Every summer for the past 8 years, the retro gamers of Austin, TX have joined together to celebrate all things related to classic video games at CLASSIC GAME FEST. What began as a small retro game tournament and party at Game Over Videogames, CGF is now a full-size convention that stands tall all on its own. For CGF2015, this event will once again be held at the Palmer Events Center which includes over 25,000 sf of classic video game fun for the whole family with an estimated attendance of over 6000+ gamers of all ages. As in years past, this year’s event includes a huge mix of video game bands, special industry guest speakers, costume contests, retro game tournaments, classic arcades set on free play, and of course, TONS of retro video games, systems, accessories, and related artwork for sale!
Today it was announced that Howard Scott Warshaw â the one and only creator of the infamous E.T. game for Atari2600 will be the keynote speaker on Sunday at Classic Game Fest 2015. Howard is an industry veteran with stories and incredible experiences from the 70s and 80s during the heyday of Atari and the beginning of the videogame industry. In addition to E.T., he also created the classic Yars Revenge and Raiders of the Lost Ark Atari games.
He will be presenting “E.T. for the Atari VCS: Making History by Killing an Industry” on the main stage on Sunday, July 26th at noon. He’ll discuss what it was like to develop the game and what it is like now to be “infamous” for creating it. Also, he was one of the major players in the legendary landfill dig in New Mexico last year which resulting in the tangible PROOF that the Atari landfill story about dumping unsold games in the desert was TRUE! Immediately following his presentation, he will do a Q&A session on stage, and then he’ll be happy to sign autographs and meet and greet fans at his booth.
For more info on special guests, announcements, vendor booths, or any other questions about CGF, please email info@classicgamefest.com.