All set for Gamecon 2011 this Saturday

Over $1,500 in cash and a multitude of other prizes are up for grabs along with a year’s worth of bragging rights in the CNMI’s largest video game competition, Gamecon 2011, which is set for Saturday starting at 11am to 8:30pm in Saipan Grand Hotel’s Club V. The deadline to sign up is by 6pm tomorrow.

“We had a crowd of over 300 last year and are hoping for a similar turnout. There are a lot great prize packages that go to the Top 3 place finishers of each category,” said Beach Road Magazine account manager Susan Marchitti in a phone interview on Wednesday.

This year’s Gamecon will feature Halo Reach, League of Legends, and NBA Live.

NBA Live was added to the list after receiving so many requests from last year’s participants and will be formatted with two-person teams.

League of Legends is formatted with teams of five and will be set with no rules, while this year, organizers opted not to feature a Halo Reach team category, therefore grab your jet packs and sprint shoes as island slayers will have to go it alone among various Free For All, Rumble Pit, and/or King of the Hill variants.

The entrance fee is set at $20 per person and since all three competitions will commence simultaneously, participation in multiple categories cannot be guaranteed. Participants will also receive a free Scoops coupon with registration.

Audience tickets cost $5 apiece and box lunches prepared by Saipan Grand Hotel will also be available for purchase in the lobby.

Children under 7 years old are not allowed in the gaming venue and parental consent is required for all minors before being allowed to play the games.

Docomo Pacific’s latest array of Android handsets and tablets will also be on display in the VIP room where participants and spectators can obtain hands-on experience using the new gadgets.

Last year, Steven Rasa Fojas and Matt Igitol were crowned Halo 3 and Call of Duty II Modern Warfare individual champions, respectively.

Team Awesome made up of Patrick Reyes, John Faller, Brendon Larenz, Judah Basaldua, and Kelvin Magsiposi won the Halo 3 team event, while a no-name group made up of Justin Cabrera, Jose Pangelinan, James Phillips, Austin Roberto, and Jude Sablan took home Call of Duty team honors.

Registration for Gamecon 2011 is ongoing and sign-up sheets can be obtained at Megabyte (235-6111) on Beach Road; the Glimpses of Saipan office located on the 2nd floor of the Transpacific Business Center in Gualo Rai; at Safety First, in Gualo Rai; or at Megazone, in Gualo Rai.

For more information, contact Beach Road Magazine’s Marchitti at 483-3145 or call Glimpses at 235-7645.