Home Gaming Friday Debate: Comic con vs rAge–which are you excited for and why?

Friday Debate: Comic con vs rAge–which are you excited for and why?

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It’s now a week until the inaugural Comic Con Africa kicks off, bringing the highly celebrated geeky pop-culture convention to African shores. Here’s a thing though – coming a month earlier than the usual big convention, rAge, it tramples on toes a little. The costs involved in putting together events like this are astronomical, and given that our industry is relatively small and can’t really afford to exhibit at multiple conventions, which means that something’s got to give.

Anecdotally, I’ve noticed that many regular rAge attendees – especially those who fly up from other parts of the country – have decided to give rAge a skip this year. The allure of Comic Con is too great, and with the cost of flights, accommodation and travel, it’s easy to understand why. There’s also the perception that rAge, now in its sixteenth year, has become a little stale and predictable – though there are some changes coming this year that are sure to mix things up.

Ultimately, it all comes down to Comic Con being something new – but its longevity over the years will come down to the execution of this first one. Tickets for the first two days are already sold out, sit bodes well.

While we’ll naturally be attending both, many of you have decided to give one a miss. Which are you more excited or keen for, and why? for those of you out of the general JHB area or not willing to throw down the cash to attend, which would you be more interested in going to?

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Critical Hit as an organisation.

Last Updated: September 7, 2018

51 Comments

  1. Gr8_Balls_o_Fire

    September 7, 2018 at 12:06

    What are these things?

    Reply

  2. For the Emperor!

    September 7, 2018 at 11:49

    Probably neither for me this year. I am up in Pta for Oktoberfest next week and visiting friends. rAge is not worth the trip up for me.

    Reply

  3. Kromas

    September 7, 2018 at 11:52

    Neither … I will be playing games.

    Reply

    • miaau

      September 7, 2018 at 14:00

      I wish,….. I need such a weekend, but you always have to look after the kids, AND the wife, for some reason, wants my help with them during the weekend as, apparently, she stays home with them during the week and also needs a breaks. Weird, right?

      For the SJW’s, I mean this as a sarcastic comment and of course I do not expect my wife to raise the children on her own, while I play games or whatever.

      Reply

      • Kromas

        September 7, 2018 at 14:51

        I think most SJW’s have been chased away from CH except when certain articles pop up. 🙂

        Reply

        • Social Justice Jim Bot v 1.5

          September 7, 2018 at 15:51

          They’re like a fungal infection, you need to lather on the betadine everyday, otherwise they come back. You, Cheddar and Miaau are doing the Lord’s work.

          Reply

  4. Ghost In The Rift

    September 7, 2018 at 11:59

    Because i’m from Namibia i don’t think Geoff will let me attend any of these sadly…..

    Reply

  5. Pariah

    September 7, 2018 at 12:04

    After having been to many rAge events, and the fact that I’m not into comics at all, I wouldn’t be interested in either. Playing early builds of games and running around dealing with hot, sweaty, closed spaces and all that really doesn’t appeal to me any more. It was fun the first few times. The last few, less so.

    My favourite thing at rAge events was always the creative section. So if there was a convention for just that, I’d be interested. Otherwise, I’ll save my money, thanks.

    Reply

    • Lord Chaos

      September 7, 2018 at 12:07

      I’m going to see if they have any nice board-games for sale

      Reply

  6. Gr8_Balls_o_Fire

    September 7, 2018 at 12:06

    What are these things?

    Reply

    • miaau

      September 7, 2018 at 13:58

      Huge events where the stall exhibitors et al expect to make a LOT of money by selling stuff (and tickets for entry!) at seemingly good, but secretly inflated prices.

      You know, a trade show of sorts. Oh and I hear people dress up more than, say, for Church on a Sunday.

      On a more serious note, it is probably worth attending ONE of them at some point in your life, just to be dazzled by the costumes and the lights and the press of people. Just to do it once, style of thing.

      Reply

  7. kieker

    September 7, 2018 at 12:17

    Going to comic con on the Sunday, but will be giving rage a skip unless i don’t find cool enough merch at comic con.

    Reply

  8. Robert Hart

    September 7, 2018 at 12:20

    Comic Con!

    Reply

  9. Skittle

    September 7, 2018 at 12:24

    Not rAge. the expo is too small & crowded and there is a massive CNA stall for some or other reason.

    I miss the old days when there was a Guitar Hero stand for people to play and even an anime section. The last rAge I went to the lan took up way too much floor space.

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      September 7, 2018 at 13:14

      I have heard the Lan is being moved this year as it was a common complaint.

      Reply

  10. Smuroh

    September 7, 2018 at 13:26

    Excited for both and i love that SA is now getting in the CON setting……. buuuuut funds so rAge is my first pic.

    Reply

  11. miaau

    September 7, 2018 at 13:54

    I WAS super excited for Comic-Con. I thought I could go with my Daughter of 4 (5 in Nov) as an outing for the two of us. My wife made me see reason. My daughter, who loves spending time with me, is fairly skittish of new things and at Comic Con she will see many costumes, images and so on that may will scare her. So… Maybe next njext year, then?

    I think, perhaps, other 4 year olds could go, but our eldest is, being my child, very sensitive to noise and change, so new things are not cool.It took me till I was about 10 not to run to the far end of the house if the vacumn cleaner was on near me, for example.

    So, a pity, but one I can accept with good grace, being the AWESOME Father that I am. I thought, instead, we go to a Zoo and avoid the snakes (for me, not her)

    But, to answer the question, Comic-Con over Rage any year of the day or something.

    Reply

    • Skittle

      September 7, 2018 at 14:02

      Have you bought yourself a “#1 Dad” mug yet?

      Reply

      • miaau

        September 7, 2018 at 14:04

        Not yet, but that is a great idea! Thanks, he said all smugly, missing the sarcasm of the suggestion in the first place. Like fish do.

        Reply

  12. Magoo

    September 7, 2018 at 14:05

    Will be attending DGC at comic con and fortunately live very close to rAge. Thankfully I don’t have to choose. But if I did, I would go for comic-con. I’m happy that they “capped” the amount of tickets sold. That’s exactly what rAge needs.

    Reply

  13. MalikaiZA

    September 7, 2018 at 14:15

    I’m attending the LAN this year after a 3 year break

    Reply

  14. G8crasha

    September 7, 2018 at 15:48

    Both service the geek culture, so neither, IMHO, excites me more than the other. They just have different primary focuses. The only restriction I would think, and as was brought out in the article, is whether you can afford attending both or only one. If that was the option, definitely Comic Con, and that’s also because of the ‘newness’ of the event!

    Reply

  15. Skyblue

    September 7, 2018 at 21:34

    Comic Con – VS Gaming Quake Champions comp, that is all

    Reply

  16. Craig "CrAiGiSh" Dodd

    September 10, 2018 at 12:02

    Going to Comic Con.
    Don’t think rAge will be happening this year …

    Reply

  17. G8crasha

    September 14, 2018 at 15:45

    So where is this week’s Friday Debate, or am I just missing it!

    Reply

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