16th Annual Nanocon November 9-11
November 2, 2018
In its 16th year, Dakota State University gaming club’s gaming convention, Nanocon, is still going strong. The event will take place the weekend of Nov. 9-11 and is free and open to the public.
Nanocon began in 2002. At first just a few dozen people attended, but over the years the event has grown to over 400 attendees, according to Dr. Glenn Berman, associate professor of mathematics and Gaming Club advisor.
“It’s amazing that it’s kept going through more than four generations of students because it’s completely student run,” said Rachel Groth, gaming club president from Sioux Falls, S.D., who is triple majoring in computer science, computer game design, and math.
“The students deserve all the credit,” Berman said. “I run some games, but they organize concessions and video games and work with the Game Design Club to help do presentations from the game projects courses.” Other clubs like the Esports Club and Drama Club help.
“We do casual (non-competitive play) games, with over 100 board games, table top role-playing games and video game tournaments,” Groth said.
In addition, the weekend event will feature vendors, and the theater space will be dedicated to showing movies and quiet things like anime, which is a new addition from years past, Groth shared.
“We try to make it a good convention for people who haven’t been to game conventions before,” Berman said. “A big chunk of that is we’re free to get in.” Nanocon is paid for by the money the Gaming Club makes through concessions at the yearly event.
“It’s just a good social experience,” Goth said. “It’s a good chance to see people who’ve graduated from DSU because a lot of alumni come back or people that have been in the gaming community.”
Any students interested in assisting with the event can attend a Nanocon meeting on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Regents Room in the Trojan Center.