Home Gaming The 2017 Cape Town rAge expo has been cancelled

The 2017 Cape Town rAge expo has been cancelled

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Rage CT

The Really Awesome Gaming Expo was for many years, a highlight on the annual local gaming calendar. An event that drew in plenty of crowds from around the country, people trekked up from the middle of nowhere for a weekend of gaming, cosplay and hanging out with rad dudes. Like me when I make the sojourn from PE every year.

But for an equal amount of years, South Africa’s other capital was asking for a rAge of their own. An expo that Capetonians could prepare for without having to spend two days in a car…in mother city traffic, and another two on the road. Last year saw those prayers answered with a sister show that was called the really Awesome Geeky Expo.

Looks like that was a done-in-one deal, as the 2017 rAge Expo in Cape Town has been cancelled. “While I was happy with the high level of enthusiasm and excitement with which rAge Cape Town was received in 2016 and was committed to hosting an even better show this year, the reality is that financial and logistical concerns mean that we cannot in good conscience run a rAge event in the Cape that could potentially disappoint our valued gaming community,” Owner and Senior Project Manager of rAge Michael James said on the official website.

Last year we said that our intention was to improve rAge Cape Town with more games, new technology, and cool things to see, buy and do. Some visitors felt these areas were somewhat lacking in 2016. After much hard work over the last four months we’ve come to a point where there isn’t sufficient financial support and commitment towards the event to make this a reality. In addition, while we’ve been fighting hard behind the scenes to solve unforeseen technical issues in hosting a bigger and better NAG LAN in Cape Town, we’ve hit a brick wall where the only way to make a LAN possible would be with a significant cash investment.

We do know that people have been eagerly asking us on social media about the LAN – a clear indication that this is an integral part of the rAge experience. Without a significantly improved LAN offering and other important elements such as eSports and playable code for unreleased games, we don’t feel confident that rAge Cape Town would deliver the awesome show we always strive to put on for our visitors and exhibitors.

Based on where we are now, making this year’s rAge Cape Town experience as good as Johannesburg, complete with all the elements the expo needs to make it a true rAge experience, isn’t something we can feasibly deliver. We could host something, but not something of the outstanding quality our visitors deserve. The goal was never to make the event bigger than Johannesburg, but to at least match it in overall quality.

Not doing an amazing event damages the brand and the community’s belief and trust in our ability to give them the very best experience possible. There are many amazing and daring companies that have committed to Cape Town (and we thank them for their support), but not enough to make a difference.

Having said that, there are other events happening in Cape Town this year that are also showcasing gaming, technology and other geek stuff, so I appeal to you to support them. Doing so ensures that they and the entire gaming sector will continue to grow and thrive. We’re really sorry we can’t do rAge in Cape Town at this stage. Please also note that you can get a full refund from Computicket if you’ve already bought tickets.

Well that’s a bit of a bummer. Joburg’s annual rAge Expo is still on this year however, taking place from October 6-8 at its usual haunt at the Ticketpro Dome. Cape Town geeks needn’t fret however, because FanCon will still be on that same weekend of 29 April to 1 May, and it looks like it’ll have a killer line-up.

Last Updated: March 10, 2017

20 Comments

  1. At least there’s still EGE though

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      March 10, 2017 at 12:24

      Yip, I enjoyed that last year.

      Reply

      • Umar

        March 10, 2017 at 14:13

        Yeah. Was much better than the previous year, so hoping they further improve it.

        Reply

    • Banana Jim's Final Form!

      March 10, 2017 at 14:17

      I honestly think that EGE has been the superior expo (only comparing the Cape Town Rage and the last few EGEs)

      Reply

  2. Geoffrey Tim

    March 10, 2017 at 12:23

    Wow.

    Reply

  3. Craig "CrAiGiSh" Dodd

    March 10, 2017 at 12:24

    Now that sucks big kak …

    Sorry CPT 🙁

    Reply

  4. miaau

    March 10, 2017 at 12:30

    So, basically, not enough people in the area bringing the big bucks to make it worthwhile to setup, then?

    Reply

    • Unavengedavo

      March 10, 2017 at 12:37

      Yeah, and it was a stupid choice to host it the same weekend as FanCon O_o

      Reply

      • miaau

        March 10, 2017 at 12:38

        That is just a sad joke…..

        Had to to go Cape Town for a wedding once. On Argus Weekend. Thanks, people, that was a cheap trip.

        Reply

    • HvR

      March 10, 2017 at 13:19

      More in the likes of hosting a second rate event at idiotic expensive location probably made business think twice about setting up stalls.

      EGE showed it can be done properly and that there is more than enough interest.

      Reply

  5. Ottokie

    March 10, 2017 at 12:31

    Well there goes that meetup…

    Reply

  6. Skittle

    March 10, 2017 at 12:35

    rAge gets worst every year. Too many people, not enough interesting stalls. I don’t think CNA belongs at rAge either.

    Reply

  7. Unavengedavo

    March 10, 2017 at 12:36

    So one could say that they rAge quit?

    Reply

    • Magoo

      March 10, 2017 at 12:55

      No, they just want to make us NAG.

      Reply

      • konfab

        March 10, 2017 at 12:56

        Too Soon…
        🙁

        Reply

    • miaau

      March 10, 2017 at 13:08

      Nice one!

      Um. No one should ever WANT to rage quit

      Reply

    • Banana Jim's Final Form!

      March 10, 2017 at 13:27

      HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH!!

      Reply

  8. konfab

    March 10, 2017 at 12:51

    Do not go gentle into that good page.
    Rage, Rage against the dying of the Cape Town rAge.

    Reply

  9. Magoo

    March 10, 2017 at 12:53

    Hmm.. Exactly what RAMFest said in 2014.. Then again in 2015.. And then finally admitted that the towel was thrown in a general inwards direction in 2016.

    Reply

    • Banana Jim's Final Form!

      March 10, 2017 at 14:18

      I miss Ramfest… :/

      Reply

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