Posted in: Recent Updates | Tagged: A-Kon Anime Convention, David Doub, entertainment, gaming cosplay, video games

A-Kon 25 Says Gaming's Bigger In Texas – And Gaming Cosplay Too

Published Fri, 30 May 2014 23:30:00 -0500

By Jared Cornelius

They say everything's bigger in Texas and the folks over at the A-Kon Anime Convention in Dallas, Texas want that message loud and clear. So last time I talked about conventions, I took a look at the "Hall of Gaming" at the Denver Comic Con. Not wanting to be outshined, David Doub, Division Head of Gaming for A-Kon 25 contacted me and let me know that they were long time supporters of gamers at their con. Doub told me that he was extremely proud of the con, letting me know that A-Kon was the oldest continuously running anime convention in North America. At 25 years old, A-Kon is well past having its first beer.

One of Doub's big plans for the show, is breaking the world record for largest amount of gaming related cosplayers in one place, a title currently held by Finland of all places. With the Finnish record being 491 cosplayers, Doub believes they can top it by 194 people. Doub told me, "This record is for the cosplayers themselves." and dropped the gauntlet down saying, "Now we get to help bring it to the next level and claim an international record and bring it to the US!" Doub and A-Kon are serious about the record, and won't be counting people cosplaying as Batman, or Spider-Man who've stared in games, and are specifically looking for characters like Mario, Sonic, and Samus. Oh course A-Kon is more than welcoming to any and all cosplayers by featuring cosplay contests, a specific pictures area, skits, and even a break room.

Doub was adamant that that A-Kon would continue to bring big things including huge plans for the gamers in attendance. The tabletop crowd is well represented at A-Kon with BattleTech games going on all weekend, including demo's for new players. Vanguard, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic the Gathering tournaments for the CCG gamers and Tephra and Vampire the Eternal Struggle games as well. Board games are going to be well represented with 27 titles to choose from and staff on hand to teach new players. Doub said he was looking forward to the Magic tournament specifically and commented, "I think that really shows the bigger picture about how gaming is a community and it brings together different people."

A-Kon was sure not to leave out the video game crowd as well with a huge list of gaming tournaments. Friday gamers can expect tournaments for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Call of Duty Ghosts, and Blazblue: Chronophantasma. Saturday is jam packed with Super Smash Bros. Brawl Project M, Titanfall, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure All-Star Battle, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and Street Fighter VI. Perhaps the crown jewel of the console gaming tournament is the Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate tournament which will be a qualifier for the TFC 2014 competition in North Carolina. For those of us without the necessary skills to compete can enjoy Killer Instinct, Halo 4, Injustice, Mario Kart 8, Mortal Kombat, and more for causal play.

A-Kon also wants to be an event that gives back to the community, with a charity auction and award on Saturday. A-Kon will be hosting a charity auction on Saturday benefiting Kids Need to Read, a nonprofit organization that helps provide children's books to schools and libraries. They'll also be hosting the Future Legacy of Video Games Award, to be given to 9-year-old Hector Montoya. Montoya is being celebrated for donating the money he was saving for a PlayStation 4 to buy his neighbors smoke detectors for their homes.

Doub's pride in his job was undeniable, "We may be the gaming track at an anime convention, but that does not stop us from doing our utmost in bringing as much and the best gaming content we can fit in the place to our attendees!" With an attempt at breaking records, a huge host of tournaments, and personalities from the world of anime and video games there's a lot going on at A-Kon. The convention sounds like it has a lot to offer a wide variety of gamers, with everyone having some representation.

The A-Kon Anime Convention will be taking place June 6th-8th at the Hitlon Anotole at 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, in Dallas Texas.

Jared Cornelius is some guy from New Jersey's coast who's sure Dallas is nice, but hates the Cowboys. If you'd like to show unwavering support for a football team, contact him on Twitter @John_Laryngitis

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!