Update: Wondering how many people walked through the rAge 2019 doors? A staggering 35, 615 according to official numbers, which isn’t too shabby at all. Here’s how this rAge stacked up against previous events:
2016
34,693 visitors (year of the VR showcase; record-breaking attendance)
2017
35,845 visitors (focus on esports; sister event Rush held for the first time in July)
2018
34,002 people (three weeks after the inaugural Comic Con Africa)
Original story follows below:
Say what you want about rAge, but South Africa’s biggest and longest-running electronic gaming and technology expo is always evolving; listening to and implementing feedback. There was a lot of course correction with rAge this year, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that as the event tries to stand out in a context where apparently everyone wants to get in on the gaming and pop culture events bandwagon.
2019 came with its own set of challenges for rAge. Although the expo was first to announce a move from its traditional date, of the first weekend in October, to 27 – 29 September at the Ticket Pro Dome, the three-day event was now starting just three days after Comic Con Africa 2019 wrapped. Ignoring the issue of exhaustion and depleted enthusiasm, many vendors, exhibitors and probably attendees too, were clearly forced to choose between the two for budgetary and logistics reasons. The end result was a rAge with no official Nintendo, Megarom or Xbox presence.
An excellent STEM showcase
That being said, in 2019 rAge really pumped up its educational aspect, to the expo’s benefit. One of the most well-attended areas was the World Robotics Olympiad South Africa where local school pupils pitted their robotic creations against each other in tabletop football matches and the timed task of navigating obstacle courses. There were also robotics-centred science projects on display, exhibits from the Wits School of Palaeontology and Doctors Without Borders, as well as the Huawei home_coded showcase of local game and app developers.
Focusing on STEM education and opportunities isn’t a bad idea for rAge. As much as the organisers try to position the event as a family occasion, complete with an inflatables-filled Kids’ Kage play area and free entry for children under 6, rAge still skews heavily towards the young male demographic. These guys are there to play games, enter the various formal and casual gaming competitions (there were loads this year!), gets hands-on with hardware, and snatch up the excellent deals that rAge is famous for. Oh, and refresh with the appreciably diverse food and drink choices from the many independent suppliers present.
Time for cosplay and crafting to leave the building?
Perhaps I’m making assumptions here, but with their laser focus elsewhere, the young male demographic isn’t really interested in cosplay appreciation or buying hand-crafted steampunk jewellery. Once upon a time, rAge was the place to cosplay and sell your wares, but since the Pop Culture-dedicated Blue Wing was given to the rAge LAN last year, cosplayers and crafters have been essentially demoted; pushed to the peripheries of the Dome instead and largely left to their own devices.
To be fair, in 2019 rAge cosplay received its own dedicated stage, better-lit space and excellent prizes for its GES-run competition (including R15 000 for the Overall Winner and R5 000 for individual Category winners). Vendors too were better integrated among the other stands on the show floor, although the Flea Market and Artists’ Alley felt even tinier than last year.
Still, there’s a lingering sense that rAge may no longer be worth the effort for crafters and cosplayers (unless you want to test the competitive cosplay scene in a less intense context). If rAge scrapped these “afterthought” aspects and focused entirely on gaming and tech, I don’t think that anyone would miss them.
Note: A separate post will spotlight the cosplay of rAge 2019, including the major winners of this year’s competition.
Expo numbers in recent years
While we wait for the official announcement of rAge 2019 attendance figures, here’s a look back at how the expo has fared recently – in addition to potential impacting factors.
- 2016 – 34,693 visitors (year of the VR showcase; record-breaking attendance)
- 2017 – 35,845 visitors (focus on esports; sister event Rush held for the first time in July)
- 2018 – 34,002 people (three weeks after the inaugural Comic Con Africa)
- 2019 – 35,615 people (three days after Comic Con Africa 2019)
Pre-media release, it’s difficult to gauge how rAge performed this year. Absent exhibitors meant more open floor space, which alleviated a good deal of the congestion that the expo is notorious for. At the same time, though, rAge 2019 didn’t have any major gaming drawcards – no behind-closed-doors first looks at highly-anticipated releases; no super high-profile demos to try. Which is unfortunate. As a result, midday on the Saturday – the expo’s traditional peak period of busyness – did not feel as packed as it has previously.
As a geeky expo, rAge has a strong, clear identity and remains the pinnacle, must-attend event for a large portion of South Africa’s gaming community. Its reign is no longer uncontested however, and the next few years are going to be interesting in South Africa’s “win or die” Game of Cons.
Last Updated: October 22, 2019
Jacques Van Zyl
September 30, 2019 at 11:34
rAge this year felt off. Honestly, at one point on Saturday walking around the hall I stopped to ponder just when it was that I became so detached from what is supposed to be a celebration of every hobby I love.
Artist Alley made me feel depressed, the cosplay stage was a highlight, I didn’t get to see the LAN area which was weird, and lastly, the consumer side of things was lacking. No place to try or see new games, no place to sit down and play some boardgames or magic or anything. All in all, this was probably my last time spending money on rAge.
It has lost its charm.
Splendid
September 30, 2019 at 14:50
Rage asks far to much for the Artist Alley and offers very little compared to other shows, if they want to support local artists they need to put a bit more effort in, You can see most people have moved away from rage with very little stalls this year
Jacques Van Zyl
September 30, 2019 at 15:10
I really noticed that this year. I’ve know the LegionInk lot for many years, and even exhibited in Artist Alley myself once or twice… This year though, I was honestly sad to see the lack of support for local artists.
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 11:41
I haven’t gone in years, and the only thing I feel I’m missing out on, is the free stuff
For the Emperor!
September 30, 2019 at 11:41
I only miss the queue in front of BT Games on the first day toe grab those CE games with statues that they could not sell…nothing else
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 11:41
The last time I was at rAge, things were still Lazzy
Son of Banana Jim
September 30, 2019 at 11:48
That’s nearly 5 years ago…. 😮
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 11:49
Fok, we got old
Son of Banana Jim
September 30, 2019 at 11:49
We’re still not as old as Trevor….
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 11:49
Some say, that when kids get detention, they need to write his age in 1’s
Kromas
September 30, 2019 at 11:10
Both RAGE and Comic Con failed to bring it. Comic Con at least had Captain Kirk but to be fair if RAGE got him they would have been the better show.
Basically what I am trying to say here is one needs to die. This town ain’t big enough for both of them.
The D
September 30, 2019 at 11:41
Wait this sounds like the plot of Highlander.
Kromas
September 30, 2019 at 11:41
If we give the organizers weapons it would be the plot for Battle Royale.
Yahtzee
September 30, 2019 at 11:10
The mother city is big enough. Only problem is people from WP care more for craft beer and craft burgers and not at all about games and tech.
Son of Banana Jim
September 30, 2019 at 11:34
We’re just better adjusted, and why would we want to be in a stuffy building when we could rather be outside on the beach, scaling table mountain or just chilling in the woods? 😉
HvR
September 30, 2019 at 11:34
All the conventions that have been hosted down here were always attended at basically full capacity despite always being subpar shows compared to the main events up north.
I just seems that organisers down in Cape Town experience is limited to organising rich 12 year old birthday parties at wine farms.
If they for once realise to stop with the Green Market square BS and focus on combination of hosting a convention that combines Cape Town tech start ups and actually for once showcasing behind the scenes look and demos of games and gaming tech that they would blow it out of the water.
Son of Banana Jim
September 30, 2019 at 11:41
I think Cape Town’s issue is venues, apart from the CTICC and maybe Grand West (which is a terrible place for a convention), there aren’t that many places to host a massive event, although I don’t see why they can’t take a page from the Open Book festival and do things across the CBD – make the whole CBD festive or geeky….
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 11:41
I think Cape Town’s issues are the odd organic humanoid infestation that festers there
Son of Banana Jim
September 30, 2019 at 11:48
Perhaps, but at least we don’t have those strange mutant fungal growths that come out of the mine shafts and insist on polluting Cape Town and Hermanus in December… We should definitely build a wall, damnit!!! 😛
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 11:49
You build your wall, you pay for your wall, and then slowly bleed economically dry.
Also, those mutants that leave Mordor, makes it a nice place to be in December because all the weirdos are with the other weirdos
Son of Banana Jim
September 30, 2019 at 11:49
Could be worse, they could be from Durban or Port Elizabeth…. Muahahah!
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 11:49
Me and the mrs are actually considering a relocation to debbin area, norfff off debbin
Son of Banana Jim
September 30, 2019 at 11:58
Why Debbin though? You’d rather be swimming in a warm sea then sitting like a civilised gentleman on the beach, and wondering why anyone would be crazy enough to get into the cold Atlantic sea….?
Although Debbin curry is fantastic, but our breyani is more flavourful.
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 11:58
Change of scenery. We went to Umdloti for our honeymoon this year, and just decided that we need more out of life than traffic and pollution
Son of Banana Jim
September 30, 2019 at 11:59
That’s cool. We’re also thinking of changing cities. I guess change is in the air and the feet are itchy 😛
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 12:08
I’ve lived in SnorToria for 35 years now. 5 in the central-ish, 29 in the north-east, and now almost a year in the east.
Time for a change
Where you thinking of going?
Yahtzee
September 30, 2019 at 12:08
I fly to Umhlanga for holiday each year. I love the Durban surrounding area.
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 12:16
Umhlanga is like Sandton now. So many big companies have offices there, perhaps they require an Admiral Nazi Chief Officer.
Gatvol for Gauteng honestly
Yahtzee
September 30, 2019 at 12:16
Indeed but vice versa. I go there to get away from this poeierhol invested place.
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 12:34
Why not move permanently?
Yahtzee
September 30, 2019 at 12:34
If I ever move its out the country. Not in it.
For now its a place I can call my holiday home.
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 13:09
Blame Canadaaaaaaaa
Pariah
September 30, 2019 at 12:17
I’m allergic to fungus. That says plenty on its own.
HvR
September 30, 2019 at 11:58
That will actually be a cool idea; again if you can get local tech companies involved you probably have a lot of space already.
Also as I understand it the CoCT doesn’t make it easy to host in the CTICC.
Wonder if the Good Hope center still hosts conventions, sure is old but it actually has a nice layout
Hammersteyn
September 30, 2019 at 11:34
Hmmm, seems we need a Minecraft sequel
Pariah
September 30, 2019 at 12:17
Craft burgers and beers are much more enjoyable than a dome full of hot, sweaty people who paid too much to see too little in an age where almost everything we need in our hobby can be found online while at home in your pjs, clean, and quiet.
Admiral Chief
September 30, 2019 at 12:25
Why can I only upvote this one?
Yahtzee
September 30, 2019 at 12:49
I’m more leaning toward the struggle of finding real life gaming friends. There is not a lot of them down here.
Pariah
September 30, 2019 at 13:00
I game occasionally, does that count?
Kromas
September 30, 2019 at 11:19
Meant Gauteng only needs one. Quite frankly the Mother City is too windy to any Comic. 😛
Magius
September 30, 2019 at 11:26
Didn’t attend rAge this year, just wasn’t in the mood. Used to mainly attend to hunt for bargains on components etc but lately for many legit reasons I am sure there are no bargains to be had. Also not having decent gaming stands with some sort of push for games about to release hurts the experience. Not sure what local distros have to do to convince developers to come out and promote their games and maybe start running panels on game development
TheFran
September 30, 2019 at 14:13
What do you guys think about the NAGLAN this year? ‘been going 15 years (missed only 2011) and to be honest this years rAgeExpo felt like more love for the expo an less love for the #naglan2019 gamers.
Way too little toilets (there was 3 toilets for ALL the games in mezzanine, some said there are more toilets “hidden away” but I could not find them. Had to bribe the security guards to allow me to go down to main entrance toilets on ground), no big screens (remember we had video streaming non-stop) #lessloveforthegames
We had fewer coffee/food stands
Most importantly a feeling of “separation” and “disconnection” from the expo and the rest of the 1800 gamers. Some like being hidden away in the dark corner of the dome, but for me and my friends feeling “together” with the dome when it was on ground was a great experience, also sitting together in LARGE groups is awesome. There also seems to have been way more “stuff” seperating the gamers from one another. We had groups of tables with I guess maybe 200 gamers, then showers, then some huge obscure obstacle blocking you from the next group of 200 gamers. #lessloveforthegames
We had to walk literally 200 meters to get to the Expo, it was all the way to the stairs, then all the way back to the main entrance. #lessloveforthegames
Also, our “bag” we got on entry was a joke, at least normally we get a magazine or a sticker. #lessloveforthegames
I really cant fault the network and gaming, that was superb, the expo itself was GREAT. But the experience as a gamer, us gamers who STARTED rAge … (for me) was just lacking.
c’mon guys UP the experience, give us at least back what we had.