2026 PRGE Panel Descriptions

We have some returning favorites and lots of new presenters and topics! The descriptions below are subject to updates, so please check back often!

There are more panels coming!

Speaker Biographies are here»

Panel Schedule is here»

Creating the Atari 2600: Nolan Bushnell and Joe Decuir
BLUE, SAT. 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Featuring: Nolan Bushnell, Joe Decuir
Moderated by: Tim Lapetino

In 1977, Atari launched the first successful console, bringing games into home TVs and forever changing the industry. As we kick off the 50th anniversary of the Atari 2600, the two men at the very heart of that effort, Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell and pioneering engineer Joe Decuir, discuss the console’s origins, launch, and enduring legacy with Atari Creative Director and Art of Atari author Tim Lapetino.

Documenting History of Video Games: And having a blast doing it
BLUE, SAT. 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Featuring: Ryan Burger, Steve Wiebe, Tristan Ibarra
Moderated by:

There’s always something new to discover in retro gaming, and this year PRGE has some especially exciting books in store. King of Kong star Steve Wiebe makes his first-ever PRGE appearance to debut his memoir, while Ryan Burger brings Still Defending the Galaxy, his updated take on a classic 1982 gaming book, with free digital copies and a PRGE-exclusive print edition limited to just 100 copies. Plus, Tristan Ibarra is finishing up his latest project, which will be available at the show as well!

Retronauts is Officially Retro: 20 Years of Podcasting About the Past
BLUE, SAT. 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Featuring: Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Gary Butterfield and Kaye Ross
Moderated by:

Arriving at the Dawn of Podcasting, Retronauts hit this novel media format with one goal: to discuss old video games. And, with more formerly new things becoming old every day, they haven't found a reason to stop. On this panel, join your friends from the Retronauts podcast as they trace the history of their humble little show and gush about the joys of being forever stuck in the past.

SIERRA - The Mechanics of Mystery
BLUE, SAT. 12:00 PM – 12: 45 PM
Featuring: Dave Gilbert (Hob’s Barrow, Old Skies), Paul Korman (Phantom Fellows), Marcus Mera (Mystery House), Dan Policar (Crimson Diamond, Mystery House 3D)
Moderated by: Anna Vigue (CGG Podcast) and OneShortEye

What makes a mystery game different from a game that simply has a mystery in its story? The Mechanics of Mystery looks at how adventure game creators build investigations through clues, puzzles, atmosphere, misdirection, player guidance, and the careful control of information. The panel explores how games make players investigate, make deductions, follow false leads, and ultimately piece together what happened.

VHS Board Games 666
BLUE, SAT. 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Featuring: Yasmina Ketita
Moderated by:

If you ever attended a slumber party and yelled “Yes My Gatekeeper” at the tv screen, then you were lucky enough to experience the ‘80s/‘90s boom of VHS Board Games. Enrol and immerse yourself in this retro course presentation by Rue Morgue columnist and series host of The Rewind Zone Yasmina Ketita as she hosts a tubular panel on the history of VHS board games, including many from her personal collection! Walk down this nostalgic memory lane that will make you want to banish your friends to the black hole once again!

From Donkey Kong to 007: Grant Kirkhope Settles the Score
BLUE, SAT. 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Featuring: Grant Kirkhope
Moderated by: John Riggs

Celebrate 30 years of the Nintendo 64 with Grant Kirkhope and John Riggs! Grant Kirkhope created the soundtracks for some of the most iconic and best selling video games including: GoldenEye, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Piñata, Donkey Kong, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, Civilization: Beyond Earth, Perfect Dark, and Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse. He is also the composer of the infamous “Donkey Kong Rap” from Donkey Kong 64, which was featured in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). Join YouTuber John Riggs for a discussion with Grant on his career in music and a look back at 30 years of the Nintendo 64.

The Lost Tapes - Preserving the EA Vault and Restoring an FMV Classic
BLUE, SAT. 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Featuring: Jim Vessella (Electronic Arts)
Moderated by:

Jim Vessella has been a Producer for over 20 years. In recent years, he has also been a driving force in Electronic Arts’ game preservation efforts, focusing on the digitization of archival assets, releasing source code to the community, and bringing classic titles to modern audiences. At the Portland Retro Gaming Expo, he’ll take attendees behind the scenes of his preservation work, showcase some of the amazing lost treasures that have been recovered, and reveal an upcoming restored game to offer a glimpse at what may be next for EA’s growing library of available classic titles. This is a must-attend panel for anybody interested in game preservation, FMVs, and digital archeology!

Beyond Nostalgia: Storytelling & Design Secrets from Tabletop to CRPGs
BLUE, SAT. 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Featuring: Bruce Gottlieb, Michael Cranford, Flint Dille and Josiah Colborn
Moderated by: Laura Gottlieb

Join us for a discussion on video game storytelling and design, from table top to classic CRPGs. This multi-generational panel of AAA and indie video game writers and designers will share inspirations, insights and secrets of bringing interactive worlds to life. Whether you're a fan of TTRPGs, retro RPGs, or an aspiring game dev, this panel is for you.

Nintendo and the Minnesota State Lottery
BLUE, SAT. 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Featuring: Frank Cifaldi, Video Game History Foundation
Moderated by:

At-home, real money gambling...on the NES? It nearly happened, and it wasn't some weird unlicensed thing - it was made by Nintendo! Historian and VGHF founder Frank Cifaldi will take you deep into the abandoned "Nintendo Network" and the Minnesota State Lottery, including brand new findings, a few surprises, and bizarre prototype cartridges that have never been revealed before.

The Origins Of The Xbox
BLUE, SUN. 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Featuring: Ed Fries
Moderated by: Hans Reutter

Microsoft’s original Xbox turns 25 years old this fall and so does Halo! How did things get started? What events and decisions shaped this groundbreaking console with a built-in hard drive and ethernet port? How did its PC origins influence things? And how did Halo play into all of this? Join Ed Fries, former VP of Microsoft Game Studios for an Xbox-themed fireside chat!

Why Tecmo Bowl Still Matters: The Enduring Legacy Of The Greatest Sports Videogame Ever
BLUE, SUN. 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Featuring: Cameron Basquiat
Moderated by:

More than three decades after its release, Tecmo Bowl and Tecmo Super Bowl continue to inspire passionate fans, competitive tournaments, and an active ROM-hacking community that keeps the games alive for new generations. This presentation explores how a simple 8-bit football game became one of the most influential and enduring sports videogames ever created. Along the way, we'll revisit legendary players, examine creative fan-made hacks ranging from updated NFL rosters to Hollywood-themed leagues, and trace Tecmo's impact on football video games that followed. Whether you're a longtime player or simply curious how a retro game can remain relevant in 2026, you'll discover why Tecmo's legacy extends far beyond nostalgia.

Developing for the Atari 2600: David Crane, Dan Kitchen, and Garry Kitchen
BLUE, SUN. 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Featuring: David Crane, Dan Kitchen and Garry Kitchen
Moderated by: Tim Lapetino

In the 70s and 80s, David Crane, Dan Kitchen, and Garry Kitchen designed memorable games that pushed what the original Atari 2600 console could do. In 2021, they co-founded Audacity Games and returned to developing games for the iconic platform. Ahead of the console’s 50th anniversary, the three video game pioneers discuss their work, then and now, with Atari Creative Director and Art of Atari author Tim Lapetino.

SIERRA - RPG Elements in Adventure Game Design: Lessons learned from Quest for Glory to Hero-U
BLUE, SUN. 2:00 PM – 2: 45 PM
Featuring: Lori Cole (Quest for Glory, Hero-U), Corey Cole (Quest for Glory, Hero-U), Mark Seibert (Quest for Glory), Josh Mandel (Hero-U and Sierra alumni)
Moderated by: Jason Mical (Questing for Glory Book)

Join us in a historical trip to the very beginning of merging computer RPGs with adventure games as we discuss making the Quest for Glory series! This genre-defining series, which is still influencing games made today, was the first to truly merge RPG elements with adventure game puzzle solving. We'll look at the pre-history of Quest for Glory, hear stories about the development process and how Lori and Corey Cole's vision was realized, how the series continued to evolve, and get an idea of the state of the genre today by looking at the Coles' more recent game Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption.

SIERRA On-Line Outtakes and Backstage Bloopers
BLUE, SUN. 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Featuring: Mark & Debbie Seibert, Don Munsil, Al Lowe, Ken Allen, Al Eufrasio, Mark Crowe, Gary Spinrad
Moderated by: Chris Pope

A “lower decks” style view into the hijinks and headaches that happened behind the scenes at one of the world’s top game companies in the 90s. Guests will share the untold stories of their funniest and most disastrous misadventures while working at Sierra.

From Pixels To Plate
RED, FRI. 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Featuring: Cassandra Reeder and James Asmus
Moderated by:

Survival never tasted so good! Join gaming cookbook author Cassandra Reeder (The Geeky Chef) and comic writer James Asmus as they explore how food shapes some of gaming's most memorable worlds. Whether you're scavenging canned beans in a radioactive wasteland, foraging alien plants on a distant planet, or carrying 87 wheels of cheese in your backpack, food helps define the worlds we explore. From the pixelated meals of classic RPGs to the survival foods of modern sci-fi and post-apocalyptic adventures, explore how food shapes the worlds we love. Plus, we'll get to the bottom of gaming's most important question: Why is there always soup?

Book Making & Self-Publishing 101
RED, FRI. 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Featuring: Brian Riggsbee (Retro Game Books), Darren Hupke (Pixels and Polygons), and Gabe Durham (Boss Fight Books)
Moderated by:

This is a practical introduction to turning ideas into finished, market-ready books. This presentation covers the full publishing lifecycle, from design tools and scoping to marketing, printing, and fulfillment. You’ll learn how to take a concept to completion through editing, feedback loops, contracting, and budgeting, while avoiding common PR and launch pitfalls.

The 10 Most Iconic Game Consoles
RED, FRI. 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Featuring: Brett Weiss
Moderated by:

What are the most iconic video game consoles of all time? Which systems changed the industry, defined generations of players, and became household names? Join me as I count down the Top 10 most iconic game consoles ever made, discussing their impact, legacy, and why they earned their place in gaming history. Expect plenty of nostalgia, lively debate, and maybe a few surprises along the way. Will your favorite system claim the No. 1 spot?

Metal Gear Mondays Live: Tactical Trivia Action
RED, FRI. 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM
Featuring: A quiz show fever dream hosted by Alessio Summerfield, who is torturing Lilliana Wright, James Reichmuth, Isaac Lim, and Nick Freda.
Moderated by:

It’s Metal Gear. It’s a game show. The rules are made up. The points don’t matter. There are lifelines. And, we’re all just living in Hideo Kojima’s nightmare. The hosts of the Metal Gear Mondays podcast cordially invite you to a live show trivia experiment. Come laugh with and at them as they figure out who is the biggest Gearhead in the gang.

Resident Evil cast Reunion
RED, SAT. 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Featuring: Maggie Robertson, Paula Rhodes, Nicole Tompkins, Jeff Schine, Katie O’Hagan
Moderated by: Andrea Subissati

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the franchise that defined the survival horror genre, we’ve aligned its biggest S.T.A.R.S! Join moderator Andrea Subissati (Rue Morgue Magazine, The Faculty of Horror) for an intimate chat with some of the key voice actors for the game series: Maggie Robertson, Paula Rhodes, Nicole Tompkins, Jeff Schine, Katie O’Hagan about their work in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, RE Village, and the RE 3 remaster.

SIERRA - Space Quest to SpaceVenture!
RED, SAT. 10:00 AM – 10: 45 AM
Featuring: Mark Crowe (Two Guys from Andromeda, Space Quest), Chris Pope (SpaceVenture), Josh Mandel (Space Quest), Ken Allen (Space Quest), Tyler Drinkard (SpaceVenture)
Moderated by: Troels Pleimert (Space Quest Historian)

An exhaustive (and potentially exhausting) trip down memory lane with the people who made the iconic Space Quest series (Sierra On-Line). All the way from its humble beginnings as "the anti-King's Quest" in 1986 up to its last official installment in 1995, as well as the creators' turbulent but eventually triumphant return in 2025 with SpaceVenture. Hosted by self-proclaimed Space Quest expert and accomplished sycophant The Space Quest Historian.

Dungeons & Dragons: An Unexpected Journey
RED, SAT. 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Featuring: Jon Peterson, Kyle Newman, and Michael Witwer
Moderated by:

Reality is often stranger than fiction, and such is the case with the story Dungeons & Dragons. From its humble beginnings to its rise to stardom, the game's history is nearly as harrowing as that of its make-believe dungeons. Now more than 50 years old, the pioneering RPG is as big as it's ever been, evolving from gaming franchise to lifestyle brand. Join New York Times bestselling authors and D&D historians Jon Peterson, Kyle Newman, and Michael Witwer as they discuss the game's history and its lasting impact on gaming, pop culture and beyond.

The past, present, and future of the Vectrex!
RED, SAT. 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Featuring: Jay Smith, David Oghia
Moderated by: Scott Kirkwood

For many years, almost no one — including some of the most dedicated retrogamers — had heard of the Vectrex. But in recent years its popularity has exploded, and so we present the first (and long overdue) Vectrex panel at PRGE! Moderated by original Vectrex owner and enthusiast Scott Kirkwood, the panel will feature Vectrex creator Jay Smith and current Vectrex Mini creator David Oghia, discussing the history and future of this amazing vector graphics platform.

Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary
RED, SAT. 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Featuring: Ryan Drummond, Scott Dreier, William Corkery, and Mike Pollock
Moderated by: G to the Next Level

Celebrate the 35th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog with an all star cast reunion. Hosted by YouTuber and Sega Historian G to the Next Level, this panel reunites Ryan Drummond, Scott Dreier, William Corkery, and Mike Pollock. Don’t get left behind! 

Not So Silent Hill: A Conversation with the Voice Cast of the Silent Hill Series
RED, SAT. 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Featuring: Robert Belgrade, Guy Cihi, Michael Guinn, Thessaly Lerner, and Liz Mamorsky
Moderated by: MGM Podcast

Coming hot off the heels of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Metal Gear Solid, Konami birthed a survival horror classic when 1999’s Silent Hill released. In contrast to Resident Evil’s B-movie bombast, Silent Hill took a more nuanced, minimal, and surreal approach with its story and performances. When 2001 rolled around, and Silent Hill 2 released, it was clear that the series was something special. We've gathered voices from across the series to celebrate these iconic games. Join voices from Silent Hill, Silent Hill 2, and Silent Hill 4, as well as the hosts of the Metal Gear Mondays podcast, as they discuss Silent Hill’s lasting legacy, the cast’s backgrounds, and the series’s own bright future.

STAR TREK AT 60: SIX DECADES OF THE FINAL FRONTIER
RED, SAT. 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Featuring: Kyle Newman and Jeff Bond
Moderated by:

What began as a five-year mission became a global phenomenon that changed the world. Join Kyle Newman (Dungeons & Dragons: Art & Arcana, Heroes’ Feast, director of Fanboys) and Jeff Bond (The Art and Visual Effects of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen, Star Trek: The Kelvin Timeline), authors of the upcoming official two-volume history of Star Trek, for a celebration of 60 years of boldly going where no one has gone before. From The Original Series and its groundbreaking vision of the future to the films, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and modern Trek, Newman and Bond will explore the people, ideas, unforgettable moments, and behind-the-scenes stories that have defined the franchise. Featuring rare imagery, new insights, and stories gathered during the making of the books, this is a journey through the enduring legacy of one of science fiction’s most influential sagas. They’ll also explore how Star Trek has expanded beyond the screen through video games, tabletop RPGs, and generations of fans who continue to bring its worlds to life.

Determining True Value: Are the Most Expensive Games of All Time Worth *Your* Time?
RED, SAT. 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Featuring: Duckfeed.TV (Gary Butterfield, Kaye Ross)
Moderated by:

Retro game collecting has only become more expensive as we all march ever closer to the grave. And unless you're one of the five richest kinds of Europe, you likely can't afford to play them all! In this panel, we're going to discuss which high ticket games are worth your time, and perhaps more importantly, which are not.

You Bought It. So Why Don’t You Own It?
RED, SAT. 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Featuring: Ernest de Leon, Ted Tahquechi, Faran Thompson and John Riggs
Moderated by:

Can you really own a game if someone else can take away your access to it? This interactive panel invites attendees to help define the rights and expectations that should come with purchasing modern games, whether they arrive on a cartridge, disc, or download. We’ll discuss ownership, preservation, resale, lending, offline access, server shutdowns, and publisher responsibility. The ideas developed during the session will form the foundation of a Gamers Bill of Rights intended to support future consumer and preservation advocacy.

In Defense of Bad NES Games
RED, SUN. 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Featuring: Jeremy Parish
Moderated by:

No one sets out to make a bad video game! But the small budgets and quick production schedules of the NES era led to lots of games that clearly didn't come together as intended. Look closer, though, and you might see hints of excellence beneath the mess. Dive into some of the NES's most infamous misses as Jeremy Parish "JAWS" about the potential greatness they hide.

Unleashing the Pocket Monsters - Launching Pokémon
RED, SUN. 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Featuring: Gail Tilden, VP of Marketing, Nintendo, and Frank Cifaldi, Video Game History Foundation
Moderated by:

30 years ago, Pocket Monsters, later shortened to Pokémon, were created in Japan. Gail Tilden, formerly of Nintendo, shares her memories on what it took to bring this unlikely hit to the U.S. This talk is moderated by Frank Cifaldi of the Video Game History Foundation.

So We Finally Meet: A Conversation with Maggie Robertson
RED, SUN. 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Featuring: Maggie Robertson
Moderated by: XO Skeleton

Award-winning actress Maggie Robertson took the gaming world by storm with her voice and motion capture performance portraying the iconic villain, Lady Dimitrescu, in Resident Evil Village (2021). With a performance that was lauded by fans and critics alike, Maggie became an overnight sensation and the subject of press interviews, fan art, memes and even thirst tweets. Maggie also stars in the multi-award winning Dungeons & Dragons based RPG Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023). Where provided the voice and performance capture for fan favorite, Orin The Red. Now, Maggie is preparing to embark on a new adventure as she will portray the legendary witch/archfey Tasha in the upcoming, third-person, open-world, Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons (2027). XO Skeleton sits down with Maggie to discuss her approach to these enduring characters.

What a Horrible Night to Have a Panel! A Castlevania Retrospective
RED, SUN. 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Featuring: Robert Belgrade, Michael Guinn, and Tom duBois
Moderated by:

From the release of the very first game in 1986, Castlevania has been a hit in the U.S., with its blend of classic movie monsters, killer music, memorable characters, and fantastic artwork. A decade later, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night would flip the script and usher in a whole new genre of action platformer. Come hear Dracula, Alucard, and the early series’s iconic western cover artist discuss their time with Castlevania, moderated by the hosts of the Metal Gear Mondays podcast.

Movies We Played: The Past, Present and Future of FMV Games
RED, SUN. 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Featuring: Sean Parker (Fogtown), George Sanger (Sierra On-Line), Jackie Stargrove, Aaron Conners (remote) and Chris Jones (remote)
Moderated by:

FMV was a much-ballyhooed format in the 90s, where Hollywood and the game industry spectacularly (and often campily) melded. But despite mega hits, a passionate audience, and the promise of a new frontier for interactive media, the format quickly became a curiosity... until now, as indie devs have ushered in an FMV renaissance. Our guests include top creators from this beloved period of history, including the Tex Murphy series writers/designers Aaron Conners & Chris Jones as remote panelists, and the composer of The 7th Guest (and SO much more!) George "The Fat Man" Sanger joining us in-person.

Unsolved NES Mysteries
YELLOW, SAT 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM
Featuring: Pat Contri, James Moore, and Daniel Greenberg
Moderated by:

Discover the mysteries of the NES, from its mythical 1985 launch to controversies and questions about game release dates, weird promotions and giveaways, and more! With Pat Contri (Pat the NES Punk), James Moore (thelegendofNES.com), and Daniel Greenberg (George Mason University).

Gotta Know It All! Pokémon Trivia with Tama Hero
YELLOW, SAT. 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Featuring: Tama Hero
Moderated by:

Think you know Pokémon, or just getting started on your journey? Come test your knowledge in Tama's Gotta Know It All!, an interactive trivia game designed for fans of every experience level. Choose your own category and difficulty, from nostalgic Gen 1 basics to deep-cut lore, in a casual, fun atmosphere. There are no teams and no scorekeeping, just a relaxed room to celebrate all things Pokémon, cheer each other on, and show off what you know!

Shadow Snare: Returning to the C64 After Forty-Three Years
YELLOW, SAT. 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Featuring: Michael Cranford
Moderated by:

Announced at the end of 1983’s Maze Master, Shadow Snare never appeared; the project instead evolved into The Bard’s Tale. Forty-three years later, Michael Cranford has returned to fulfill that promise with a new role-playing game written natively for the Commodore 64. Players inhabit a single hero, gather companions, and explore living villages, forgotten strongholds, and puzzle-built dungeons. Its Eight Ways spell system lets you draw upon abilities traditionally divided among character classes - including those of the Bard - against a final confrontation with darkness. Cranford will demonstrate the current playtest build and invite interested players to help shape the game toward its planned 2027 release. Contribute something to the game!

From Chili Dogs to Werehogs: Sonic the Hedgehog's Rise & Fall... and Rise Again
YELLOW, SAT. 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Featuring: G To The Next Level
Moderated by:

Join Sonic & Sega Enthusiast since 1991, G to The Next Level, as they provide a "Spin Dash' Crash Course on all you need to know about the world-famous, self-proclaimed "The Fastest Thing Alive," Sonic the Hedgehog! We’ll share our memories of him through his 35 years of pop-culture influence, gaming legacy, and his supporting cast of friends and foes.

From Sound Chips to Orchestras - 40 Years of Music for Games
YELLOW, SAT. 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Featuring: Chris Huelsbeck
Moderated by:

For forty years, Chris has created memorable video game music for franchises such as Turrican, Apidya, R-Type, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Star Wars and his sound tracks have achieved cult status. Hear about his early steps, how he got into the business, anecdotes and fun stories! This is a must-attend for anybody interested in video game and electronic music!

Secrets of the Back to the Future Trilogy
YELLOW, SAT. 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Featuring: Jeffrey Weissman
Moderated by: Jeremy Sichley

Jeffrey Weissman shares stories from his 50 year acting career, with rare behind the scenes photos and unreleased footage. Jeffrey Weissman has been acting on stage, in film, and on television for over 50 years. Of Jeffrey's 90+ film credits, he is best known for co-starring as George McFly in Back to the Future 2 & 3, one of the top ten movie trilogies of all time.

Art of the Game: Q&A with Tom duBois & Tim Lapetino
YELLOW, SAT. 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Featuring: Tom duBois
Moderated by: Tim Lapetino

What did it take to create impactful video game key art in the NES era? Video game artist Tom duBois, whose art helped define the look of many Konami classics, joins Atari Creative Director Tim Lapetino for a conversation about his work and creative process. From Castlevania II and Blades of Steel to Sunset Riders, duBois will share stories behind his art and that era of video game packaging.

Vampires in Video Games: Love Them, Be Them, or Hunt Them?
YELLOW, SAT. 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
Featuring: Jennasis and Virvada of the Two Girls One Ship Podcast
Moderated by:

Vampires have haunted video games for decades, but sometimes we’re hunting them, sometimes we’re playing as them, and sometimes…we’re letting them bite us. Join us for a spooky-season dive into the video game vampire, with a special focus on Baldur’s Gate 3’s Astarion and what his story tells us about power, desire, and monstrosity. Along the way, we’ll sink our teeth into Vampyr’s Dr. Jonathan Reid, Resident Evil Village’s Lady Dimitrescu, and other memorable creatures of the night. Whether you love them, become them, or reach for the nearest wooden stake, one question remains: why can’t video games stop making vampires so hot?

SIERRA - Laffing Out Loud with Al Lowe: on Leisure Suit Larry, Freddy Pharkas, and Torin’s Passage (18+)
YELLOW, SAT. 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM
Featuring: Al Lowe (design), Don Munsil (programming), Mark Crowe (design & cover art), Josh Mandel (writing), Mark Seibert (music), Al Eufrasio (art)
Moderated by: Jackie Stargrove

A former public school music teacher and accomplished jazz musician, Al Lowe is known the world over as the creator of the legendary Leisure Suit Larry series. Moderated by adventure game enthusiast/historian and general goofball Jackie Stargrove, Al is joining us to discuss his storied career in the industry, from developing games based on classic Disney properties to creating a comedy icon in Leisure Suit Larry and beyond! Also joining will be designer/artist Mark Crowe, artist Al Eufrasio, designer/writer Josh Mandel, programmer Don Munsil, and musician Mark Seibert. (18+)

Retro, Rebuilt: How Modern Hardware Is Keeping Classic Gaming Alive
YELLOW, SUN. 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Featuring: Jon Reddick and George Sumpter of GenXGrownUp
Moderated by:

Today’s retro gamer can choose from original hardware, FPGA consoles, handheld emulation devices, modern arcade machines, light guns, upscalers, adapters, and newly manufactured controllers. We’ll break down how modern technology is changing the way we experience classic games - and where authenticity still matters.

From Aliens to Zombies: The History of BRAM Inc.
YELLOW, SUN. 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Featuring: Mike Edwards
Moderated by:

The 1980s saw explosive growth in the new home computer market - suddenly every family had an Atari, a Commodore or an Apple II! And small independent software companies sprouted up to supply the games for these machines. This is the story of BRAM Inc., a software company formed by four friends that found success in unique co-op games. Come hear a story from the early Wild West days of the burgeoning home computer industry!

Making Video Game History
YELLOW, SUN. 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Featuring: Frank Cifaldi (Video Game History Foundation), Cade Peterson (Legends of Adventure documentary), Pat Contri (NES Punk), Heather Fryling (Roberta Vaughan’s Retro Adventures), Chris Kohler (Digital Eclipse)
Moderated by: Daniel Greenberg (George Mason University)

A fun and informative panel discussion amongst leading figures who are “making” video game history by building museums and organizations, writing books, publishing podcasts, safekeeping artifacts, and many other activities. Panelists come with all different approaches but share the goal of preserving video game history for future generations of gamers, academics, and developers.

How Game Collecting's Past Can Predict Its Future
YELLOW, SUN. 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Featuring: Chris Kohler
Moderated by:

Is game collecting DYING?! Will future humans still want to fill their homes with physical video games? Chris Kohler has been collecting video games since before the turn of the millennium (back when we called it "chasing the chuck wagon"), and he thinks a little historical perspective is all you need to predict the future of game collecting. (Spoiler: Yes, there is one, and you can plan for it right now!) Join Chris as he revisits the past, puts the present in perspective, and tells the future.

Atari Stories: 8-Bit Computers
YELLOW, SUN. 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Featuring: Joe Decuir
Moderated by:

After the phenomenal success of the Atari 2600 console, the Atari engineers went to work on the new product line of Atari 8-bit personal computers. How did they apply the lessons learned from the 2600 console? What decisions did they make and how did game console design influence this new generation of “serious” computers? This talk covers it all!