Our third question of the month comes from the jolly JB of B/X BLACKRAZOR fame/infamy. The question is simple enough that I could answer it was a Yes/No and if Yes a list of names but that doesn't make for engaging internet content. Funny enough, neither will this!
Enjoy!
Do you ever attend (gaming) conventions out in your neck of the woods, and if so, which ones?
I live in New York CIty and believe it or not, there aren't and haven't been a large number of Gaming Conventions in my home town. Now, not a lot of cons doesn't mean none. If you include the Greater Tri-State Area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut - as well as Philadelphia) as my 'neck of the woods', you up the number of conventions considerably.
It's been a while since I've attended any cons but in the past I've been an [irregular] regular at Dexcon (NJ), Shorecon (NJ), and of course RECESS (NY). To my knowledge, all of these conventions are no longer in existence (though I'm not sure about Dexcon - that sometimes goes away for a while and then reappears). There was also a great one in Cherry Hill, NJ that the late, great Allen Halden invited me to a few times (can't recall the name).
I've been lucky enough to find gaming going on at various Anime Conventions (local and beyond), where I have gotten the chance to play Japanese TRPGs; cons such as Katsucon (originally Virgina, Washington DC), Otakon (originally Baltimore), and several small NJ events.
As a final note: I've worked as a Retail Dealer at a number of conventions and as an Event Coordinator for a Convention Producer. Between those occupations and numerous industry friends and contacts I've attended a great many cons for free. Nowadays, having to pay to get in, I am much choosier about which ones I go to.
That's another down and (hopefully) a lot more to go...
AD
Barking Alien.
Adam, speaking of local gaming, I wonder if there would be any value in trying to plan some sort of Ghostbusters gaming to coincide with the annual anniversary celebration. I have no idea how those festivities are even coordinated, but it seems like it could be a fun gaming event to look forward to each year.
ReplyDeleteAnd...a question(!): I know you've mentioned that you don't use miniatures much (if at all...?) in your RPGs, but I wonder if you do use other visual or tactile enhancements, and if so, what? Any favorites you've used as a GM or experienced as a player?
I'm not sure how to go about that either Jonathan but wow, what a cool idea. I'll look into it. Remember to let me know when you're coming down for it so we can meet up!
DeleteA minis question, eh? Hmm. Cool.
Appreciate you answering my question...I know absolutely nothing about the gaming scene in New York (nor the Tri-State area). Crazy to hear that a region of the country with such a large population has few cons or has seen their gaming cons close down.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this is a matter of culture? That is (since I assume that a similar...small...percentage of gamers exist in the area as with the rest of the country), they're just not into "gaming cons?" Face-to-face (dedicated) groups or on-line only?
[not that I expect you to speak for all New York gamers or something...I'm just wondering out loud. There WAS a guy from Brooklyn in Germany for this year's Cauldron/OSREuro convention, but I didn't have a chance to have a deep-dive conversation with him, unfortunately]
There are a number of reasons why there aren't that many Gaming Conventions in NYC, especially the borough of Manhattan.
DeleteI know from my time working for a convention production comany and through friends currently in the industry that it's EXTREMELY expensive. The whole endeavor. It's not just renting the space, paying the on-site staff and/or the teamsters who set things up (its a Union thing), getting permits, etc. It's also expensive for the con-goers as hotels and food are very expensive. If you aren't doing New York Comic Con or Anime NYC, are you going to make back your investment?
On a more personal note, I've always imagined that one of the reasons there are so many conventions in the Mid-West and other parts of the US is because there aren't other gamers near you, there aren't any/many gaming stores, and gamers in those areas need a way to connect with like-minded individuals.
Here in New York, we're kind of spoiled. Think about it this way; a recent survey said that the percentage of Americans who play RPGs is something like 29%. OK, 29% of the population of Milwaukee, WI is 167 people. Meanwhile, 29% of the population of New York City is 2,458,640. That's a little more than four times the TOTAL population of Milwaukee. Honestly 29% seems generous but you get what I'm saying.
If NYers want to meet a fellow gamer, we can and we will. Dealer's room? We have the Compleat Strategist, the Brooklyn Strategist, the 20-Sided Store, Hex & Co., and those are just the dedicated game shops. There are also dozens of Barnes & Noble locations. Amazon delivers all over the five burroughs several times each and every day.
We New Yorkers would love to have and go to more RPG Conventions but (IMHO) we don't NEED them the way the gamers of Biloxi, Mississippi or even Denver, Colorado do.
That makes a lot of sense. Appreciate the perspective!
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