There’s much to see and do at this year’s Comic Con Africa, currently taking place at Nasrec in Gauteng. Too much. Whether you’re attending all four days or just gracing the Con with your too-cool cosplay for a couple of hours, it’s best to go in with a plan. Other than “Oooh, I’ll take one three of those, please.”
As ever, Comic Con Africa is split into three Halls, with the sunny bits in between serving as the Con’s dedicated food court. Stalls appear to be better spaced out this year, with some big names dominating space and vying for your eyeballs. This year, all the big gaming content is reserved for Hall 6, while you’ll find the ‘Pop Culture’ Hall in Hall 5. That’s where you’ll likely drop most of your pocket money, if Artist Alley in Hall 4 doesn’t get to it first.
Don’t be a noob, visit Hall 6 first
Hall 6 is arguably the best spot to hang around if you’re being smart about not blowing your budget. Sure, there’s a selection of stalls that will drain your wallet if you let ’em, but keep your wallet in your back pocket, and you’ll still find a way to have fun. Either by watching the pros duke it out in Counter-Strike or playing yourself.
The Red Bull Wings Cup is proof of both. Professional EA FC 27 players — they exist — will go head-to-head throughout the Con, but if you’d rather put your mate in their place (for free, we might add), that’s okay too.
If you want to prove yourself a pro gamer, a second round of ‘Heats’ is taking place today, 25 September. You’ll register for those at the dedicated time slots here. Progress, and you’ll reach the ‘Play-ins’ and eventually the Playoffs, where the final 32 players fight for ultimate supremacy. The winner heads to the Wings Cup National Playoffs. If you aren’t all that confident in your skills, there’s a large seating area to watch the drama unfold.
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A staple of the Comic Con Africa experience, the Toyota Gaming Engine has returned. You can’t miss it right at the Hall 6 entrance (follow the dabbing Hilux transformer). It’s brought along a selection of games for attendees to dive into, with prizes waiting for the best players at the end. EAFC, Street Fighter, Brawlhalla, Gran Turismo 7, and Clash Royale are all available, with prizes including a R1,000 Takealot voucher for the best lap in GT7.
Then there’s Fanta’s set-up. Walk in the direction of the vague orange colour, and you’ll come across it eventually. While not technically free to enter, the experience comes as close to free as anything can. Entrants who buy a Fanta will be let inside to test their skills in Halo and Call of Duty. Prizes include Fanta-themed bomber jackets and Xbox controllers, if that’s your thing. If not, pawning them off could help you spend your money elsewhere.
