Have you vere attended a Gaming Convention?

[Whiterook]

Have you ever attended a Game Convention/Expo/Fair? If so, which one, and what was your experience like at it? And would you recommend attendance?

[Whiterook]

Well let me begin! Yes I have...the Origins Game Expo in Columbus Ohio, which is an annual event. An amazing experience, where you can game 24 hours a day for 4 days straight! Open gaming, event gaming, tournaments. My favorite games and tournaments at this convention include Memoir '44, Axis & Allies Miniatures, Tide of Iron, and Axis & Allies D-Day. I play a ton of other games too, but these are my favs. There are also seminars...in which I've listened to and met such as distinguished Authors such as Carlos D'Este, David Glantz, and many more. This is a great place to be!

2008 Game Fair - Origins Game Fair

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Ive never been to one. Although it hasnt been from a lack of wanting to go. My wallet says i have to stay home.

[Whiterook]

That's one of the thngs I like about Origins, versus some of the bigger game conventions like Gencon...$50 for the show badge, which alows you access to the convention halls all week, and $15 dollars for the Board Room Ribbon allows you unlimited gaming 24 hours a day for the week; that'll be about the base cost. Playing in tourneys can cost $5 to 10 dollars each, and individual events like the seminars can be $5 each, unless you buy the War College Ribbon for $15 for unlimited seminars (which I do as well). The big expense for me is the airline tickets and hotel.

It's definitely my big expense of the year, and my wife is tahnkfully 100% supportive of my heading West for the week in the Summer. For years, I've had friends that go on hunting weekends and week-long outtings; or go on tour with Drum Corps for a couple months (been there)...I look at it as an investment in my sanity (and my wife's).

[Hagen]

Nope, not because I don't want to though.

[Geek44]

I have...but it was a looong time ago.
There were guys playing all kinds of periods...a lot of ancient stuff. Myself and a friend (actually, it was Leatchy from the 'other site') were playing Napoleonic with figures we made ourselves...he had some graphite moulds and we made lead figures in my Dad's workshop...I'm certain I have less brain cells from that. At the time, I think we were a little young...maybe fourteen or fifteen. The rules they used were mind boggling to me...we made up our own. In the end, we had hundreds of painted lead figures and loose teeth to match. Not really my thing these days...not enough time and enough hobbies to keep me occupied full-time for three lifetimes.

[50th]

Back when I had more money, I used to go to 4 gaming conventions per year!
There is a one day event coming up later in march in St Louis. Then DieCon in St Louis in May, Command Con in November, and Archon in October. I haven't been able to go lately because I don't have the money too. I know that if I went, I would want either new games, or air pack expansion for M44.

[Whiterook]

We're tied in the Poll! Half us us are as crazy as the same ones (I won't play my hand at who the crazy ones are!).

Wow 50th...4 conventions a year...that's awesome! Hey, and on spending too much money on games, now that's a vie I can live with!
And I can think of worse things to blow some coin on than the Memoir '44 Air Pack! The planes in that expansion are gorgeous, and thier addition in the game system adds a whole new dynamic. A must have!

[50th]

Yeah, I really want the air pack, but right now it seems that there is more outflow of cash than inflow. I get my money and divide it up to pay the bills. The price of gas doesn't help much either. But thats off topic, sorry. I may try to go to the one day con later this month, but can't see paying money for just one day. Then I wouldn't have enough for air pack anyway!

[TRDG]

Way back to Gen-Con when it was held in Wisconsin , college days I beleave.... No War Gaming at the time for me though..... Fairly hazy from what I remember, Gary Gygax was around there at the time, I remember someone pointing him out, but that's about it. I kinda regret that, in light of his passing, and it being in my "drinkin" days then!!

Cheers,AD&D anyone?

Tom