Recently here at LANgaming we were able to get a few minutes of the valuable time of Brendan Becker, the CEO of the hugely successful MAGfest here in our very own home state of Virginia. MAGfest (or the Music and Gaming festival) is getting geared up for its sixth event here in January 3rd -6th. From the opinions of countless attendees it is obvious that MAGfest is one of the best places a gamer can spend their time. Now join us for an interview and get a better idea why. More details can be seen at the
MAGfest website.
[LAN] How did you get started with MAGfest?
[BB] Well, the first year I was a plain ol' attendee. I was at another (anime) convention and this guy approached me and said "hey dude, you wanna play some games?" How could I turn that down? I sat around and jammed on Drummania+Guitar Freaks (before rock band, there was this, never forget!) for a bit and he mentioned he helps run a videogame convention. Sounds cool, I thought, but I don't know if I would have money or what I would be doing. Plus, Roanoke (Virginia) was kind of a long drive from my house. He handed me a sheet with all their guests on it just in case and I glanced at it as I was walking off.
"...wait, the Minibosses are playing this event?! And it's a first year event? Hell yes I'll go!" Driving four hours was nothing compared to having to drive four days to see them play in Phoenix! And their other guests and events looked interesting. I got excited and tried to lure a bunch of friends to go, but in the end, I had only two. But I was psyched to meet people involved in programming and composing for games.
When the Friday of the event came around, I packed up a game I'd written and wanted to show off (in advance, I was told they'd let me set it up in the game room). After two car switches and some traffic, we managed to get there late in the evening. I planned to half-assedly staff even though I only quarter-assedly (is that even a term?) ended up doing so.
It was an experience to behold. I had an absolute blast. I got to hang out and drink with the Minibosses and eat some KFC. I got to meet a ton of other video game music scene folks (even though I was such a noob at the time I had no idea who some of them were), and people just randomly invited you to play games with them. It was less of a convention and more like a party with a few slightly more awesome things to attend. The chairman's mom even brought hot dogs out and started feeding them to attendees!
But then, after the event, something happened. The chairman decided not to do MAGFest anymore. I couldn't have that. After I got off the phone with an offer, I called one of my good friends to accompany me for the car ride and keep me awake so I could drive out and do the paperwork in person. He told me I was crazy and he'd have no part in it. About 30 minutes later, I was in my car, with my friend, Eli, who originally only signed as a witness but is now in charge of everything registration and part owner.
[LAN] What would you attribute MAGfest's amazing success and growth too?
[BB] I have to say the attendees. We have this great kind of, "love to game" vibe and atmosphere, and everyone that attends contributes to that. Most of the people at MAGFest *actually want to be there* rather than feeling like they have to go because their friends are going or because it's status quo for them.
[LAN] After MAGfest 3 the date of the events were shifted to January, I have noticed more gaming events such as East Coast LAN and the upcoming Roanoke Game Fest are also near this end/beginning of the year time, what do you think makes this an appealing and seemingly successful time?
[BB] For us, it was simply better for the hotel. The first two years we were attempting to pick successful dates and keep to them, but eventually we realized that we could save a ton by letting the hotel choose our dates. Then we could put the extra money we had towards making the event better instead. After trying it for M3 and getting essentially half off our hotel rental, we decided to try it again. The hotel in Charlottesville picked January dates as their "dead time" and gave us a great deal once again. Since the dates didn't interfere with other events we were worried about conflicting with, we went with it. As for success, I don't really attribute that to the dates.
[LAN] My first real exposure to MAGfest was on the DVD for River City Rumble (the first release from X-Strike Studios) on that DVD was a documentary about MAGfest. Do you think this documentary in anyway has contributed to your success and what is MAGfest's relationship (if any) with the guys from X-Strike?
[BB] We booked X-Strike when we hadn't even really seen any of their material. They contacted me and asked if they could come, then promised a rough cut of RCR at MAGFest and that was it. I talked to them some, but it was mostly answering questions and taking care of guest needs. I didn't really know they were planning on putting together a documentary until after MAGFest (I didn't hire them to create it or anything), but they did a terrific job of capturing the event. The video speaks for itself in how much fun they had, and I'm just really glad they enjoyed themselves.
After I actually got to *watch* RCR, I really gained a greater respect of what X-strike was trying to do, and I try to keep close contact with the guys whenever I can (though they -- and technically I -- are pretty busy guys, so sometimes that isn't as often as I want it to be). I spread the hell out of the documentary and even though I don't have any estimate on exactly how much it helped us, I'm positive it hasn't hurt our image one bit.
[LAN] From running LAN parties personally I have noticed that as our gaming group has aged other responsibilities tend to push gaming to the side making these events harder to fill. Has MAGfest been affected by the average age of gamers increasing? And what is your opinion on this matter in general?
[BB] As for people not being able to attend MAGFest because they're growing old and such, I don't think we have anything to worry about there. It's true, though, I'm getting old. And I feel it every day. Remember when NES was king? Some of my attendees don't. And while that saddens me a little bit, I just do my best to spread the love at MAGFest. Lots of people discover tons of new music and games and things they never knew about at MAGFest.
Back when I was 12 I attended "board parties" (remember BBSes?) which basically consisted of a bunch of computer-minded locals at a pizza joint. Lots of these people were in the 20~30 age range and they welcomed me all the same, because just like everyone else on the forums, I had something to contribute (I just said it in all caps, ack). We tend to attract a slightly more mature crowd, in terms of both age and mindset, much like those parties. But why discriminate? As long as the "kids" of the gaming world continue to be cool, laid-back, and respectful of others at the event, I am happy to invite them! The show must go on! We've got games to play!
[LAN] I love the idea of the Challenge Booth you are having a MAGfest. What techniques do you recommend or see as necessary to get younger gamers playing classic games? Do you think it is important for them to do so?
[BB] Even though I find the NES "roots" shirt horribly cheesy, I do think it's important for people to know what games used to be like. There are tons of games out there that are totally gorgeous but completely miss the mark on good gameplay, and vice versa. I don't feel directing people specifically to the NES is the best classic gaming experience for everyone, but the NES really does stand for a lot of great common gaming memories among most people. Plus, it's great to see someone that thinks they're the best at games ever get totally creamed at Mega Man. I don't really have a good technique to get younger gamers into old games other than to give them stuff to try that I think is cool.
[LAN] Just for a moment I need to hit the name change with MAG originally standing for Mid-Atlantic Gaming and now meaning Music and Gaming. Is this because music is such a large part of the event?
[BB] Yes. We used to bill ourselves as a videogame convention to follow the tradition of the first MAGFest. After M3, we got a few comments from people, some of them complaints that we were "not really a convention but more of a videogame party with a rock concert". The light went on and the little ding sound could be heard loud and clear. "You know what? That is what we are, let's embrace it, and make it everything it can be." The name changed to Music and Gaming because we wanted it to be perfectly clear to people that music had become an even larger part of the event than originally intended. And really, we are somewhat of a mecca for some videogame musicians, cover artists, and remixers, and very happy to carry that torch.
[BB] I love multiplayer games. To be honest, I often sit back and *watch* people play multiplayer games simply because it is so damn entertaining to watch people cuss each other out for cheesing in Smash Bros or camping in whatever FPS. There's definitely something great about not only being able to hear the person (I mean, you can teamspeak or vent for that), but being able to see the look on their face while they're seriously into their game or even just being able to hang out after all the gaming is done. People are social creatures -- even gamers -- we just have different ways of meeting each other and hanging out. That's definitely not only something MAGFest allows, but indeed something it thrives on.
[LAN] Is there anything else you would like to share with the gaming community?
[BB] I can't really think of anything cool to say. I'm just a regular gamer dude that's totally into games and music and hoping to make a living doing something cool with them (like, say, MAGFest). During the year I'm hanging out, gaming, trying to get out and meet gamers and folks I don't know, and rocking out. Most likely I'll be busy up to the event, but I welcome anyone to get in touch with me on AIM/Xfire (MrMAGFest) or on IRC (irc.vgmix.com #magfest). I'm happy to chat whenever I'm around.
[LAN] Thank you so much for your time.
[BB] Thanks for the interview!
