The 5th Annual NERD HQ Is Scheduled For July 24-27 San Diego

NERD HQ, presented by The Nerd Machine, will return to Petco Park in San Diego July 24-27. The four-day event provides fans a free nerdy hangout during the annual pop culture convention.

This year guests can expect an expanded "Conversations for a Cause" panel series, more fan-focused interactions and exclusive gaming opportunities showcasing never-before-seen titles.

NERD HQ 2014 is proudly sponsored by SEGA(R) of America, Maker Studios, Intel and Catan Anytime powered by Internet Explorer.

Additionally, NERD HQ has partnered with Facebook to provide interactive experiences to connect fans both at the event and at home with all the action happening at NERD HQ. NERD HQ is also supported by amazing fans who contributed to NERD HQ through a crowd-funding campaign earlier this year. Their amazing loyalty to the Nerdolution has helped make this year's event possible.

Taking place on a stage constructed in the stands of Petco Park, the panel series has played host to some of the biggest names in pop-culture including Joss Whedon, Seth Green, Richard Madden, Tom Hiddleston, Stan Lee, Lucy Liu, Zac Quinto, Felicia Day, Scott Bakula, Tatiana Maslany, Vin Diesel, and Guillermo Del Toro just to name a few. This year NERD HQ is proud to welcome back "returning nerds" Evangeline Lily, Jared Padalecki, and Adam Baldwin.

The "Conversations for a Cause" series is further expanding its reach with first time appearances by Jeff Bridges, Norman Reedus, Andrew Lincoln, Brenton Thwaites and with cast appearances by The Walking Dead, The Giver, and many more.

Tickets for panels are $22 and all funds raised through panel ticket sales go directly to support Operation Smile in its mission to help improve the health and lives of children all over the world.

NERD HQ is making it easier for guests to be plugged in to all the fun and excitement by launching the NERD HQ App. Designed to give the fans more access than ever before, the NERD HQ App has a complete schedule of "Conversations for a Cause," Maker Stage events, parties, maps, and more.

Also included are links to buy tickets for the panels, push notifications that will inform users of special events like the "Smiles for Smiles" photo opportunities and even a #hashtag feed for all #NERDHQ posts.

Once downloaded and registered at NERD HQ, guests will receive a collectable NERD HQ wristband and the Badge of the Nerdolution.

NERD HQ is excited to provide a home for SEGA to showcase its most anticipated titles, Alien: Isolation(TM), Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA(TM) F 2nd and two titles under the new Sonic Boom franchise - Sonic Boom(TM): Rise of Lyric for the Wii U system and Sonic Boom(TM): Shattered Crystal for the Nintendo 3DS hand-held system.

For the first time, fans will be able to play demos of each title.

Guests seeking opportunities to have the nerd scared out of them will be able to play Alien: Isolation, a first-person survival horror game capturing the fear and tension evoked by Ridley Scott's 1979 classic film, Alien(TM). Players find themselves in an atmosphere of constant dread and mortal danger as an unpredictable, ruthless Xenomorph is stalking and killing deep in the shadows.

Underpowered and underprepared, you must scavenge resources, improvise solutions and use your wits, not just to succeed in your mission, but to simply stay alive.

Alien: Isolation will be available from October 7, 2014, for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC.

For Sonic fans, SEGA will debut Sonic Boom.

For more than two decades Sonic the Hedgehog has been one of the world's biggest gaming icons, with over 70 video game titles, four animated series, and an extensive global merchandising line to his name.

This year SEGA introduces a new branch of the Sonic universe, entitled Sonic Boom(TM), that will launch new video games exclusively for the Wii U(TM) system and the Nintendo 3DS(TM) hand-held system, the first-ever CG animated television series, and a new toy line anchored by master toy partner TOMY. The creative driving forces behind these projects are working together with SEGA to kick-start a global campaign for Sonic Boom(TM) that will excite and engage new and existing fans across a variety of platforms.

Makers Studios will have an exclusive stage at this year's NERD HQ. In conjunction with Maker's gaming network Polaris, the Maker Stage will feature performances and panel discussions from various partners including Dodger, Stampylonghead, Jon Tron, Markiplier, Jesse Cox, The Game Grumps, CaptainSparklez, and iBallisticSquid among others, with appearances by comedy and lifestyle talent including KassemG and Amy Pham.

Facebook will bring their social networking power directly to fans at NERD HQ. To enhance the fan experience, Facebook plans to unveil a new activation; the innovative Facebook Fan Question Station.

For the first time, comments from the Nerd Machine Page will be sourced and the Facebook Fan Question Station will randomly select fan questions for talent to answer in the NERDHQ green room.

Finally, what is NERD HQ without a dance party? Back by popular demand is the NERD HQ Fan party held on Thursday, July 24. All are welcome to this incredible night of dancing and fun.