Get In The Game! Otronicon Returns to the Orlando Science Center (Win Tickets!)
For the ninth consecutive year, multiple industry partners join Orlando Science Center to celebrate the role interactive technology plays in the way we live, learn, work and play during Otronicon January 17–20, 2013. Bring the family out to the Orlando Science Center and help promote STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, and Math) in the community.
Look for a chance to win two tickets to Otronicon for one day at the bottom of this post.
New partners Microsoft and Sony join the likes of Walt Disney World Resort, EA SPORTS, Florida Hospital for Children, Lockheed Martin and the University of Central Florida to demonstrate Orlando’s impact on the world of entertainment, simulation, education, training, health care and more.
I’ll be there presenting on the ever growing market of Wearable Technology and on a panel on New Technologies in Gaming (including Google Glass) on Sunday, January 19, 2014.
Otronicon is the Science Center’s largest annual event with an average of 2,500 visitors each day – more than 10,000 guests for all four days. The experience has the opportunity to inspire a child’s interest in science and tech careers through the appeal of video games, interactive technology and virtual reality.
The event promotes the concept of “made in Orlando, played in Orlando” with many chances to interact with the creative professionals that make the games you enjoy and discover the growing career opportunities in your own backyard.
What is NEW at OTRONICON v.9?
Microsoft and Sony are on board for the first time in the event’s history.
Guests will be able to tinker and toy with Microsoft’s latest products including the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 devices, Windows Phone, and Makerbot (one of the forerunners in 3D printing). The Microsoft Family room will provide another means of demonstrative learning as attendees can see how the Microsoft ecosystem works across multiple devices in a simulated real world setting. Gamers can also play the recently released Xbox One as well as Xbox 360. Demos of the Kinect 2.0 sensor and the Xbox One hardware will also be on display.
Microsoft will also raffle off one Xbox One system a day for guests to win.
Sony makes the future possible today and provides multiple game areas to experience the brand-new PlayStation 4. And for your eyes and ears only, try out the Personal 3D HDTV Viewer (head mounted display) to watch Blu-ray Discs, play video games, and use your PC and smartphone wirelessly with a virtual 750″ screen and virtual 7.1 surround sound — even in 3D.
Ekso Bionics, a pioneer in the field of robotic exoskeletons for augmenting human strength, endurance and mobility, will be demonstrating this technology at Otronicon. Medical breakthroughs have enabled people who are wheelchair-bound to walk again. One such individual, Ekso ambassador and paraplegic Sarah Anderson, will be present to showcase this bionic-suit technology firsthand during all four days of Otronicon.
Discover how to make robots dance with Robotis’ Bioloid Premium: an educational robot kit that teaches the basics of robotic structure and the principles of joints and movement. You can see the Bioloid demonstrated up close at Otronicon, including its version of dancing Gangnam Style.
Guests can vote for their favorite short film in the first-ever FilmSlam; watch as five teams build an Oculus Rift game in 48 hours in the inaugural Game Jam; and learn from the best cosplayers in the region.
To show the event isn’t just for kids, Otronicon hosts adult-centric activities on Friday and Saturday evenings including a “nerdy burlesque” show by Skill Focus, a cash bar provided by Tuxedo Catering and geek trivia courtesy of The Cloak and Blaster. Live music with the band A Brilliant Lie will excite audiences on Saturday night only.
And for the price of admission, guests can see a Hollywood movie in the Digital Adventure Theater: A National Geographic Experience including “Wreck-It Ralph 3D” or “Pacific Rim 3D.” Guests can also get the first look at the newest traveling exhibit, “Zoom Into Nano”: a hands-on, interactive exhibition that focuses on how scientists make things that are too small to see.
What Past Favorites are Returning?
EA Sports, the brand responsible for the best-selling Madden NFL and FIFA series, returns to Otronicon for the fourth straight year and will spotlight the many exciting aspects of game development. Also returning is Walt Disney World Resort, which will showcase how they use simulation to design rides and attractions. Lockheed Martin, a partner since the first Otronicon in 2006, is exhibiting an unprecedented nine flight simulators.
Enter for a chance to win cash prizes with the return of gaming competitions presented by Powder Keg Games. Emerge as champion as you compete in a number of games including “PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale,” “Injustice: Gods Among Us,” “Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3,” “Call of Duty: Ghosts,” “Halo 4,” and “Super Smash Bros Brawl.”
In addition, explore the virtual reality environment of the Virtusphere or play outdoor laser tag courtesy of Battlefield Live Orlando. There will also be video game open play on multiple platforms, a retro arcade-gaming area and the Artronica exhibit to explore video game-inspired art.
There are classes in video game creation as well as exclusive access to simulators created by local experts. Connect with industry professionals and learn from them in panels and workshops. Plus, discover the growing career opportunities in your own backyard.
How much does it cost?
Admission to Otronicon is $19 for adults and $13 for youth (ages 3-11). Tickets also include access to the new traveling exhibit “Zoom Into Nano,” giant screen and 3-D educational films, one Hollywood feature-length film, and live programming. Science Center members can experience Otronicon for free.
What are the hours?
Otronicon is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 and Saturday, Jan. 18; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 and Monday, Jan. 20.
For more information, please call 407-514-2000 or visit www.otronicon.org.
Find Otronicon on social media at www.facebook.com/otronicon and www.twitter.com/otronicon, and use the hashtag #otronicon.
Looking forward to Otonicon whether I win the tickets or not. Great event!
Definitely looking forward to this conference!
Promoting STEM is important for kids because without many students wouldn’t know what it is or the great occupations there are that stem from STEM. Most science classes are by the book and boring vs STEM shows how exciting it can be!
We don’t have school that Friday or we would definitely take a field trip. Next year we will have to plan around it for sure!
Definitely want to attend this!
I went the first year, on a panel for girls in gaming, and haven’t been able to go back since. I definitely want to make it this year! Looks amazing.
Children without an early introduction to scientific advancements are less likely to be inspired to become the scientific pioneers of tomorrow.
Kids need the opportunity to explore all of their options and sadly we haven’t done enough with STEM to encourage our kids.
Events like this for both kids and adults are really really cool. Sometimes it helps to see where the future is going and what’s available now by being able to visit and get hands-on with what they have at Otronicon. I haven’t been to it in a few years so this will be pretty cool.