IncreaseBlue’s Phoenix Comicon guide for gamers (2012 ver.)

It’s that time of year again. The Phoenix Comicon looms ahead at the end of May, bursting with individual events that make even the most casual of geeks and gamers giddy with anticipation. Once again IncreaseBlue has scoured the huge list of programming for the convention and put together an optimal guide of panels, concerts, and other fun events for gamers to hit up.

Phoenix Comicon is coming. Are you ready for the awesome?

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Anyone who attended last years’ comicon knows that it was huge, packed, and awesome. This years’ event threatens to be even bigger (despite losing Star Trek veteran Patrick Stewart from the guest roster) and offers an incredible array of exciting events garnered towards gaming including panels, music, and tournaments. Here are a select few that stood out in the 2012 programming:

Say Hello to Some AZHP Gaming

Courtesy of Con Nichiwa.

After a very busy start to the year, our friends at AZHP have been busy indeed, and have got a few events to show for it. This weekend the group will host gaming at the Tucson Con Nichiwa convention, as well as gaming for DESERTBASH later on this year.

Con-Nichiwa is the Tucson-based anime convention taking place on March 23 through March 25th at the Holiday Inn & Suites in the Tucson Airport-North area. AZHP released their gaming schedule last week on the tournaments they have planned for each day of the event, they go like so:
Friday

-12 p.m. BlazBlue: Continuum Shift EXTEND (PS3)
-3 p.m. Super Smash Bros Brawl (Wii)
-6 p.m. Soul Calibur V (PS3)
-9 p.m. Gears of War 3 (360)

Ranbats, Rumbles, and Absolute LAN-sanity

Who knew that the break into March would be such a big one? Several local gaming groups this week are hosting tournaments and events of all kinds, and they’re getting a head start on Wednesday.

It seems like many Arizona groups are in on this one including the DEVASTATION crew, Team Hazmat, Arcade-in-a-Box, Digital Dojo, and LAN Speed Games all hosting their own respective events.

Keith Abbott Talks Future Plans For Euphoria Gaming

Keith Abbott of Euphoria Gaming

The past year has seen many local groups rise to the occasion and provide a vast array of tournaments for the Arizona gaming community. Keith Abbott, founder of Euphoria Gaming, is no different in this respect and spoke with The Pause Button on the groups’ hopes and plans for 2012.

As Euphoria Gaming plows into 2012 with their Super Marvel Madness finale on Saturday, as well as several planned free tournaments, the group has alot of potential to grow and change within the coming months.

Abbott first founded his own gaming group, Euphoria Gaming, in 2010 in an effort to support and flourish a West Valley gaming scene. He started off by hosting small tournament gatherings at a local shop called GameTag in Litchfield Park. The competitions began to receive good receptions and Abbott decided to pursue more.

2012 Incoming at LAN Speed!

Whether we like it or not, 2011 only has a few precious days to eke out its existence before it’s swiftly pushed to the side in favor of the bigger and badder 2012. If you’ve made resolutions (or failed to keep a few) you can ring in the new year at LAN Speed Games Saturday night.

Image courtesy of LAN Speed Games.

The crew at LAN Speed Games in Peoria are throwing a huge New Years’ Eve bash to welcome 2012 with open arms, as well as prizes, giveaways and ridiculous amounts of gaming.

Black Friday: Forget Shopping, Get to Gaming!

With the impending Black Friday there are tons of sales available for gamers this year to pick up the latest titles. But if you’re in no mood to shop at the crack of dawn after the holiday, then there’s plenty of gaming opportunities for you to take on instead.

Gamers don't sit and eat their turkey, we step on it in the middle of a battle!