The annual Winter GameFest, one of the premier competitive video-game events on the West Coast, was underway at UC San Diego this weekend.
Iconic gaming tournaments, industry panels, cosplay artists and arcade alleys were just a few highlights of the festival.
UCSD’s Sixth College hosts the student-run game tournament, with gaming sessions on Friday through Sunday. The tournament features popular games such as Hearthstone, Super Smash Brothers: Melee, League of Legends, Rocket League and more, said university officials.
Besides the latest games and consoles, the event also handed out raffle prizes include gaming products and cash rewards, according to the university. Students also have the opportunity to enter a team competition with a possible prize of $100,000 in scholarships.
The event showcases a vintage arcade area that includes Dance Dance Revolution, Metal Slug and a Claw Machine, said university officials.
Event organizers expect the festival to attract over 2,500 attendees, with a variety of performances, video-game related movie screenings, an artist alley and industry panels.
It’s located on the UC San Diego campus in Price Center’s East and West Ballrooms, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, according to the university.
The event is poised to be one of the largest video game tournaments in Southern California, said university officials. Its themes of culture, art and technology, are central educational themes to UCSD’s Sixth College.
Officials noted the Winter GameFest is not open to the public.
