WORKSHOPS

The Midwest Gaming Classic hosts hands-on workshops each year for guests to learn, build or update their gaming experience!
Stay tuned for our 2025 workshops!

 

Please note that you must create a member account or sign in to register for workshops.

Become a Power Author with Ben Wolf and Jeri Shepherd

Become a Power Author with Ben Wolf and Jeri Shepherd

Become a Power Author with Ben Wolf and Jeri Shepherd

Become a Power Author with Ben Wolf and Jeri Shepherd

Your dream of becoming a published author has never been closer! This year at the Midwest Gaming Classic, join award-winning fantasy and sci-fi authors Ben Wolf and Jeri Shepherd for an exclusive writers workshop. In this extended session, you’ll learn:
  • Characterization
  • Plot & Structure
  • World-building
  • Self-publishing basics …and more!
Sign up now and take the first step to making your publishing dreams come true!  
Ben Heck: Make a gameBADGE

Ben Heck: Make a gameBADGE

Ben Heck: Make a gameBADGE

Ben Heck: Make a gameBADGE

Tickets available now for Ben’s Inflation Buster Price of $65!

Ben Heck guides workshop participants in assembling an updated design for his single-board gaming computer! The workshop is intended to teach how to assemble a simple computer. Each participant will get to take home the assembled computer (Ben Heck gameBadge). Attendees are expected to bring their own soldering supplies. Help will be provided so everyone is assured of a completed project to take home. Please note that the project must progress from the first step to the last, meaning people must be on time to do the first step. If you are late, you may not be able to complete your project.

Click here to see the project in further detail!

gameBadge Project Preview Video

Workshop Requirements

Emulator support requires micro SD card, not provided, please bring your own if you wish to install emulators.

This workshop DOES NOT PROVIDE soldering tools, you will need to bring your own, at a minimum:

  • Soldering iron, with medium to fine tip
  • Sponge/stand, for holding your iron and keeping it clean
  • Solder (lead-free or leaded, leaded is easier)
  • Tweezers, for holding small parts
  • Side cutters, for cutting wires and leads
  • Work mat (even if just a piece of cardboard!)

There will be a finite number of extra tools, but these are mostly so (Ben or assistants) can help people if they get stuck during assembly. If you sign up for this workshop, please bring the tools listed above so we can ensure you, and everyone else is able to complete their Gamebadge3 in the time allotted.

Skill Requirements

We recommend that attendees have *some* soldering experience before building this project or bring a parent/friend who does and can help them out. Ben and his assistants will help you if you get stuck, but we will not have time to build entire kits for people. This kit has been simplified compared to previous workshops which will help.

Game Gear Workshop with Kris Carlson

Game Gear Workshop with Kris Carlson

Game Gear Workshop with Kris Carlson

Game Gear Workshop with Kris Carlson

The Game Gear was the ultimate Sega handheld, but if you’re like me, you’re tired of the same old look and feel that it has. So let’s give it a refresh! Join Kris, AKA GameDad as he guides you through a complete reshell of your Game Gear – featuring the MGC logo and a a variety of colors to choose from! The workshop will be one hour in length to ensure everyone has ample time for the reshell, and will provide step-by-step guidance and hands-on help with how to swap the shell on your Game Gear. Shells will be provided for you. Tools and silicone mats to work on will be provide for use by Midwest Gaming Classic and must be left at the workshop upon the classes completion. Workshop Requirements: Participants will bring their own working Game Gear to be reshelled. Skill Requirements: While this is a beginner level class, we do recommend that participants have a familiarity with tools or have a parent or friend who can assist them, as some of the internal parts and pieces can be small and require some dexterity to add or remove. Workshop Price: $60
GameCube Workshop with Kris Carlson

GameCube Workshop with Kris Carlson

GameCube Workshop with Kris Carlson

GameCube Workshop with Kris Carlson

The GameCube was one of the best Nintendo consoles around, but if you’re like me, you’re tired of the same old look that it has. So let’s give it a refresh! Join Kris, AKA GameDad as he guides you through a complete reshell of your GameCube – featuring the MGC logo on a custom jewel in the lid and a a variety of colors to choose from! The workshop will be one hour in length to ensure everyone has ample time for the reshell, and will provide step-by-step guidance and hands-on help with how to swap the shell on your GameCube. Shells will be provided for you. Tools and silicone mats to work on will be provide for use by Midwest Gaming Classic and must be left at the workshop upon the classes completion. Workshop Requirements: Participants will bring their own working GameCube to be reshelled. Skill Requirements: While this is a beginner level class, we do recommend that participants have a familiarity with tools or have a parent or friend who can assist them, as some of the internal parts and pieces can be small and require some dexterity to add or remove. Workshop Price: $85
GBA SP Workshop with Kris Carlson

GBA SP Workshop with Kris Carlson

GBA SP Workshop with Kris Carlson

GBA SP Workshop with Kris Carlson

The GameBoy Advance SP is arguably the best handheld of it’s time, but it had a fatal flaw…that horribly dark screen that made it nearly impossible to see by today’s standards. So why don’t we change that and give the the whole thing a facelift! Join Kris, AKA GameDad as he guides you through a complete reshell and IPS screen upgrade of your GBA SP – featuring the MGC logo and a a variety of colors to choose from! The workshop will be one and a half hours in length to ensure everyone has ample time for the mod, and will provide step-by-step guidance and hands-on help with how to swap the shell on your GBA SP and swap out the original display for a modern and bright IPS one. Shells, and Screens will be provided for you. Tools and silicone mats to work on will be provide for use by Midwest Gaming Classic and must be left at the workshop upon the classes completion. Workshop Requirements: Participants will bring their own working GBA SP to be reshelled and modded. Skill Requirements: While this is a beginner level class, we do recommend that participants have a familiarity with tools or have a parent or friend who can assist them, as some of the internal parts and pieces can be small and require some dexterity to add or remove. Workshop Price: $85
Joy-Con Workshop with Jay Malone

Joy-Con Workshop with Jay Malone

Joy-Con Workshop with Jay Malone

Joy-Con Workshop with Jay Malone

I think we can all agree that the same-old-same-old is kind of boring when it comes to the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons. But what if you could update the look of your Joy cons in an hour? Join Meridith and Jay from Square Pegs as they guide you through the process of changing the shell on your Joy-Con from drab to awesome – featuring the MGC logo and a fantastic color scheme that’ll be sure to turn heads! The workshop will be one hour in length, and will provide step-by-step guidance, and hands-on help with how to change the shell on your Left Joy-Con. Shells, and Buttons will be provided for both Left and Right controllers, and a detailed guide will be sent home with participants on how to finish the reshell of their right controller at home. Tools and silicone mats to hold screws will be provided for use by Midwest Gaming Classic and must be left at the workshop upon the class’s completion. Workshop Requirements: Participants will bring their own Joy-Cons from home. Skill Requirements: While this is a beginner level class, we do recommend that participants have a familiarity with tools or have a parent or friend who can assist them, as some of the internal parts and pieces can be small and require some dexterity to add or remove. Workshop Price: $75
Pro Controller Workshop with Jay Malone

Pro Controller Workshop with Jay Malone

Pro Controller Workshop with Jay Malone

Pro Controller Workshop with Jay Malone

No one can deny how nice a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller feels – it’s one of the standard bearers for modern controllers for a reason as far as functionality goes. But the look? That’s another story entirely. Join Meridith and Jay from Square Pegs as they provide hands-on guidance to transform your Switch Pro Controller from basic black to a multicolored beauty featuring the Midwest Gaming Classic logo and branding! The workshop will be one hour in length, and will give participants step-by-step instructions and hands-on assistance to help participants change the shell and buttons on their Switch Pro Controller. Tools and silicone mats to hold screws will be provided for use by Midwest Gaming Classic and must be left at the workshop upon the class’s completion. Workshop Requirements: Participants will be required to bring the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller from home. (Please note: This must be an OEM Pro Controller made by Nintendo and not a third party, as the shells provided will be specifically for the OEM model). Skill Requirements: While this is a beginner level class, we do recommend that participants have a familiarity with tools or have a parent or friend who can assist them, as some of the internal parts and pieces can be small and require some dexterity to add or remove. Workshop Price: $75
Solve the Rubik's Cube Workshop with Levi Edler

Solve the Rubik's Cube Workshop with Levi Edler

Solve the Rubik's Cube Workshop with Levi Edler

Solve the Rubik's Cube Workshop with Levi Edler

Learn to solve the cube with Levi Edler. Levi has competed in regional and national CubingUSA-sanctioned competitions. He has operated the business Cubing MKE since 2015 and taught more than 350 people to solve the cube. This class includes a speed cube from Asia, 2.5 hours of small-group instruction with Levi, a packet of information with the steps needed to solve at home, and follow-up instruction if needed. Workshop running time: 2.5 hours. Workshop Requirements: A Rubik’s cube will be supplied at the workshop. Workshop Price: $65