MAGFest LOG – (Day 1) 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Day one starts off rather slow. The registration line is monumentally understaffed, and it took me about 80 minutes from getting in line to getting my press badge. My press badge was a standard badge with a ‘press’ sticker attached. My friend Lewis paid for a ‘supporter’ membership, which entitled him to a fancy-shamcy badge, and $10 off at the MAGFest store…apparently, he will also be getting free swag, too.
Vendors are setting up downstairs at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center hotel. It is at best a slow trickle. Adjacent to the vendors is the arcade space – right now the old stuff is available for play (Super Mario Bros., and all of the Donkey Kong games).
I ran into some DJs and other musicians, whose info I’ll be posting later when I have more info.
Upon entering the game room, I ran into Michael Schiciano, a MAGFest attendee who was playing a game where one mimics playing a taiko drum. Schiciano’s interview will also come later, along with insights into the taiko drum game.
Also in the gaming room are the MAGFest 9 Challenges. This is where aspects of games are saved at a point when difficulty arises (many involve difficult tasks must be completed while only having one point of life left). Neat little prizes include a CD (pictured below), movie posters stickers and ‘uberprizes,’ that have not been firmly established. I beat three challenges on a different difficulty each. I won a sticker, a poster for a thing I never heard of, and a CD of various alternative music, which I’ll take a listen to in my aftermath post – the current laptop I am using does not have a CD drive.
It’s not known who is performing tonight. I’ll report back when I have more substance.
Also in the gaming room are the MAGFest 9 Challenges. This is where aspects of games are saved at a point when difficulty arises (many involve difficult tasks must be completed while only having one point of life left). Neat little prizes include a CD (pictured below), movie posters stickers and ‘uberprizes,’ that have not been firmly established.
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Not all of the vendors have checked in. This has led to some…aggressive…selling techniques by lesser-known game (related) musicians. I ran into Nicole – better known as Hello, the Future. A flirtatious, snarky red head, her lyrics are cute, pithy and adorable. In return for a review from TRR, her CD was donated. There might be one or two MAGFest ‘aftermath’ posts, where I would cover music like this.
There is a laid-back atmosphere. This is a large community of buddies who have yet to meet each other. Where people have walked up to each other – and I personally have experienced this and observed it – and say, “Friend, may I join you in your game?” I have yet to see a decline. If there is one, I wager it is polite. A nice change of tone after all of the hectic news from this past week.
Throughout the festival, and occurring frequently, is the yelling of ‘Aurrgh.’ The previous link will make it clear what the sound is referencing. It’s a meme, for certain, but for the people at MAGFest, it is more of a bond of unity. By joining in, you proclaim that yes, you are also a game nerd, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It is a call that you are welcomed, essentially.
9:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The marquee events have finally begun. Up first is the X Hunters, a band inspired off of the Megaman X soundtrack. Their album was obtained, and a proper analysis will be given in due time.
During their set, I landed an interview with Josh and Greg from The Megas. That interview will come during the Day 2 blogging.
Right after the X Hunters was Rare Candy. RC covers a wide range of music, including themes from Metroid – RC’s cover was over 9 minutes, and the crowd was excited for every second of it. Also in their lineup was a Super Mario World medley, and a Kirby song. Because I realized I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, I needed to grab a bite in order to continue coverage. I plan on interviewing Rare Candy during Day 2.
TO BE CONTINUED….
TRR MAGFest Coverage by Geoffrey Beebe
