Beginning today with Preview night is San Diego Comic Con International 2014. Thousands will descend upon downtown San Diego for the annual event, the biggest event of it’s kind in the USA and most likely the rest of the world.

If you didn’t manage to get a coveted ticket for the hugely popular event, there is another event that happens at the same time beginning today from 6pm as well. Situated down the street at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center is Gam3rCon 2014.

Game developers, geeks, Artists and gaming enthusiasts will band together to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Gam3rCon,a convention for gamers by gamers.

With four floors of gaming and a rooftop of live entertainment, Gam3rCon is the place to play for gamers, geeks, and gaming industry members during the week. The convention has grown and the larger video game tournaments will be held in the New School of Architecture and Design, an easy 10-minute walk from the Arts Center.

“There is a little bit of something for everyone at Gam3rCon,” shares Annalice Heinz, Artistic Director of Gam3rCon.

If you are a gamer, lover of games, or just are looking for a fun time during the rush of Comic-Con, Gam3rCon is an all-ages event with activities ranging from the earliest traditions of dice and cards to the latest innovations in digital gaming experiences.

Five years ago, Gam3rCon began with the one-man show, GAM3RS: The Play, co-written and performed by Brian Bielawski.  Wanting to share his play with fellow gamers but unable to find a niche for geek theater at Comic-Con International, he instead started Gam3rCon. Gam3rCon has become a year-round organization fostering game development, community and the geek arts with monthly Gam3 Days, the Gam3rBowl and their annual convention. Between attending panels, watching the pageant of costumes, meeting new people and taking selfies, there’s always time for games.

Gam3rCon 2014 kicks off Wednesday, July 23 at 6pm for their Preview Night featuring an interactive Paint Party with the artist collective, Off The Wall Graffiti, a nonprofit that provides opportunities for underserved students to create art.

Then the festivities continue, Thursday – Sunday, 12pm-12am. To ensure that attendees drink responsibly and ride in style, Uber will be providing transportation options from the San Diego Convention Center to the Tenth Avenue Arts Center for all Gam3rCon attendees that enter the code “Gam3rCon14” upon downloading the app. Day passes  ($20) and week passes ($60). Kid discounts also available. More info: www.gam3rcon.com

Guide to Gam3rcon Parties during SDCC 2014