VidCon Announces Panels, Performances For First-Ever Dedicated Gaming Hub (Exclusive)

After pledging to emphasize more gaming content at this year’s VidCon, the world’s largest online video conference has announced a bevy of new programming initiatives to spotlight the immensely popular category.

This year, an entire hall within the Anaheim Convention Center — as well as two stages sponsored by Snickers — will be transformed into a so-called dedicated Gaming Hall, where attendees can watch panels as well as live gameplay. Highlights will include: a panel titled Creating With A Community featuring KittyPlays and Aph~meow; a Streamers Unite panel starring Aureylian and CaptainSparklez; a performance by the musician Nate Wants To Battle; live gaming between attendees and creators like GassyMexican, iHasCupquake, sWooZie, and LDShadowLady; and head-to-head competitions among top gamers, including Rooster Teeth.

“I’m excited to see VidCon put a focus on an area that makes up one of the biggest parts of the Internet,” stated Erin Wayne, aka Aureylian, who serves as lead community manager at Twitch.

Industry Track attendees will also gain access to: a fireside chat with Mike Sepso, SVP of gaming company Activision Blizzard; a panel featuring IGN co-founder and general manager Peer Schneider; and a demonstration from Royce Disini, co-founder of mobile game streamer MobCrush.

The 7th annual edition of VidCon will take place from June 23-25, and content within the Gaming Hall will run throughout the entirety of the event.

Other topics covered in panels and performances are slated to include: Making A Career Past YouTube Gaming; The Old School Is The Best School; Gaming For Good; Gender In Gaming: Shake It Off; Indie vs. AAA…Fight!; a Live Hot Pepper Gaming Challenge; Chiptune, Guitars And A Mic: How I Make 8bit Music Masterpieces; and Crafting Success: How Minecraft Helped Build My Channel.

Additional gaming programming for Community Track attendees will be announced next month.