LVL UP EXPO 2023 Photo Recap - 10th Anniversary Event

LVL UP EXPO 2023 Photo Recap - 10th Anniversary Event

The LVL UP EXPO returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center for its 10th anniversary. The yearly event brings together fans, collectors, and competitors to a place where everyone can celebrate their hobbies and participate in various activities. The event features everything from cosplay contests, voice-actor panels, wrestling matches, and plenty of artist, exhibitor, community, and indie game dev booths.

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Guacamelee! Series Review: Cultural Appreciation in Video Games - “I Made Guacamelee to create a Mexican Hero”

Guacamelee! Series Review: Cultural Appreciation in Video Games - “I Made Guacamelee to create a Mexican Hero”

Drinkbox Studios has made a name for themselves by mashing together a platformer with a lucha style combat to create their Guacamelee! series. This Mexican-inspired metroidvania action brawler stars a simple agave farmer turned super luchador, but how did a Canadian studio come to launch this adventure game set in a fantasy Mexico? Let’s take a look at the development of the Guacamelee! series, while we anticipate the release of Drinkbox Studios’ next game.

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Cinco de Mayo: Guacamelee Highlight - "Mexico, Mexicans - they love being represented in media because we are underrepresented"

Cinco de Mayo: Guacamelee Highlight - "Mexico, Mexicans - they love being represented in media because we are underrepresented"

When it comes to media featuring different cultures, it’s usually (and laughably) inaccurate. Most depictions often fall into stereotypes, which are then repeated throughout various media, however, there have been a few pieces of media that respectively approach depictions of other cultures around the world in TV, movies, and video games — providing a small window into someone else’s culture.

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The Start and State of Video Game Cheats - "Sometimes people just plain forgot to take codes out"

The Start and State of Video Game Cheats - "Sometimes people just plain forgot to take codes out"

While some people frown upon video game cheats, others see them as an alternative way to enjoy video games. Cheats codes in video games have come a long way from giving the player additional lives, big heads, and even flying cars. Some cheat codes give the user an advantage while others have simple novelty effects, but they weren’t always meant for the player.

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LVL UP EXPO 2020 - “You’ve arrived at the number one video game, technology, comics, and anime convention in Las Vegas“

LVL UP EXPO 2020 - “You’ve arrived at the number one video game, technology, comics, and anime convention in Las Vegas“

The LVL UP EXPO is one of the biggest conventions centered around video games, anime, and technology in Las Vegas, Nevada. The annual event features a variety of entertainment and interactive experiences. Everything from retro games, video game tournaments, virtual reality, pro wrestling matches, vendors, voicing anime, cosplay, and special guests.

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Geoff Keighley and The Game Awards - "I wanted to build something for a gaming audience with the support of the gaming audience"

Geoff Keighley and The Game Awards - "I wanted to build something for a gaming audience with the support of the gaming audience"

When it comes to award shows, motion pictures have the Oscars, music has the Grammys, and TV has the Emmys. The video game industry has a few award shows but the ones that really matter are the Design Innovate Communicate Entertain (D.I.C.E.) awards and the Game Awards. Video game award shows have had their ups and downs with the Spike Video Game Awards but now are being regarded as the future of entertainment award shows with 2018’s Game Awards.

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