One of my favorite annual events in Central Florida is Otronicon at the Orlando Science Center. I mean who wouldn’t love to explore four floors of STEM-inspired exhibits, simulators, and games?
This weekend I popped in to spend a few hours at Otronicon, and there was so much to do and see!
Normally the Orlando Science Center is fun for all ages, but on select nights, it’s reserved strictly for adults 21+. That night is Science Night Live and it returns January 13, 2018.
The event features guest speaker HP Newquist giving a talk on Artificial Intelligence at 9pm and 10pm.
It’s also taking place during Otronicon, so you can enjoy an indie game developer showcase, a game jam, the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge, mature gaming competitions, table top gaming and a variety of virtual reality and simulation experiences.
For the 13th consecutive year, Otronicon returns to the Orlando Science Center January 12-15, letting guests have hands-on experience with the latest in technology.
Otronicon connects visitors with the creative professionals and technology that are turning Central Florida into a hub for innovation. Attendees can fly a real-world military simulator, operate a surgical robot or get a preview of tomorrow’s technology.
Otronicon is normally a family friendly event, but Saturday night, January 14, sees the return of the popular adults-only Science Night Live at the Orlando Science Center.
Interact with some of the latest and greatest technology while learning more about STEM careers and the innovations being made right here in Orlando. At Otronicon, play and interact with the best in gaming, simulation and digital technology.
For the 12th consecutive year, Otronicon returns to the Orlando Science Center January 13-16, letting guests have hands-on experience with the latest in technology.
Otronicon will connect visitors with the creative professionals and technology that are turning Central Florida into a hub for innovation. Attendees can fly a real-world military simulator, operate a surgical robot or get a preview of tomorrow’s technology.
This weekend was the return of Otronicon, an annual digital media, gaming, and tech festival at the Orlando Science Center, and as usual, it was a lot of fun.
I started at the first floor and worked my way up to the fourth, and it took several hours to see and enjoy everything.
Otronicon returns to the Orlando Science Center for its 11th year from January 15-18, 2016, and we have tickets for you to win to check it out.
If you are a fan of technology and gaming, you will want to visit Otronicon. During the weekend, guests can check out state-of-the-art simulation and gaming technologies, including military and medical simulators not typically available to the public.
Now in its 10th year, Otronicon is the premiere technology event hosted by the Orlando Science Center, and it will run January 16 through 19.
Partners including Lockheed Martin, EA SPORTS, Walt Disney World Resort, Florida Hospital for Children and University of Central Florida demonstrate Orlando’s impact on the world of entertainment, simulation, education, training, health care and more.
There are classes in video game creation as well as exclusive chances to experience simulators to examine how video game technology is being used in the military, medical, sports and entertainment industries as a training and design tool. Plus, connect with local simulation companies to learn about exciting careers in the field.
For the ninth year, Otronicon returns to the Orlando Science Center to celebrate the role that interactive technology has in our every day lives. This year, the event runs January 17-20.
New partners Microsoft and Sony join the likes of Walt Disney World Resort, EA SPORTS, Florida Hospital for Children, Lockheed Martin and the University of Central Florida to demonstrate technology’s impact on the world of entertainment, simulation, education, training, health care and more.
Guests will be able to play the Xbox One (Microsoft will give one away daily) and Sony’s PS4 gaming systems, try out the Personal 3D HDTV Viewer (head mounted display) to watch Blu-ray Discs, check out state-of-the-art medical and military simulators, and more. There will also be workshops, panels, and even a Cosplay contest.
For the eighth consecutive year, the Orlando Science Center will celebrate the role interactive technology plays in the way we live, learn, work and play when it hosts Otronicon January 18 through 21, 2013.
Otronicon is the OSC’s largest annual event, with over 10,000 guests taking part during the four days.
This year, partners including EA SPORTS, University of Central Florida and Florida Hospital for Children will demonstrate Orlando’s impact on the world of entertainment, simulation, education, training, health care and more.
There will be classes in video game creation, exclusive peeks at simulators created by local experts, and examples of how video game technology is being used in the military, medical, sports and entertainment industries as a training and design tool.
And once again, EA SPORTS will invite attendees to “get in the game” with sports cover photo-ops, a 3-D technology demonstration called “Be 3-D” (showing guests how they might look in a video game), and plenty of games available for open play.
Also returning to Otronicon is Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, which will be showcasing how they use simulation to design rides and attractions. Included is an Audio-Animatronic Droid from Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction Star Tours: The Adventures Continue set in the Star Wars universe.
In addition, explore the virtual reality environment of the Virtusphere or play outdoor laser tag courtesy of Battlefield Live Orlando. There will also be open play for video games on multiple platforms and areas to explore video games as art.
And for the first time ever at Otronicon, guests will be able to see a Hollywood movie in the new Digital Adventure Theater, “TRON: Legacy 3D.” Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 5:10pm and 7:50pm; Sunday and Monday at 5:10pm.
Admission to Otronicon is $27 for adults and $20 for youth (ages 3-11). Tickets also include access to the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit, films and live presentations.
Otronicon is open 10am to 9pm Friday, Jan. 18 and Saturday, Jan. 19; 10am to 5pm Sunday, Jan. 20 and Monday, Jan. 21.
For more information, please call 407-514-2000 or visit www.osc.org and www.otronicon.org.
I have to admit, while I do consider myself a gamer, I’m more of an old school gamer. I do like some of today’s amped up shooter games, but I’m not hard core like some of my friends are. That doesn’t mean I won’t give a new-to-me game a spin, if the opportunity presents itself, though.
That’s why I was intrigued to check out Otronicon 2011, currently being held at the Orlando Science Center.
I attended Friday night and the first area I hit up was the Classic Arcade room. Galaga and Pac Man proved to be the most popular games. My roommate got a high score on Centipede, even though the track ball stuck a little.
We then checked out the Rock Band stage. Lots of young teens picking songs, so there was a lot of Miley Cyrus. It quickly became apparent that nobody knew much of the songs other than the chorus. But there were a few decent performances to check out.
Best performance that we saw was Electric Six “Gay Bar.” We tried to take photos but the flash failed to light up the stage. Even the audience was better lit.
On the way upstairs, we noticed 96.5-WHTQ had a table set up, so we went to say hello. They were giving away DVDs and we entered the drawing to win a 19″ HD LCD TV. What the heck, right?
Once upstairs, we checked out the room with the medical simulators, but we had missed the last demo by half an hour. So we went over to check out the military simulators. By far, the most popular area was the target range. The guys even groaned their displeasure when the guy running it shut it down so he could take a quick break.
On the 4th floor was the gaming room for that night’s gaming. The theme of the evening was Zombies, and at first there were none. But slow-moving as the undead are (according to George A. Romero), they eventually started ambling in.
Some of the costumes were really good and I’m sure once they started drinking the free samples of the NOS energy drink, the zombies would perk up a bit. I normally don’t like the taste of these things, but the grape one was really good.
We went back downstairs to check out the drawing for the TV. Rules were you had to be present, and as the small mob surrounded the table, they drew the first name – and he wasn’t there. The hand then went back into the box and drew…my roommate’s name. Yup, we now have a new TV in the apartment.
On the way out, we passed a couple of zombie pirates, so we made sure to guard our booty…and the TV (bad pirate joke, I know).
Otronicon was a fun event to check out and I think there’s a good chance I may get the Rock Band game in the next few months. Our neighbors are gonna love us.
If you want to experience Otronicon for yourself, the event runs through Monday, January 17. Tickets are $17 for adults, $16 for students and seniors, and $12 for kids 3-11. It also costs $5 to park.
Here are some more photos from the Orlando Science Center on Friday: Read more
The Orlando Science Center (OSC) is already a pretty cool place to spend an afternoon. But next week, the place is going to get incredibly geeky cool when OSC hosts the annual Otronicon event January 14-17.
For those wondering, Otronicon is short for (O)rlando Elec(Tron)ic (I)nteractive Technology (Con)vention. The OSC describes the event as “a celebration of interactive technology using video games to demonstrate the future of how we live, learn, work and play.” But it’s really so much more.
Sure, there are video games to check out. Maitland video game creators Electronic Arts are sponsoring the EA Sports Arena and the Rock Band Experience. EA produces games ranging from The Sims to Rock Band to Medal of Honor to Madden NFL Football. Chances are, if you have a gaming system in your house, you own at least one EA game.
Friday night will be so much fun, it’ll bring out the dead. It’s Zombie Night and will feature costume contests, movies, and tournaments featuring games like Left for Dead and Call of Duty: Zombie Survival Mode.
The creators of the recently released TRON: Evolution – Battle Grids will be at Otronicon on Saturday. The original TRON film will also be screened on the Dr. Phillip’s CineDome.
But beyond playing video games, Otronicon will show how this technology is being used in simulators to train the medical and military communities.
Of course, if current video games aren’t your thing, there will also be a Classic Arcade Lounge featuring vintage games like Donkey Kong, Pac Man, Centipede, Gauntlet (I LOVED this game as a kid!) and, yes, the original TRON arcade game.
Saturday night is when the Cocktails and Cosmos party will be held. It features live performances, music, food and drink, and it’s included in that day’s admission.
So how much is all this fun going to cost you? Less than the price of one video game in the store. $17 for adults, $16 for students and seniors, and $12 for kids 3-11. It also costs $5 to park, so stuff as many gamers into the car as possible.
Whether you just want to check out some cool video games or want to learn more about how they’re being used in real life teaching, Otronicon is going to be a fun event for the whole family to check out.
The Orlando Science Center is located at 777 E Princeton St and you can reach them by phone at 888.OSC.4FUN or 407.514.2000.