Despite the uncertainties around provincial pandemic restrictions, the Moose Jaw Gamers Association is still proceeding at full steam ahead with its winter gaming convention.
The association (MJGA) is teaming up with the SaskTel Pioneers to present the 2022 Winter Gaming Expo — better known as GAX — from Friday, Feb. 4 to Sunday, Feb. 6 at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre. This will be the first time since the 2020 Winter GAX that the association has held an in-person gaming get-together.
A weekend pass is $20. If people pre-register on the association website at www.mjga.ca, they will be entered to win a $50 gift card. The weekend pass also includes a free pizza party on Saturday night.
“It’s very important (to proceed). … we’re super excited to get back out there and to continue to raise funds for children’s charities,” said MJGA president Kristian Sjoberg. “We’ve all been locked away in our houses and basements long enough that we’re kind of excited to have another event happen here.”
This year the gamers association is raising funds for Creative Kids Saskatchewan, which provides grants to kids interested in the arts.
The 2022 Winter GAX could be pegged as bigger and better than ever, especially since the MJGA has brought in some new features.
The association has struck a partnership with Seattle-based Zombie Orpheus Entertainment (ZOE), which produces schlocky B-movies. MJGA has secured every movie that ZOE has and will show the flicks in the Mae Wilson Theatre.
Sjoberg joked that the theatre has been renamed the “Chicken Theatre” since Déjà Vu Café is sponsoring the room.
Members of Regina’s Queen City Cosplay are coming to interact with attendees and display their costumes. Sjoberg noted that these are professional cosplayers who usually attend Sidewalk Days. Their costumes will reflect characters from various movies.
For nerds and geeks more interested in technology, the owner of the former Matrix Gaming Centre will be bringing several gaming computers for people to game together or individually.
Other activities include gamemasters hosting Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) games; miniature battles such as Warhammer; a Pokemon tournament led by a certified trainer who will show people how to use their cards; board games; and other console-based games.
“Lots of little things like that that are new, but still part of our nerd culture that we want to encourage … ,” said Sjoberg. “It’s setting up to be a really big event if we can make it there and if we can have a good turnout.”
The Moose Jaw Gamers Association attracted 215 people during the summer 2019 GAX and 172 people during the winter 2020 GAX. Sjoberg noted that the organization hopes to attract around 200 people to this event.
Since the gaming expo is in a city-owned building, everyone must follow pandemic-related guidelines. This includes showing a vaccine passport or providing a negative test taken within 72 hours. Only tests administered by health professionals will be accepted.
Masks will also have to be worn.
“We’re super excited to get back out there and try and have a successful fundraiser for our charity,” said Sjoberg. “ … We look forward to it being our biggest and best ever.”
