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http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/artsandentertainment/tulsa-to-host-gaming-convention-next-year/article_1b6feaa1-7222-5b50-bdef-0fd499b8b87e.html

Tulsa to host gaming convention next year

By JERRY WOFFORD World Scene Writer  |  0 comments 

Tulsa will be home to a new regional gaming convention next year, with organizers hoping to showcase the latest in electronic gaming developed locally and nationally.
 
XPO will take place Oct. 1-4, 2015, at the Cox Business Center. The convention will feature a variety of platforms for electronic gaming — from the latest console platforms, PC gaming, mobile and tablet. The event will also feature panel discussions with industry leaders, developers and more.
 
"Across the nation, there is a buzz about video gaming and events that happen around them," said Ray Hoyt, senior vice president of VisitTulsa and the Tulsa Sports Commission.

Hoyt said organizers, which include VisitTulsa, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, SMG and New Medio, plan to bring to Tulsa some of the biggest names in the video game industry from Microsoft and Sony to EA and Blizzard. The event will also feature Tulsa-based video game developers to show the potential for creative development at home, Hoyt said.

That includes Matt Harmon, director of the downtown Tulsa-based Bonozo Games.

"I can tell you this city wants an event of this focus and magnitude," Harmon said.

Tulsa and the region have hosted much smaller gaming events in the past, but it was lacking that appeal from a national event, he said. It needed a little push to make it a regional and national draw, and XPO may be that push, he said.

"You could feel that there's a need for a much larger one and really make a buzz," he said.

Candace Brenner, a Tulsa native who is now the director of global brand marketing for Sony Online Entertainment, said in a press release announcing the event that it's events like the one planned for next year in Tulsa that help grow not only the industry locally, but to simply enjoy the marriage of art in technology in video games.

“The best thing about regional gaming conventions is that they provide an opportunity for game publishers and developers to interact with their fans first hand,” Brenner said. "I always enjoy getting to know our fans and players and really having one-to-one dialogues. It’s so much more meaningful to the development process. Plus, selfishly, it’s just a place where I can get excited and share my passion for games with friends and colleagues."

Developers and vendors who wish to participate can sign up for additional information at XPO2015.com. More information about the event will be released over the coming months. Tickets for XPO will be available starting next summer. Ticket details have not yet been announced.

Jerry Wofford 918-581-8346

Very cool.

Ex-Riverman?

(http://gifmansion.com/GM/uploads/2013/05/internet-fight.gif)

Interested to see how this pans out. I see they convinced the local money to fund it, so that's good.

I hadn't heard of Bonozo before so I checked out the apps they published.

It appears no-one else has heard of them either. Between 3 apps, they had a total of 1 review.

I'm also not really sure what his games do, based on the description/screenshots.

Looks like a lot of the same group that started Tulsa Tough.

I like the effort to start our own events rather than try and lure new ones here.  Homegrown events are more likely to stick around and you can leverage local talent plus keep more money in the community.