Hundreds of games are at your fingertips at Corpus Christi’s newest gaming event. Photo courtesy of GoGames360.
Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, Bubble Soccer, Quidditch and more… gaming enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy the biggest gaming event in Corpus Christi this month. From March 17-19, GoGames360 takes over the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds.
GoGames360 celebrates games of all types: board games, video games, and everything in-between. After touring regularly in Austin and Houston, this giant gaming event is now coming to Corpus Christi.
Admission provides participants access to any of the games and events across the fairgrounds. All the games, consoles and other equipment is provided. An on-site game library on site allows guests to check out a game of their choosing, just like at a public library.
[image id="21927" title="GoGames360 Corpus Christi"] Competitive gamers can enter in cash tournaments for their favorite games. Photo courtesy of GoGames360
Gamers can put their skills to the test in paid and free tournaments in games across the board. Competition is moderated by Gamers Den, a local gaming store, that will bring in judges who are familiar with all the various gameplay.
The nocturnal gamer can participate in an overnight gaming marathon, a 40-hour lock-in party where participants can play their favorite games after hours.
GoGames360 provides the “three realms” of gaming: physical, tactile and digital video.
Tactile games range from board games to card games. Engage in a classic like Monopoly or Lego or join in on a cult favorite such as Dungeons and Dragons, Settlers of Catan and Magic the Gathering.
Physical games include basketball, volleyball and soccer but also less conventional games like bubble soccer, archery tag and Quidditch. Participants can also venture into a mini-escape room or test their agility at an obstacle course.
Video games span several consoles. PS4, Xbox 360, Wii U and PC games will be available. Gamers can participate in tournaments in Halo, Mortal Kombat, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros 4 and more.
[image id="21931" title="GoGames360 Corpus Christi"] Cosplay is encouraged at the event, where participants are free to have fun and express themselves. Photo courtesy of GoGames360
Ernest Alba, producer and creative director, started GoGames360 last year. The lifelong gamer holds dear the family game nights of his childhood, when his parents busted out Monopoly every Friday. Alba wanted to bring this level of family fun, bonding and interaction to the general public.
“The most rewarding thing to me is seeing mom and dad interacting with their child,” said Alba. “That’s the sole purpose — to build bonds, to do something out of the ordinary, to take a break from screens.”
On March 8, Alba gave several thousand free tickets to the CCISD and schools in the coastal bend. Alba is from Corpus Christi — he went to Foy H. Moody High School — and is excited to come back and give something to his hometown.
GoGames360 does good for the community, as well: Big Brothers, Big Sisters will receive 50 percent of the tickets sold under its name.
Alba holds Big Brothers, Big Sisters close to his heart. He was a Big seven years ago, and is still in contact with his first Little.
“I donated tickets to every Big and every Little,” said Alba. “When you’re a Big mentor, you want to take a Little out to a movie, or mini golf or to the gokarts. It gets expensive. Our partnership allows the Bigs and all their Littles to enjoy the event for free.”
GoGames360 is a family-friendly event that welcomes all ages and all backgrounds. The central focus is to bring the community together through games, where people can have fun without pressure and bond with the people close to them.
“We wanted to do something that’s very authentic to what we believe in,” Alba said.
GoGames360 takes place at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds, 1213 Terry Shamsie Blvd. in Robstown, March 17-19. Visit GoGames360.com for tickets and more information.
