Video gamers gather at UCSD for tournament this weekend

It’s time to get your game on. The eighth annual Winter Game Fest at UCSD, one of the largest free video game festivals in Southern California, has grown even bigger –– expanding from two days to three, Jan. 13-15.

This year, the tournament, which is open to the public, is expected to have more than 2,000 videogame enthusiasts with more games, sponsors, prizes and fun.

The event is one of the largest festivals of-its-kind, organized entirely by students.

“We want a record number of gamers who will get the opportunity to win prizes at this free and fun event,” said Josh Stolze, director of the Sixth College Tech Committee.

Winter Game Fest 2012 will feature the latest videogame equipment and technology and one of the largest Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. tournaments on the West Coast. Other tournament games include “Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty,” “League of Legends, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3,” “Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition,” and “Super Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition.”

Almost 70 TVs, 50 consoles and 100 free-play games, such as Mario Kart and Duck Hunt will be featured. This year’s sponsors, which include Intel, Blizzard, Microsoft, Pop Chips and FanBoyGaming.com, will give away $7,000 in prizes.

If you go

What:

8th annual Winter Game Fest

When:

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Where:

Price Center ballrooms UCSD campus

Admission:

Free

Website:

sctechcomm.org