The annual rAge Expo might have its crosshair firmly set on gaming, but that doesn’t mean that’s all there is to do. Apart from the hardware and big titles on display, there are a number of exhibitors that should keep you entertained if gaming is not exactly how you want to spend a couple of hours or eight. So, if you’re being dragged along to rAge, there are a few things to do before getting enraged.

Comics and Illustrations

The local comic book scene is growing, and while most of the action takes place in Cape Town, you will find a few comic book creators exhibiting their wares at rAge. A local comic definitely worth a buy is Sector. With the third issue now available (a decent R30, or all three for R60), it features a range of local talents, including old TechSmart favourites, Moray Rhoda and Daniël Hugo. Sector truly is a great showcase for the talent currently residing on local shores.

Another artist we’ve featured is the awesome Deon de Lange. His Gofu comics (R50) are amazing, while his latest Sketch Book is also available for purchase (R140). Do yourself a favour and look at browsing through his print catalogue, it will be worth your while.

You can also find loads of amazing illustrators selling prints and original sketches at the Legion Ink Artist Alley, while the folks from Outer Limits are stocking international comics.

3D print yourself

Forget selfies, 3D capturing is the way of the future. This is the first time we’ve seen these 3D sculptures available in SA, with CloneMe3D offering your exact mini-me starting at R1  190. It takes four minutes to scan you in, but unfortunately there’s a four week wait to get your statue, since printing one of these can take up to 16 hours. A 3D statue seems to be the perfect gift for the person that has everything, or the inner narcissist in you.

T-Shirts and more

There’s a couple of stands selling quite nice shirts, and of course loads selling anything from Batman cupcakes to strange contact lenses. The folks over at T-Shirt Terrorists are doing really decent business, selling some interesting designs that are perhaps not that common, as are To A T. Minions, Lego, Breaking Bad and Godzilla are on the menu, going for R190 each, or lower if you want more. Furthermore you’ll find Star Wars mugs, plushy characters, loads of boardgames, mini drones and VR kits available for purchase.

Cosplay

Acting a bit as a local comic con, rAge is one event where dressing up is definitely encouraged. There’s loads of folks in cosplay, always willing for a picture if you ask nicely. While anime characters usually dominate, you’ll also find folks paying homage to some gaming titles, while you will, without a doubt find The Joker somewhere. Today has been a bit quiet on the cosplay front, but we’re quite sure that tomorrow will be booming if the past is anything to go by. There are exhibitors catering to cosplayers, with some nifty garb available.

Food

While the Dome isn’t exactly known for its fine dining, it has picked up in the past few years, with more than just your regular hotdog and Coke available. You’ll find most of the vendors lining the side, and it should be worth your while to have a bit of a walk around to find the right one. Tables to sit down can be a problem though. Do you have a sweet tooth? Go and visit Bake 'n Take to pick up one of the Pacman Red Velvet cupcakes for R10 – yum.

Things tend to get hectic on the Saturday at rAge, so make sure you come early otherwise you will stand in a queue when the gates open at 09:00. Usually the Sunday afternoon is much quieter, so if you want to avoid the queues and busy thoroughfares, pitch up after 13h. Tickets cost R100, available available at the door or at Computicket.