Massive anime and video games convention AVCon to attract 20,000 visitors to Adelaide Convention Centre

MORE than 20,000 outlandish characters will descend on Adelaide this weekend for the largest anime and video games convention in the southern hemisphere.

Game on: thousands ready for AVCon

AN army of more than 20,000 Mario Brothers, Pikachus and other outlandish characters will descend on Adelaide this weekend for the largest anime and video games convention in the southern hemisphere.

The original brainchild of a fanatical band of University of Adelaide and UniSA students, AVCon has grown from a hardcore group of 200 costumed obsessives at its first outing in 2002 to now fill the Adelaide Convention Centre and attract major sponsors such as internet service provider Internode.

The three-day convention, which begins tomorrow - will be one of the city's largest this year. Of the 20,000 expected visitors, 2500 are due from interstate.

Patrons will participate in elaborate costume role-plays, try new games and meet some of the industry's biggest stars, such as Jessica Nigri, the face of video game Lollipop Chainsaw.

The nonprofit convention acts as a launch pad for independent game developers, with 54 of their games on display.

Local businesses will also be well represented, with 50 stalls expected to turnover $250,000 in games and merchandise.

Mark Rosser, who runs AVCon exhibitor Gametraders Marion, said when he first attended AVCon in 2008, he brought enough merchandise to fill one car and a trailer.

This year he will bring three trucks and expects to do about two weeks worth of trade in games, costumes and accessories such as replica swords over the weekend.

"There are more exhibitors and more competition, but sales haven't dropped off so it shows how AVCon has grown,'' Mr Rosser said.

Amy Milburn, who will attend the convention as Pokemon character Arceus, said she enjoyed the opportunity to get into character and hangout with other gamers and anime fans.

"There's definitely a community feeling,'' she said. "Even if they're not dressed up, you can tell everybody is really into what's around them."

For more details head to avcon.org.au.