nDEX: Northern Digital Expo Fails To Impress

(andPOP) - This past week I attended nDEX: Northern Digital Expo at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Held November 2-4th The Expo showcased the latest in video gaming hardware, games and all things digital. This three day event featured a variety of entertaining and interactive options for fans of all ages, headlined by the 2007 Ford Major League Gaming (MLG) Canadian Open.

The event had interactive stations including the Zellers Playzone (offering free entertainment from Wii Sports, to free massages and cotton candy), the Exclusive Xbox 360 Play Area (offering demo stands of games already out for the 360), the Panasonic Digital Theatre (which when I checked it out, was playing promotional material for Blu-Ray technology), the Nintendo Zone (again, demos of already released titles), the Amp Energy Guitar Hero III challenge (with a $5000 prize, I got eliminated in the first round by a young fan of the game), the Duracell Cyber Canada Cup (a competition in NHL 08 with cash prizes) and more.

Also for fans of all things digital, the event had live bands, the chance to play with Pros from the MLG, Hardware demos (there was a 3D TV that actually scared me a little), an NFL Madden Challenge with Osi Umenyiora (of NY Giants fame) Kyle Wellwood (from the Toronto Maple Leafs) and Chris Bosh (from the Toronto Rapotors), and Canada’s biggest Halo 3 LAN party, the show had something for everyone.

Unfortunately the show seemed a little on the dull side as one could easily see and do everything the expo had to offer in under an hour. The event itself was great with the sound and environment making one feel in a technological wonderland, and to watch the pros play Halo 2 and Gears of War on big screens made me realize how bad a player I truly was.

The bands Alpha Galates (www.myspace.com/alphagalates) tore up the stage and even had a guitar hero competition afterwards with real guitar solo accompaniment and Protest the Hero as always blew me away.

The game demos were nothing special as none of the exhibitors were previewing new products besides Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 (which felt just like more of an expansion then a full on sequel). All in all the event was great for fans of video games and technology, but I couldn’t help but feel a little too much emphasis was put on the MLG and not enough into giving fans a preview of the upcoming holiday title lineup. Additionally, I couldn’t help but notice that aside from a couple of Ubisoft demo titles, Sony was a no show at the nDEX.

For more information on the Northern Digital Expo, check out their website at www.northerndigitalexpo.com