Dice Tower Retreat is the only convention I have ever been to and I am pretty sure it would be my favorite after trying other conventions. I am very much wanting to bring the whole family on a dice tower cruise one of these years though!
Going to a convention never crossed my mind until about a year ago. I researched some tips and these helped at my first con... Size - I wanted to start with a smaller one because I knew I would be a little overwhelmed the first time. Not thousands of people. Play vs. Buy: I went to play. I scheduled play times ahead and browsed how-to-play videos so I would not feel pressure learning a game. I scheduled more sleep (not less) so I could keep up as the weekend went along. It worked for me. Brought a game journal. Had a couple of time gaps where I went back to my room to take notes. That quiet time was nice to recharge. Be Flexible. Some of my scheduled games were cancelled, so I joined a few unknowns on the fly but encountered a couple of hidden gems! So for my first one, smaller, playing, having a bit of a game plan, but also being flexible worked fairly well.
I missed this live because I was at a convention. The convention I go to is one of the biggest in Sweden (called Lincon), it's a mix of everything really. I bought games in the shops there, I played lots of games, both well known games and prototypes of upcoming games. I like that mix, always something to do and games to buy. Also, it has a bit of everything. Wanna play Warhammer? RPGs? Board games? It has everything.
Never been to a convention, but apparently, I just missed a local smallish historical games con in DC (yes, the one Wendy and Chris vlogged about). Questions for any of you con people: I understand that there are limited edition promo packs at many cons, but for purchasing regular or new release games, are the prices retail or are they discounted? Do you have to carry your purchases around and brong them back with you or can you have them shipped?
No Mike video on his top three Knizia games?! That is just wrong. I do want to know his top three. Love that Mike was given so much crap for Flea Circus, which looked awesome to me, was in Camilla's top three.
As far as conventions go, I been doing PAXU cause it's local. But that is the type I like. Mix of things to do depending on my mood. Met many great people there. The Dice Tower Cruise was amazing. I barely played any games though. But the ones I did were great memories. This year might be my last year for PAXU. Next year I am going to give DTE a try.
Camilla that's cool to hear you got back from a con in Knoxville, I lived there for years and never heard of one. I've been back in FL now for years but am still up there all the time for work/family, what con was it if you don't mind?
I do a lot of playing cons. I've done all the DT cons, PaxU, and many small local cons. I love meeting new people and developing new friendships. Going to Punchboard Paradise Con in 5 days!
Am I the only one who is not a huge Knizia fan? I could only think of 2 that I really like (Lost Cities and Amun-Re). To find a 3rd I had to look at many pages (sorted by rank) at BGG, and finally settled with Gold Armada since I play that with my nieces occasionally.
I've been doing gencon and/or origins for over 20 years now, but i think I would probably prefer the vacation or playing convention. Despite going for so many years, I've never really made friends (just brought my own) at the convention... Which at this point in life, network with new friends sounds more appealing.
I much prefer the smaller cons for just playing games and meeting new people. Unfortunately Essen is my local "con" (it's actually a trade fair) which has much bigger emphasis on buying. Still I rarely miss a day of Essen.
I don't think I'm a convention person. I like the vendors and finding older games to buy and being able to play from a large available library like DT, but playing with strangers is so very hit and miss. No matter the game we're playing, if I don't find the other players fun then playing the game isn't fun for me.
Joey sincerely saying “Thank you” after Zee read “happy international jazz day” put a big smile on my face.
With the chair and Sam's hoodie being the same colour, it reminded me of the Bene Gesserit cowl thing from David Lynch's Dune.
Dice Tower Retreat is the only convention I have ever been to and I am pretty sure it would be my favorite after trying other conventions. I am very much wanting to bring the whole family on a dice tower cruise one of these years though!
My wife & I will be attending our first con June 1st in Cape Girardeau, MO. We're pretty excited
Going to a convention never crossed my mind until about a year ago. I researched some tips and these helped at my first con...
Size - I wanted to start with a smaller one because I knew I would be a little overwhelmed the first time. Not thousands of people.
Play vs. Buy: I went to play. I scheduled play times ahead and browsed how-to-play videos so I would not feel pressure learning a game.
I scheduled more sleep (not less) so I could keep up as the weekend went along. It worked for me.
Brought a game journal. Had a couple of time gaps where I went back to my room to take notes. That quiet time was nice to recharge.
Be Flexible. Some of my scheduled games were cancelled, so I joined a few unknowns on the fly but encountered a couple of hidden gems!
So for my first one, smaller, playing, having a bit of a game plan, but also being flexible worked fairly well.
I missed this live because I was at a convention.
The convention I go to is one of the biggest in Sweden (called Lincon), it's a mix of everything really. I bought games in the shops there, I played lots of games, both well known games and prototypes of upcoming games. I like that mix, always something to do and games to buy. Also, it has a bit of everything. Wanna play Warhammer? RPGs? Board games? It has everything.
Never been to a convention, but apparently, I just missed a local smallish historical games con in DC (yes, the one Wendy and Chris vlogged about).
Questions for any of you con people:
I understand that there are limited edition promo packs at many cons, but for purchasing regular or new release games, are the prices retail or are they discounted?
Do you have to carry your purchases around and brong them back with you or can you have them shipped?
The convention descriptions by Zee were very helpful. I didn't think about things like that.
Zee bringing the chaos energy right out of the gate!
My wife and I have never been at a convention, but we’re excited to join the DT Cruise this year!
No Mike video on his top three Knizia games?! That is just wrong. I do want to know his top three.
Love that Mike was given so much crap for Flea Circus, which looked awesome to me, was in Camilla's top three.
Camilla explaining Whale Riders triggered flashbacks to my grade school book reports where I had only read the back cover.
Still loving seeing Sam back. So glad it happened!
Man, Sam has clearly been working out his traps; they're freaking huge!!
As far as conventions go, I been doing PAXU cause it's local. But that is the type I like. Mix of things to do depending on my mood. Met many great people there. The Dice Tower Cruise was amazing. I barely played any games though. But the ones I did were great memories. This year might be my last year for PAXU. Next year I am going to give DTE a try.
Camilla that's cool to hear you got back from a con in Knoxville, I lived there for years and never heard of one. I've been back in FL now for years but am still up there all the time for work/family, what con was it if you don't mind?
I do a lot of playing cons. I've done all the DT cons, PaxU, and many small local cons. I love meeting new people and developing new friendships.
Going to Punchboard Paradise Con in 5 days!
Am I the only one who is not a huge Knizia fan?
I could only think of 2 that I really like (Lost Cities and Amun-Re). To find a 3rd I had to look at many pages (sorted by rank) at BGG, and finally settled with Gold Armada since I play that with my nieces occasionally.
BGG cons are great for open gaming and fun events!
That's "Terrorforming" the Moon ;)
I've been doing gencon and/or origins for over 20 years now, but i think I would probably prefer the vacation or playing convention. Despite going for so many years, I've never really made friends (just brought my own) at the convention... Which at this point in life, network with new friends sounds more appealing.
Excited about The White Castle Matcha expansion announcement.
I much prefer the smaller cons for just playing games and meeting new people. Unfortunately Essen is my local "con" (it's actually a trade fair) which has much bigger emphasis on buying. Still I rarely miss a day of Essen.
Arne aus dem Siepen was 9,5/10. Great job Zee!
I'm not into auction games, but I absolutely love Ra.
Hollywood Blockbuster is good for pasting up your own actors/directors/etc
Disappointed Mike didn't share with you the Last Aurora expansion and re-do news! 😛
I don't think I'm a convention person. I like the vendors and finding older games to buy and being able to play from a large available library like DT, but playing with strangers is so very hit and miss. No matter the game we're playing, if I don't find the other players fun then playing the game isn't fun for me.
the box art on the original was amazing, really don't like the new cover of resurgence
TTGDA is a fantastic idea to have here. I'm all for it.