For Immediate Release

Contact: Jesse Hardesty (918)747-3583 OVGE@cox.net

Oklahoma's Only True Retro Video Game Exhibition Returns!

            Tulsa, OK – May 5, 2008– Classic video games will once again rise from history as mid-America's one and only OVGE returns to announce the fifth Oklahoma Video Game Exhibition.

            On August 9, 2008 video game collectors and enthusiasts from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and even further will come together at the Marriott Tulsa Southern Hills Hotel in Tulsa to celebrate the history of the video gaming industry. “Before the OVGE, people from the surrounding states had to travel across the country for an event such as this,” said Jesse Hardesty, founder of the OVGE. Doors will open to the public at 9:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Cost of admission for ages eight and above will be $3 dollars at the door.

            In 1972, the video game industry was launched with the sale of the Odyssey by Magnavox, the first multi-video game system for the home. However, in the early ‘80s an overflow of games and lack luster sales in stores forced many companies to close resulting in drastic drops in prices for their merchandise. Companies still in business could not compete with the low pricing and lost money from their over stocked inventory causing the great crash of the video game industry in 1983. Since the rebirth of the industry in 1985, with the introduction of the Nintendo Entertainment System, video game sales have flourished. According to the NPD annual statistics the video game industry reached nearly 18 billion dollars last year. These numbers will only grow in 2008.

            Still, many video game players are returning to classic video games. With the advanced graphics of today’s video games, why are so many people fascinated with the classics? “Even though modern game systems have amazing graphics and sound, the most important aspect of any video game is that it actually be fun to play. Because classic game systems, like the Atari 2600, had very simple graphics, game designers had to focus on the game-play. Those same games that were fun in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s are still just as much fun today,” stated Albert Yarusso, modern video game programmer and co-founder of AtariAge.com.

            “With video gaming being today’s main form of home entertainment, the history behind it should not be forgotten,” said Hardesty. “The Oklahoma Video Game Exhibition is providing the youth and their parents a chance to visit and interact with that past.” Numerous video game systems, computers, and arcade machines, will be set up for the public to play. Vendors and exhibitors will have memorabilia on display with many items for purchase.

            The OVGE is organized by a group of gaming enthusiasts who want to share their hobby and passion for classic and modern video games with the public.

For more information, visit www.ovge.com.

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