In a year where I really felt like I couldn’t hate the retro gaming market more (don’t get me wrong, I still haven’t completely rekindled that love affair), I decided to give another try to the Southeast Game Exchange, now in it’s 8th year, and I found myself questioning how I could hate retro gaming now. While that problem lies much deeper for me, and will probably never be what it once was due to an unregulated market that has swelled beyond the point of being out of control, I see hope for myself, and maybe people who have become jaded like myself.

This years’ SEGE made the very wise decision to move to the bigger hall at the Greenville Convention Center, located in Greenville, SC, and that was definitely step 1 in getting me back in the door next year. A bigger space made so much difference from the last time I went, as it didn’t feel nearly as compact and claustrophobic. being able to not feel like I was crushed in a sea of gamer bodies made a ton of difference.

Boasting one of the southeast’s largest gaming tradeshows, and South Carolina’s largest, is a tall order, one that the promoters have been striving to maintain for 8 years now, and they’ve upped the ante every year. If this years show is any indication of the growth they’ve had, then very soon I wouldn’t be surprised that that boast will be the region’s largest!

To be honest, I strictly went this year in support of our local indie wrestling promotion, Pro Wrestling Turbo. for the last couple years, they’ve held a show in the hall where the performers dress at Smash Bros. characters, and have a sweet wrestling show, free to the crowds of SEGE. I missed this last year, and wasn’t going to miss it again. I just didn’t expect to come away loving my town’s tradeshow as much as I did.

SEGE has everything, it’s not just a tradeshow, but a full blown convention, celebrating all things gaming, and the outlying fandoms that go along with it. Just like most conventions, you will find panels, tournaments, arcade areas and cosplayers, complete with cosplay contests. You will also find guests a plenty. This year SEGE was Meta Gear Solid themed (as they are themed with different games every year) and the guest was originally slated to be David Hayter, Solid Snake himself, but unfortunately he had to cancel. But they were able to pull Mr. Nolan North in, who’s credits are too many to list here, along with a bevy of other guests ranging from various popular youtubers, voice actors, and game devs!

I went with the intention of not buying anything, seeing as how my love for doing so has fallen sharply, but it being the last day of the show, and me being a sucker for a good deal, couldn’t pass up a few Dreamcast games ( my all time fave system, and one I will always keep) and a switch game. I mean, they were 20% off, come on. I can’t help myself.

Vendor selections are far more than just video games though, as you can find art, dice, handmade collectibles, 3D printed goodies, and so many things surrounding this hobby of ours. If you have a passing interest in Pop culture, I mean you’re on a site called Pop-Culture Shock, so it would be weird if ya didn’t, weirdo, then you can find something to tickle your fancy here. I only wish I had gotten pics of everything, so I could show you guys a better first hand account.

With all that being said, I really hope to see a lot of you guys at the next one, and that we put Greenville on the map as the regions greatest retro gaming hotspot! Give SEGE a shot, and keep it going overdrive!

I’m going to link their instagram account here, highly suggest the follow if you are into this scene and maybe I will see y’all there next year!