Hero-Con 2024 took place on September 27-28 in Chicago, Illinois. This exciting convention was founded by Vladimir Shade, who hosts the podcast The Heroes of Gaming. He started his podcast because he believed “[the gaming] industry is shrouded in mystery” and that many gaming pioneers weren’t getting the recognition they deserve. He created this event to honor those who helped build the industry. Without these amazing heroes, gaming might not be what it is today!
The atmosphere was electric—imagine a big gaming room with dim lighting in deep purples and blacks, filled with excitement. Attendees mingled happily, ready to enjoy panels, workshops, and play games together. Different rooms and floors offered a variety of activities, with one area dedicated to gadgets, plushies, and even G-Fuel for sale.
Several panel rooms held discussions, along with video game performances. Each room had at least two games to play. The mezzanine was all about gaming, where attendees could enjoy titles like Smash Bros and NBA 2K with others. The excitement peaked on September 28 with an Esports League of Legends tournament featuring two schools, complete with monitors and headsets.
Some of gaming’s heroes attended and shared their insights. These included Keisha Howard, CEO and founder of Sugar Gamers; Rebecca Ann Heineman, developer and co-founder of Interplay; Mark Barlet, former founder of AbleGamers; and Vlad, the mastermind behind the convention. Hero-Con also featured Quincy and Kareme Young, stars of the TV series South Side, who played NBA 2K with attendees in a fun nod to their show’s pilot episode. Their contributions truly made the event unforgettable.
Hero-Con was an incredible experience! Attendees heard inspiring stories from gaming pioneers and enjoyed thrilling live gaming tournaments, all while learning about the origins of the convention. The event was fun and motivating, leaving everyone excited to come back next year!
