Category Archives: Events

From game-a-thons to events focused on major video game titles, the region often hosts gatherings that allow gamers to mingle with others. Orlando is home to one of the largest convention centers in the world.

Ongaku returns with charity concert featuring Mega ran

The ninth virtual concert featuring video game-inspired artists will raise money for charity.

The concert put together by Kent Ward, who has organized the Ongaku Overdrive virtual concerts from Orlando since June, will raise money for the Asian Pacific Fund.

The show will feature Lauren the Flute of The Returners (who we featured previously), AnimeVivi, Super Smack, The Megas, and an OVG favorite Mega Ran.

The concert starts at 7 p.m. tonight on Ongaku’s Twitch channel.

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Ongaku Overdrive goes virtual for next video game-music concert

A group that organizes concerts of bands that perform video game music will go virtual this weekend.

Ongaku Overdrive, which has hosted video-game themed concerts in Orlando since 2013, will feature four acts on its Twitch channel.

Ongaku founder Kent Ward started hosting the events virtually in response to the growing coronavirus pandemic. This will be the third virtual event.

“We have enjoyed hosting online concerts during this time,” Ward said in a news release. “It has given fans something great to enjoy from the safety of their home, while also supporting amazing performers in our community.”

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Scorching Florida Mutineers put win streak on line in ‘home’ Call of Duty League virtual event

A rematch with Minnesota Rokkr this weekend could further propel the Florida Mutineers into the upper echelon of the Call of Duty League.

The team is tied for fourth and two of the three teams in front of them have the week off.

But to get there, the team will have to knock off the team it’s tied with, Minnesota.

The Mutineers used a season-high four-match win streak to claim the title in the Dallas Empire event two weeks ago, beating Minnesota 3-1 in the title matchup and landing them the 10 bonus points that came with it.

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Florida Mayhem fans “light it Up” for new squad in season opener

A complete overhaul of Florida Mayhem’s roster in the Overwatch League paid off, at least on opening night.

The last-place team from last year on Saturday busted out of the gates strong, comfortably sweeping the Houston Outlaws in their season-opening match.

However, the excitement was quickly doused on the second day, when the Mayhem were swept by Philadelphia Fusion.

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Video game speed-run experts raise $250K for charity in 2 days, aim for much more in Orlando

P.J. DiCesare has some tricks up his sleeve that he shows off when he speed runs Mega Man 7.

For instance, using a variety of weapons on Spring Man – rather than the villain’s greatest weakness, the Slash Claw, exclusively – can save up to 4 seconds on your time.

It’s one of the ways the Rochester, N.Y., native finished the entire game in 41 minutes, 30 seconds, on Dec. 18, marking the second-fastest time ever recorded on the game. He also set the record for quickest to finish the game with 100 percent completion on Dec. 15.

“Every time you leave an area, you start to think, ‘Where can I have sped it up,’” DiCesare, 30, said after he finished the game in less than 50 minutes during the charity fundraiser Games Done Quick, which this year for the first time was held in Orlando. “I just like the mental simulation.”

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Speed runners, indie games and Otronicon: the January events to put on your calendar.

A month full of video game events will start early as speed runs, student workshops and gaming tournaments come to Central Florida. It starts tonight when independent video game community Indienomicon kicks off its 2020 schedule with a monthly meetup.

The schedule will then keep video game fans busy this month. Here’s a rundown of 3 big events coming this month, followed by a list of other events to keep on your radar.  

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Mario, Mega Man and Zelda speed-runners coming to Orlando for charity

On your marks, get set, play Super Mario Bros. 3!

For the first time, a speed-run event will come to Orlando in January, with highly skilled players looking to finish games like Mega Man 7, Battle Toads, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and, yes, Super Mario 3 as quickly as they can.

Awesome Games Done Quick is a weeklong video game marathon that raises money for various charities.

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In Orlando, Mortal Kombat’s Scorpion says fatality flap a surprise because they didn’t expect a hit

It was a pretty tight fit for Daniel Pesina.

He was playing the role of Scorpion in the legendary Mortal Kombat video game.

However, at this point, the game didn’t have the massive budget that it does today.

So Pesina had to squeeze into a child’s size costume that would become the iconic yellow garb of the undead ninja warrior.

“We bought the largest kids size because it was $10 to $15 less than the adult size,” Pesina told an audience at Free Play Florida on Saturday as part of a discussion about the game.

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Orange County Library hosts showcase of 6 games built at 1st game jam

A game that has players control a ball through a vertical level while collecting tokens won the top spot in the Orange County Library’s first-ever game jam, which asked those who attended to build a video game in a weekend.

The game – called Dreamscaper – was one of six built from Thursday through Sunday.

Library patrons throughout the day on Sunday played the games and voted on their favorites, with Dreamscaper receiving more votes than the other five games.

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Pac Man maze coming to Orlando next year

If you have ever wanted to be chased through a maze by Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde – and who among us hasn’t? – the folks at Orlando Weekly shared some news that should get you excited.

A real-life Pac Man maze will come to Orlando next October as part of a newly created attraction.

It will put players in a layout similar to the popular video game, with the goal being to navigate the maze and collect fruit along the way.

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