California Extreme Updates

08/02/2026

Here is the Speaker schedule and some reminders/updates as we get ready for California Extreme on August 8-9, 2026!

Hotel Rooms

We have a very limited of rooms at the Hyatt available at the show rate. If you are interested in one of these, please contact us at [email protected] directly. Do not contact the hotel. You will need to contact us by Tuesday, August 4th at noon.

Speakers

We have a great line-up of speakers and live bands again this year (all times are on Saturday for the speakers and both Saturday and Sunday for the bands)! Please note that this schedule is subject to change. More information and descriptions of the talks and bands are found at https://caextreme.org/guest-speakers/

Located in Magnolia

11:00 AM - How to Play Pinball
Andrei Massenkoff

12:30 PM - Return of the Vid Kidz: An In-Depth Look
at Robotron and Blaster
SynaMax with Duncan Brown, Larry DeMar, and Eugene Jarvis remotely

2:30 PM - Birth of Atari vectors, cocktails, and the arcade themed bar/restaurant
Atari alumni: Al Alcorn, Ed Logg, Rich Moore, Ed Rotberg, Owen Rubin
Dale Luck, moderator

4:30 PM - Resident Evil: 30 Years Of Survival Horror - Q & A Session with original "Chris Redfield", Live-Action Actor, Charlie Kraslavsky
Moderated by Jim Baxter of Malice Media LLC

5:45 PM - Tempest in Purple!
David Shuman, Jonathan Koolpe, Owen Rubin

6:45 PM - Saving Arcade Monitors by Creating My Own Chassis
Thomas Daede

7:30 PM - Designing Games From the Hardware Up
James Hofmann, Tamara Duplantis

Located in the Lobby Hallway

8:00 PM – How to Play Pinball
Rick Stetta

Live Music

Located upstairs in the Santa Clara Ballroom

SATURDAY

12:00 noon – Free Play Rock Band

7:00 PM – MuzadetH (video game music rock ensemble)

8:30 PM – Bonehenge (prehistoric dinosaur rock from LA)

9:50 PM – Kirby's Dream Band (video game music from San Diego)

11:00 PM – Desmond Crisis DJ Set (electronic/ synthwave)

SUNDAY

12:00 noon – Free Play Rock Band

4:00 PM – Mega Ran (nerdcore hip-hop pioneer)

Parking
This year there is no Levi’s event scheduled on the same days as our show, so getting to the show will be way easier!

There is another event scheduled inside the convention center, so parking in the garage behind the hotel may be busy, but there is other nearby free parking.

Parking - Free parking is available in the Santa Clara Convention Center garage on the second and third floors. Enter from Great America Pwky at Bunker Hill Ln. Follow the signage when you arrive. The ground floor of the garage and the parking spaces in the hotel lots outside are reserved for hotel guests for a fee. Another option is the Yellow Lot 1 garage on Tasman Dr across from Levi’s Stadium. There also is free street parking across Great America Parkway in the business park.

Rideshare / Drop-Off - The closest location to our ticket booths and main show hall is in front of the Convention Center entrance on Tasman Drive. Separately, another good alternative is at the Hyatt lobby entrance.

VTA Light Rail - The Great America Light Rail Station is right in front of the Santa Clara Convention Center and is an easy walk across the street.

See the website https://caextreme.org/transportation-parking/ for more information.

Food and Beverages

Please be aware of a new, stricter policy regarding food and beverages that has been implemented by the Convention Center: No outside food or beverages are allowed into any area of the Convention Center, which includes food or beverages either purchased in the hotel or brought with you. This means that no outside food or beverages can be brought past the double doors where the hotel leads into the Convention Center. More information can be found at https://caextreme.org/food-drink-policy/

Tournaments

There are several great tournaments this year:

Pinball – 3 different tournaments (Main, Women’s, and Classics). Qualifying Friday and Saturday with Finals on Saturday and Sunday – see https://caextreme.org/tournaments/ for times. These are located in the pinball tournament areas in the hotel (Cypress and Napa).

Street Fighter – Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting Tournament (sign-ups 12:00 PM – starting time 1:00 PM). Located in the Mission Ballroom in the Street Fighter Tournament area.

Missile Command Recharged Tournament – All Day Saturday and Sunday until 2:30 PM. You can win a brand-new Missile Command Recharged Arcade Cabinet which will be given away at the same time as the Grand Prize for the raffle. Located in the Grand Ballroom in the Alan-1 booth.

See rules and details at https://caextreme.org/tournaments/

Tickets

Pre-registration has ended for this year, but tickets are still available at the door the day of the show. Come to the registration area and you can purchase your tickets there. For more information, https://caextreme.org/tickets/

T-Shirts

We have four designs this year. Details are posted at https://caextreme.org/t-shirts/ . We will have a limited number for sale at the show. They will also be available on-line soon for mail delivery after the show.

Raffle

There is a raffle again this year. Grand Prize is a Stern Pokeman Pro (brand new!). There will be other prizes, too. Tickets will be for sale at the show.

More updates as they happen at https://caextreme.org – see you at the show!

The Extreme Team

California Extreme is the "Classic Arcade Games Show". It's an annual celebration of coin operated pinball machines, video games and other novelties you once found in game arcades. All games on display are set for free play, so leave your quarters in the ash tray in your car. You won't need 'em! Cal...

07/29/2026

Still lots of volunteer slots open! Get a full-day admission in exchange for a couple hours worth of easy volunteer time.
We especially need evening and late night shifts covered (which is the prefect time to take a break after playing all day!)

https://caextreme.org/volunteers/

07/29/2026

We always need volunteers! We have openings for several jobs throughout the show for people to help load in and load out, set up games, help at the front desk, watch the door, be a security person inside the show, and help with admin set up before the show. We ask for two hours of

07/24/2026

Coming to California Extreme as one of the speakers this year. Come see him!

07/24/2026

T-Shirts

We have four designs this year. For a limited time, you can pre-order t-shirts and pick them up at the show to ensure you get the one that you want. The deadline for pre-ordering is July 28th at 6 PM PDT, so order now! Details and pictures of the designs are posted at https://caextreme.org/t-shirts/ . From there you can link to the ordering page.

We will also have a limited number for sale at the show. They will also be available on-line soon for mail delivery after the show.

Speakers

We have a great line-up of speakers again this year. Below are the descriptions of the planned presentations. Please be aware that this is subject to change before the show. The speaker schedule will be announced closer to the show.

Atari alumni: Al Alcorn, Ed Logg, Rich Moore, Owen Rubin
Dale Luck, moderator

Was there a real official Atari Pong cocktail game? Al Alcorn tells the story.
Al also has stories of the creation of the first arcade themed restaurant/bar, Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Time Theater. It opened up in 1977.
Rich Moore and Ed Logg will talk about the creation of the first Atari vector game Lunar Lander and share insights on the influence of the DEC GT40's Lunar Lander program.
Owen Rubin will add his stories of later generation Atari vectors like Space Duel.
Bring your questions for these experts to answer.

Return of the Vid Kidz: An In-Depth Look at Robotron and Blaster
SynaMax with Duncan Brown, Larry DeMar, and Eugene Jarvis remotely

Pioneering game designers Larry Demar and Eugene Jarvis, along with software designer, preservationist, and Williams history expert Duncan Brown, will join in to discuss recently recovered special effects demos, missing prototypes, and early art assets to Robotron: 2084 and Blaster. Hosted by historian, filmmaker, and self-taught programmer SynaMax, the amount of new content that has been rescued is truly astounding and gives us a much more vivid understanding on how these beloved games were created. If you're a fan of video game history, you don't want to miss this!

Resident Evil: 30 Years Of Survival Horror - Q & A Session with original "Chris Redfield", Live-Action Actor, Charlie Kraslavsky

March 30th,1996 marks the date that the very first "Resident Evil" video game was released on the (then) new Sony Playstation, 32-bit (aka PS One / PS1 / PSX) console. From its groundbreaking storyline, gameplay and (in)famous live-action FMV (Full Motion Video) sequences, players were introduced to characters who would eventually become legendary within the long spanning, beloved game franchise released by Capcom. Join Charlie Kraslavsky, the Original Live Action Actor who portrayed "Chris Redfield" in the FMV sequences of "Resident Evil" (aka "Bio Hazard" in Japan), for a Q & A Session, which may feature viewings of the original FMV scenes as well as some behind-the-scenes videos. Panel will be moderated by Jim B. of Malice Media LLC.

How to Play Pinball
Andrei Massenkoff

Schoolteacher and 2011 World Pinball Champion, Andrei Massenkoff, will show you how. How do you think he does it? I don’t know – what makes him so good? From basic to world-class methods, learn the art of pinball techniques and strategies so you can play your best and have even more fun playing pinball! Q&A session will follow.

Rick Stetta

Pinball playing legend and multiple time world champion Rick Stetta returns for his highly informative session to help you learn the techniques he uses to get those champion level scores.

Tempest in Purple!
David Shuman, Jonathan Koolpe, Owen Rubin

Tempest is to this day considered one of the greatest video games ever. But could it be improved even further using today's technology? Join original Atari alumni Owen Rubin along with a panel of Tempest enthusiasts/experts (including programmer David Shuman, and expert player Jonathan Koolpe) to discuss the inspirations involved to enhance the game (without losing any of what already makes it so amazing) and the subsequent use of AI to create an entirely new set of purple Tempest levels with increased difficulty beyond the original game as well as the ability to track 7 digit scoring! Discussion will include actual demonstration of gameplay on these new levels as well as how to add them to the original game.

Saving Arcade Monitors by Creating My Own Chassis
Thomas Daede

Frustrated by continual repairs to old CRT chassis, I decided to design my own from scratch, but using modern parts. Learn about the various electronics needed to drive a CRT and yoke, and how my approach differs from classic designs. I will describe how I adapt it to various tubes, all the way from 6" portable sets, to K7000 sets, to large sit-down arcade monitors.

Designing Games From the Hardware Up
James Hofmann, Tamara Duplantis

Original arcade boards existed in a world where the hardware was cutting-edge, scarce and valuable. Today, hardware capable of authentic arcade experiences is old, widely available, and inexpensive, and small independents with no backing are making new retro-style machines and "fantasy" machines. This talk showcases what the homebrew community is doing, the approaches they're taking, and why they aren't using modern platforms and technologies.

Games
There's still time to register to bring games! We can always use more, and of course you will still be entitled to discounts and/or free passes for doing so (depending on how many you can bring). Details are at https://caextreme.org/exhibitors .

More updates as they happen at https://caextreme.org/ – see you at the show on August 8 – 9, 2026!

The Extreme Team

California Extreme is the "Classic Arcade Games Show". It's an annual celebration of coin operated pinball machines, video games and other novelties you once found in game arcades. All games on display are set for free play, so leave your quarters in the ash tray in your car. You won't need 'em! Cal...

07/20/2026

Be there or be square! 😎

California Extreme Updates would like to remind folks about the 30th year of the AMAZING arcade adventure in santa clara.

August 8-9, 2026

Volunteer a couple hours to get a full-day's admission to the show!

go to : caextreme.org
Select: be a part of CAX

07/17/2026

Today is the last day to pre-register for the show and get in one hour early, save $5 off each ticket, and get a cool lanyard and badge. Go to https://caextreme.org/tickets/ to register now!

2026 Ticket Information Pre-registration Pre-registration is now open. Pre-register and receive $5 off each ticket, get in at 10 AM the day of the show, and get a cool laminated badge with a special lanyard! You can either register on-line and pay through PayPal or Venmo, or download the mail-in reg...

07/16/2026

Tickets

The pre-registration deadline is July 17th, 2026, (tomorrow!) and will not be extended (pre-register and get in one full hour early, get $5 off each ticket, and a cool laminated badge with a lanyard!). Visit https://caextreme.org/tickets/ to register by mail or online with PayPal. If you are mailing in your registration, we would appreciate doing so as soon as possible so you can be sure to get your badge (must be postmarked by July 17th).

Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the show, but without the perks above.

Hotel

Just a note that the last day to book a room at the Hyatt in our block is today (July 16th). If you want to stay at the hotel, please book now at https://caextreme.org/hotel-info/ !

Parking

This year there is no Levi’s event scheduled on the same days as our show. There is another event scheduled inside the convention center, so parking may fill up sooner. We suggest getting here early.

Parking - Free parking is available in the Santa Clara Convention Center garage on the second and third floors. Enter from Great America Pwky at Bunker Hill Ln. Follow the signage when you arrive. The ground floor of the garage and the parking spaces in the hotel lots outside are reserved for hotel guests for a fee. Another option is the Yellow Lot 1 garage on Tasman Dr across from Levi’s Stadium. There also is free street parking across Great America Parkway in the business park.

Rideshare / Drop-Off - The closest location to our ticket booths and main show hall is in front of the Convention Center entrance on Tasman Drive. Separately, another good alternative is at the Hyatt lobby entrance.

VTA Light Rail - The Great America Light Rail Station is right in front of the Santa Clara Convention Center and is an easy walk across the street.

See https://caextreme.org/transportation-parking/ for more information.

Games

We always need more games! Bring your games (either to sell or just to show off) and get discounts and/or free admission! E-mail us at [email protected] for more information.

More updates as they happen on our https://caextreme.org/ – see you at the show!

The Extreme Team

California Extreme is the "Classic Arcade Games Show". It's an annual celebration of coin operated pinball machines, video games and other novelties you once found in game arcades. All games on display are set for free play, so leave your quarters in the ash tray in your car. You won't need 'em! Cal...

07/11/2026

Tickets

The pre-registration deadline is July 17th, 2026, and will not be extended (pre-register and get in one full hour early, get $5 off each ticket, and a cool laminated badge with a lanyard!). Visit the tickets page at https://caextreme.org/tickets/ to register by mail or online with PayPal. If you are mailing in your registration, we would appreciate doing so as soon as possible so you can be sure to get your badge (must be postmarked by July 17th).

Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the show, but without the perks above.

Hotel

The hotel block at the Hyatt Regency is close to full. There are some rooms across the street at the Hilton if you can’t find what you want at the Hyatt. Check the hotel page at https://caextreme.org/hotel-info/ for more information.

T-Shirts

The T-shirt designs are almost ready. We will be taking pre-sales on-line so you can get the size and design you would like at the show soon, so please monitor the website and your e-mail for more information.

Food and Beverages

Please be aware of the stricter policy regarding food and beverages that has been implemented by the Convention Center: No outside food or beverages are allowed into any area of the
Convention Center, which includes food or beverages either purchased in the hotel or brought with you. This means that no outside food or beverages can be brought past the double doors where the hotel leads into the Convention Center. More information can be found at https://caextreme.org/food-drink-policy/ .

Exhibitors

Interested in bringing/showing off one or more games at our show? Now’s your chance! There is room for more games, and you can earn free entries to the show along with a chance to win a special raffle prize just for exhibitors. More information can be found on the exhibitor page at https://caextreme.org/exhibitors/ .

Volunteers

We have lots of openings for several roles throughout the show such as load in and load out, set up games, help at the front desk, watch the door, be a security person inside the show, and help with admin set up before the show. We ask for two hours of your time, and you get free admission for a full day, though many people help much more than that. See our volunteers page at https://caextreme.org/volunteers/ for more information and to sign up!

Tournaments

Several tournaments are planned for this year. So far we have:

- Pinball tournaments in the following categories:
Main
Women’s
Classics.
- Street Fighter tournament.
- Alan-1 Classic Game Recharged tournament (which will include a grand prize of an actual, full-sized Recharged title).

More information can be found on the Tournaments page at https://caextreme.org/tournaments/ . Note that information is still coming in about each tournament and will be posted to the website as it becomes available.

Vendors

We are lining up vendors for the show. The list will be available soon on the vendor list page at https://caextreme.org/vendor-list/ . Want to be a vendor? Go to the vendor page at https://caextreme.org/vendors/ and click the link to the vendor application form. Cut off for vendor applications is July 30, 2026.

You can keep track of further updates as they happen on our website https://caextreme.org/ . See you at the show!

The Extreme Team

California Extreme is the "Classic Arcade Games Show". It's an annual celebration of coin operated pinball machines, video games and other novelties you once found in game arcades. All games on display are set for free play, so leave your quarters in the ash tray in your car. You won't need 'em! Cal...