#AlbanyCapitalCenter #ESports #HVGamerCon2019 #SpotlightNews
ALBANY — The largest collegiate esports event in the Northeast is coming to Albany in 2019.
The Albany Capital Center, along with the Center for Economic Growth, Eastern College Athletic Conference and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, announced Wednesday, Sept. 19 that it will host the HV Gamer Con 2019 on March 30 and 31, 2019.
“We are excited to partner with the ECAC and MAAC for the first ever HV Gamer Con,” said Doug McClaine, general manager, Albany Capital Center. “We feel privileged to collaborate with these conferences that are at the forefront of bringing esports to the collegiate market. It’s always been our goal to get involved in this industry in some capacity and we are thrilled we can bring an event of this stature to our region.”
The event plans to highlight the Capital District as a destination for gamers, esport fans and software developers alike. The conference and expo will feature seating for more than 800 guests to watch the ECAC esports Championships featuring three popular game titles including League of Legends and Overwatch. A third title will be revealed in the coming months.
Additionally, there will be an expo that caters to the regional gaming and esports community, featuring up to 50 vendors. The expo has plans to showcase regional game development studios, Empire State Development’s Digital Game Hubs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and New York University, college programs focused on games and esports, local artists, independent developers and other esports lifestyle brands. Portions of the expo will feature hands-on gameplay and retail vendors.
Siena College was named among several schools that will participate in season-long competition culminating in a championship determined at HV Gamer Con 2019. Other schools include; Canisius College, DeSales University, Drew University, Keuka College, Mansfield University, Marist College, Morazian College, Neumann University, Quinnipiac University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter’s University and more.
“As a leader in intercollegiate esports competition, the ECAC is thrilled to be partnering with the MAAC, the Albany Capital Center, and the Center for Economic Growth to bring this very special esports showcase to Albany,” said Dan Coonan, president and CEO, Eastern College Athletic Conference. “Last year’s event was spectacular, and this year’s promises to be much bigger and even better.
Tickets are on sale through universe.com. For information, go to albanycapitalcenter.com.