During July 21 -23 2023 in Adelaide, AVCon (Adelaide's Anime and Video Games Festival) finally made it's grand return since 2019. The last few years as we know have been crazy amidst the pandemic and lock downs, but on July 21st it was finally back to normal at the Adelaide Convention Centre. 2023 also marks a milestone for the event, as AVCon also celebrated 21 incredible years! (yay, happy birthday!)
AVCon began in the Union Building at the University of Adelaide 21 years ago, and as quite a small capacity. It was held by volunteers from both University of South Australia's Adelaide Japanese Animation Society and the Adelaide University Video Gamers Association.
Ranging from Cosplay competitions, panels, guests, exhibitors, artists, games to play and watch, AVCon has just kept growing as the years have gone by. Eventually, AVCon outgrew it's small convention status and shifted from Adelaide Uni to Adelaide Convention Centre in 2009.
Since it's debut in 2002 at the University of Adelaide, (aka the year titles such as Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind released), AVCon has grown significantly not just in Adelaide, but even reaching internationally too. Over the last few years, AVCon has managed to fly over a few guests to visit us down under, including legendary voice talents Jennifer Hale (Commander Shepard - or FemShep, Mass Effect), Steve Downes (Master Chief, Halo) and Jen Taylor (Cortana, Halo).
From a University campus with a small amount of people, to the Adelaide Convention Centre reaching over 22,000+ attendees (as of 2019 stats) - what a glow up!
This year AVCon was much bigger, better and had much more to offer (at least much more than I can recall in past years). New and old fans alike were welcomed back after three long years as volunteers, organisers, exhibitors and artists spent the weekend showcasing a variety of booths, panels, consoles and special guests. I was lucky to be able to go and check it out, and I wasn't disappointed. I was unable to attend all three days unfortunately, but I was still quite content with my experience on the Saturday.
So, here's what went down and who was there;
Special Guests
This year, in-person guests included; Voice Actor Lisle Wilkerson (TEKKEN), and Anime Director and Animator, Hiroshi Nagahama (Mushishi). Also featuring for the first time in the event's history were guests streaming all the way from Japan! These digital guests included Voice Actors Toshio Furukawa (Dragon Ball series), and Shogo Sakata (Chainsaw Man)
From Storytelling Mediums to Twitch Streamers, there was a bit of something for everyone. There weren't as many panels as I thought, but still cool to see a mix of things.
Panels
Unleashing the Imagination: Storytelling Across Mediums with Justin Wight and Monkeystack
AIE Panel: 3D Level Design & Iteration
Cosplay is Cancelled, Actually: Q&A with Cosplay Ambassadors
I’m a Twitch Streamer AMA
Women In Gaming: Chat And Q&A (Featuring Dr Susannah Emery who I was lucky enough to meet, and even had as a lecturer during my degree at UniSA. Pretty cool if you ask me!)
Beyond the stars: Uncovering Astro Boy’s secrets and lost media
Sensory: A Planetside Fan Film by Dylan Walsh
AIE Panel: 3D Art
Digital Guest Panel: ASTRO BOY (1980) Voice Cast Q&A
There were quite a large number of people at the event (the biggest I've ever seen) including;
Exhibitors
3D by Sarah
A. Christou Art
Academy of Interactive Entertainment
Anime TENGOKU
Animeworks
CDW Studios/Flinders University
Chronicle RPG Accessories
Cosplay OzAnimart
Crazy Patches
Dream Star
Emmy Cosplays
Figure Me Crazy Collectables
Friends of AVCon + Guest Signings
Geek Game Gear
Good Games
Hobby Maniaz
Offical AVCon Merch (and Info booth, of course)
Jolli Creations
Mizuso
MO'S ELEGANCE
Mochiko Kitchen - (Hands down the BEST Mochi I've had. I also tried butter Mochi for the first time, and it's a game changer)
Otaku Alley
SA Artist Spotlight
Shin Tokyo
SoyToy Club
Tabletop Warfare
Terra Collective
The Ace Collectables
TrainerHub
UniSA
VR Distribution
VSUPPLY ANIME
Yuki Draws the Things
ZENIME
Artists
AmmyBunny
Runic Cards
Chupadoodles
Ka-Boop
MistedSky
Niipanpann
Orestuu
Devon Kong
Kirabunni
Guryfrog
This Kawaii Life
Luck of Kings
HyperFinch
Rhiannon Yates Illustrations
Lighting Strikes
BotTwins
Kosmotiel
Chuinny
Guzzardiart
Hawberries
Clockbirds
Rosethelise Illustrations
Chenonetta Creations
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Roy the Art
Nanatopia
Sweet Momo
Tait Rochelle Art
Soul of Vlad
Art of Brent Minehan
Vin Crows
Percivore
Microrockets
Zellie's Koi Pond
Bedvilled
Arktosfall
Rachel Loren Designs
CGlas Design
Vinnie-Cha
Cherriuki
Kamaniki
Taembear
Bluejayoceane
Sheydeart
Tamago Nashi
Veegiggity
Kitten Witch and the Bad Vibes
Cold-Creatures Art
Ry-Spirit
SirDinhosaur
TakoPron
Melvin Chan Art
Rybaris
CindryShoo
Littlebrink
Abz Art
Alis Kun & Qucee
Eeeyitscoco
Warrick Wong
Migmats Art
Necocnyan
Honeymilk Star
Purplegoldfish Design
Kaiapi
Trashcanprince
Mikanmage
Ilaikcake
Princey Arts
Pinstachiio
SAJU Studios
Destineeart
CJ Illustrate
Cavehoney
Vreemdear
Peachcott
Ryonello
MagicalLee
MangaXai
Tess Monty Art
Fihsei
Caerus Arts
Soulc1ty
Zerii
Universebunny
Chai bean
Oakamimonster
D33R
Radicalseabies
Nadine Abrahams
S.M. Grey
Jackson Caspersz
SUMI Threads
Aus Alien Glass
Lindajing
Ein Lee & Chrono
Nerd Tea Creations
TnE Productions
SNAPPAKAPPA & King of the Monkel
Lamington Art
Raemiie
MAEJ Collective
This year, there were quite a plethora of Adelaide game devs, including Fringe Realities and Mini Mammoth Games. Ranging from VR to standard gaming, there certainly was a bit of something for every kind of gamer.
Indie Games Room
Spellborn by 7D Games Studio
Project: Nightlight by Fringe Realities
Beach Bums by Jazz King
Super BAWK BAWK Chicken! by Daytime Devs
Fox and Shadows by Paper Cactus Games
The Pound by Stout Heart Games
Star Farmer by Tinker Town
Risk.Speed.Impact by AlxInc
Yesterday’s Hero by Corgipillar
darkwebSTREAMER by We Have Always Lived in the Forest
Space Invaders – Next Dimension by Voxon Photonics
Re-War by Cool Crabs
Roving Rovers by Mini Mammoth Games
The Lights I Promised You by Solar Lightshow
Pedal Rebel VR by Pedal Rebel VR
Crimson Cutlass by Skeleton Crew
Nor2 by Catgirl Software
Crystal Horizons by Team Whirlwind
Kadomon: Hyper Auto Battlers by Dino Rocket
Roc’s Odyssey by Sunshine Festival Studios
Lightsmith by A Few Dragons
Anvilheart by Towerpoint Games
Lords of Illic by Orange Drake
Lucie’s Potager by Stellar Advent
Punchimals by Two Lives Left
Exo Rally Championship by Exbleative
Plus More!
Freeplay Library - whether you wanted to have a chill multiplayer sesh or some solo time, Freeplay library had quite the assortment of consoles to choose from.
ESports
Tabletop RPG and Trading Card Games
Zero Latency VR Zone
Retro Gaming with RetroSpekt - (Probably one of my personal favourite sections of AVCon)
Console Tournaments
Arcade Machines
The Games Stage
Ultimate Gamer Challenge
AVCon Access INN - A place for people with sensory sensitivities or disabilities. A welcome space that should be included everywhere, so more people can enjoy the event.
And of course,
Cosplayers!
Where would AVCon, or any gaming/pop culture/anime expo be without cosplayers? Kudos to all the people who dressed up over the weekend, everyone looked spectacular!
And there you have it, AVCon 2023. A big thank you to every single person who made AVCon 2023 possible. Whether you went for one day, all three days or just dropped in for a little while - thank you for showing up.
Of course though, none would be possible without any of the team behind AVCon, so thank you to those who spent months - years, dedicating their time into this event. Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed, so Thank You.
Until next years AVCon though have fun, be kind, and of course Happy Gaming no matter what platform you're playing on (or for how long you've been gaming for!) AVCon is for everyone
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