Updates From GaymerFront

Hey everyone!

This is Matt and boy howdy have things been busy over here at GaymerX/MidBoss HQ. Since we launched GaymerX last year, things have been a whirlwind, as we’ve been working hard to cover the costs of putting on the first event, launching new projects like Read Only Memories, and making plans for more awesome stuff for queer geeks in the near future.

I just wanted to take this time to thank everyone on GaymerConnect, r/Gaymers, and the local Gaymer groups for banding together and sending such a strong message last year to the game companies of the world – we, as queer gamers, deserve to be treated better than we have: We deserve to feel safe in the places that we go and we deserve games that are made with us in mind. Due to the support that you’ve given us over the past year, we’ve been able to go to game companies and show them just how big this audience is, and gaming companies are listening.

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It has been a stressful year for us in that for nearly all of this, this is our part time job, and running a convention and a game are pretty intense stuff. That being said, we would not be able to keep doing this without all your support and love and desire to see more queer games, devs, and themes in the gaming world.

We hope that what we announce next will excite you, and we’re eager to continue working towards a better place for all queer geeks.

@MattConn

PS: I recently did an interview with Glenn Fleishman of NewDisruptors for BoingBoing where I talk about Read Only Memories, GaymerX1, GaymerX2, and some silly things like being America’s Worst Driver! :O

GaymerXTalks Starts Friday

Hey everyone! If you couldn’t make it to GaymerX, starting this friday, and every friday until we run out of panels, we will be releasing two panels from GaymerX.

Please check out the video explaining GaymerXTalks and stay tuned – this week we’ll launch Pandora Boxx and EA’s panel, and have lots more in store. And the best part? All of them are free.

Also, we’re making a game: Read Only Memories. The success of this game is crucial – all the eyes of the gaming world are looking to this to see if LGBTQ themed games have an audience and can succeed, so if we can hit goal, then AAA publishers will be that less afraid to include queer characters because there is now a proven business case.

The game is only $6 – please consider backing it, or if you have, telling your friends!

Lastly, if you haven’t gotten a badge for GaymerX2 yet – there are still limited tickets available in the kickstarter, and for just $9 more than a regular badge, you can get two versions of R.O.M., a beanie, stickers and your name in the credits. Now is THE BEST TIME to get a badge for GX2 if you haven’t yet – and Ouya will double your money!!, so you’ll be helping us out even more.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING QUEERS IN GAMING!

Volunteers needed – free GaymerX badge included!

Hey there! GaymerX is currently looking for volunteer positions for next year’s convention. We have a great group of supportive individuals helping us with many tasks that holding a convention requires. If you’re interested in joining the team, fill out our quick and easy survey here.

Even if you’re not sure you can attend every day of the con, or don’t know how you can help, we’d love to hear from you! You’ll get free attendance to the convention if selected!

We love our volunteers and we know there’s a ton of talented individuals who would be a perfect fit for our convention. We hope to hear from you soon!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GX2VolunteerApp

GaymerX2 Announced! Get Tickets! Book Your Room!

That’s right, folks! The dates, venue, and some of the guests of GaymerX2 have been announced!

On July 11th-13th, 2014, GaymerX2 will take place at the InterContinental San Francisco hotel.  

The new venue will be nearly three times the size of the first, leaving plenty of room for gaymers to meet, play, learn, and create!

We’ve got guests old and new!

From awesome queer games critic and designer Mattie Brice, to Dragon Age writer David Gaider,  to the co-founder of Reddit and host of The Verge’s “Small Empires,” Alexis Ohanian! But that’s just a few names; check out our bosses page for more info!

How to get your tickets!

First, head to the Eventbrite page where you will have the opportunity to decide which level you’d like to purchase. Once you’ve made your order, hit the green “Register” button. From there, simply fill out the information as required and finish up your order! (Don’t worry, only your pronouns and Badge Name will be displayed on your badge~)

 

 

How to book your hotel room!

Once you’ve finished your order, you should be directed to a page that looks like this:

Once you’ve RSVP’ed and shared to your heart’s content, click the hotel photo or the “Book Here” button. That should take you to this page.

(While it may look like the standard hotel front page, that link is actually the special room rates link!)

When you click the “View Rooms & Rates” button fill in the dates you’d like to stay, within three days before and after July 11-13, 2014, and then click “Check Availability.” This should bring up the booking page and the correct rates!

If you’d like to book a Corner King, Suite or any other specialty room, please call the hotel at:

Toll Free: 800 439 4745

Or for locals: 415 616 6500

 

–If you’re having trouble with getting your tickets or booking your room, please don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected] 

Thank You.

It’s incredible how quickly time has past. Just one year ago we were on Kickstarter asking YOU to help create the first ever LGBTQ gaming convention and now, a year later, we’re preparing for the VIP launch party.

Our initial plans were so modest and small. We expected to rent a small room for a few hundred people and we had no way of knowing this would blow up like it did. So many people backed and showed their support for us that in just a year we’ve been able to create something we feel very proud to contribute to the queer community, the games community, and the world. And all of it happened because of the people who had our backs.

We’re only hours away and sitting on stacks of programs, shirts, confirming schedules with panelists, volunteers (or as we call them “Sprites”), our amazing Bosses of Honor and musicians and wow. It’s all come to this.

Without further ado, here’s a quick rundown of main events:

VIP Party (Friday, 9PM, Kabuki Imperial Room)

Join us as we raise our glasses to our VIP’s who helped make this all possible!

Opening Ceremonies (Saturday, 10AM, Japantown Peace Plaza)

We’ll be taking the Japantown Peace Plaza stage hostage to talk about the journey to GaymerX and some of the awesome things we’ll have in store.

Panels! Games! GAAAAMES! (Sat/Sun 11AM-6PM See schedule for locations)

Throughout the convention there will be lots of panels! Learn about your favorite games. Learn how to MAKE games! Talk about queer issues in the gaming world! And when you’re tired of thinking, there’s a room with video games, a room for board games, and a room for card games! Check the Con Schedule for more details!

Gaymer X Concert! (Saturday, 9PM Kabuki Imperial Room)

Watch a live show as our artists spin and chip tunes for us throughout the night!

GaymerX Cosplay Masquerade! (Sunday, 10AM Japantown Peace Plaza)

Our cosplay stars will be showing off their awesome costumes! Sign up at the registration desk!

Closing ceremonies! (Sunday, 6PM Kabuki Imperial Room)

Watch us choke up on stage as we wish the weekend could have lasted forever…

We couldn’t have done this all without you!

 

BADGES

Hey Backers!

What a fantastic day yesterday for human rights – we’re so excited over here at GaymerConnect and can not WAIT for GaymerX in just over 30 days now. Hoping to see lots of cool cosplays and potentially even a marriage proposal or two??

We have some big news and a couple of updates coming this week but first we wanted to clear up a common question that we got: Badges.

Badges will not be mailed out to attendees, but instead the badge code emailed to you is your badge, and you need to register your badge code on GaymerConnect. Think of it like inputting your name to start a game of Master Chen or Conversation Parade on your BMO. You can use any name you’d like on your badge and we’ll know what ID to match your badge to when you pick your badge up. (You don’t have to use your birthname on your badge!)

TO DO THIS >> Go to GaymerX.com and login (using Facebook, Twitter, or new account), you can register your badge code that you were sent earlier in the year. If you haven’t received an email, please let us know and we will resend your code to you :) Once we have your code you’re all set and ready to play VIDEO GAMES!

Last day to register your badge/give your code to a friend to register their badge is July 25th, so that way we have a list of people attending and their badges.

If you know for sure that you can’t make it and would like to donate your badge (which will be donated via giveaways and local gaymer meetups), please email [email protected] with the subject “Donate” and the badge codes you’d like to donate. This will also help us open up tickets for other people that would like to attend. We’ll miss you though

Thank you for all your support and we can’t wait to show you what we have in store, we hope to exceed your expectations for an inaugural gaming convention and can’t wait to continue to good fight for LGBTQ rights in the gaming world.

– Team GaymerX

 

A Small But Fierce Update on the VIP Party Aug. 2

So, just a small update. You might not think it’s a big deal. Or you might, you know.

 

Pandora Boxx. from Logo TV’s RuPaul’s Drag Race, will be hosting Friday night’s VIP party. So, you know, there’s that.

You may squee now.

 

Oh, and she wanted us to share this with you too..I wonder what it could mean.. :3

 

GaymerX News August 2, fierce, Friday, host, Logo TV, Pandora Boxx, RuPaul's Drag Race, VIP Party