At VideoGamePlays, we believe that storytelling transcends the boundaries of platforms—and that no one does immersive world-building quite like Star Trek. For us, the annual Star Trek Convention at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas isn’t just an event. It’s a pilgrimage.
From the moment you walk through those intergalactic corridors filled with cosplay, collectibles, and passionate panels, the convention pulses with the same DNA we bring to gaming: connection, curiosity, and character-driven adventures.
The Star Trek universe has always embraced diversity, diplomacy, and dreams of the future. That mirrors how we see the gaming world—where each level is a leap, each character a reflection, and each decision a declaration. We don’t just play games. We inhabit stories. And so does every Trekkie we meet at the Rio.
This year, we’ve been vibing with creators who blend gaming mechanics with Star Trek lore, exploring what it would look like to build mission-based RPGs around diplomacy, emotional intelligence, or character memory logs. It’s not just fandom—it’s fertile ground for our original programming. Freedom Mercado, our Director of Creative Arts, has already begun sketching concepts that merge gameplay arcs with Starfleet-style mission reports. Think side quests reimagined as moral tests, or gameplay mechanics that measure courage instead of kill counts.
Whether it’s a discussion on Spock’s moral logic or a debate about holodeck ethics, we walk away from each panel at the Rio with fresh angles for storyboarding, character development, and even UI design that invites reflection. It fuels our columns—from Player Two, which explores grief and connection in games, to Save Point, where gamers share the moments that changed them.
At the Star Trek Convention, we find more than nostalgia. We find blueprints for better stories, deeper characters, and meaningful choices. That’s why we’ll always boldly go back.
