As we bid farewell to another year, we also mark the close of yet another successful Anime Convention for Middle Tennessee, a tradition that has been thriving since 1999. The Middle Tennessee Anime Convention (M.T.A.C.) has, for over two decades, been a mecca for anime enthusiasts from all corners of the globe, providing them with a common platform in the heart of Music City to revel in their shared passion. This year was certainly no exception, and I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to cover the event and host a panel on the captivating subject of Retro and Vintage Gaming!
Spanning three full days, the event presented an extensive array of topics. From the gaming panel I had the privilege to host, to engaging discussions about Wrestling, and insightful sessions on breaking into the Voice Acting world, there was hardly a moment of dullness. Indeed, the convention promises something to cater to every Otaku’s interests. A particularly memorable panel that stood out for me was the “Big Robots and Bigger Battles: Where do Mecha come from?” panel. As someone with a profound appreciation for both Kaiju and Giant Mecha, this panel was a delightful experience.
Cosplay, an integral element that breathes life into any convention, was in full swing at M.T.A.C. The venue was teeming with enthusiastic cosplayers, each eager to showcase the fruits of their labor and dedication. From characters of Final Fantasy to those from Hazbin Hotel, it was a delight to see the myriad of costumes, each a testament to the love for their favorite characters. Cosplay is the thing I love most about conventions as it allows you to take a vacation from yourself and completely indulge in whatever fandom happens to strike your fancy and whether it’s $20 or $200 anybody can cosplay and have a wonderful time!
The gaming side of M.T.A.C. was a bustling hub of activity. From tabletop games and Collectible Card Games (CCGs) to consoles from various generations, there was something for everyone. Participants could be seen engrossed in games like Guitar Hero, Mario Kart, and Smash Brothers, among many others. The convention also catered to the tastes of traditional card game enthusiasts, with popular games like Magic The Gathering, Pokemon, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards Against Humanity, along with a plethora of other tabletop RPGs and non-rpg multiplayer games, were also available for participants to enjoy.
My Retro and Vintage Gaming Panel
I also had the privilege of hosting a panel on what Retro and Vintage Gaming is and why it is still important today. This was the first time I had ever HOSTED a panel and it was exhilarating, nerve wrecking, fun and huge learning experience for me. I do feel it is important to remember the past and where gaming came from as we move into a future of all, or mostly, digital gaming, never ending season passes and micro transactions. A lot of younger gamers now don’t even know what it’s like to simply insert a game and play immediately since every single title released has day 1 patches and/or DLC.
Many topics were discussed during the panel and I had a very good, very interactive audience. While the main topic stayed on Retro and Vintage Gaming other topics such as Day 1 Patches, DLC and micro transactions were discussed as well as the future of genres such as the Turn-Based RPG and classic series like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.
If you would like to watch the entire panel it will be made available on our YouTube channel and don’t forget to visit our other social media pages on Facebook, and Instagram for more content like this and any other fandom you can think of.
