A quick reflection on a wonderful Adventure Game Fan Fair

• Features by Jack Allin
• Published:

And just like that, the whirlwind event that was the Adventure Game Fan Fair is over.

But what an incredible time!

Really, the weekend couldn't have gone better. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to meet and talk with the legends of Sierra, many of them reuniting for the first time in decades. They say never to meet your heroes because they'll let you down, but nothing could be further from the truth in this case. Ken and Roberta Williams, Al Lowe, Jane Jensen and Robert Holmes, Mark Crowe, Lori and Corey Cole, and many more were the nicest, most down-the-earth people, and seemed genuinely touched by the adulation of many adoring fans. Many walked away with photos and autographs, and most importantly, memories of a weekend they'll never forget.

We held our inaugural convention awards ceremony, acknowledging the best games not only of this abbreviated year, but the entire decade so far. We were entertained by live music, including a mind-blowing rendition of "Girl in the Tower." And then our hands got tired clapping so hard for the first ten inductees to the Adventure Game Hall of Fame.

When not applauding or cheering or hobnobbing with genre icons, we enjoyed star-studded, highly entertaining group panels all weekend long, and plenty of great new games on display, as well as some golden oldies on equally oldie hardware in an amazing museum of videogame history.

But perhaps the highlight of the weekend was simply the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of camaraderie and fellowship between hundreds of people from all over the globe, who arrived on Friday as strangers and left on Sunday feeling connected by a shared passion and experience that will surely continue long after today. 

Were there bumps in the road? Sure; what live event doesn't? But nothing was going to quench the indefatigable spirit of adventure gamers determined to have the time of their lives. 

SO many people came up to Joshua and myself to tell us what an incredible time they had; that it was such a meaningful experience beyond anything they'd even imagined. (If you're one of those people and would like to share your experience in our in-depth coverage to come, please let me know! We'd love to share them in your own words.) 

And now, it's all over. For now. (Next time: spring 2026!)

There's already a bittersweet wistfulness in breaking up the party and saying goodbye to newfound friends, but all good times must come to an end, and this is it for the first ever Adventure Game Fan Fair. 

This is by no means the full extent of over coverage; expect lots more words, pictures and video to come! But since we'll be spending Monday on flights home, Tuesday recovering from serious sleep deprivation and jetlag, don't look for much else in the next few days from some very tired, but very happy Hotspot staff.

Links

• Adventure Game Fan Fair 2024