Howdy gamers! For this week’s Tabletop Writer’s Diversity Initiative – Challenge 6 – we’re talking about Gaming Culture. There’s so many topics you can talk about when it comes to the culture around the hobby, rather than just the games themselves, but I decided to focus on conventions. Let’s dive right in!

Conventions are a huge part of our gaming culture, for players, designers, publishers, basically anyone involved in the hobby in any way. Let me break it down further into what conventions can offer. This will always depend on the size and scope of the convention, and there’s probably plenty I’m missing, but in general we have…

  • Gamers can see/try new games through demos and/or the game library offered. This can allow trying before buying, which can be a big deal to many people, especially those operating on a minimal budget
  • Publishers also often offer convention exclusive discounts, deals, or promo items when purchasing games, so it can be a great place for gamers to acquire new titles they’re interested in
  • Gamers can connect with other gamers. This is huge for people who don’t have a lot of, or maybe any, others to play with at home, and are dying to get certain things to the table
  • Publishers can show off their new games, and build some hype around titles that have just come out, or are coming out soon. They can also offer old stock of past titles, and possibly even bundle some things together to generate interest
  • Conventions are a great place for networking – meeting others in the hobby and finding those whose needs and/or interests align with yours (i.e. reviewers getting in touch with publisher contacts, designers speaking with publishers who might be interested in their game ideas, etc.)
  • There are often “unpub” areas at conventions where designers can get players to test their unpublished games, and get some feedback

Personally, I usually go to at least 1 small and 1 large convention per year, sometimes a few more small ones if I have the time and spare money. I was so grateful I still got to attend Granite Game Summit this past March, literally right before the world as we know it shut down. I’m glad bigger conventions were cancelled this year, because it was the right thing to do. But even though I knew it was coming, I was still devastated that PAX Unplugged was cancelled for this year, because that’s my 1 big convention each year, and something I really look forward to attending.

I know this has been a hard year on gaming, and we’re all missing out. I think conventions are a way to help us keep going. It’s a time where people who love the hobby can just play games, and don’t have to worry about who’s coming to game night or will there be enough options if I don’t bring anything. There are plenty of friends to meet and games to play, and it’s awesome from start to end. For those who like shopping for games at conventions, there’s plenty of options, no shipping costs to worry about (unless you came from far away I suppose), and you can play the game the same day you buy it if you want!

I love attending conventions so I can try unpublished games, play things I’m considering buying, meet up with publishers and discuss games and how we may be able to work together, and just see everyone in the hobby enjoying themselves.

Conventions are a hard thing to think about these days because they’re something we’re not going to get back until we can get back to normal. I miss them, and I know plenty of others do too. I can’t wait until we can all see each other again at a convention soon … ish. Until then, happy gaming however you’re gaming these days. đŸ™‚

Woopie! Another merit badge!