E Blacks Take on India as Gaming Stars Descend on Armageddon Expo this Labour Weekend

An international esports test match, a new two-storey gaming arena and the performers behind some of the world’s favourite game characters will put gaming centre stage at the Spring edition of Armageddon Expo this Labour Weekend.

Running from Friday 23 to Monday 26 October at Auckland Showgrounds, the expo brings together more than two decades of gaming talent, from Kenny James, who began voicing Nintendo’s Bowser in 2005, to new star, Erika Ishii, whose leading roles include Atsu in Ghost of Yōtei.

Alongside them, New Zealand’s E Blacks will face India in eFootball, Tekken and Clash Royale on Sunday 25 October, from 1pm to 3pm, with men’s and women’s players competing throughout the long weekend.

NZ Esports chief executive Jonathan Jansen says Armageddon offers a natural home for the national team and its supporters.

“Armageddon is the best excuse for everyone who loves gaming and pop culture to get together. For us to be able to play there is an awesome way to connect with our community and demonstrate our sport.”

The E Blacks’ two-storey structure will feature an upstairs stage and a four-sided screen display. Visitors can try free-play machines, meet and play with national representatives, see technology demonstrations and purchase an E Blacks jersey personalised with their name. A claw machine will offer the chance to win mascot plushies.

The appearance also celebrates ten years of the E Blacks, ahead of further international competition.

Jansen says the social side of gaming is often overlooked.

“People are realising it’s such a social activity. Because it’s digital or on the internet, there’s a generation who feel it can’t be social. But it really is about that social connection and meeting friends online through gaming.”

Among the players is a mother-and-son pairing representing New Zealand in eFootball, a reminder that competitive gaming reaches well beyond the teenage audience often associated with it.

The international guest line-up tells a similarly broad story. Kenny James has been bringing Bowser to life for more than 20 years, while David Bateson’s association with Hitman’s Agent 47 stretches back more than a quarter of a century. Alongside those familiar voices are performers whose recent roles have introduced them to substantial new audiences.

Erika Ishii is set to be a key attraction at the show, with credits including Ghost of Yōtei, Valkyrie in Apex Legends and a voice option for Rook in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Andrew Wincott gave Baldur’s Gate 3 its charismatic devil Raphael, while Kayleigh McKee voices Testament in Guilty Gear Strive.

Armageddon founder Bill Geradts says the guest list reflects how closely games, film and television now overlap.

“People sometimes talk about gaming guests and screen guests as though they’re separate groups. Look at this line-up and you can see how often they’re the same people. These actors bring game characters to life through their voices, their expressions and, in some cases, a full physical performance.”

Christopher Judge, known to television audiences as Teal’c in Stargate SG-1, provides both the voice and performance capture for Kratos in God of War and God of War Ragnarök. Giancarlo Esposito brings his screen presence from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul to Far Cry 6’s antagonist Antón Castillo. Aliens actor Mark Rolston also plays Norman Osborn in Marvel’s Spider-Man games.

There is also a local connection: Rotorua-raised actor and arm-wrestling champion Maateiwarangi Heta-Morris portrays Tai Kaliso in Gears of War: E-Day. He will appear in the R16 gaming area on Saturday 24 October, from 11am to 3pm.

Other gaming guests include Overwatch’s Carolina Ravassa and Lucie Pohl, League of Legends actor Faye Mata, Rainbow Six Siege’s Martin Copping and Danganronpa actor Christine Marie Cabanos. Wincott and Arcane’s Jason Spisak will also take part in The Scoundrolls’ live Dungeons & Dragons performances.

Across the show floor, purpose-built PG and R16 gaming areas sit alongside PC and console play and a Steam Machine demonstration area. Noel Leeming brings a gaming display and sale, Kiwibank offers arcade play and a photo zone, and Mighty Ape and first-time gaming exhibitor Overkill Games add to the retail line-up. Fonterra combines Protein+ giveaways with a racing area, while Burger King brings giveaways and an online prize area.

“Gaming is always strong at Armageddon, but this time it's huge,” says Geradts.

“You’ve got the voice of Bowser, who has been part of people’s childhoods for 20 years, alongside actors who’re playing key roles in the latest games releases. Then you can cheer on New Zealand against India in a fully-fledged international tournament. That’s a pretty good day out for a gamer,” he says.

Auckland Armageddon Expo starts with a Preview evening on Friday 23, then runs from Saturday 24th –Monday 26 October 2026 at Auckland Showgrounds. 

Tickets, schedules and individual guest appearance days: www.armageddonexpo.com.