And just like that, Game On Expo 2025 is wrapped and we have a whole twelve months (probably) until the next one. This was the 10 year celebration of Game On Expo and its second year at the North Building at the Phoenix Convention Center. The show had plenty to do and check out from laser tag, claw machines, panels, music, tons and tons of gaming via consoles, pc, arcades, pinball, etc, etc.

I want to take a quick second to acknowledge the staff and volunteers of Game On Expo, from my perspective, everything ran pretty smooth and didn’t hear of anything major via social media. With that said, let me point out some of the things I liked about the con:

  • Plenty of seating for attendees
  • Almost all forms of gaming represented
  • Expanded programming
  • Phenomenal guest list
  • Red Bull flowing (through my veins)

Some of the things that gave me pause:

  • The Game On 3rd seemed pretty uneventful outside of the music stage
  • I saw two situations where lines/crowds blocked artist/vendor tables
  • Friday seemed awfully quiet

Friday in 2024, from what I remember, was pretty busy but this year was a total different story on Friday. It even took some time on Saturday for it to pick up. I’d be interested in hearing how vendors who sold used games/video game merchandise did because I’ve seen a handful of artists/creators mention on social media that they barely broke even or fell short of it. Could be the state of the world right now, could be the fact Phoenix just had another convention a couple of weeks ago. Regardless, the buzz and reactions from attendees was very positive. A lot of cosplay, a lot of well attended panels, and a lot of big lines for guest photos and autographs. I thought for a 10 year celebration that Game On Expo and all of its staff/volunteers did an excellent job.

I can understate this but I so appreciate a decent sized convention, in Downtown Phoenix, being held when its not summer which is when we get the majority of cons in Arizona it seems.