MAGFest Indie Retro proudly presents the panel of judges for the 2026 Indie Retro Homebrew Showcase! Representing a wide range of experience across game development, media, and retro gaming culture, these judges will evaluate and celebrate the standout titles featured in this
year’s event.

Tee Lopes – Award-Winning Game Composer & Producer

Tee is a composer and producer known for blending classic game energy with a modern sound. His work on Sonic Mania, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, and Streets of Rage 4 has made him one of today’s most recognizable voices in game music. Fusing past, present, and future sounds, he aims to make people feel the joy of play.

Justin Silverman – Creative Director, Retroware

Justin Silverman is the Creative Director at Retroware, a Philly-based indie studio creating modern retro games. With over 15 years of experience staffing conventions like TooManyGames and producing content for The Angry Video Game Nerd at Cinemassacre, he has been immersed in gaming culture for years. Combining his background in film and love for retro gaming, he continues to champion creativity and community in the indie scene.

AshSaidHi – Twitch Partner and Retro Gaming Advocate

Known as the Queen of Retro and champion of classic consoles, AshSaidHi shares the joy of video games with her Twitch community. She plays both classic and modern games, with a focus on Nintendo, retro consoles, and indie titles with low poly or pixel art. Friendly and welcoming, Ash encourages fans to chat about anything from cats and Star Trek to art, food, and retro gaming, making everyone feel at home.

Video Game Esoterica – Retro Gaming Reviewer

Video Game Esoterica dives deep into the rare and fascinating corners of gaming history, from unreleased hardware to overlooked classics. His reviews spotlight the strange and obscure, helping preserve gaming’s hidden stories. He might say he can’t be bribed with cases of Miller High Life, but it’s probably worth a try.

Pernell Vaughan – Co-Host, Rhythm & Pixels Podcast

Pernell is half of the dynamic duo behind the long-running Rhythm & Pixels, where his love for video games meets his passion for music. With infectious and endless energy, he brings fun and insight to every episode. He also shares his game reviews and thoughts over at Hey Poor Player.

Sean Robinson – VGS Community Manager and GB Magazine Copy Editor

Sean is a gamer with a special love for homebrew games and serves on the Homebrew staff at Video Game Sage. He shares his insights through blogs like A Homebrew Draws Near! and The Mega Cat Chronicles. He enjoys connecting with developers and fans while discovering the latest projects and exploring the cities that host gaming conventions.

Larry Bundy Jr – YouTuber, Comedian, and Artist

Also known as Guru Larry, he is an English YouTuber and comedian known for his witty take on video game history. He has appeared on British television networks such as Game Network, Rapture TV, and XLEAGUE.TV, and contributed to Charlie Brooker’s Gameswipe. On his YouTube channel, Larry Bundy Jr, he creates lighthearted retrospectives that explore the fun, obscure, and often hilarious side of the history of gaming.

CELEBRATE THE ART OF RETRO GAMING

The Indie Retro Homebrew Showcase continues to be the heart of retro gaming at MAGFest, uniting passionate developers, creators, and fans to honor the artistry of indie and homebrew games. Now in its eighth year, the showcase highlights the creativity of developers who bring new life to classic platforms like the NES, SNES, Game Boy, and more. Come celebrate the games, the community, and the timeless spirit of retro play!

DISCOVER THE BEST IN INDIE RETRO

From January 8-11, 2026, at the National Harbor, MD, the Indie Retro Homebrew Showcase will feature 22 exceptional finalists competing for awards in the following categories:

• Best Gameplay
• Best Art Direction 
• Best Sound Design
• Best in Show

For more details about the Indie Retro Showcase, visit the Indie Retro page.