Video Games at SDCC: A Comprehensive Guide

San Diego Comic-Con is back in full force in 2024, and with it comes a vast amount of panels, hands-on opportunities, and off-site activities to fill your weekend with. While comics, film, and TV are typically at the forefront of the show, video games have and always will have a commanding presence. For those looking for the best gaming-related stuff to do at the ‘Con, check out our comprehensive guide for all things video games while you’re there.

Check out the full San Diego Comic-Con schedule here.

The Show Floor

Walking the show floor, attendees will encounter a sea of different booths and vendors covering a swath of fandoms. Here’s all of the video game-related show floor goodies, and check out the full map below:

  • Booth 129: Bandai Namco Entertainment America INC.
  • Booth 140:HoYoverse.
  • Booths 5045, 5137, 5145, 5339, 5341: Funko.
  • Booth: 3713: Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
  • Booth 2913: Lucasfilm Ltd.
  • Booth 5500:Genshin Impact.
  • Booth 2615:Limited Run Games at the Dark Horse Comics booth.
  • Booth 2329: Marvel Entertainment.
  • Booth 1435: Mega64.
  • Booth 3839: Neopets.
  • Booth 4916: Pixel Empire.
  • Booth 1802: Songbird Ocarina.
  • Booth 235: The Pokemon Company International.
  • Booth 100: UDON Entertainment.
  • Booth 307: Upper Deck.
officialmapSan Diego Comic-Con 2024 Exhibitor Map. Image source: SDCC site.
San Diego Comic-Con 2024 Exhibitor Map. Image source: SDCC site.

Panels

Thursday July 25th

  • Music, Comics, and Games with Indie Creators: Thursday July 25, 2024 10:00am – 11:00am PDT Room 25ABC.
  • Video Games: Gamer to Greatness: Thursday July 25, 2024 10:00am – 11:00am PDT Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor.
  • Marvel Rivals: The Story, Art, and Sound of the Game: Thursday July 25, 2024 11:15am – 12:15pm PDT Ballroom 20.
  • Star Wars: Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away:Thursday July 25, 2024 4:15pm – 5:15pm PDT Ballroom 20.
  • Alternative Career Options in Video Games: Thursday July 25, 2024 4:30pm – 5:30pm PDT Room 10.
  • The Art of Anime and Video Games: Thursday July 25, 2024 5:00pm – 6:00pm PDT Room 5AB.
  • Levels and Lunchboxes: Parenting and Professionalism in Video Games: Thursday July 25, 2024 5:30pm – 6:30pm PDT Room 24ABC.
  • GameSpot and Fandom Debate: What Video Game Should Become the Next Hit TV Show? Thursday July 25, 2024 6:30pm – 7:30pm PDT Room 24ABC.
  • Diversity and Representation in Comics, Film, TV, and Games: Thursday July 25, 2024 8:00pm – 9:00pm PDT Room 25ABC.
  • StreetPass OC: Nintendo Quiz Bowl the Ocho! Thursday July 25, 2024 8:00pm – 9:00pm PDT Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.

Friday July 26th

  • Drum and Bass Evolution in Video Game Music: Friday July 26, 2024 10:00am – 11:00am PDT Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library.
  • Funko Fusoin: A Festival of Fandom: Friday July 26, 2024 10:15am – 11:15am PDT Room 6BCF.
  • Game Actors on Game Actors (SAG-AFTRA Podcast): Friday July 26, 2024 11:30am – 12:30pm PDT Room 6BCF.
  • Career Paths into Game Development: Friday July 26, 2024 12:30pm – 1:30pm PDT Room 29CD.
  • Revolutionizing Legends: The Evolution of Iconic Online Games: Friday July 26, 2024 12:45pm – 1:45pm PDT Room 6BCF.
  • Mortal Kombat 1: MORE Kombat! Friday July 26, 2024 2:00pm – 3:00pm PDT Room 6BCF.
  • Dragon Age: Meet the Heroic Companions of Thedas: Friday July 26, 2024 3:15pm – 4:15pm PDT Room 6BCF.
  • Breaking into VO for Anime and Video Games: Friday July 26, 2024 5:00pm – 6:00pm PDT Room 11.
  • Fantasy in Comics, Prose, Gaming, and Film and their Ever-Intersecting Growth: Friday July 26, 2024 6:00pm – 7:00pm PDT Room 29AB.
  • The Intersection of Art and Play: How Game Developers Express Art: Friday July 26, 2024 7:00pm – 8:00pm PDT Room 32AB.

Saturday July 27th

  • Game Pitch Review:Saturday July 27, 2024 11:00am – 12:00pm PDT Marina D, Marriot Marquis San Diego Marina.
  • Video Games to be Excited for in 2024 and Beyond:Saturday July 27, 2024 11:00am – 12:00pm PDT Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor.
  • Gaming Creator Connection: Saturday July 27, 2024 1:00pm – 3:00pm PDT Marina D, Marriot Marquis San Diego Marina.
  • UDON Entertainment 2024-2025:Saturday July 27, 2024 2:00pm – 3:00pm PDT Room 23ABC.
  • AI in Entertainment: The Threat to Performers, Writers, and Artists:Saturday July 27, 2024 4:00pm – 5:00pm PDT Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor.
  • Video Games Go Hollywood: The Art Department:Saturday July 27, 2024 4:30pm – 5:30pm PDT 29CD.
  • Alien: Rogue Incursion VR Game:Saturday July 27, 2024 5:15pm – 6:15pm PDT 6BCF.
  • Dark Machine: The Game and Anime:Saturday July 27, 2024 7:30pm – 8:30pm PDT Room 5AB
  • Trivia for the Rest of Us:Saturday July 27, 2024 8:00pm – 9:00pm PDT Room 23ABC.
  • From Player to Viewer: Media and Morality in Fallout:Saturday July 27, 2024 8:30pm – 9:30pm PDT Room 10.
  • Starfield: The Friends We Made Along the Way:Saturday July 27, 2024 8:30pm – 9:30pm PDT Room 29CD.

Sunday July 28th

There are no Sunday video game panels, but attendees can still experience tons of other awesome fandom-focused, educational, or informative panels. Be sure to check out all the hands-on demo stations too, listed below!

Video games had a big presence at SDCC 2023. Photo by Myles Obenza.
Video games had a big presence at SDCC 2023. Photo by Myles Obenza.

Video Games Hands-On

Last year had many great hands-on opportunities for games, from Sand Land to Exoprimal, and this year is no different. Be prepared to wait in line!

  • Marvel Rivals:Attendees can get their hands on the Ovewatch-like hero shooter at their booth, located at Booth 2329. Be sure to stick around for a special presentation and signing too.
  • DRAGON BALL: Sparking! Zero:This over-the-top, nonstop action fighting game featuring all of your favorite characters is playable at the main Bandai Namco booth, located at 129.
  • The Pokemon Company:While not a new game, the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet games will have a demo station for newer players to the series to get acquainted with, as well as offering an exclusive mystery gift download for Roy’s Fuecoco from the Pokemon Horizons: The Series anime. Check out this and more at Booth 235.
  • Zenless Zone Zero:Stop by HoYoverse at Booth 140 for a stamp rally themed around the game.
  • Limited Run Games at the Dark Horse Comics Booth:Head to Booth 2615 for all things physical media, a demo booth, and signings with the creators and voice cast of the Shantae series! For you collectors, they’ll be having SDCC-exclusive variants of multiple games, like Castlevania Requiem and Persona 4 Golden!

Activations and Offsite

The main show floor isn’t where all the action is, as Downtown San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter and the surrounding areas are home to more activities than you can shake a joystick at.

  • Teyvat Fashion Show: Check out the Genshin Impact Gallery at the Omni Hotel, showcasing concept art and select fan art celebrating the game.
  • Sonic Speed Cafe:Sega’s iconic mascot returns to San Diego with the Speed Cafe, offering fans themed food and drinks!
  • Sonic Symphony:The Blue Blur’s world tour concert makes a stop in San Diego just in time for Comic-Con. Catch it at the Civic Theatre, located not far from the convention center.
  • SDCC Digital Game Room:Located at the Marriott Marquis Pacific Ballroom 18B, attendees can compete in LAN tournaments and relax with some free play every day of the ‘Con. Games included Super Smash Bros., Rocket League, and Street Fighter.
  • Borderlands – Moxxi’s Bar: While Eli Roth’s upcoming Borderlands film adaptation will not be present at the show, fans can stop by the 207 Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel as it’s transformed into the iconic location from the games. Claptrap will even be there! Walk-ins are good, but you can RSVP here.Update: Reservations sold out!
  • Marvel Contest of Champions and Google Play team up: The hit mobile game is collaborating with Google Play with the Wheel of Champions. Quite literally just a ferris wheel, fans can win exclusive pins and other merch. Located at Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade in Gaslamp.

Video games not your thing? Be sure to check out our list of all things Dr. Who and Sony Pictures Television at SDCC, and follow us on our socials to stay up to date with all the announcements from the weekend!

Author

  • Myles Obenza

    Myles is an editor with Temple of Geek where he primarily covers video games, with freelance work published on sites like IGN and SmashPad. He has extensive experience with live event coverage, with shows like San Diego Comic-Con, Summer Game Fest, D23, and Star Wars Celebration under his belt. Follow him on Twitter @MylesObenza

    View all posts

Myles Obenza

Myles is an editor with Temple of Geek where he primarily covers video games, with freelance work published on sites like IGN and SmashPad. He has extensive experience with live event coverage, with shows like San Diego Comic-Con, Summer Game Fest, D23, and Star Wars Celebration under his belt. Follow him on Twitter @MylesObenza

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