GAMER CON 2019 - SPECIAL GUESTS
Panelists
Chase Masterson
First recognized for her break-out role as Leeta on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Masterson’s huge fan base has most recently seen her guest starring on CW’s The Flash, and as the title character in Vienna, a Doctor Who
spin-off.
Known to millions of fans worldwide, TV Guide’s online readers poll voted Chase the “Favorite Science Fiction Actress on Television”; Sci-Fi Universe Magazine honored her as one of the “Top 20 People to Watch in Hollywood”; and, in 2010, UGO included her in their list of the “Top 25 TV Hotties”.
On the big screen, Chase starred in Stephen King’s Sometimes They Come Back For More and in the award-winning Marina. Other feature film credits include In a Moment of Passion, Married People Single Sex, Ballerina Finale, Robin Hood: Men In Tights, and Sammeyville.
Chase is most proud of her current work as the co-founder of Pop Culture Hero Coalition which works to educate and support children, teens and adults to overcome bullying and social injustice, and to transform their struggles into strengths, using stories and characters from pop culture TV, film, and comics.
The Completionist
Jirard Khalil is That One Video Gamer on YouTube. Each week on The Completionist, Jirard takes a video game, whether it’s a cherished classic or a brand-new challenge right after release, and completes it 100 percent. No excuses, no technicalities, just pure gaming grit at any cost. If the game says do it, he simply does it, and since 2011, he’s been uploading weekly videos to share what it’s like to be a completionist with you all at home.
PeanutButterGamer
Austin Hargrave, better known as PeanutButterGamer, PBG, or occasionally “Peebs”, has been making videos online since early 2009. Fun-loving and whimsical, he’s more interested in making himself laugh than anything else. If other people are entertained, it’s only by coincidence. Originally inspired by older online gaming content like the Angry Video Game Nerd, he’s since found his own, less angry, more carefree and goofy style. Whether it’s a “Review” of a single game, a top 10, a Hacking video, or anything else, fun is the number one priority.
Shane Gill
Shane Gill owns and operates Did You Know Gaming?, a set of YouTube channels and a blog that cover video game trivia. Did You Know Gaming? has gained an audience of 2.3 million subscribers on YouTube, and a combined 1.6 million followers across its social media platforms since its creation in 2012. Shane and his associates at Did You Know Gaming? have worked with some of the industry’s most respected individuals and companies, including Hideo Kojima, David Cox, Capcom, Ubisoft, and Microsoft.
Alex Faciane
In addition to being the co-host of both Super Beard Brothers, The Dex and The Dex Podcast, the creator of the Mario universe, and Ronik in Big Bad Bosses.
ChadTronic
ChadTronic reviews toys, vintage VHS home entertainment, and televised media of varying genres in a retrospective and comedic manner. Chad’s YouTube series pays heavy tribute to 90s pop culture, style, and humor. Chad is also the writer and publisher of his own continuing comic book series titled Teenage Fighting Food Dudes. Noteworthy appearances include voice acting in several animated web series and appearing on Polaris: Player Select on Disney XD.
Continue?
Paul Ritchey, Nick Murphy, Josh Henderson
Continue? is a Philadelphia-based weekly comedy web show where Paul Ritchey, Nick Murphy, and Josh Henderson play a random old school video game for 30 minutes. There is one question they are trying to answer- do they stop playing or continue? They also make sketches and short films. They’re also very handsome.
Satchell Drakes
A designer and filmmaker with work featured in Time,
Fast Company and The Wall Street Journal. He discusses game design at the intersection of art and culture on his YouTube channel, Satchbag’s Goods, and is on the board of directors for the Internet Creators Guild with the likes of Hank Green and Casey Neistat. He still plays with Legos.
Norman Caruso
Norman Caruso is the creator of “The Gaming Historian”, a YouTube documentary series that explores the history of video games. Want to learn about the landmark lawsuits that changed the industry? Or why the Power Glove wasn’t “so bad” after all? The Gaming Historian has you covered.
The show has more than 60 million views and 600,000 subscribers, and has been featured on Destructoid, Polygon, Nintendo Life, and even Playboy.com. Norman earned his history degree from Elizabeth City State
University.
Mike Pixley
Get ready for an infusion of deep analytical context into your favorite geek topics as Mike Pixley of Bonsai Pop and team Treesicle is heading to#NJGamerCon! A professional writer, YouTube and editor that’s also a life long videogame and anime enthusiast, Pixley runs the gamut from immature potty humor to deep existential philosophy. He takes the pop in popculture straight to your brain utilizing history, sociology, anthropology, and a dash of heart to make it stick!
Drake McWhorter
Returning to New Jersey Gamer conis Drake McWhorter A.K.A. Trailer Drake & Comic Drake. You might know him from his time on The Game Theorists, ScrewAttack, and The Weekly Pull or from his minor “hit” shows, Crossover, Smash History, Because Comics, and Unpopular Gaming Opinions. He’s a comic book enthusiast, video maker extraordinaire, and tabletop game developer who puts the fans first!
Squarepainter
Adam Shub aka Squarepainter has been hand painting nostalgic pixel art since 2008. His YouTube channel consists of time lapse paintings, art reviews, pick up videos and more.
TineyNeenja
TinyNeenja is an illustrator and creative Twitch streamer that focuses on horror and retro games. She also creates cosplay and props for herself and the YouTube community, most notably for the Angry Video Game Nerd series.
Rob “QuickPaw” Steiner Jr.
Rob “QuickPaw” Steiner Jr. returns to NJ Gamer Con. Fan and friend of the YouTube community, Rob dabbles in animation and gaming streams on his YouTube channel. You’ll be hard-pressed to see him without his signature Marty Jr. hat.
Way Stark
A pioneer of the professional gaming industry having helped bring the gaming scene together by bridging communities to businesses at the local and national level. Through guidance and assistance he has been at the forefront of multiple conventions that have helped pave the way for the future of the professional gaming world to launch. Whether it be on a local community setting, collegiate level or international stage, Stark’s organizations and events have made a successful impact on the esports community.
Beau LaManna
Beau “Protroid” LaManna is an esports Commentator, Tournament Organizer, and Consultant. Beau has worked alongside CompeteLeague, Super League Gaming, OPNoobs, Tyler1, and PlayVS to build experiences for a variety of different games, most prominently League of Legends. When he is not screaming about or building amateur tournaments, he is playing everything from Civilization to Teamfight Tactics.
Game Design & Art
Brian Colin
Creator of such videogame classics as RAMPAGE, XENOPHOBE and GENERAL CHAOS, Brian F Colin is a vastly experienced Game Designer, Artist, Animator and Development Group Leader with over 80 video game titles to his credit…. including the creation of some of the most-popular, highest-earning & best-selling titles in video game history!
Brian is well-known for sharing first-hand, anecdotal insights into the early days of arcade game development, as well as sharing stories, photos and video straight from the Sets, Locations and Premier of the recent RAMPAGE Movie starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
This year, Brian will be unveiling his legendary ‘Lost Laser Disc Game’… DEATHSTALKER -THE SPECTRE FILES; …and attendees will actually get to play this hysterical interactive film/game that was over 30 years in the making!
Ron Magin
New Jersey Gamer Con 2019 is happy to announce another outstanding guest, Ron Magin, Chief Operating Officer at Catan Studios! Ron will be excellent companion event to our Catan National Qualifier Tournament. Ron has been on several Catan design teams including the lead designer for the popular Star Trek Catan edition!The 25th anniversary of the Settlers of Catan game is quickly approaching, and Ron will be giving his insights on Catan’s past,present, and future. We’ve scheduled the panel at a time so players in the qualifier will be able to attend. You won’t want to miss this fun and informational panel.
Brandon G. Osorio
Best known for developing the exciting new style of tabletop gaming exemplified by Dark Refuge: the Adventure Game, and the Time Shredders roleplaying game.
Since then he has authored eight novels including the philosophical science-fantasy epics God Swords: Saga of the Bladed Sun and Day Earth Died, and seven Dark Refuge sourcebooks for Dark Refuge Games.
Some of his proudest moments have been running the national Border Wars Campaign, bringing together hundreds of players from across the US, and being a guest speaker at Stony Brook University on the subjects of Independent Game Design, and Creating Compelling Villains.
Additional accomplishments include running the multi-
year national Draco Liberatti and Goblin Lands campaigns, as well as running biweekly events to benefit a children’s charity.
Brandon has also been part of the team that developed Wisdom Vault, designed to promote the undiscovered authors and creators.
In previous years, Wisdom Vault has released Ray Lamb’s poetry book Bring This Song to Others, and Allison Oakes Baby’s First Book of Euphemisms, which featured Brandon’s artwork.
This year Brandon is proud to be running the open beta for Seas of Kansas, an exciting new survival horror tabletop rpg designed for cinematic adventures set in a modern city being overcome by flood waters.
Cosplay
J1 STUDIOS
J1 Studios plan to blaze forth with a new vision for comics, video games, and animation. We want to bring back the fire and excitement that we all grew up with. We want to give you new heroes to cheer and admire, as well as new villains to know and fear. Everyone at J1 Studios is confident that the content we’re going to share with you is beyond entertaining!
Kelcium Chloride
Bring your cosplay A-Game at #NJGamerCon! Kelcium Chloride, Psycho Scene Events and J1-Con Anime & Gaming Expo will host a number of cosplay events throughout the expo including a big cosplay contest with prizes, and cosplay karaoke.
Kelciumchloride is a female cosplayer based out of northern Jersey who has been published in magazines for her incredible cosplay work and will be one of this year’s special cosplay guests!
Dangerous Dan
Returning to NJ Gamer Con is fan favorite, martial artist and cosplayer Dangerous Dan. With a black belt in karate and a talent for entertaining fans at conventions everywhere, his performances should not be missed.
Artists
Philo Barnhart
Philo Barnhart is professional film animator living in Oak Park, IL, known for his work on feature-length films: The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Rescuers Down Under, The Secret of NIMH, Happily Ever After, An American Tail, and special effects for Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Philo worked many animated TV shows and video games including The Smurfs, Scooby Doo, Jem and the Holograms, Space Ace, Dragons Lair, and many more. He worked on consumer products for several years with Disney, and to this day you can still find his artwork still being used on toys, books, home electronics/appliances, apparel, and posters. Philo’s parent Dale Barnhart and Phyllis Barnhart were both animators at Disney’s animation studios. Growing up watching the magic of art become animation, he spends his life continuing the tradition of making stories come to life through art.
Currently Philo is working with Silver Phoenix Entertainment Inc. His latest comic title is WHISPERS FROM THE VOID
Charles Moisant
CHARLES D. MOISANT, is a comic book Publisher, artist, writer, and the creative director of Silver Phoenix Entertainment (a 100% female owned company).
Charles has been publishing comic books since 1991, starting with Kremin. Silver Phoenix Entertainment works with many artists, printing comic titles like Myth Told Tales by Robert Asprin and Jody Lynn Nye, Mystery Manor Haunted Theatre, and Whispers from the Void. Charles is also known for his Roller Derby Drama, which is loosely based on the Chicago Outfit Roller Derby Team. Charles can usually be found on his roller skates at Silver Phoenix Entertainment promoting some of the newer titles such as ‘Whispers from The Void’ where all monsters are reflections of the Seven Deadly Sins. Philo Barnhart is drawing the second issue. Some of his works currently in production include ‘Zombie Annihilation’, where Doctor Zarvin is working with local heroes from
Chicago to save the world from zombies; ‘Danni and Dayna in Dino World’ in which two Woman: IDA DANNI, a modern day military refueling pilot, and Dayna Onli, an African-American woman from Chicago 1902, are trapped
65 million years ago. Working against them are intelligent dinosaurs, lizard people, and the Atlantians a space-faring race who are stealing the world’s only major resource: Magik; and ‘Thunder World’ a story
about three giant robots and a giant monster learning how to work with each other and saving the world, which is being written by him and Doug Rice of Dynamo Joe.
Charles’ Latest works “IT LIES!” a board game and web series under development with Michael Giba. Haunting Tales of Bachelor’s Grove with Brian K Morris a kickstarter success
Lance Footer
The Art of Lance Footer will make a special appearance, fresh off his two recent covers for Cavewoman Comics. He is best known for his detailed work on sketchbook covers. Lance has his own comic book called The Wicked Wabbit, while also working on a comic book titled The Eagle!
Bryon Wackwitz
New Jersey Gamer Con 2019 is excited to announce legendary Philadelphia fantasy artist and illustrator The Art of Bryon Wackwitz as a very special guest!
Bryon has worked in the fantasy art field since 1991, and has done hundreds of illustrations for almost every pen and paper game and collectable card game during the 90’s to the early 2000’s before changing fields, though he is most known for being one of the first 49 artists for the ‘Magic the Gathering’ trading /collectable card game!
Ritchie Knucklez
Richie Knucklez is an actor and producer, known for The OutRunners (2016), Reverb (1999) and The King of Arcades (2014)
Richie Knucklez Arcade Games is a retro gamer’s dream come true.
He restores classic arcade games and pinball machines, and hosts the Arcade Culture Webshow. Former world record holder of Space Invaders, Ritchie is one of New Jersey’s Hometown heroes and ambassadors for Arcade culture.
Dais of Thunder
Dais Of Thunder are a group of comedians and gamers that have been
together 5 years doing costumed roasts of fictional characters.At past conventions we’ve done roasts of iconic characters like PACMAN, MARIO and SONIC and have been joined on stage by characters including LUIGI LINK, WARIO, ROBOTNIK, PEACH and dozens of others.This year will be no different as we roast
CRASH BANDICOOTGet in line early to experience a panel that like no other.