit/Digi

A Gamers Weekend in Sacramento

As the year comes to an end, Sac Gamers Expo 2023 gave the gamers around Northern California one last chance to congregate. This was an opportunity to either cosplay, find a retro game, learn from industry legends, or just hang out with friends or other like-minded enthusiasts.

Sac Gamers Expo 2023 brought together gamers, industry legends, and respected commentators for an exciting weekend. Also present were local indie game developers and retro game merchants. This was the perfect event for anyone who enjoys video games.

Dealers and Artists 

The Exhibitors Hall showcased numerous merchants, publishers, and artists hailing from the West Coast. It predominantly served as a treasure trove of classic games spanning various eras. Gamers could find titles and accessories for iconic consoles such as the Super Nintendo, the Xbox 360, or the PlayStation 2. In addition, there were tabletop games plus accessories along with plushies, works of art, and manga’s available for purchase. Overall, there was so much to see and a budget to watch.

One of the tables you could encounter outside the Exhibitors Hall was of Digital Eclipse. They are a development studio that specializes in the re-release of classic video games to modern consoles. Among their most notable releases have been Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection and Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration. Guests could learn about their work and pick up some of the classics they have restored or cool merchandise. 

The first merchant’s guests will be drawn to is Game Tower, located at the right of the main entrance. A retailer based in San Fernando, they specialize in the sale of retro games, consoles, and accessories. They had a massive collection of PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo games from various generations for sale. 

Terran Empire Publishing is an independent publishing house based in Pollock Pines. They specialize in tabletop games, science fiction, poetry collections, and more by creators from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. During the weekend they had on display a collection of published works, 3D-printed dragons, and dices. Among the works being featured at the table include Blood & Silk: The Tale of Circelae and Alexiel by Jeffrey Love and Don’t Drown on Dry Ground by Abraham Woodliff of Bay Area Memes. 

Rush ‘N Games has been a staple of the swap meet and flea market scene in the Bay Area. Sac Gamers Expo 2023 was their first time selling at a fan convention and it was a festive weekend. Their table had a variety of games, consoles, and accessories along with collectibles. This was the ideal spot if you were looking to add to your collection or looking for a new game to play. 

Cal Vintage Retro would quickly get your attention thanks to their cut-up promo of 50 Cent: Bulletproof. Once the nostalgic trip was done, it was time to check out their table. Here; one could find a mix of video game titles and accessories from different eras. 

1-Up Retro Video Games is an independent retro video game store located at 2325 J St in Sacramento. They were present to sell some of their games. One could find a variety of titles along with consoles and accessories. 

The Art of Nintendo Power

Organized by The Interactive Art Collection, the Art of Nintendo Power is an exhibit that showcases the sketches, drafts, and the final work that were used to create the covers of each issue of Nintendo Power. Guest got to see these works of art while also hearing the story behind their creation and the struggle the artists had to face at times. 

Insightful Panels 

Sac Gamers Expo was also an opportunity to gain some insight into one’s favorite work or the industry. The event organized a series of panels that discussed a variety of topics given by special guests and industry legends. These are some of the panels I got to check out during the weekend:

Featuring Jason Griffith, Lisa Ortiz, Jon St.John, and Ryan Drumm – Sonic The Hedgehog Reunion Panel brought together the cast from the iconic series for a special Q&A session. This was an opportunity to learn about the making of the iconic series while hearing some behind the scenes stories. Guest got to learn about some interesting moments during the making along with memorable moments with the fans they’ve met. 

Story Time! – Heather Gonzalez Q&A was an opportunity to learn more about the works that have featured the voice actress. Most notably; fans got to learn more about what it took to bring Mineru from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to life along with how the series has influenced her work. Also examined was her take on bringing Yukari Takebato to life in Persona 3 Reload. 

Cosplayers of Sac Gamers Expo

While not a major aspect of the event, there were several cosplayers present during the weekend. Those present had worked hard to bring their favorite character to life. A few even added their personal touch to it.

My Loot

No story about the Sac Gamers Expo is complete without mentioning the games I walked away with. I walked in with $150 in cash and no shopping agenda. I was on the hunt for any games that interested me or anything that would get my attention.

Here is a list of everything I bought and the price tag:

• Medal of Honor: European Assault (PS2) for $10
• .Hack//Outbreak Part 3 (PS2) for $40
• Attack on Titan Omnibus 1 for $10
• A bunch of stickers for $7

Overall, I walked away with some great classics while having some change left over.

Did you get a chance to check out Sac Gamers Expo 2023? If so then share your story in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: Sac Gamers Expo provided me with a pass for the weekend.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.