RTX Austin Draws Gaming, Anime Fans In The Thousands

AUSTIN, TX — If the popularity of the gaming industry has only been conceptual to some, a trip to the Austin Convention Center quickly disabused those doubting its intense appeal. Tens of thousands of attendees descended to downtown Austin for the annual RTX convention luring not only gamers but anime and cosplay enthusiasts.

It's self-described as "The world’s greatest celebration of gaming, animation, comedy, and internet culture," and the crowds on Saturday lived up to the billing.

Now in its ninth year, the convention from Rooster Teeth has grown exponentially from its 2011 launch, when it drew a mere 600 participants. On the event's second day on Saturday, the brisk pace of enthusiastic attendees rushing to catch panel discussions or checking out the myriad boots on the trade show illustrated the gathering's growing appeal.

Thousands converge for ninth version of RTX Austin. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch.

On Saturday, attendees crammed various highly anticipated events:

• Theater Mode Live, where attendees were invited to join Achievement Hunter at Paramount Theater in the evening, an event that quickly sold out.
• Kinda Funny Comedy Night also sold out quickly at The North Door.
• TRX Rave featuring Grimecraft at the Hilton Austin Grand Ballroom also proved to be quite a draw during its 9 p.m. to midnight run.

A full day of events continues on the last day of the conference scheduled Sunday, July 7. The convention center is located on 500 E. Cesar Chavez St. To see the schedule, click here. Sunday badges are still available. Click here to learn more.