Gaming events … in Florida? Believe it or not, on occasion they happen (and not due to the hand of Destructoid)! This weekend (January 16th-20th) Otronicon comes to Orlando, a gaming con with a distinct eye out for family gaming and fun. No, it’s not a giant auditorium of Wiis and copies of Brain Training, so don’t fall asleep on me just yet.
Featuring events such as the Machinima Film Festival, an art exhibit called Artronica and a Halo-themed wedding, Otronicon ought to be interesting to say the least. It will set you back $17 to get in per day ($12 for kids) and opens to schools January 21st-23rd. If I had ever gone on a field trip like this, I think I would have died and gone to heaven. Betas the hell out of visiting a ketchup factory.
Destructoid is heading out bright and early to get some video of the event, so if you go and you see us around come up and say hi!
OTRONICON RETURNS TO ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER
Fourth Annual Event Explores the Art and Science of Interactive TechnologySimulators, Videogames, Art Displays, Workshops, Film Festivals, Weddings and More
ORLANDO, FL – (January 2, 2009) – The Orlando Science Center and presenting sponsor Full Sail University are working with multiple partners to host the fourth annual Otronicon event January 16-20, 2009. Not solely an educational symposium or a series of video game tournaments, Otronicon v.4 is an assemblage of all three and much more.
Each year, crowds gather to experience how interactive entertainment, digital media and simulation are changing the way we live, learn, work and play. Nearly 50,000 have attended the event since its inception in 2006. Otronicon v.4 is open to the general public from January 16-20 and then school field trips with a digital media focus will tour simulation displays and participate in digital media workshops at the Orlando Science Center on January 21-23.
Nearly 50,000 people have attended the event over the past three years to experience how interactive entertainment, digital media and simulation are changing the way we live, learn, work and play. Otronicon v.4 is open to the general public from January 16-20 and then school field trips with a digital media focus will tour simulation displays and participate in digital media workshops at the Orlando Science Center on January 21-23.
Guest of all ages – from the hardcore to the merely curious – will get to experience multiple presentations from all facets of interactive technology. Otronicon v.4 is packed with opportunities to engage, explore and inspire – from real-world military simulators to the latest videogame formats to a festival of short films created by videogame technology.
Live your rock n roll fantasies by playing Rock Band on an actual concert stage with show quality lights and sound, tour an art exhibition of digital media or participate in videogame tournaments on the giant screen of the Dr. Phillips CineDome. Also, witness a “match made in Halo” as two gamers tie the knot (for real) during a Halo-themed wedding on January 17, which will be covered by MTV News.
There are many opportunities to engage the world of interactive technology at Otronicon V.4, including:
* Get your hands on cutting edge simulators used for military, commercial and industrial training thanks to the support of sponsor and event partner Lockheed Martin and others.
* Learn how videogame technology is being used to train soldiers, pilots, drivers, medical professionals and more.
* Experience the juxtaposition of videogames, art and filmmaking during the first-ever Otronicon Machinima Festival on the giant screen of the Dr. Phillips CineDome. Then learn how to become a budding filmmaker in this new genre.
* Attend design workshops hosted by Full Sail University and learn about career opportunities in your own backyard. This year, Otronicon and Full Sail University are also offering a digital media workshop exclusively for Girl Scouts on Monday, January 19.
* Play on multiple gaming stations, including Wii, Playstation 3 and XBox 360, and experience some of today’s most in-demand games, plus networked multiplayer formats and more.* Explore ARTronica presented by Full Sail University – a digital art exhibition featuring selected works from their digital media school.
* See how video games can be both virtual and physical in the Wii Sports & Wii Fit Arenas. Get your hands on one of the most in-demand game technologies around.
* Check out PC gaming with the world’s largest MMORPG in the World of Warcraft dungeon, courtesy of Gigibits Gaming Center.
* Players will be matched against each other during competition rounds of some of the hottest games, including Guitar Hero, Rock Band and Super Smash Melee (both individuals and teams).
* Participate in impromptu “lightning round” competitions at game stations positioned throughout the event.
* Stroll down memory lane with a display of nostalgic video games like Pac-Man and Donkey King and a display devoted to the evolution of Apple/Mac systems.
Check www.otronicon.org for complete schedules and event info plus links to Otronicon pages on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. Join the conversation about Otronicon on our new social networking site at otronicon.ning.com.Daily admission to Otronicon is $17 for adults and $12 for kids (under 12). OSC members receive free admission. For more information, you can also call 407.514.2000.
For more information on the Orlando Science Center, please visit www.osc.org and for more information on Full Sail University, please visit www.fullsail.com.
