MAGFest
{{Short description|Annual video game festival}}
{{primary sources|date=May 2012}}
{{Redirect|MAGWest|the high school in Texas|Magnolia West High School}}
{{Infobox Convention
| name = MAGFest
| image = 250px
| caption =
| status = Active
| genre = Video games, video game music, chiptune
| venue = Gaylord National Convention Center{{cite web | url = http://magfest.org/magfest-13-announcement | title = MAGFest 13: January 23-26, 2015 {{!}} MAGFest - Music and Gaming Festival | publisher = MAGFest | access-date = 2014-07-21 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140716022016/http://magfest.org/magfest-13-announcement | archive-date = 2014-07-16 }}
| location = National Harbor, Maryland
{{collapsible list
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| title = Other occurrence
| MAGLabs:
| MAGWest:
| country = United States
| first = September 27–29, 2002
{{collapsible list
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| title = Other events
| MAGLabs:
| September 12–14, 2014
| MAGWest:
| August 25–28, 2017}}
| last = January 23–26, 2025
{{collapsible list
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| title = Other events
| MAGLabs:
| March 29, 2025
| MAGWest:
| September 27–29, 2024}}
| next = January 8–11 2026{{collapsible list
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| title = Other events
| MAGLabs:
| TBA
| MAGWest:
| August 8–10 2025}}
| organizer = MAGFest Inc.,
501(c)(3) non-profit organization{{cite web|title=MAGFest - What is MAGFest?|url=http://super.magfest.org/about|website=MAGFest|access-date=12 December 2017|language=en}}
| attendance = 24,000 in 2020
| website = https://magfest.org
}}
MAGFest (Music and Gaming Festival, originally the Mid-Atlantic Gaming Festival) is a non-profit organization and video game, art, music, and culture festival.{{Cite web |title=Super Magfest 2024 |url=http://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/events/47598/super-magfest-2024/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=www.pcgamesinsider.biz}} They hold multiple events throughout the year, with their flagship event being an annual festival held in the Washington metropolitan area the National Harbor. The events feature concerts by chiptune artists and video game cover bands, educational panels and activities, free-to-play arcade cabinets, a bring your own computer (BYOC) LAN party, community jam spaces, and charity speedruns & auctions.
All events are primarily run by a large volunteer base, supported and organized by a small, paid office staff.
Attractions
File:MAGFest2025-Arcade-HighAngle.jpg
MAGFest's arcade hall is open 24 hours a day.{{cite web|last=Cantler|first=Topher|title=What you missed at MAGfest 8|date=6 January 2010 |url=http://www.destructoid.com/what-you-missed-at-magfest-8-159706.phtml}} The exhibition hall contains hundreds of full-size arcade cabinets, and even pinball machines that are donated for the event from local collectors and vending companies. All arcades are set to play for free on admission price, and are monitored 24 hours a day by maintenance and technical staff. The arcade hall includes specialty lighting, laser lighting, and music to invoke the feeling of a traditional arcade. The game selection ranges from 1970's vintage black and white games, vector monitors games, Cathode Ray Tube games, modern/Indie arcades; as well as contemporary Japanese candy cabinets and Japanese dance/music games like Dance Dance Revolution and Taiko No Tatsujin. Arcades range from various manufacturers like Atari, Nintendo, Taito, Midway, Williams, Capcom, Sega, ICE, Rock Ola, and Exidy. Games that challenge various abilities include driving simulators, shooting simulators, labyrinth games, and others. There are multiple events and tournaments that occur during the event that allow you to challenge dozens of others for prizes. They also host a ten-game tournament that spans the entire event which allows players to openly compete on 10 classic arcade games to work on getting the highest scores possible with the ultimate prize being given to the player who scores the most points total on all games.
There is also a console hall open 24 hours a day that houses over a hundred televisions and attached game consoles, where guests are invited to play at will and each station's game is periodically swapped with a different one from a game library. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own controllers or fighting game pads to compete with. Consoles range from vintage Atari 2600, Intellivision style games all the way through the years to the most current and up to date Xbox/PS/Nintendo systems and games. Even steam titles are playable and indie game developers have been known to introduce or beta test new games at the events. Tournaments are performed frequently throughout the event on several platforms and game types for prizes.
In 2013 the MAGFest Indie Videogame Showcase, "MIVS"{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOSNx8uKgBo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/QOSNx8uKgBo |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=MIVS 2016 Games List |website=Youtube |date=13 December 2016 |access-date=2019-03-09}}{{cbignore}} was started. It features between 40 and 60 booths of indie game developers each year. Since 2016 there has been an "Indie Arcade" section, housing new arcade games created by indie developers and artists from around the world. The bulk of these cabinets are curated through Death By Audio Arcade{{Cite web |url=http://deathbyaudioarcade.com/ |title=Death By Audio Arcade |website=DeathByAudioArcade.com |access-date=2019-03-09}} in NY. In 2017 the "Indie Homebrew" sub-section was started, which has featured new indie games that can be played on classic consoles from the 1980s and 1990s such as the Atari 2600, NES, etc...
The concert areas host nightly performances in multiple rooms simultaneously of famous and up and coming bands. Music is themed, but not limited to; Chip Tunes, video game music, and related works. Many luminaries of video game music fan culture have performed at MAGFest. Previous bands include Machinae Supremacy, Earthbound Papas, Minibosses, Powerglove, the NESkimos, the Advantage and Chromelodeon.
Other major attractions include guest panels from the video game industry such as Sid Meier, Jon St. John{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/11/magfest-2010-lineup-released|title=MAGFest 2010 Lineup Released | magazine=Wired | date=November 21, 2009}} and Nobuo Uematsu.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2012/01/18/145347111/from-mega-man-to-final-fantasy-live-video-game-music|title=From Mega Man To Final Fantasy, Live Video Game Music|website=NPR.org|access-date=Apr 1, 2020}} In addition, the fan remixing community is well represented with sites such as OverClocked ReMix. Filmmakers such as X-Strike Studios, Main Moon Productions, PBC Productions, and There Will Be Brawl have also appeared at the event. MAGFest has also included academic panels such as "Game Studies 101" where attendees were given a basic introduction to the manner in which scholars study video games.
Additionally, MAGFest features DJ battles, a jam space, an open mic stage, a large LAN party environment, a film screening room, a tabletop gaming room, vendors, contests like "name-that-tune," and a video game "challenge booth" where players can "try to tackle insanely difficult gaming feats for prizes of all sorts."{{Cite web|url=http://terminalgamer.com/2010/01/05/recapping-magfest-8|title=Recapping MAGFest 8|first=Joe|last= Grogan|date=6 January 2010 }}
History
File:Joseph Yamine.jpg in 2018 for the creation of MAGFest. ]]
MAGFest was created by Joseph "Joe" Yamine and Sean Rider in 2002, as a small event in Roanoke, Virginia. Nick Marinelli, director of press and public relations, stated in an interview that Yamine "wanted people to just come together, play games, and rock out to some great video game cover bands".{{cite web | url=https://venturebeat.com/games/magfest-games-music-and-heavy-drinking-interview/ | title=MAGFest: A long weekend of games, music, and heavy drinking (Interview) | date=31 July 2012 }} The original event featured three bands, an arcade room, a dealers room, a video room devoted to anime, a dance party area, and auctions of rare video games and art.[http://rafaelporrata.com/pdf/magfest.pdf MAGFest] {{Dead link|date=April 2025}}
Brendan Becker took over from Yamine at the following event, and the number of attendees grew from 250 to 3,000 over the course of eight years. Marinelli credited word of mouth for the slow but continued growth of the event, adding "It's not about seeing something no one's ever seen more; it's about getting together and celebrating what you love".{{cite web | url=https://venturebeat.com/games/magfest-games-music-and-heavy-drinking-interview/2/ | title=MAGFest: A long weekend of games, music, and heavy drinking (Interview) | date=31 July 2012 }} Charles Margolis donated an X-Men arcade cabinet to the event for MAGFest VI in 2008, and it was placed in a central area that year. The cabinet was extremely loud, particularly Colossus' special move, and it became an event tradition to mimic the roar in later years. After Margolis passed from brain cancer in 2017, a memorial notice was added to the cabinet.{{cite journal |last1=Cayari |first1=Christopher |title=Learning strategies of video game music makers: Informal and schoolbased learning for online publication |journal=International Journal of Music Education |date=2022 |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=445–459|doi=10.1177/02557614211070037 |s2cid=246937174 }}{{cite web | url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/01/gallery-the-amazing-costumes-weird-controllers-and-gaming-rarities-of-magfest-2020/ | title=Gallery: The amazing costumes, weird controllers, and gaming rarities of MAGFest 2020 | date=8 January 2020 }} The event was extended in length from MAGFest 8 in 2010, going from a three-day to a four-day schedule. MAGFest 8 was initially billed as the host of a charity speedrunning drive by Mike Uyama and Andrew Schroeder, but internet connectivity issues at the hotel caused the event to be spun off as independently at another venue as Games Done Quick. GDQ has since become a recurring event circuit in its own right.{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/summer-games-done-quick-is-this-weekend-watch-and-be-wowed-333/ |title=Summer Games Done Quick Starts This Weekend: Watch and Be Wowed |newspaper=Vice.com |date=24 July 2015 |access-date=January 9, 2016 |archive-date=January 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129190355/http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/summer-games-done-quick-is-this-weekend-watch-and-be-wowed-333 |url-status=live }}
MAGFest went through multiple changes in 2012, with a change in venue and the incorporation of MAGFest Inc as a nonprofit organisation to manage the event.{{cite web | url=https://super.magfest.org/nonprofit-info | title=Nonprofit info }} The Gaylord National Harbour Convention Centre was a far larger venue than the previous, and first saw use for MAGFest X.{{cite web | url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/magfest-x-a-report | title=Magfest X: A Report | date=12 January 2012 }} Beginning in 2014, some additional annual conventions began to be held. This started with MAGLabs at the former venue in Virginia, and MAGWest held in California each year. Attendance at the main event had reached 20,000 by 2016,{{cite web | url=https://www.destructoid.com/magfest-just-gets-bigger-and-bigger-every-year/ | title=MAGFest just gets bigger and bigger every year | date=7 January 2017 }} and peaked at 24,000 at Super MAGFest 2020, held that January.{{cite web | url=https://super.magfest.org/what-is-magfest | title=What is MAGFest? }} From 2019 the primary event circuit became known as "Super MAGfest".
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the event, with a September 2020 announcement cancelling the in-person Super MAGFest 2021, which had been due to take part the coming January. The announcement also indicated that the future of MAGfest in general was uncertain.{{cite web | url=https://super.magfest.org/blog/magfest-is-cancelled | title=MAGFest is Cancelled | date=8 September 2020 }} In addition to the financial challenge the pandemic represented, with the loss of 95% of the organisation's revenue for the year, "interpersonal and cultural issues" within the senior management team led to instability.{{cite web |title=MAGFest Update - 6/21/21 |url=https://super.magfest.org/magfest-update |website=Super Magfest}} In November 2020, an organisation named "friends of MAGFest" expressed concern about the MAGFest board of directors, alleging financial neglect, mismanagement and abuse by the Executive Director, Paul Birtel. After negotiations with Friends of MAGFest, Birtel fired three board members associated with the group as well as the events director Debra Lenik, which in effect cancelled the planned virtual event for 2021. Lenik considered the move a retaliatory action, and was told that she could only keep her health insurance if she signed an agreement not to sue the organisation. The entire board resigned in January 2021,{{cite web | url=https://www.siliconera.com/six-board-of-directors-resign-following-magfest-controversy/ | title=Six Board of Directors Resign Following MAGFest Controversy | date=17 January 2021 }} and Paul Birtel himself resigned 10 days later.{{Cite web|last=Sinclair|first=Brendan|date=26 January 2021|title=MAGFest executive director resigns after accusations of abusive behavior|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-26-magfest-executive-director-resigns-after-accusations-of-abusive-behavior|access-date=2021-11-19|website=GamesIndustry.biz|language=en}}
Through the following three months the new board worked to stabilise the organisation, with Lenik being rehired in her original role in April 2021. The organisation announced some structural changes including the presence of volunteer staff on the board, as well as the return of former staff members and volunteers.{{cite web |title=MAGFest Update - 6/21/21 |url=https://super.magfest.org/magfest-update |website=Super Magfest}} Super MAGFest 2022 was formally announced in August 2021, confirming a return to the in-person event schedule.{{cite web | url=https://super.magfest.org/blog/super-magfest-is-january-5th-8th-2023 | title=Super MAGFest is Jan 5th-8th | date=3 August 2022 }} The event was held successfully, though there was a significant decline in attendees compared to the 24,000 seen at the peak in January 2020. 10,581 people attended in 2022,{{cite web | url=https://super.magfest.org/covid/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118050650/https://super.magfest.org/covid/ | archive-date=2022-01-18 | title=COVID Information — Super Magfest }} rising to 18,987 in 2023.{{cite web | url=https://super.magfest.org/covid | title=COVID Information }} Super MAGFest 2024 was announced on May 31, 2023 and was the first event to sell out at the Gaylord National Harbour Convention Centre.{{cite web|url=https://super.magfest.org/blog/super-magfest-is-january-18-21-2024|title=Super MAGFest is January 18-21, 2024|date=31 May 2023 |access-date=June 1, 2023}}
Event history
=Main events=
| class="wikitable" width="100%"
! style="width:95px;"|Title ! Location ! Attendance ! Guests |
| Mid-Atlantic Gaming Festival
| Sep 27–29, 2002 | Holiday Inn Tanglewood | 265 | Everyone, The Minibosses, The OneUps |
| MAGFest 2.0
| Oct 31–Nov 2, 2003 |rowspan=2| Clarion Hotel | 375 | The Smash Bros., Wave Theory, The Minibosses |
| MAGFest M3
| Oct 1–3, 2004 | 500 | Inheretics, Chromelodeon, The Jenova Project, The NESkimos, Temp Sound Solutions, The Minibosses, The Smash Bros., Wave Theory |
| MAGFest M4
| Jan 13–15, 2006 | Doubletree Hilton | 750 | Parasprinter, Powerglove, Search Snake, This Place Is Haunted, Sprite Slowdown, The Minibosses, The NESkimos, The Smash Bros., Wave Theory |
| MAGFest M5
| Jan 4–7, 2007 | Sheraton Premiere | 950 | Armcannon, Year 200X, Chromelodeon, Parasprinter, Powerglove, The Smash Bros., Temp Sound Solutions, This Place Is Haunted, Wave Theory |
| MAGFest VI
| Jan 3–6, 2008 |rowspan=4|Hilton Alexandria Mark Center | 1050 | The Advantage, Armcannon, Powerglove, Select Start, The Smash Bros., Temp Sound Solutions, This Place Is Haunted |
| MAGFest 7
| Jan 1–4, 2009 | 1350 | Armcannon, Armadillo Tank, Entertainment System, The Megas, Metroid Metal, A Rival, Rare Candy, Temp Sound Solutions, The Smash Bros., This Place Is Haunted, Year 200X |
| MAGFest 8
| Jan 1–4, 2010 | 2200 | Armcannon, Armadillo Tank, Entertainment System, The Megas, Metroid Metal, A Rival, Rare Candy, Select Start, Temp Sound Solutions, The OneUps, The Smash Bros., This Place Is Haunted,{{Cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DT&s_site=centredaily&p_multi=DT&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1195A568798CF4B8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Gaming and Rock: 'THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED' Hosts The 'FINAL VIDEO ARMAGEDDON' This Saturday|website=nl.newsbank.com|access-date=Apr 1, 2020}} brentalfloss |
| MAGFest 9
| Jan 13–16, 2011 | 3000+ (Capped) | The Protomen, The Minibosses, The OneUps, Metroid Metal, Armcannon, Bit Brigade, The Megas, Year 200X, X-Hunters, Entertainment System, This Place Is Haunted, Rare Candy, DJ Cutman, A Rival, Powerglove, brentalfloss, Inverse Phase, Note!, Danimal Cannon, Zen Albatross, Dark Warriors, Noisewaves, George & Jonathan, Cheap Dinosaurs{{Cite web |title=(Almost) Live From MAGFest 9: Chiptune Concerts (Photos) |url=http://www.originalsoundversion.com/almost-live-from-magfest-9-chiptune-concerts-photos/ |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=Original Sound Version |language=en-US}} |
| MAGFest X
| Jan 5–8, 2012 | rowspan=9|Gaylord National Convention Center | Earthbound Papas, Armcannon, Bit Brigade, Descendants of Erdrick, DJ Cutman, The Megas, Metroid Metal, The OneUps, Temp Sound Solutions, This Place Is Haunted, X-Hunters, Year 200X, Krieger, Random Encounter, Disasterpeace, Revengineers, Danimal Cannon, Battlecake, Chipocrite, Knife City, Jake 'Virt' Kaufman, Inverse Phase, Animal Style, An0va, Zen Albatross, Dauragon, A Rival, DJ Cats |
| MAGFest 11
| Jan 3–6, 2013 | 9000+ | Yuzo Koshiro, Kinuyo Yamashita, Armcannon, Bit Brigade, Brentalfloss and The Cartridge Family, The Megas, Metroid Metal, The OneUps, Powerglove, The Protomen, Mega Ran, Rare Candy, Those Who Fight, Video Game Orchestra, Arc Impulse, Descendants of Erdrick, Dwelling of Duels Live, Fighting in the Streets, Knight of the Round, Lords of Thunder, My Parents Favorite Music, On Being Human, OverClocked University, Professor Shyguy, Super Guitar Bros, Triforce Quartet, The World Is Square, The X-Hunters, BRIGHT PRIMATE, Cheap Dinosaurs, Crashfaster, Danimal Cannon, D&D Sluggers, Inverse Phase, Kris Keyser, Jake 'Virt' Kaufman, Benjamin Briggs, bLiNd, DJ Cutman{{cite web | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2012-10-31/magfest-releases-the-full-musical-lineup-for-its-january-2013-event | title=Magfest Releases the Full Musical Lineup for its January 2013 Event | date=12 July 2023 }} |
| MAGFest 12
| Jan 2–5, 2014 | 12,000+ | Machinae Supremacy, The OneUps, Love Canon, Bit Brigade, Urizen, X-Hunters, The Megas, Knight of the Round, Random AKA Mega Ran, MegaDriver, Super Guitar Bros, Those Who Fight, On Being Human, This Place Is Haunted, Armcannon, Rare Candy, LonelyRollingStars, GameChops DJ Battle |
| MAGFest 13
| Jan 23–26, 2015 | 17,000+ | Yuu Miyake, Machinae Supremacy, Yoshihito Yano, The Protomen, Powerglove, Bit Brigade, LonelyRollingStars, The Megas, Random AKA Mega Ran, Super Guitar Bros, Kirby's Dream Band, Viking Guitar Live, Super Soul Bros., Rare Candy, Urizen, On Being Human, The Tiberian Sons, Professor Shyguy, Triforce Quartet, Dethlehem, Double Ferrari, Do a Barrell Roll!, Sammus, Descendants of Erdrick, MissingNO, DJ Cutman, Grimecraft, Ben Briggs, Kevin Villecco, Sushi Killer, Jake 'Virt' Kaufman, Solarbear, Roboctopus, For Astronauts and Satellites, An0va feat. Rekchadam, Crashfaster, Marshall Art, Danimal Cannon, Trey Frey{{Cite web |last=Cutman |date=2015-01-11 |title=MAGFest 13 Full Musical Lineup Announced |url=http://videogamedj.com/magfest-13-full-musical-lineup-announced/ |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=Video Game DJ {{!}} Chiptune and Video Game Music |language=en-US}} |
| MAGFest 2016
| Feb 18–21, 2016 | 20,000 + (Capped) | Ippo Yamada with Inti Creates Sound Team, Ninja Sex Party, Tupper Ware Remix Party, Psychostick, Bear McCreary, The OneUps, Super Soul Bros, I Fight Dragons, Rekcahdam, Trev Wignall, Coda, FamilyJules7x, Ap0c, Sammus, LIittle Paw, Eight Bit Disaster, James Landino, bLiNd, 2ToneDisco, Mykah, The World Is Square, Metroid Metal, You Bred Raptors?, The Living Tombstone, Note!, Shirobon, Chipzel, Kubbi, Random Beats Showcase, DiscoCactus{{cite web | url=http://www.vgmonline.net/magfest2016report/ | title=MAGfest 2016: National Harbor, February 2016 | date=25 February 2016 }} |
| MAGFest 2017
| Jan 5–8, 2017 | 20,000+ (Capped) | The Protomen, Triforce Quartet, Makeup and Vanity Set, goto80, cTrix, Awesome Force, Monodeer, DJ Jo, A Rival, Grimecraft, DJ Cutman, The OneUps, Videri String Quartet, Bitforce, nml styl, Richie Branson, Voia, FearofDark, Knight of the Round, Danimal Cannon, Urizen, Machinae Supremacy, The Runaway Guys,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH-UwAAbZbE&list=WL&t=5s&index=1/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/yH-UwAAbZbE |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=Thrown Controllers Game Show - Magfest 2017|website=YouTube|date=19 March 2017 |access-date=2017-12-26}}{{cbignore}} Arc Impulse, Mikal kHill, Gemanon, Corset Lore, Creative Mind Frame (AKA 1-UP), (T-T)b, D&D Sluggers, Armcannon, Kadesh Flow, Galaxy Tour Guides, The Returners, Emar, Schaffer the Darklord, Bit Brigade{{cite web|url=http://magfest.org/musicalguests/|title=MAGFest - Musical Guests|website=MAGFest|access-date=2017-01-11}} |
| MAGFest 2018 (Kirby Theme)
| 21,600+ (Capped) | Amanda Lepre, Auxcide, Cowabunga Pizza Time, Crazy Composers Collective feat. Videri String Quartet, Delorean Overdrive, Dollfin, Double Experience, Dr. Zilog, Hyper Potions, Kirby's Dream Band, LonelyRollingStars feat Vince DiCola, MC Lars, Magic Hammer, Marshall Art, Master Sword, NNNNNNNNNN, Powerglove, Rare Candy, Retro-Active Live, RoboRob, Sammus, Sci-Fried, Shubzilla x Bill Beats, SiIvaGunner, Sonic Adventure Music Experience feat. series composer Jun Senoue, Super Guitar Bros, Super Soul Bros, TORIENA, Tetracase, The Mountain Chiefs, Trash80, Varien, Vic Viper, Viking Guitar Live, Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra, YTCracker, insaneintherainmusic, rainbowdragoneyes, Reid Speed{{cite web|title=MAGFest - 2018 Performers|url=http://super.magfest.org/musician2018|website=MAGFest|publisher=Official website of the music and gaming festival|access-date=12 December 2017|language=en}} |
| Super MAGFest 2019 (Star Fox Theme)
| Jan 3–6, 2019{{Cite web|url=https://super.magfest.org/|title=Super Magfest|website=Super Magfest|access-date=Apr 1, 2020}} | 22,200+ | Takashi Tateishi, Frank Klepacki and The Tiberian Sons, Graz, bryface, don'tblinkoryou'lldie, chibi-tech, HarleyLikesMusic, Blood Code, James Landino, Grimecraft, Ralfington, D*Jadeabella, Kris Maddigan, ConSoul, The Koopa Kids, Bit Brigade, Chromelodeon, Knight of the Round, MC Frontalot, Please Lose Battle, Danimal Cannon, Ocabanda, Triforce Quartet, Supercommuter, Dethlehem, The Runaway Four, Lex The Lexicon Artist, Curious Quail, Sam Mulligan & The Donut Slayers, Wreck The System, Lame Genie, Mega Ran, Professor Shyguy, Steel Samurai{{Cite web |url=https://super.magfest.org/musical-guests-2019 |title=Musical Guests |website=Super MAGFest 2019 |access-date=2019-04-29}} |
| Super MAGFest 2020 (Donkey Kong Theme)
| Cheap Dinosaurs, Aethernaut, K-Murdock, Zebbler, EyeQ, The Protomen, Tokyo Machine, Kabuki, Ben Briggs, Funk Fiction, Sammus, Minusworld, Armcannon, Powerglove, Guérin, Xyce, Nanode, Bleeds, Meneo, Dual Core, DiscoCactus, Math the Band, Videri String Quartet, DJ Cutman, Mariachi Entertainment System, More or Les, Marshall Art, Skatune Network, Urizen, Descendants of Erdrick, Super Soul Bros, Flabbercasters{{cite web |url=https://super.magfest.org/musical-guests-2020 |title=2020 Musical Guests |website=Super Magfest |date=13 December 2019 |access-date=Jan 17, 2022}} |
| Super MAGFest 2021
|colspan=4| Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland. An online version was planned that year but also cancelled.{{Cite web|title=MAGFest Is Cancelled|url=https://super.magfest.org/blog/magfest-is-cancelled|access-date=2020-09-08|website=Super Magfest|date=8 September 2020 |language=en-US}}{{cite tweet|number=1328776452880412674|title=Announcing VIRTUAL MAGFEST – January 22-24, 2021! Hosted on Twitch, Discord, and... wait... VRChat?? Does that mean...? Yes. Yes it does: https://youtu.be/Z62GQxIQTwE More information coming soon!|user=MAGFest|author=MAGFest|author-link=MAGFest|date=November 17, 2020|access-date=March 26, 2022}} |
| Super MAGFest 2022 (DOOM Theme)
| Jan 6–9, 2022{{cite web |url=https://super.magfest.org/ |title=Super Magfest |website=Super Magfest |access-date=Jan 17, 2022}} | rowspan=5|Gaylord National Convention Center | Bit Brigade, GR3YS0N, Let's Disinfect!, Shubzilla x Bill Beats, Inverse Phase, DV-I, Tetracase, VGR, Groovecube, Mega Ran, Master Sword, Audio Gremlins, Magnificent Danger, Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band, The Megas, Damn Selene, Kadesh Flow, Paladin, Kirby's Dream Band, Nullsleep, Dinaari, Cass Cuttlefish, Defense Mechanism, Star Fighter Dreams, Watch Out For Snakes, Super Guitar Bros, Gamebreax, Triforce Quartet, Negativland + Sue-C, Aeoxis{{cite web |url=https://super.magfest.org/musical-guests |title=Musical Guests — Super Magfest |website=Super Magfest |access-date=Jan 17, 2022}} |
| Super MAGFest 2023 (Super Smash Bros Theme)
| Jan 5–8, 2023 | Cybertronic Spree, Nyokee, Metroid Metal, Math the Band, NPC Collective, WASD, Super Soul Bros, Rustage, Brentalfloss, Game Genie Sokolov, Cyanide Dansen, Maxo, Minusbaby, Mikey303, Ohm-I, Snack Attack, DJ Plynk & DJ Dark Prime, 2TD, DV-I, Obi-wan Shinobi, Ryako, Knight of the Round, Capt Crabs, Tiggs & String Player Gamer, Skatune Network, Nelward, DiscoCactus, Button Masher, Lame Genie, The Game Brass, The 8 Bit Big Band, The OneUps |
| Super MAGFest 2024 (Metroid Theme)
| Jan 18–21, 2024 | TBA | Janus Rose, Zaku, EyeQ, Glorified Magnified, Cowabunga Pizza Time, Francisco "Foco" Cerda, Descendants of Erdrick, Cyanide Dansen, 88Bit, Crashfaster, Lacey Johnson, Flow Mein, Super MadNES, Floor Baba, Gwiz & Robkta, Creep-P, Suzubrah, Skyblew, The Video Game Shredventure, Tournament Arc, The Protomen, Sammus, Metroid Metal, Chk!dsk and Vektroid, Abandon Quest, Ro Panuganti Prog Experience, Project Fusion Saxophone Quartet, Dom Palombi's Game Night, Fibre, Cam Steady, Bit Brigade, Cynthia Harrell |
| Super MAGFest 2025 (Sonic the Hedgehog Theme)
| Jan 23–26, 2025 | TBA | Lotus Juice, Tee Lopes, Los Veros, Super Strikers, Steel Samurai, Trey Frey, Frivolousshara, Fandom Fight, Double XP Weekend, Djtaylorrae, Tiara Tastemaker & His Precious Gemstones, Lizz Robinett & Friends, Red Vox, Cybertronic Spree, DeLorean Overdrive, The Microphone Misfitz, AmateurLSDJ, Prowess the Testament, The Blueshift Big Band, Kuma the Kami, NMLSTYL, Laamaa, O_Super, Pokerus Project, Bit Shifter, Marshall Art, Shao Dow, Premium Vintage, Master Boot Record, Powerglove, Bit Brigade{{cite web |title=2025 Musical Performances |url=https://super.magfest.org/musical-guests |website=Super Magfest |publisher=MAGFest, Inc. |access-date=23 January 2025 |ref=Magfest 2025 Guest List |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250123011244/https://super.magfest.org/musical-guests |archive-date=23 January 2025 |url-status=live}} |
| Super MAGFest 2026
| Jan 8–11, 2026 | TBA | TBA |
=MAGLabs=
In the wake of MAGFest's move from Virginia to Maryland in 2012, a secondary circuit of smaller events were held at the former primary venue in Alexandria, now in Baltimore. MAGLabs took a hiatus from 2018 to 2025.{{cite web | url=https://super.magfest.org/labs | title=Labs }}
| class="wikitable" width="100%"
! Title ! Location ! Attendance ! Guests |
| MAGFest 8.5
| Sep 12–14, 2014 |Rowspan=5| Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, | 1,500 | Armcannon, Temp Sound Solutions, Professor Shyguy, You Bred Raptors?, Steel Samurai, Eight Bit Disaster, The Protomen, The World Is Square, Those Who Fight |
| MAGClassic
| Sep 11–13, 2015 | 1,345 | Crunk Witch, Sam Mulligan, brentalfloss, Zantilla, Professor Shyguy, James Landino, Chipocrite, DiscoCactus, Radlib, Triforce Quartet, Super Guitar Bros, You Bred Raptors?, Super Art Fight!, Starship Horizons |
| MAGLabs
| Sep 9–11, 2016 | 1,315 | 8-Bit Mullet, Bit Brigade, ChronoWolf, DJ Super Sonic, explosion sound, Flexstyle, Insane Ian, Inverse Phase, The Megas, The NESkimos, Overclocked University, Search Snake, Stargate, Steel Samurai, The Yordles, You Bred Raptors?, OverClocked ReMix, Super Art Fight |
| MAGLabs 2017
| Sep 1–3, 2017 | TBA | Professor Shyguy, Master Sword, Noise 2 Men, Cowabunga Pizza Time, D&D Sluggers, F1NG3RS, Crunk Witch, Wreck the System, ERROR MACRO, DJ Super Sonic, and 8-Bit Mullet{{Cite web |url=https://labs.magfest.org/#guests |title=Magfest Laboratories |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819062838/https://labs.magfest.org/#guests |archive-date=19 Aug 2017 |access-date=2017-08-18}} |
| MAGLabs 2018
| Sep 7-9, 2018 | TBA | Meg Eden, Jonathan Bolding, +2 Comedy, Corey Olsen, Content Productions, Kevin Ryan, Wes Johnson, Steven Long, Mike Rosson, Ed Habib, Ryan Amon, Yoga for Gamers, Flabbercasters, VikingGuitar, Thrillkiller, Cowabunga Pizza Time, Crunk Witch, Knight of the Round, LOVE SPREAD, Master Sword, Smoochyface, Steel samurai, Kenzie Black, Chipocrite, NoisyBoys{{Cite web |url=https://labs.magfest.org/guests |title=Guests |website=MAGLabs 2018 |access-date=2018-09-07}}{{Cite web |url=http://labs.magfest.org/bands |title=Bands |website=MAGLabs 2018 |access-date=2019-04-29}} |
| MAGLabs 2025{{cite web|url=https://labs.magfest.org|title= MAGLabs|access-date= February 4, 2025|website=labs.magfest.org}}
| March 29, 2025 | Peabody Heights Brewery, Baltimore, MD | TBA | DK Adventures, Bard City, Steel Samurai{{cite web|url=https://labs.magfest.org/schedule|title=Schedule - MAGLabs|website=labs.magfest.org|access-date=March 24, 2025}} |
=MAGWest=
{{Redirect|MAGWest|the high school in Texas|Magnolia West High School}}
A west coast MAGFest circuit launched in 2017. The event was conducted online in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These events were uploaded to the official YouTube channel after they concluded.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpUuHdI3YdmDwueveK8MewWaBehRv5BCa | title=MAGWest 2020 - YouTube | website=YouTube }}{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpUuHdI3YdmDvJaP98o5e33n5epI5tIy0 | title=MAGWest 2021 - YouTube | website=YouTube }}
| class="wikitable" width="100%"
! Title ! Date ! Location ! Attendance ! Guests |
| MAGWest
| Aug 25–28, 2017{{cite web|url = http://magwest.org/|title=Magwest - Gotta Go West|access-date=2017-08-18}} |rowspan=2| Hyatt Regency, Santa Clara, CA | TBA | Jason Cirillo, Ben Prunty,{{cite news|url=https://8bitdigi.com/ben-prunty-at-magwest/|title=Ben Prunty will be a Guest at MAGWest|website=8Bit/Digi|date=5 August 2017 |access-date=2017-08-18 |last1=Rezaee |first1=Stan }} Yoga for Gamers, Nino MegaDriver, John Patrick Lowrie, Super Soul Bros, Kirby's Dream Band, Vector Hold, Curious Quail, Space Town, crashfaster, boaconstructor, Extent of the Jam, Myrone, Darren Korb and Ashley Barrett,{{Cite tweet |user=DarrenKorb |first=Darren|last= Korb |author-link=Darren Korb |number=882830636595245056 |date = 5 July 2017 |title=I'm performing a MAGWest ( @MAGFest ) with @ashbarrett !!! Get tickets here: http://magwest.org }} Richie Branson, The Koopas, Viking Guitar, James Landino, Hyper Potions, and Grimecraft{{cite web|url=http://magwest.org/see/buddies/|title=Guests|website=MAGWest|access-date=2017-08-18}}{{cite web|url=https://magwest.org/see/rockstars|title=Rockstars|website=MAGWest|access-date=2017-08-18}}{{cite web|url=https://www.confreaksandgeeks.com/magwest-2017-preview/|title=MAGWest: The Inaugural Video Game Convention From MAGFest|website=Con Freaks & Geeks|date=August 2017 |access-date=2017-08-18}} |
| MAGWest 2018
| TBA | B/I/R/T/H/D/A/Y, Bleeds, Continuum Kingdom, Dokoe, E.N.Cowell, Extra Lives, Kabuki, LEX the Lexicon Artist, MAGWest Chipspace Showcase, Naju, Normal Activity, RoboRob, Sergio and the Holograms, Street Cleaner, Super MadNES, Super Soul Bros., Tetrimino, The Megas, The Night We Met, The Runaway Four, Three O'Clock Rock (School Showcase), Vic Viper{{cite web | url=http://magwest.org/bands | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818065555/http://magwest.org/bands | archive-date=2018-08-18 | title=Bands – MAGWest ❤ 2018 }} |
| MAGWest 2019
| DoubleTree Hilton, San Jose, CA | TBA | 8-Bit Jazz Heroes, Alice Knows Karate, Birthday, Ben Briggs, Bolide, Chibi-tech, Chuck None, Comsmicosmo, Dokoe, Hiero, Infinite Combo, Mega Ran, Nick Drexler, Nikola Whallon, NyteXing, Odyssey Eurobeat, Petriform, RoboRob, Ronin Op F, Sergio and the Holograms, SkyBlew, Stemage, Super Soul Bros, The Minibosses, Triss, Tttlllrrr, Vector Hold |
| MAGWest 2020
| Oct 2-5, 2020 |colspan=2&& rowspan=2| Moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic in California{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/magwestofficial/status/1307034020669272069|title=x.com}} | Sare, Toriena, Crashfaster, Bleeds, 88bit, Wreck the System, G-Wiz, Adora Blue, Odyssey Eurobeat, Ohm-I, Super Marcato Bros, Airy Connect, The Arkadian, The Runaway Four, Button Masher, Starfarer, Super Soul Bros, Mark Cooper, Kyozo, Business Pastel{{cite web | url=https://www.magwest.org/2020-performers | title=2020 Performers | date=2 October 2020 }} |
| MAGWest 2021
| Nov 4-6, 2021 | Button Mashers, Lacey Johnson, Israfelcello, Super Soul Bros, The Red Panda, Find the Rabbit, Jewel Maiden, Faith in the Glitch, Tinywaves, Watch out for Snakes, Game Genie Sokolov, Only One Ronin, OrchKeystraMusic{{cite web | url=https://www.magwest.org/2021-performers | title=2021 Performers | date=26 October 2021 }} |
| MAGWest 2022
|rowspan=4| DoubleTree Hilton, San Jose, CA | 88bit, Bleeds, dwangoAC, manadream, Petriform, TheRedPanda, VGT, VVGO, Fetz A/V, 7th Street Big Band, Kirby's Dream Band, Shubzilla & Bill Beats, Robbie "Gwobs" Benson, Chase Bethea, Ben Briggs, Super Soul Bros, The Completionist, Mark Cooper, Ian Cowell, Ronin OP F, Lacey Johnson, Extra Lives, Button Masher, Ryan McGaughey, Audio Mocha, Da Rap Nerd, Abstract the Origin, Hyper Potions, Find the Rabbit, Ray Reck, Only One Ronin, Character Select, Wario Speedwagon, Josh of Bonus Stage, Prowess the Testament, 8 Bit Music Theory, The Tonberries, Ben Visini, Tiny Waves |
| MAGWest 2023
| Jul 14-16, 2023 | TBA | The Living Tombstone, SSJ/Dragon Ball Z Experience, Audio Mocha, Character Select, E. N. Cowell, Super Soul Bros, Extra Lives Experience, Illexotic, KEIFERGR33N, 7th Street Big Band, Aniclover, Prowess the Testament, Lucrecia, Alice Knows Karate, Noa James, Stickband, The Last Seahorse, Ultra Combo's Mega Jam, Ross Tregenza & Graeme Norgate, Gwiz, Crashfaster, Avery Write & Da Rap Nerd, Nobel Yoo, Bayokyo{{cite web | url=https://www.magwest.org/musical-guests | title=Musical Guests }} |
| MAGWest 2024
| Sep 27-29, 2024 | TBA | TBA |
| MAGWest 2025
| Aug 8–10, 2025 | TBA | TBA |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons|MAGFest}}
- {{Official website|http://magfest.org/|MAGFest official website}}
- [https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmuth/sets/72157612942430913/ MAGFest 7 pictures]
- [http://www.claws-and-paws.com/pictures/conventions/magfest5 MAGFest 5 pictures]
- [https://picasaweb.google.com/105342590041086036812/Magfest?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMfauaCQ2Pj2BQ&feat=directlink MAGFest 1 pictures]
= Press =
- [http://www.destructoid.com/magfest-vi-highlights-65679.phtml Destructoid review of MAGFest 6]
- [https://archive.org/details/podcast_pbc-productions-podcast_pbc-podcast-64-magfest-vi-_1000022504978 PBC Productions' MAGFest 6 Montage]
- [http://dcmusicdownload.com/2014/02/06/magfest-the-story-behind-the-dmvs-largest-video-game-music-festival/ D.C. Music Download Review]
{{Video game trade shows}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:MAGFest}}
Category:2002 establishments in Maryland
Category:Music festivals in Washington, D.C.
Category:Music festivals in Maryland
Category:Music festivals established in 2002
Category:Video game concert tours
Category:Video game conventions
Category:Video game music events