WHAT'S GDEX?
GDEX is a Weekend Celebration of Games that attracts fans, students and developers from across the country. We have one of the best communities in the Midwest, and we are proud to be the place where you can experience the latest and upcoming games before anyone else!
It is a platform for helping smaller teams and individuals be successful. Stemming from the local Columbus Community Group, GDEX strives to help everyone Connect, Share, and Learn about the current state of the industry and a positive future for all creators.
GDEX is the Industry Event of the Region, offering more to do, see, and learn than any other Gaming and Creative Technology expo in the Midwest.
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT
GDEX 2018?
GDEX SPEAKING SESSIONS | Saturday 9/29 & Sunday 9/30 | 10am - 6pm
GDEX is the one weekend every year that attracts some of the most exciting industry people into Columbus to Connect, Learn, and Share with each other. Check back frequently for the latest updates on our speakers and all the great sessions you’ll see over GDEX Weekend.
Check out the Schedule of Speakers for the latest session information.
GDEX GAMING EXPO | Saturday 9/29 & Sunday 9/30 | 10am - 6pm
Considered by many to be the Sundance of Video Games, GDEX is the best place to play new and unreleased games you can't play anywhere else. Featuring over 100 games, as well as tons of other things to do, GDEX is the Midwest's Premier Gaming Expo for a reason.
Friday 9/28 | 10am - 6pm
GDEX offers the best educational experience in the region with our All Day Dev Day. Whether you're looking to up your developments skills, improve your art, start a business, or just learn more about the industry, GDEX has everything. And this year we're excited to be partnered with UNITY to give a special look at the latest Unity features, and an extended development session. Tickets are limited, so buy yours now.
GDEX ARTIST ALLENY | Saturday 9/29 & Sunday 9/30 | 10am - 6pm
Featuring some of the most unique art pieces and more from super talented creators. There is always something really amazing to find. Make sure to bring a little extra cash for that special gift to take home with you, or give to a friend!
See our full Artist list a www.thegdex.com/exhibitors/
Saturday 9/29 & Sunday 9/30
Want to prove you have what it takes to compete? Maybe you just want to game with friends for a fun round of gaming. Either way, GDEX has plenty to do all weekend long in our Tournament and Freeplay area.
Saturday 9/29 & Sunday 9/30 | 10am - 6pm
Every year we get some of the coolest, one of a kind items from game companies across the world. Stop by and check out the awesomeness and put your name in the hat. You never know, you could be a winner!
Friday (9/28) | 7pm - 11pm
GDEX Weekend is full of activities, but it all starts with our Kick-Off Party. Taking place on Friday evening, it's a great opportunity to meet great people who share your love of games, and get a chance to connect with some of the speakers you've been wanting to meet. It's the best way to start the weekened.
Saturday (9/29) | 8pm - 11pm
It wouldn't be GDEX with out our Saturday Night Dance Party. Cut lose after a long day at the expo by getting your dance on with your friends. Always free and a blast, but tickets are limited so grab yours as soon as you can.
MIDWEST CHAMPIONS SERIES AT GDEX
GDEX is excited to have the finals for the Midwest Champions Series this year. Featuring teams from across the Midwest and beyond, it's going to be an awesome event. We'll also be joined by the developers of Killer Queen who will be not only be speaking at GDEX 2018, but will be participating in the tournament!
The Midwest Champions Series came about with the idea of being able to travel, compete, and foster new relationships with other scenes, but to also experiment with new ideas to eventually push the collective national scene as a whole.
The Midwest Champions Series (MCS) is a series of invitational Killer Queen tournaments hosted at venues located throughout the Midwest, with this years finals occurring in Columbus at GDEX. The MCS seeks to establish an objective system to determine a Grand Champion, by standardizing the competitive experience with a standard set of rules and cabinet components. This will facilitate high-level competition between collocated Killer Queen communities, and foster relationships between players - old and new - throughout the region.
Entry is open to all, with a separate Amateur and Professional bracket. There will only be a select number of onsite spots available, so make sure to pre-register to ensure your spot in this exciting event!
FREEPLAY & TOURNAMENTS
GDEX is packed with lots to play, including all weekend Freeplay and Challenge sessions featuring some of the best players in the world. We have the best street fighter player in Ohio, the 2nd best Melee player in Ohio and the 2nd best Smash 4 player in Ohio. All are top 200 players in the world at their respective games, ready to take on any and all comers throughout the weekend.
Sunday, September 30th
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Lite (PC)
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (Wii U)
“Nintendo’s popular fighting game and one of the biggest video game crossovers in existence comes to GDEX! Test your skills in our boss challenge, brought to you by Game Arena! Defeat GA|Geist (Ohio Ranking: 2nd) in a single game and receive a free day pass to use at Game Arena, the latest esports facility and gaming center in Ohio!”
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Match Point (PC)
“Match Point is a frenetic couch competition game for 2-4 contenders. Tether, kick, block, and counter the ball into the opposing team's goal as you hop around in the newfound gravity of this modern take on a familiar arena. Some have described the game as feeling like a 2D Rocket League, or Mario + Soccer. Enter a free tournament, brought to you by Game Arena, for a chance to win a copy of the game!
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Mario Kart 8 (Switch)
“Nintendo’s most popular racing game comes to GDEX! Compete in a tournament, brought to you by Game Arena! Race through popular maps, both new and old, on Nintendo’s latest console!” Winner receives a Day Pass to Game Arena and a Mario Trophy!
Saturday, September 29
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Super Smash Bros. Melee (GC)
“Nintendo’s finest duke it out in this popular multiplayer platform fighter at GDEX! Test your skills in our boss challenge, brought to you by Game Arena! Defeat Cal (Global Ranking: 73rd) in a single game and receive a free day pass to use at Game Arena, the latest esports facility and gaming center in Ohio!”
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
MageQuit (PC)
“”
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Bombfest (PC)
“BOMBFEST is a physics-based party game where players battle with bombs to be the last toy standing. It’s a lot like sumo with explosives! Use bombs to blast away your foes, but be careful that you don’t get caught in a chain reaction of your own creation! Have a blast at a free tournament, brought to you by Game Arena, and you could win a closed beta key!
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition (PS4)
“Capcom’s popular fighting game comes to GDEX! Test your skills in our boss challenge, brought to you by Game Arena! Defeat HZRDS|RobTV (Global Ranking: 176th) in a single game and receive a free day pass to use at Game Arena, the latest esports facility and gaming center in Ohio!”
CHARITY RAFFLE
Every year GDEX has tons of one of a kind items in our charity raffle. Generously donated from developers, and companies from across the world, we have many unique items that are extremely hard to find, if they can be found at all. Check back for the latest updates on what will be available throughout the weekend.
OUR SPONSORS
THANK THEM, THEY'RE AMAZING
CHARITY PARTNERS
SPONSORS & FRIENDS
GDEX PARTNERS
