Game Con Canada and NAGIS take place next week — here’s what to check out

Canada’s largest video game show is nearly upon us.

From June 19-21, Game Con Canada will return to the Edmonton Expo Centre. Organized by Alberta’s Meibel Consulting, the event features all kinds of gaming programming, including playable game demos, celebrities like Deborah Ann Woll from Daredevil (and the recently revealed God of War Laufey), esports tournaments from the likes of Asus, a bunch of tabletop games and more. Additionally, the inaugural North American Games Industry Summit (NAGIS) is taking place from June 18-19, a networking conference featuring notable industry figures.

For a deep dive into Game Con’s growth over the past few years, including the introduction of NAGIS, check out our chat with Meibel. But in a high-level sense, here’s some of what you can expect.

Game Con Canada

Besides autographs and selfies with stars like Woll, Meer, YDB (Wu-Tang Clan) and D&D YouTubers Dungeon Dudes, some of the Game Con Canada programming highlights include:

• Asus Valorant and Street Fighter esports tournaments
• Mega Stage events featuring panels with each celebrity, a Cosplay Contest and more
• Miniature painting (free sessions, paid classes and more)
• 400-plus IPs and vendors, including Warhammer, Asus, Intel, Catan, Warner Bros. and EB Games
• Tales from the Woodcreek (live D&D game with Woll and other guests — premium ticket)
• 3,000 square foot castle for tabletop games to be played within
• Warhammer’s first-ever Grand Tournament in Canada

NAGIS

This business-to-business conference features all kinds of talks and networking opportunities for industry professionals and students. Some of the highlights include:

• Ben Gelinas (writer, Times & Galaxy, Mass Effect, Control)
• Big Indie Pitch (quick-fire feedback and networking for indie developers)
• BioWare reunion (featuring co-founder Greg Zeschuk, KOTOR and Mass Effect creative director Casey Hudson and more)
• Nolan Bushnell (co-founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese)
• Richard Garfield (creator of Magic: The Gathering)
• Toni Domenich (Hollywood producer, strategist, and co-founder of ATFP Production)

Game Con Canada takes place from June 19-21 at the Edmonton Expo Centre, with NAGIS running June 18-19 in the same venue. GCC tickets start at $45 (single-day) or $108 (weekend pass) for adults, with lower-cost options available for children and youth. A limited VIP pass is also available for $350 that offers a $600 value, including a weekend pass with early entry, VIP seating and a buddy pass, game keys from the likes of Focus Entertainment and Beamdog, a Warhammer introductory set, mystery gifts from EB Games Canada and more.

Meanwhile, NAGIS student passes cost $100 and include admission to GCC, while $235 and $350 Industry and VIP passes with additional perks are also available.

Image credit: Meibel Consulting