AnimeNYC, BlizzCon, and NYCC Why I'm Finally Going All In

It's going to be a very busy August, September, and October for me.

As many of you have heard in the VALOR Discord or during my streams, I'll be attending AnimeNYC, BlizzCon, and New York Comic Con this year. What's even crazier is that this will be my first time ever attending conventions.

So naturally, I decided to go to three of them.

For years, attending conventions was something I always wanted to do, but I kept finding reasons not to. Sometimes it was shyness. Other times it was that feeling of not really knowing anyone. The idea of walking into a massive event full of thousands of people can be intimidating when you're more comfortable behind a keyboard, a microphone, or a camera.

Recently, though, something changed.

I realized that these aren't just random events. These are gatherings of communities that I'm already a part of. Whether it's World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, anime, gaming, content creation, or simply being around people who share similar interests, these conventions are filled with people who enjoy the same things I do.

Instead of asking myself, "What if I don't know anyone?" I started asking, "Why wouldn't I go?"

Of course, I'm excited for all the things that make conventions special. The lights. The crowds. The announcements. The cosplay. The booths. The energy that comes from being surrounded by thousands of passionate fans.

I'm also preparing myself for the greatest challenge of all: not buying every cool thing I see.

But beyond all of that, what excites me most is the opportunity to meet people.

One of the things I've always loved about gaming communities is how they bring people together. Some of my closest friendships and best memories have come from communities built around shared interests. Conventions feel like an extension of that experience, just in person instead of online.

I'll also be proudly wearing our VALOR jersey from ARMA throughout the events. Not only is it one of the most comfortable jerseys I've ever owned, but it's a great way to represent the VALOR community wherever I go. If it helps start conversations and introduce people to our community, even better.

Being 6'6" probably doesn't hurt either. Finding me shouldn't be too difficult.

Another reason I'm excited is that I've always enjoyed watching convention videos from other creators. There's something fun about experiencing an event through someone else's perspective, especially if you can't attend yourself. Walking through crowded convention halls, checking out vendor booths, seeing incredible cosplay, and simply soaking in the atmosphere has always been enjoyable content for me.

Because of that, I'll be filming as much as possible throughout all three events.

My goal is to bring everyone along for the journey. Whether you're attending in person, watching from home, or just curious about what these conventions are like, I want to share the experience through videos, vlogs, photos, and whatever other content I can create along the way.

At the end of the day, this isn't just about attending conventions.

It's about stepping outside of my comfort zone.

It's about meeting new people.

It's about representing the communities that have given me so much over the years.

And it's about creating memories and content that I can share with all of you.

The excitement level is definitely high, and I can't wait to experience AnimeNYC, BlizzCon, and NYCC for the first time.

If you'll be attending any of them, keep an eye out for the tall guy wearing the VALOR jersey.

I'd love to say hello.

— Sicminion