Bonus Stage

Saturday, April 25

FeitClub – Resident Evil "Survival Horror isn't Real"

10:30 am – 11:00 am, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Survival Horror Isn’t Real
Retronauts cohost Diamond Feit and One Million Power’s Brian Clark break down the origins of Resident Evil to prove that the survival horror “genre” is really just two or three other genres in a trenchcoat (with matching hat).

You’re Too Slow… to Find These: Sonic_rockgr00ve’s Rarest Sonic Collectibles

11:00 am – 11:30 am, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Residing in the suburbs of Chicago, Haley Lassiter has been a passionate Sonic the Hedgehog fan and collector for nearly 25 years. She will be returning to Milwaukee showcasing some of her rarest, most unique and interesting items she’s collected over the years, right here at the Midwest Gaming Classic. From figurines and signed artwork to Japanese exclusives and pencil sharpeners, each piece in her collection can tell a story! She is so excited to share these memories and treasures with fellow fans and collectors.

Ernest De Leon – Why Physical Media Is So Important, Especially Today

11:30 am – 12:15 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

The gaming industry has quietly shifted from “buy it once, own it forever” to a subscription and live service model that leaves players paying indefinitely and owning nothing. In this session, Ernest de Leon of 210 Retro breaks down when and why that shift happened, what it costs players in money and time, and why collecting physical media from the PS3/360 era and earlier is more relevant now than ever. This is a conversation about ownership, preservation, and taking back control of your gaming experience.

Ernest de Leon is the co-host of The Final Fantasy Files and founder of 210 Retro, a San Antonio-based retro gaming and vintage merchandise brand built around one core idea: buy once, own forever. A lifelong collector and active convention vendor, Ernest has spent years championing physical media, physical retro games, and the culture of intentional ownership over the subscription economy. Through 210 Retro’s growing social media presence and convention circuit appearances, he advocates for preserving the golden era of gaming and the community that surrounds it.

Christopher Sean: Becoming An Ultraman!

12:15 pm – 12:45 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Christopher Sean landed the role of Ultraman in Netflix’s Ultraman Rising. Not just did he play an iconic character in the film, but doing so opened doors to a world that he never could have imagined! Find out what it was like to play such a well known character and the places it took him!

Why We're Here: Making Tempest 2000

12:45 pm – 1:15 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

The first Midwest Gaming Classic was held to celebrate and share love for the Atari Jaguar, and the event was subtitled “Beyond Tempest” as it was held in 2001 – a number bigger than the famous Tempest 2000. 25 years later, join two of the people who brought Tempest 2000 to life – Ted Tahquechi and Carrie Tahquechi – for a special panel titled Why We’re All Here. The creators reflect on the development, challenges, and legacy of Tempest 2000, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and insights into what made the game a defining experience for the Jaguar. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering it anew, this conversation explores how one game helped inspire an entire convention. Moderated by John Hancock.

Missile Command with Tony Temple

1:15 pm – 1:45 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Tony Temple is a UK-based arcade player who has held the Guinness World Record for Atari’s Missile Command since 2006. He is best known for his contributions to the world of arcade gaming via his blog at arcadeblogger.com. He will be on stage to talk about himself and his book. Tony will be hosting a panel discussing all things Missile Command, and will be on hand to sign copies of his book Missile Commander throughout the weekend.

Mathew Schulz – From Blockbusters to Basement Builds: Lessons in AAA and Indie Game Development

1:45 pm – 2:15 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Matt works in AAA development at Virtuos while running indie studio Jurassic Sunset Games, and shares how AAA practices can be effectively adapted to indie projects. Using a real in-development game as a case study, the talk focuses on practical production methods, scope control, and achieving high-quality polish without increasing budget or complexity.

46 Years of Designing Video Games with Garry and Dan Kitchen

2:15 pm – 2:45 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Join pioneering game designers Garry and Dan Kitchen for a behind-the-scenes look at nearly five decades of video game creation. From the early days of home consoles to the evolution of modern game design, the Kitchen brothers share stories, lessons learned, and insights into how creativity, technology, and player expectations have changed—and what has stayed the same—over 46 remarkable years in the industry.

Steven Reich – Video Game Footage Restoration

2:45 pm – 3:15 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Not all game footage comes out as well as we’d like. Find out how you can improve prerecorded gameplay videos, whether it’s your own material, or something you’ve found-all using the computer you already own.

Mateo Simunovic – First to the Switch Mini Documentary

3:15 pm – 3:45 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

In 2017, the Nintendo Switch released. Alex “CND” Pekala, wanting to be the first in line, waited one month outside of the Nintendo Store on 48th Street, fostering a community of like-minded gamers with the help of gaming legend TriForce Johnson.

Martin Goldberg: My Atari Journey

3:45 pm – 4:30 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Join Atari historian Martin Goldberg for an inside look at his journey documenting the rich and often surprising history of Atari. He’ll share how his passion for preservation turned into years of research, interviews, and discoveries—and how that path eventually connected him with the Midwest Gaming Classic. Whether you’re a retro gaming fan or a history enthusiast, this panel offers a unique glimpse behind the scenes of gaming’s early days.

Patty Mattson: The World of Warcraft According to Sylvanas

4:30 pm – 5:15 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Join voice actor Patty Mattson for a behind-the-scenes look at bringing Sylvanas Windrunner to life in World of Warcraft. She’ll share insights into portraying the Banshee Queen, the character’s evolution, and the creative process behind some of her most memorable moments. Perfect for fans and anyone interested in voice acting and storytelling in gaming. Patty has been brought to the show courtesy of 2DCon, Minnesota’s largest gaming event (and good friends of MGC)!

Gerald C. Rivers: From M. Bison to MLK – Using Your Voice to Make a Difference

5:15 pm – 6:00 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

From M. Bison to MLK – Using Your Voice to Make a Difference

In this powerful panel, acclaimed voice actor Gerald C. Rivers reflects on a career that spans iconic characters—from the commanding presence of M. Bison to the profound responsibility of voicing the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rivers shares how mastering voice, tone, and intention allowed him to move beyond entertainment and into work rooted in history, education, and impact. Focusing on his experiences bringing Dr. King’s speeches to life, Rivers explores what it means to honor a legacy through performance, the weight of speaking words that changed a nation, and how voice actors can use their craft to inform, inspire, and elevate meaningful messages. This conversation is a compelling look at how voice is not just a tool for storytelling, but a vehicle for lasting influence.

Brett Weiss – Living through the Video Game Crash

6:00 pm – 6:30 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Journalist and pop culture historian Brett Weiss has been a gamer since 1975 and a professional gaming writer since 1997. He is the author of 13 books, including The NES Omnibus, The SNES Omnibus, The 100 Greatest Console Video Games: 1977–1987, and his latest volume, The 100 Greatest Console Video Games: 1988–1998. Through his Classic Home Video Games series, he created the world’s first complete guides to numerous consoles, including the Atari 5200 and 7800, ColecoVision, Intellivision, Vectrex, Odyssey2, NES, Sega Master System, Neo Geo, TurboGrafx-16, and Sega Genesis, and he also penned the first and only encyclopedia dedicated to the rock band KISS.

A frequent guest at video game and pop culture conventions nationwide, Weiss appeared in the 2021 documentary Playing With Power: The Nintendo Story and on The History Channel’s The Toys That Built America: Snack Sized (Nintendo episode). His work has been featured in numerous publications, including Game Informer, Fangoria, Filmfax, Robot Magazine, The Writer, Mystery Scene, The Comics Buyer’s Guide, Alter Ego, Back Issue, AntiqueWeek, Video Game Collector, Video Game Trader, Classic Gamer Magazine, Game Room, The Pingame Journal, and Old School Gamer Magazine. In addition, he has worked for AtGames and Opcode Games, and he hosts the YouTube series, Tales from a Retro Gamer, which you can check out here: https://youtube.com/@brettweissretrogamer?si=h4dm8K3_jajkk5S_

Andrew Fishman – Parenting a Gamer

6:30 pm – 7:00 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Expert in video game addiction Andrew Fishman, LCSW explains what parents need to know about video games. Using scientific research and cultural context, he will provide information to help you make healthy decisions for your family, answering questions such as:

-Are video games addictive?

-Why is it so hard to get my kid to stop playing?

-Are video games a good way to socialize?

-How do I keep my kids safe online?

Bio:

Andrew Fishman, LCSW is a licensed mental health professional in Chicago, where he specializes in treating video game addiction in adolescents. He earned a master’s degree in social work at Loyola University Chicago and is certified in counseling gaming disorder by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board. Andrew’s articles on video games and mental health have been featured repeatedly as essential topics in Psychology Today, where he is respected as a Thought Leader.

He has been featured worldwide in interviews by The Wall Street Journal, Al Jazeera Plus, FintechBeat, El País, and for DC Fintech Week 2021. He has also been quoted in numerous psychology and technology publications, ranging from European Business Magazine to Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. He lives in Chicago and can often be found playing The Legend of Zelda and Assassin’s Creed in his spare time.

Justin Tolliver – For Your Amusement Film

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Coin Return: How Coin-Op Built the Modern Game
Before consoles and microtransactions, there was the quarter. This presentation explores how coin-operated amusements shaped modern game design, monetization and competitive play. Featuring extended interviews and rare archival footage from the upcoming feature documentary ‘For Your Amusement’.

On Sunday, April 26, the Bonus Stage at MGC is being taken over by Extra Life, a fundraising arm of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals! Join Gregg Johnson (the owner of Game Trade in De Pere, Wisconsin) and Rob Patoka (the owner of Start Over Games in Oshkosh, Wisconsin) as they play games, chat with showgoers, and host various guests from the show! Together, the pair has raised over $130,000 for Extra Life. Stop by and get in on the stream, and make a donation as they raise money for kids’ health!

Sunday, April 26

Extra Life

10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Bonus Stage: Gaming Discussions

Extra Life will be taking over bonus stage with their charity Livestream and will be joined by the following guests through out the day!:

10:45AM – 11:00AM Ed Fries

11:00AM – 11:15AM Patty Mattson

11:15AM – 11:30AM Gerald C. Rivers

11:30AM – 11:45AM Casey Mongillo

11:45AM – 12:00PM Edward Bosco

12:00PM – 12:15PM Bill Rogers

12:15PM – 12:30 Rachelle Heger

12:30PM – 12:45PM Chris Bartlett

12:45PM – 1:00PM Jack Danger

1:00PM – 1:30PM Ted & Carrie Tahquechi

1:30PM – 2:00PM Dan & Garry Kitchen

2:00PM – 2:30PM Christopher Sean

2:30PM – 2:45PM Marty Goldberg

2:45PM – 3:00PM Dan Loosen

3:00PM – 3:15PM Jon and George of GenXGrownUp

3:30PM – 3:45PM Paul Drury