Speakers & Special Guests & VIPs

We are bringing in speakers from all over the country including notable figures from the early days of the gaming industry as well as current celebrities.

Check back often as our guest list is still growing!

Go to the panel schedule »

Go to the panel descriptions »

		AVGN Cinemassacre’s James “The Angry Video Game Nerd” Rolfe returns to PRGE! He will have a panel, a meet & greet with autograph signing and his band Rex Viper will be performing on Friday the 13th. Super-popular James Rolfe has been called "The Nerd Who Changed Gaming Culture Forever" and is one of the most recognizable figures in gaming culture. AVGN on YouTube
		Chris Chamberlain Chris has worked in the trenches of video game engineering, testing and production for 24 years, including an 18-year stint at Microsoft for Windows and Xbox Game Studios. Having dealt with titles such as Halo, Crimson Skies, Oni, Blinx, Ryse and many others he knows the fun and challenges of working “in the trenches” of game creation. He’ll bring some friends to cover titles for Nintendo 64, PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Kinect, Xbox One, and Mobile. Hear stories about working on some fantastic AAA titles, some AA titles, and some that didn’t make it to release.
		Frank Cifaldi Frank Cifaldi is the co-director of the Video Game History Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and teaching video game history. He is also a historian and producer with over twenty years of experience preserving the medium’s history. Video Game History Foundation on the web
		Sean Cleaver Sean Cleaver is a Marketing Manager at Blaze Entertainment Ltd., makers of the popular Evercade handheld retro game console. Sean has also been a freelance video games journalist and writer, having written for websites such as Vice, Gamespot and The Game Jar, and the now-defunct Develop Magazine. Evercade on the web
		Pat "The NES Punk" Contri Pat Contri is a video game player, collector, and historian known for his web shows Pat the NES Punk, Flea Market Madness, and The Completely Unnecessary Podcast. He is the author of Ultimate Nintendo: Guide to the NES Library, the follow up for the SNES and N64. Pat also conducts the live annual NES Charity Marathon benefiting children's hospitals. In his spare time, he enjoys eating numerous nachos, and hanging out with an old Jersey hippie named Frank. Pat the NES Punk on YouTube
		Desmond Crisis Desmond Crisis started his double-agent career as both a game developer and radio personality. Always one foot in tech and the other in broadcasting, he was tapped as a nominator and evaluator for the first ever Interactive Media Festival, traveling the world to view and describe the first explosion of interactive art and media. Always the “new early adopter” and founder of Otaku Patrol Group, he has also appeared in The Cyberpunk Handbook and the film Synthetic Pleasures. Desmond was on hand to witness the birth of the consumer Internet and personal technology boom as host and correspondent on Sci-Fi Channel shows Cool Tech, CNET Central, The Web, and The New Edge. On radio, The Desmond Crisis Program quickly developed a reputation as “BS detector” in the flood of technology news.
		Mark Dalton-Bowers Mark hosts “The GameSurge!”, the ultimate video game trivia contest where contestants and the audiences play and test video game knowledge in all sorts of fun/unique ways! Do you have the video game knowledge to win it all or will you falter? GameSurge! on X
		Digital Eclipse Originally founded in 1992 in Emeryville, California, Digital Eclipse is a game developer built around the idea of restoring classic games with the respect they deserve. Recent projects include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, and The Making of Karateka. Digital Eclipse
		Double NintenDare Double NintenDare is a Nintendo-themed throwback to the classic kids' game show of a similar name. Put your knowledge and skill of classic and current Nintendo games to the test by answering tricky trivia questions or taking on our special 'Digital Challenges' and finishing the dreaded Mario Maker Obstacle Course! Each player will receive fabulous prizes whether you win or lose, and we'll take you back in time with classic commercials in between rounds. Double NintenDare on YouTube
		Extra Lives Extra Lives is the world’s first Audience RPG: a fully narrated choose-your-own-adventure game where YOU are the main character. Plunge into an exciting story with visuals, music, sound effects and footage drawn from the legendary console games of the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s... and a live score provided by the lovable nerds of Extra Lives. At several key junctures you'll get to vote on how the character proceeds, leading to special story branches. With multiple endings and over 30 possible variations depending on the audience's in-game choices, this immersive feast for the imagination will transport you back to your childhood. To the next level! Extra Lives on YouTube
		Lasse Faabeng Lasse Faabeng joins PRGE for the Sega Genesis All Stars panel! Lasse has worked on video games and in the high-tech industry for 30 years. Starting as a programmer for sports titles on the Sega Genesis he expanded into game design and moved on to other consoles such as the PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and Microsoft’s original Xbox and PC.
		Tod Frye Tod Frye worked at Atari and created the home adaptation of Pac-Man for the Atari 2600 video computer system. Other games designed by Tod include LCD Breakout Atari handheld, Asteroids for Atari 400/800, and the Swordquest series (Earthworld, Fireworld, Waterworld, and the uncompleted Airworld). Unreleased titles include Save Mary and Shooting Arcade and Xevious for the Atari 2600.
		Ian Ferguson By day, Ian Ferguson is a mild-mannered former game store clerk, but by night he is one half of the popular Completely Unnecessary Podcast along with Pat "The NES Punk" Contri. Completely Unnecessary Podcast
		George “G” Gracin George “G” Gracin has been an enthusiast of video gaming for over 25 years and shares his dedication through his YouTube Channel, G to the Next Level. “Retro Gaming in the Modern Age” is his channel’s motto, as he makes retrospective reviews, “Level 10” & “From Gutter to Throne” countdown lists, “Mascot Mania,” his mascot adventure game review series, console reviews, various Sonic the Hedgehog videos (he’s a huge fan!), and much more. Though a Sega fan for life, G has a passion for all things retro and hopes to inspire, educate, and entertain: Level by Level. G to the Next Level on YouTube
		Ground Kontrol Ground Kontrol is Portland’s premier video game and pinball bar, chock-full of the best games from the golden age or video game arcades. Not only are they long-time friends and supporters of PRGE but they are also the host of the annual Pinbrawl tournament and have been covered in countless publications. A must-see destination for anybody interested in 80ies vibes. Ground Kontrol on the web
		Scott Haile Scott Haile joins PRGE for the Sega Genesis All Stars panel! Scott worked as an Art Director at Technopop – the first independent American developer for the Sega Genesis, which was also responsible for most of the early development tools for that system. Scott also worked at Microsoft, Sony and with Atari, Sega and Broderbund Software.
		James (Purple) Hampton James Hampton returns to PRGE for the 30th anniversary Atari Jaguar panel! During a 3-year period at Atari he was the producer of the legendary and best-selling Alien vs. Predator title for the Atari Jaguar, among other projects. This was just one of the many highlights in his 33-year career in the video gaming industry which started with Lucasfilm Games back in 1990. James Hampton on the web
		John Hancock "The Immortal" John Hancock is a mega-collector known for his comprehensive game collection and his comprehensive knowledge of all things video game. He is also the founder of the Cowlitz Gamers for Kids charity game expo in Kelso, Washington which has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local children's charities. John has his own YouTube channel where he releases several videos per week and he is a regular contributor on the Metal Jesus Rocks channel. John Hancock on YouTube
		Jennasis Jennasis is one half of the popular ‘Two Girls One Ship’ podcast. Her mom bought her a NES and it was then that her love of gaming was born. It grew with her as her own style and passions developed. Jennasis has now combined her love of story-rich RPGs with a desire to further study sexual psychology to become one half of the Two Girls One Ship podcast, where they analyze, rate, and review all that the world of video game romances has to offer. Two Girls One Ship Podcast
		Lloyd Kaufman Lloyd Kaufman is the co-founder of Troma Entertainment and the creator of the iconic 'The Toxic Avenger' character, star of many movies and now a video game as well! Having directed, produced or acted in well over 100 movies Lloyd’s accomplishments are the stuff of legends. He joins PRGE for the first time and brings his unique insights and humor to the show. Lloyd Kaufman on the web
		Garry Kitchen Garry Kitchen is a video game designer, programmer, and executive best known for developing games for the Atari 2600, Commodore 64, Nintendo Entertainment System, and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, as well as co-founding Absolute Entertainment with ex-Activision developers. His port of Donkey Kong for the Atari 2600 was a major hit for Coleco, selling over 4 million copies.
		Tim Kitzrow Tim Kitzrow is the iconic voice of your favorite sports franchises, NBA Jam, NFL Blitz, NHL Hitz and MLB Slugfest, and over a dozen classic pinball games. With NBA JAM, Kitzrow introduced BOOMSHAKALAKA to the NBA lexicon and earned pop culture immortality. A Chicago based Voice Artist and NBA pop culture personality, Kitzrow is beloved by fans for his unforgettable catchphrases and one-of-a-kind humor and entertainment. He has appeared on television and radio with ESPN and FoxSports; worked with marquee NBA franchises such as the back-to-back 2017 and 2018 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks; and launched games with EA Sports, Acclaim, Bally and Midway. Tim Kitzrow on the web
		Kit & Krysta Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang worked at Nintendo of America for a combined 25+ years where they worked with legendary developers, helped to launch beloved games and created the hit YouTube show Nintendo Minute which aired for over eight years. Join them for a live installment of the Kit & Krysta Podcast where they will be sharing never-before told stories about their time at Nintendo, breaking down the latest industry happenings and answering your questions! Kit & Krysta Podcast on YouTube
		Chris Kohler Chris Kohler is currently Editorial Director at Digital Eclipse, spearheading the historical research and writing that goes into the company's games like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection and Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration. Before this, he spent nearly 25 years as a journalist at WIRED magazine and elsewhere. His books include Power-Up: How Japanese Video Games Gave The World An Extra Life (Dover) and Final Fantasy V (Boss Fight Books). Chris Kohler on the web
		Adam Koralik Adam Koralik, a YouTube content creator with 14 years of experience, is a must-watch for gamers. His videos captivate viewers whether he's unboxing the latest PS5, restoring a classic Sega Saturn, or providing fascinating insights into console history. With an extensive collection spanning various gaming generations, Adam offers tutorials on console repairs and showcases exclusive prototypes such as the Sega Pluto and Nintendo PlayStation. Not only is he a passionate game collector, owning nearly every video game console ever made (including Japanese and European models), but he also shares his nomadic travel experiences on a separate YouTube channel. His world-wide adventures have allowed him to gather thousands of video games for dozens of consoles, resulting in an impressive and diverse collection. Adam Koralik on YouTube
		Tim Lapetino Tim Lapetino is an award-winning creative director, writer, and geek culture historian. For nearly 25 years he has helped brands tell compelling stories through design and creativity, while connecting deeply to their passionate fans. He is the author of the best-selling book, Art of Atari, and co-author of Pac-Man: Birth of an Icon. He is also editor of Sky Captain and the Art of Tomorrow and Undisputed Street Fighter and co-authored the design inspiration book Damn Good: Top Designers Discuss Their All-Time Favorite Projects. His work has been featured in more than a dozen books and magazines, and has drawn worldwide press coverage, including The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Wired, Forbes, IGN, Polygon, SyFy Wire, MAXIM, Kotaku, and more. His books have been published in five languages. Tim Lapetino on the web
		Jason "Metal Jesus Rocks" Lindsey Retro Gaming with a Heavy Metal Soundtrack. Jason Lindsey, a.k.a. Metal Jesus Rocks, used to work at game publisher Sierra On-Line in the 90s and makes videos about his love of video games & music. In addition to co-hosting the popular All Gen Gamers podcast, he hosts a super popular YouTube channel.
		Bob Mackey Bob Mackey is one of the hosts of the Retronauts classic gaming podcast, which has explored the history of video games since 2006. Bob also co-hosts the Talking Simpsons and What A Cartoon podcasts, and is the author of the newly released Boss Fight Books volume on Day of the Tentacle. Retronauts
		Steve Mitchell Steve Mitchell joins PRGE for the 30th anniversary Atari Jaguar panel and is the founder of Lore Design which worked on Lynx titles (Kung Food) for Atari back in the early 90ies. After acquiring the Highlander license, Atari then contracted with Lore Design to develop Highlander: The Last of the MacLeods in the Jaguar CD format and Steve was the director on that title. Later Steve worked for Sony Interactive Entertainment and founded game company Diamond Apple.
		Paul E. Niemeyer Paul has illustrated for a multitude of products, including Jim Beam, Malibu Rum, Stolichnaya Vodka, M&M/Mars, Quaker, McDonald’s, Burger King, Kellogg’s, Kraft Foods, Beatrice, Nestle’s, Con-Agra Foods, Disney/MGM, Paramount Pictures, American Airlines, Pegasus Games, PopCap Games, Eagle Games, and FunAgain Games, to name a few. Oh a little known game called Mortal Kombat. Paul Niemeyer on FaceBook
		Ryan Niemiller Ryan Niemiller, the self-proclaimed 'Cripple Threat of Comedy' you have seen on America's Got Talent, joins PRGE and shares his views of the world and video gaming from the perspective of the handicapped. Ryan began his comedy career in Los Angeles, California, and hasn’t looked back since, performing in clubs and colleges across the country. Covering topics such as dating, trying to find employment, video games, and attempting to find acceptance in a world not designed for him, Ryan tackles the issues in a way that makes you think while laughing the entire time. Ryan Niemiller on the web
		Tony Ramos Tony Ramos joins PRGE for the Sega Genesis All Stars panel! Tony started out on the Sega Genesis as a level and game designer and QA manager before becoming an associate producer at Sony and doing a stint at Electronic Arts as game quality control analyst.
		Stephan Reese Stephan Reese is the founder and executive director of the Interactive Art Collection, a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving and sharing original art and historical materials from the video game industry. Its main exhibition ‘The Art of Nintendo Power’ features rare original artwork and sculptures originally commissioned for Nintendo's iconic monthly magazine that started back in the late 80ies. Stephan is a 20-year digital media veteran and is back at PRGE to share his love for ‘Nintendo Power’. Stephan Reese on YouTube
		Randel Reiss Randel Reiss joins PRGE for the Sega Genesis All Stars panel! Randel founded Technopop – the first independent American developer for the Sega Genesis, which was also responsible for most of the early development tools for that system. In the past Randel also worked for Eidos, Electronic Arts, Sega, Sony, Apple and legendary Sinclair Research. Randel Reiss on the web
		Retro Bird @RetroBirdGaming, or Retro Bird on YouTube, is a welcoming game content creator. With the motto "Get ON My Lawn," Retro Bird encourages everyone, young and old, to join the retro gaming community. On his channel, Retro Bird discusses video games in relatable ways, fostering a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for gaming's past while inviting a diverse audience to share in the experience. Also, he likes to be silly. Very silly... Retro Bird on YouTube
		Retroware Retroware is a video game developer creating retro-inspired games for modern consoles and PC. With a passion for classic games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras to the present day, they create titles based on both original IPs and licensed properties from the 1980s and 1990s, such as the iconic ‘Toxic Avenger’. Retroware on the web
		John Riggs John is a master at modifying NES game ROMs to do new and interesting things and he is passionate about teaching others how to do it! You can learn more about what he does on his YouTube channel, RIGG'd Games. John Riggs on YouTube
		SEGA SATURN, SHIRO! Podcast Since 2017, the SEGA SATURN, SHIRO! podcast has inspired and educated gamers on SEGA's 32-Bit dark horse, the Saturn. Covering everything from past memories and retrospectives to current and future Saturn-related projects, SHIRO! exists to spread that Saturn love to the far reaches of the internet. SHIRO! also operates the only Saturn-centric News Site on the web, in addition to a Weekly Live News Show on YouTube and SHIRO! MAGAZINE, a Saturn fanzine by fans for fans. SEGA SATURN, SHIRO! on YouTube
		Audi Sorlie Audi Sorlie is a game producer and retro gaming historian from Norway. He started his career over 20 years ago as an intern in the games industry and writer for various publications, before becoming a game producer in both Japan and North America. He has also authored several books on the subject of game history. These days, he is the lead producer of the Carbon Engine for Limited Run Games, and can also be seen on Digital Foundry as a regular contributor. His favorite game is Bubsy. Limited Run Games on the web
		Andrea Subissati Andrea Subissati is an award-winning writer, podcaster and content creator with a penchant for zombies and horror. Just don’t say her name five times in a mirror! She is an executive editor at Rue Morgue magazine and joins PRGE to talk about “8-Bit Terrors: Friday the 13th on NES”. Andrea Subissati on the web
		Ted Tahquechi Ted Tahquechi joins PRGE for the 30th anniversary Atari Jaguar panel. Ted worked at Atari for over 5 years where he was responsible for producing games for Windows and DOS PC, LYNX, Jaguar and TOS based PCs. He worked on the best-selling title Tempest 2000 as well as Kasumi Ninja, I-War and Evolution: Dino Dudes. Besides his accomplishments at Atari, his career as Senior videogame producer also includes consoles such as PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and Microsoft’s Xbox. Ted Tahquechi on the web
		Faran Thomason Faran Thomason joins PRGE for the 30th anniversary Atari Jaguar panel. His 30-year career in video game design, production and marketing includes a 3-year stint at Atari during the Jaguar and Lynx days, where he was responsible for the Jaguar titles NBA JAM, Bubsy, Baldies, Supercross. Faran and PRGE go back to the early days of the show when he visited the PRGE predecessor in Kirkland, WA. We’re glad to have him back!
		Toxie Toxie aka The Toxic Avenger was 98 lbs of solid nerd until he had an unfortunate accident and became cult - and the mascot of independent film maker Troma Entertainment. We're not sure how much actual speaking he will do but you will be able to find him in some panels and perhaps near some chemical spills.
		Virvada Virvada is a crazy cat lady, Navy veteran, mother, L.A. valley girl, and a lifelong gamer. Her love of video games started in front of an old beige 90's PC playing Warcraft 2 and Lands of Lore (She always liked playing as orcs instead of humans because their settlements looked way cooler). The computer and the games were her dad's, and he is the reason she loves games. When they graduated to a Playstation, she would sit next to her dad (directly in front of the TV, of course) and watch him play Medal of Honor. He would go through and kill all the bad guys and let her run around the empty level, which blew her 8-year old mind. She hasnt't stopped loving games, but now it's her dad watching her play instead. Since then, she has grown up, played a lot more games, done cool stuff, and has been putting her analysis skills and hopeless romantic heart to good use on the Two Girls One Ship podcast. Two Girls One Ship Podcast
		Howard Scott Warshaw Howard Scott Warshaw is a pioneer of the industry. After creating two megahits for Atari, he was the sole designer and programmer of one of the greatest flops in video gaming. Noted author, psychotherapist and speaker, he shares all the behind-the-scenes machinations and shenanigans which led to turning one of the most coveted licenses in video game history into a dynasty crushing disaster and ultimately the sub-flooring of the New Mexico desert. He also discusses his experience carrying the moniker "maker of the worst game ever" for three decades. Warshaw’s latest book: “Once Upon Atari: How I made history by killing an industry” is an iconic work about life in the industry and beyond. It's a tale of hubris, triumph, blind ambition and in the end... resiliency. Visit www.OnceUponAtari.com for media, merch and more. Howard's 'Once Upon Atari'
		Brett Weiss Brett Weiss has been a gamer since 1975 and a professional gaming writer since 1997. He’s the author of 13 books, including The NES Omnibus, The SNES Omnibus, and The 100 Greatest Console Video Games. With his Classic Home Video Games series, he wrote the world’s first complete guides to numerous video game consoles, including the Atari 5200, Atari 7800, ColecoVision, Intellivision, Vectrex, Odyssey2, NES, Sega Master System, Neo Geo, TurboGrafx-16, and Sega Genesis. He also wrote the world’s first and only encyclopedia about the rock band KISS. Weiss appeared in the 2021 documentary “Playing With Power: The Nintendo Story,” and he was in The History Channel’s Nintendo episode of “The Toys That Built America: Snack Sized.” He’s written for countless publications, including Game Informer, Fangoria, Filmfax, The Comics Buyer's Guide, AntiqueWeek, Video Game Collector, Video Game Trader, Game Room, The Pingame Journal, and Old School Gamer Magazine, among many others. He’s worked for AtGames and Opcode Games as a consultant, editor, and writer, and he’s the host of the YouTube show, Tales from a Retro Gamer. For his day job, he’s the Lead Video Game Cataloger for Heritage Auctions, the world’s largest auction house for collectibles. Brett on YouTube Brett on Amazon
		Rich Whitehouse Is the creator of BigPEmu, the first Atari Jaguar emulator to feature compatibility with the entire retail cartridge and even CD library! Having worked in the video game industry for over 25 years Rich is now the head of digital conservation at the Video Game History Foundation. His past work includes all aspects of game design, programming and direction for PC, iOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and more. Rich Whitehouse on the web
		Reggie Williams "Radical" Reggie Williams is an avid collector of various game types. He is especially a big fan of import gaming. Reggie is also a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served his country. Reggie continues to delight everyone that follows him with his knowledge of retro and current gaming while keeping it real and down to earth. He's very proud of his great collection of games that he's acquired throughout the years and is happy to share his passion of video games with the world. Radical Reggie on YouTube
		Brannon Zahand Working at Microsoft for the past 25 years, Brannon Zahand has combined his passions for technology and inclusion into the unique role of being the public face of gaming accessibility at Xbox. As a Senior Gaming Accessibility Tech PM he is the driving force to advance inclusive gaming for the disability community. He will join comedian Ryan Niemiller for a panel.

This list is a work in progress and we'll have minor changes and additions happening going forward.