Saturday, April 25
ToadBup, RipPullRepeat, GenXGrownUp, Indie Arcade Wave: Content Creators Panel
11:00 am – 11:50 am, Panels and Presentations
Your favorite YouTube creators come together for a lively discussion about creativity, collaboration, and some of their fun adventures on the platform. They’ll share stories, laughs, lessons learned, and take audience questions at this cool gathering of even cooler creators. Featuring creators ToadBup, RipPullRepeat, GenXGrownUp, and Indie Arcade Wave.
Ed Fries & Eugene Jarvis: 25 Years of Xbox and Raw Thrills
12:00 pm – 12:50 pm, Panels and Presentations
25 years ago, the gaming industry underwent some massive changes, and these two men were leading the charge! Ed Fries led the team that created the first version of the Xbox game console and served as the Vice President of Game Publishing at Microsoft where he founded Microsoft Game Studios. Eugene Jarvis decided to create Raw Thrills after he saw Midway abandoning the arcade industry and felt that a better approach could be made for arcades. Find out about the difficulties and successes that each team encountered, and the similarities and the differences these two game changing companies experienced, as well as their belief in the future for these iconic brands!
Chris Bartlett, Rachelle Heger, Gerald C. Rivers & Patty Mattson: Iconic Roles
1:00 pm – 1:50 pm, Panels and Presentations
Join actors, Chris Bartlett, Rachelle Heger, Gerald C. Rivers, and Patty Mattson for an inside look at the iconic roles that defined their careers and left a lasting mark on gaming and pop culture. From powerful villains and heroic leaders to emotionally resonant characters recognized around the world, this panel explores what it takes to create performances that endure.
The guests will share behind-the-scenes stories, creative challenges, and the artistic choices that helped bring these unforgettable characters to life—revealing how a single performance can inspire fans, shape franchises, and stand the test of time. Whether you’re an aspiring actor or a lifelong fan, this is a rare chance to hear the stories behind the characters you know by heart.
Gotta Flip 'Em All: The Making of Pokemon Pinball
2:00 pm – 2:50 pm, Panels and Presentations
I choose… George Gomez, Jack Danger and Tanio Kylce of Stern Pinball to talk about the making of the new Pokemon Pinball! Find out how the new blockbuster pinball machine came together, what it is like to adapt the world of Pokemon to the world of pinball, and everything else that you might want to know about this awesome new game!
Bill Rogers, Ed Bosco & Casey Mongillo: The Fire Starters
3:00 pm – 3:50 pm, Panels and Presentations
Join the voices behind the fire starter Pokémon characters (Bill Rogers as Chimchar, Ed Bosco as Charizard and Casey Mongillo as Scorbunny) as they discuss their roles in the show, the evolution of the series, and how it has expanded in so many different ways!
Chris Bartlett: This IS the Droid You’re Looking For!
4:00 pm – 4:50 pm, Panels and Presentations
Join Chris Bartlett for an inspiring behind‑the‑helmet journey that proves fandom can become a full‑blown career. From passionate Star Wars cosplayer to on‑screen droid performer in the Star Wars universe, Chris shares how one stormtrooper costume helped open the door to acting, landed him a job at Epic Games (yes—in armor), and launched a rise from artist to director on some of the biggest games in the industry. Packed with behind‑the‑scenes stories, career advice, and plenty of droid humor, this panel is a must for creatives, gamers, and Star Wars fans alike.
Retronauts: 30 Years of the Greatest* RPG Ever: Throwdown Edition
5:00 pm – 5:50 pm, Panels and Presentations
1996 was a banner year for role-playing games! So good, in fact, we couldn’t decide on just one. Jeremy Parish, Diamond Feit, and Nadia Oxford make their cases for the greatest* RPG of all time and leave it to YOU, the audience, to make the final judgment.
Christopher Sean & Theology: Press Start: Mental Health in the Game of Life
6:00 pm – 6:50 pm, Panels and Presentations
Join us for an energizing, heartfelt panel that explores mental health through the lens of video gaming culture. Hosted by dynamic actor, Christopher Sean and inspiring DJ, Theology, this session blends storytelling and shared experience to unpack how games shape our identities, coping skills, and sense of connection—both on-screen and off.
From leveling up resilience to navigating burnout and emotional “boss battles,” our hosts guide an open conversation about mental wellness using gaming metaphors we all understand. Expect real talk, immersive atmosphere, and a reminder that no one has to play solo—because even in life, co‑op mode matters.
Nostalgia Critic: Why Gaming Movies (Usually) Suck
7:00 pm – 7:50 pm, Panels and Presentations
What is is about transferring a digital game to the screen that often leaves fans wondering what went so wrong? While we’ve had some decent movies recently, the vast majority of the movies of the past were… less than great. The Nostalgia Critic crew discusses many of the misses in video game adaptions, and what they feel could improve those films moving forward!
Sunday, April 26
Tim Kitzrow & Ahman Green: BoomShaKaLaKa Meets the End Zone
11:00 am – 11:50 am, Panels and Presentations
Are you ready for some football? Ahman Green, the legendary Green Bay Packers running back joins Tim Kitzrow, the voice of NFL Blitz, NBA Jam, and so many other iconic sports games to talk about the Xes and Ohs behind the scenes. We’ll be asking Ahman questions like what it is like to see himself in games, including NFL Blitz and it’s over-the-top depiction of football, and we’ll be asking Tim Kitzrow what his experience was playing or calling sporting events before the games, and how it has changed since then!
Learn Voice Acting with Zane, Rhys, Kim and a Sheep* from the Aphmau Minecraft Channel
12:00 pm – 12:50 pm, Panels and Presentations
Speakers: Kestin Howard, James Brown Jr, Erik Lawrence & Corinne “Megami33” Sudberg
Ever wanted to try voice acting? Join the people behind the voices of Zane, Kim, Rhys, and Pierce from the Aphmau channel on YouTube for a fun afternoon of doing practice auditions! Willing volunteers from the audience will be called up and asked to read a provided script, and our experienced cast will provide constructive feedback! NOTE: for purely educational and entertainment purposes only!
Rachelle Heger, Bill Rogers & Gerald C. Rivers: Calling the Shots: Inside the Art of Directing
1:00 pm – 1:50 pm, Panels and Presentations
Join actor-directors Rachelle Heger, Bill Rogers, and Gerald C. Rivers for an insightful discussion on the craft of directing across performance-driven mediums. Drawing from their experience both in front of and behind the mic and camera, this panel explores what it takes to guide talent, shape a creative vision, and bring powerful stories to life. From communicating with actors and building trust to balancing technical demands with emotional authenticity, the panelists share lessons learned, behind-the-scenes perspectives, and practical advice for performers and aspiring directors alike. This conversation offers a rare look at directing from creatives who understand both sides of the process.
Jeremy Parish & Kate Willaert: Metroid + ’Vania: The Greatest Genre at 40
2:00 pm – 2:50 pm, Panels and Presentations
The two most prominent (or at least loudest) chroniclers of Metroidvania history look back at the genre on this landmark anniversary. Why was 1986 such a watershed moment? What the first “true” metroidvania? And why do people keep trying to make the name “search action” a thing?
BizSnes, John Riggs and Heather Reusz: Funny Gaming History
3:00 pm – 3:50 pm, Panels and Presentations
Join BizSnes (a boy trapped in a Super Nintendo console… sort of a distant relative of Tom Servo) as he plays some retro gaming clips and challenges the other panelists on some of the great mysteries of the universe! Don’t expect this panel to be serious, but do expect it to be a great time as they look at some of the strange moments in gaming history!
