WORKSHOPS
The Midwest Gaming Classic hosts hands-on workshops each year for guests to learn, build or update their gaming experience!
Here are the workshops for MGC 2024!
Become a Power Author with Ben Wolf
Become a Power Author with Ben Wolf
- Characterization
- Plot & structure
- World-building
- Self-publishing basics …and more!
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.
GameDad’s Gameboy Advance SP Upgrade Class
GameDad’s Gameboy Advance SP Upgrade Class
Tired of your Gameboy Advance SP being dark and hard to play but still wanting the original experience? This session is for you! Grab your GBASP and meet up with GameDad from YouTube! He’ll teach you how to mod your handheld with a brand-new high-quality backlit IPS screen from Gamers 4 Gamers, as well as buttons! Better brightness and clarity, as well as 8-color adjustments. Plus, there’s no soldering! Along with that, you will also have a customized shell for your Game Boy Advance SP that commemorates MGC 2024! Must bring your Gameboy Advance to the session. All screens, shells, and tools will be provided. Time: 45-60 minutes.
GameDad’s Gameboy Advance Upgrade Class
GameDad’s Gameboy Advance Upgrade Class
Tired of your Gameboy Advance being dark and hard to play but still wanting the original experience? This session is for you! Grab your GBA and meet up with GameDad from YouTube! He’ll teach you how to mod your handheld with a brand-new high-quality backlit IPS screen from Gamers 4 Gamers, as well as buttons! Better brightness and clarity, as well as 8-color adjustments. Plus, there’s no soldering! Along with that, you will also have a customized shell for your Game Boy Advance that commemorates MGC 2024! Must bring your Gameboy Advance to the session. All screens, shells, and tools will be provided. Time: 45-60 minutes.
Nintendo Switch Joystick Replacement and Reshell
Nintendo Switch Joystick Replacement and Reshell
Are your Nintendo Switch Joycons showing wear and tear? Joysticks getting a little loose, or is the drift growing and causing you no end of trouble? Well, come fix them up and while you’re at it, slap a new color scheme on them with this no solder workshop!- Registrants bring in their own Joycons.
- The workshop supplies the shells and new joysticks.
- We will walk everyone through swapping out the sticks and putting a new shell on to make your Switch sessions 100% fresh!
