Since 2005, DEVASTATION has become one of the largest and most respected gaming events in the world.

Convention. Tournament. Trade Show. Event.

DEVASTATION offers a host of Interactive Entertainment and related programming, including professional-level video game tournaments, casual gaming areas, Cosplay and Costuming events, non-gaming and athletic competitions, exclusive product announcements and public demonstrations, artist and press tables, guest appearances, community events, convention and exhibitor displays, and the definitive eSports Live Broadcast in the world.

Video Games. Tournaments. Exhibitor Booths. Guests. Artists. Cosplay. More?

Each year we look to the past and ask, “What else can we do?”, “What else do we want to do?”. We approach our attendees, we chat with our Supporters, we have conversations with people that have never attended or even heard of DEVASTATION and we ask questions like these so that we continue to push the envelope like the extraordinary, trend-setting event we are.

This year we are adding a ton of programming on top of our world-class tournaments and production. We are adding non-video game related events, we are adding costuming/cosplay programming, we are tripling the size of our venue, we are tripling the size and quantity of our exhibitor area, we are tripling the quantity of our stages, we are adding an exorbitant amount of new technology to the event, we have a ton of other stuff we are not even mentioning yet (we are a ways off at this writing)!

So, when you ask “What will I find at DEVASTATION?”, we should say that you will find video games and tournaments and exhibitors and cosplayers and exhibitors and artists and technology and guests and other-events-that-are-not-video-games and raffles and other stuff that we are not ready to chat about yet.

DEVASTATION 2012 has not been scheduled yet.

Great question, actually.

So, maybe you are not into video games, strange but it has been known to happen. Well, there are two approaches to look at:

One. Maybe, perhaps you might actually like and be interested in video games and you do not know it yet.

Two. Come for all the other stuff we have for you to do.

Cosplay Contests. Rock! Paper! Scissors! Exhibitor Areas and Exhibitions. hese are some of the alternative programming options you will find at DEVASTATION. Look for even more options in 2012.

No, anyone can attend DEVASTATION; all ages are welcome (*). If you are under 18 please have your parent’s permission to attend; we do not want any upset parents out there because their 13 year old attended the Event.

Parents, you are responsible for the conduct of your child(ren) and we will not be held responsible for any games/vendor/overheard conversations/content that your children may be exposed to. We maintain a zero tolerance rule for abusive or offensive behavior but we cannot be everywhere and see/hear everything and certainly are unable to censor people and games. If you feel at all insecure about the environment, and do not want to be responsible for supervising your child, it is probably best that they stay home.

* There may/will be an age limit imposed on after-parties or special Events where circumstances require it.

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No. Players must bring their own controllers, converters, cables/cords and arcade sticks to use at the event.

Unless there is a special circumstance, this is standard configuration of a DEVASTATION Setup:

• Gaming Console/PC/System
• Monitor/CRT
• Power
• Game Disc/DLC
• Table/Table Cloth/Skirt
• Chairs

Yes, players may use a wireless controller under the following circumstances:

• The battery back must be removed (leave it at home or in your car… do not bring it to the event)
• A play and charge kit is used and remain attached to the controller at all times

You are welcome to bring a wired Xbox 360 controller to use, alleviating the issue entirely.

Yes, players may use a wireless controller under the following circumstances:

• Players must bring and use the PlayStation USB cable to connect their controller to the PlayStation 3 system
• The USB cable must remain attached to their controller at all times
• At the end of the match, players must turn off their controllers and then sync them at the designated de-syncing station

You are welcome to bring an use a PlayStation 2 controller and PS2/PS3 converter, alleviating the issue entirely.

Yes. Players must bring their own controllers, converters, cables/cords and arcade sticks to use at the event.

A Peace Bonding is a conspicuous lock, tie, or mark which identifies or renders something as unusable as a weapon, signifying that the owner’s intentions are “peaceful”.

• Any item that a person may consider to be a genuine weapon from twenty-feet away in dim lighting
• Any item that a person might reasonably conclude may cause physical harm or damage to property

Note: The skill or lack of skill of the person in possession of a weapon or prop is irrelevant to the determination of whether or not it is dangerous or needs Peace Bonded.

The First Response Team at DEVASTATION is responsible for all Peace Bonding at the event.

There is a designated Peace Bonding booth at the event, check the floor plan its location or ask any staff member.

• Anything which is illegal in the United States or in Arizona, specifically
• Real Weapons including, but not limited to: firearms, airsoft/BB/pellet/blow/dart guns, bows and arrows, metal or wooden baseball bats, kunai, lasers/laser pointers, whips, flail weapons, knives, swords, throwing stars, tonfa, sais, clubs, nunchaku, metal or glass props, brass knuckles, wooden paddles and ammunition of any kind
• Live Steel is prohibited and defined as any objects made of metal which can take an edge
• Incendiary devices of any kind are strictly prohibited and include items which spark, shoot flame, burn, smolder, can otherwise cause combustion or which exist for no purpose other than to be lit with a combustion device
• Concealed weapons of any kind, regardless of permit status – no concealed weapons are allowed at the event or on premises
• Projectile or “firing” weapons and props are prohibited
• Any item may be added to this list or deemed prohibited at any time by DEVASTATION staff

Note: The skill or lack of skill of the person in possession of a weapon or prop is irrelevant to the determination of whether or not it is dangerous or needs Peace Bonded.

• Staves, Bo Staffs, Boken, Shinai, and Wooden Swords are permitted
• All fake, prop, or homemade weapons are permitted if they are in no way dangerous to attendees. DEVASTATION First Response Team members will make the final determination as to whether a fake, prop, or homemade weapon is dangerous

Note: The skill or lack of skill of the person in possession of a weapon or prop is irrelevant to the determination of whether or not it is dangerous or needs Peace Bonded.

It is expected that you will conduct yourself in a safe and respectable manner. Any action, intentional or not, that might be construed as agressive, hostile or in anyway unsafe manner, will be grounds for badge revocation and ejection from the event. Misuse of weapons and props will not be tolerated.

Weapons and props which have not been approved for Peace Bonding should be promptly removed from the event, Phoenix Convention Center property and public hotel space. The item must be taken back to a hotel room or car, and should remain there for as long as you are attending the event.


Note: DEVASTATION staff will never “hold” items for you, the only time that we will take possession of an item is in the instance where we are required to confiscate it which we reserve the right to do at any time and for any reason.

Any prohibited weapons purchased or won as prizes at DEVASTATION must be securely packaged and immediately removed from the event and Phoenix Convention Center. Weapons should be stored in attendees’ private quarters and are not to be taken out of their packaging or wrapping at any time on Phoenix Convention Center premises.


All prop weapons purchased or won as prizes at the event must be Peace Bonded if they are to be carried during the event.

If you are considering becoming an exhibitor, sponsor or advertising with DEVASTATION, click here to view our Supporter Information.

Yes we do have Exhibitor Booths available.

Yes we do have Artist/Small Press Tables available.

If you feel that you have another question that we have not addressed here or anywhere else for that matter, please, Contact Us.

No, but look for us in October 2012