WEEKEND OF
GAMING
THE MOST GAMES TO PLAY
ANYWHERE IN THE MIDWEST!
What to do at gdex?
GDEX brings together the most game devs of any event in The Midwest for a weekend of non-stop gaming fun!
Play tons of New and Unreleased Games
Compete in Fun Tournaments all weekend long with prizes and giveaways
Free-Play Arcade Games, Pinball, and Retro Games
Explore new VR games & experiences
Attend speaking sessions and workshops from industry pros
AND LOADS MORE!
Join us for a weekend Celebration of Games that attracts gamers and game developers from across the country. GDEX is the Industry Event of the region, offering more to do, see, and learn than any other Gaming and Creative Technology expo in the Midwest.
GDEX Is Ohio’s Best Video Game Expo and our growing community is working to make Columbus the Video Game City!
OCTOBER 24-27, 2024
GREATER COLUMBUS CONVENTION CENTER
COLUMBUS, OHIO
GDEX 2024 MERCH!
COMMUNITY LOVE OF GAMES!
Every year we create our GDEX merch featuring some of the incredible games being showcased at the show that year. Taking a variety of the characters and mascots from games being showcased at this years expo, we create a unique piece celebrating all the hard work and dedication of the developers and celebrating our love of games!
GDEX for Gamers
GDEX has the most games to play anywhere in Ohio. No other event brings together so many game developers with games you can play. If you’re looking to just have a fun place to be for a weekend, you can’t go wrong with GDEX!
Tons of New and Unreleased Games that can’t be played anywhere else
Compete in Fun Tournaments all weekend long with prizes and giveaways
Filled with Free-Play Arcade Games, Pinball, and Retro Games
Explore new VR games & experiences using the latest technologies
Enjoy the GDEX Saturday Concert featuring The Super Guitar Bros and Extra Lives
Meet gamers from all around and make friends!
AND LOADS MORE!
GAME DEVS AT GDEX
GDEX is the leading Game Industry Expo and Educational event in the Midwest. Bringing in industry professionals from across the country to Connect with each other, Share their games, and Learn more about the industry.
Access to GDEX Dev Day with deep dive sessions into the most important elements of game development and the games industry.
Connect to other Game Devs and build your network
Showcase your games in front of other gamers, devs, publishers, and games press
Attend speaking sessions and workshops from industry pros
Submit to be a part of the GDEX Game Dev Awards which brings prestige to your team throughout the industry.
Whether you are an old pro or new to the game dev game, this is the best way to learn more about being in the games industry and building your career.
Weekend Celebration of Games
Thanks to Midwest Games
There simply is no other event in The Midwest that has as many New & Unreleased games to play. Each year brings in dozens of Game Developers that are showcasing a variety of great games for guests to play.
You’ll barely have enough time to play them all!
GDEX Expo Hall
Fri (Oct 25): 10-6p | Sat (Oct 26): 10-6p | Sun (Oct 27): 10-4p
MOST FUN TOURNAMENTS IN COLUMBUS!
Thanks to Game Arena
The GDEX Underworld is an all weekend long tournament playground that brings everybody out to test their metal.
All tournaments are free to enter with a GDEX pass and some come with trophies and cash prizes!
Smash Bros Ultimate & Melee | Street Fighter 6 | Mario Kart 8 | TrackMania | Tekken 8
LEARN ABOUT GAME DEV
GDEX has the best Game Dev industry talks in the region. Bringing in industry professionals in Game Dev, Art & Design, Music, Voice Acting, Youtube & Streaming, Business Building, Community Building, and a ton more.
GDEX Brings in some of the top industry people from across the country to help you learn how to improve your career in Games Development, or maybe you’re just curious to learn how games are made and meet the people that make them!
GDEX will feature a full schedule of talks, workshops, gameplay experiences, tournaments, and a lot more. There is always plenty to do all weekend long at GDEX.
BEST GAMING ARTIST MARKET
Thanks to Greater Columbus Arts Council
Are you an art enthusiast looking for a new piece to display in your place? Maybe you want a great gift for the upcoming Holiday’s? The GDEX Artist Market is a wonderful opportunity to buy some great pieces for whatever your need.
Open During Expo hours
RETRO & COLLECTIBLE VENDORS
We’re introducing our new GDEX Vendor’s Market this year to offer a chance to find great deals on games and gaming related items. Whether it’s retro games, consoles, or gaming memorabilia, there is a ton to see and take home with you. Don’t forget to bring your cash!
Free-Play GAMES ALL OVER
Thanks to Games Done Legit
GDEX has free play arcades, retro games, dance cabinets, and tons more all for free!
Guitar Hero / Karaoke Zone! | DDR Revolution | Retro Game Play Zone! | NBA Jam | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Duck Hunt | Smash Bros Ultimate | Wii Sports | Marvel v Capcom 2 | XBOX | Nintendo64 | Super Nintendo | GameCube | Street Fighter Alpha | Sega Dreamcast | Mario Kart 8 Sit and Play | NFL Blitz
OPEN FRIDAY - SUN
Loads more and we’ll be updating on the website over the next few weeks!
TONS OF FREE-PLAY ARCADES
Thanks to Thorsen Gaming Experience
We’ll have free to play arcades going all weekend long. So whether you’re between tournaments or just waiting for the next talk, there is always something to play.
X-men | Tekken 2 | Terminator 2 | Street Fighter 2 | Robocop | Pump it up sx | Neogeomusic gun gun | Mortal kombat 3 | Ms Pac-Man | Lethal Enforcers 2 | Jurassic Park | Invashion | House of the dead 2 | Gauntlet dark legacy | Golden tee live | 2020DDR Extreame | Daytona USA 2 | Carnevil | Area 51 | Aliens
We’ll be adding more over the next couple of weeks!
ONE OF A KIND RAFFLE PRIZES
Thanks to Extra Life
Every year we our honored to work with our charity partner Extra Life. For over a decade we have partnered with them to help raise money for The Children’s Miracle Network and our local Nationwide Children’s Hospital. To date GDEX has helped rasie over $100k.
Extra Life raffles include tons of unique gaming related raffle prizes that are hard to find anywhere else. You can get awesome prizes while supporting a good cause.
GDEX SPECIAL EVENTS
the single best day for Game Dev Industry education in the Midwest!
This years GDEX Dev Day is Thanks To Unity who will be on site with several sessions about some of the latest features in Unity and the day ends with a Unity 6 Preview of many of the exciting new features to be released soon.
This year features a ton of amazing industry professionals coming in to discuss topics from programming, to art & design, business building and a very exciting talk by XBOX about developing for XBOX. Lastly, Unity will be doing a Unity 6 Preview!
GDEX Dev Day is on Thursday (Oct 24th) from 10-6p and requires a GDEX Dev Day pass for $80, and is included in the GDEX+ Pro pass.
GDEX SATURDAY CONCERT
Join us for a one of a kind musical evening with The Super Guitar Bros. and Extra Lives. The Super Guitar Bros are returning to GDEX with a brand new setlist of their amazing renditions of video game favorites. And Extra Lives is going to take us through a one of a kind audience based chose your own musical adventure!
Saturday (Oct 26th) at 7pm. | Included FREE with your GDEX pass!
START THE WEEKEND OFF RIGHT!
Are you an art enthusiast looking for a new piece to display in your place? Maybe you want a great gift for the upcoming Holiday’s? The GDEX Artist Market is a wonderful opportunity to buy some great pieces for whatever your need.
Friday (Oct 2th) at 8pm | Callahans (520 Park St, Columbus, OH 43215)
LEGENDARY VIP & EXHIBITOR MIXER
Thanks to Midwest Games
Every year we have a very special event where all the speakers, volunteers, exhibitors and VIPs can mix together and build those great networking relationships. Taking place after the show floor closes on Friday, Entry is free for all Exhibitors, Special Guests, and GDEX+ and GDEX+ Pro passes.
Friday (Oct 2th) at 8pm | Callahans (520 Park St, Columbus, OH 43215)
GDEX 2024 SPECIAL GUESTS
YOUR PLACE TO PLAY!
Every year, GDEX Underworld hosts some of the most competitive and fun gaming tournaments in Ohio. This year we have a ton more to be a part of!
GDEX Underworld is open all event long and you can pop in, play free play, VR, or participate in the tournaments we have going on throughout the weekend, all with cool & exciting prizes!
This year we have Super Smash Bros Ultimate & Melee, College Football, Mario Kart 8, Street Fighter 6, and a brand new GDEX America’s Cup for Trackmania! All that plus tons of freeplay, arcades, virtual reality all weekend long. You won’t find more to play, see and do anywhere in Columbus.
All tournaments are free, so sign-up now to be a part of the fun!
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS
Drury Plaza
This year GDEX is working with the Drury Plaza Hotel as our official hotel partner. It’s connected to the Greater Columbus Convention Center and is in walking distance to not only all of the GDEX events throughout the weekend, but a host of great activities happening in Columbus.
We highly recommend you grab your hotel fast as there is another event happening in the city that weekend and rooms are going incredibly quickly.
We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at GDEX weekend!
Drury Deluxe Rooms ($224/night)
1 Bed King or 2 Bed Queen
This deluxe room features comfortable seating. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, a TV, microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker, iron and ironing board, and hairdryer.
Drury Suites ($244/night)
1 Bed King or 2 Bed Queen
This deluxe two-room suite features two spacious rooms separated by a door. There is one king bed in the bedroom, a pull-out double sofa sleeper in the living room and a TV in each room. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, a microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker, iron and ironing board, and hairdryer.
Drury Parking ($19.00/spot/day)
At Drury Hotels, we know you have enough to worry about when traveling. In addition to the great rate, our generous amenities will brighten your group’s day and make your journey easier.
Complimentary Hot Breakfast - Enjoy scrambled eggs, oatmeal, fresh fruit, potatoes, pastries, the all-important coffee and more. Hot, fresh, and, best of all, free. Free hot breakfast is served daily from 6-9:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7-10 a.m. on weekends.
Complimentary Evening Drinks and Snacks* - Join us from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. every evening to enjoy complimentary hot food and cold beverages at our 5:30 Kickback®. The Hotel features a rotating menu of hot food, beer, wine, mixed drinks and soft drinks.
Complimentary Wi-Fi Throughout the Hotel - Get the score, check social networks or email family members in the hotel!
On-Site Facilities - Take advantage of the business center, fitness center or pool while away from home. Print boarding passes, finish a presentation or check e-mail in the Hotel’s business centers.
Other Options
Within a mile of GDEX are a variety of hotel options for as low as $119/day. You can use this Google search to filter against the weekend of GDEX! (Please note that many of the closest options do not offer their own parking.)
For those willing to drive each day, the wider city of Columbus has many affordable hotels, but please be aware that all parking connected to the Greater Columbus Convention Center is $25/day. (Parking prices within walking distance range from $10 to $30. You can search ParkColumbus or your favorite search engine for additional options, many of which can be reserved in advance.)
Please plan and budget your trip wisely!