CAR-PGa NEWSLETTER
Vol. 26, No. 11
An international network of researchers into all
aspects of role-playing games
November 2017
David Millians, Editor
Paideia School, 1509 Ponce de Leon Avenue,
Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA
EDITOR’S NOTE
My
apologies for the tardiness of this newsletter. I have had some health issues
the last month or so, and many things have fallen a little behind. If I have
overlooked an email or article from you or failed to send a newsletter to you,
please let me know. Have fun!
ARTICLES
RPGs in Federal Prisons (Update)
By M. Alan Thomas, Chair
I have some more information about
the RPG ban in FCI Sandstone.
The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is going
to take at least nine months to get back to me on my FOIA request. The prisoner
who reached out to me was able to mail me some documents, though. This appears
to be a prison-wide ban, but the BOP's regional director of Recreation and
Education didn't know anything about it when the prisoner approached her.
The reason given for banning RPGs is
that they "can promote gang activity, competitive hostility, the
manufacture of weapons, casting derogatory spells on others, and continued
criminal activity. It also simulates players engaging in battles. This activity
can be perceived as threating [sic] and could jeopardize the security of
a correctional facility."
These are fairly standard reasons,
and the extreme legal deference the courts give to the judgements of prison
administrators, combined with the legally persuasive 7th Circuit opinion
in Singer v. Raemisch and our poor track record on this
issue, mean that I doubt that we'd have a chance of changing this via the
courts. However, the BOP is a large bureaucracy, so it's possible that we could
influence someone higher up to do something about it.
Anyone who wants to help with this,
let me know.
NEW MATERIAL
FROM
DAVID MILLIANS
cypheroftyr
(2017 October 3) The World Is Just A Bridge. Gaming and Dungeons & Dragons.
ineeddiversegames.org/2017/10/03/episode-16-the-world-is-just-a-bridge-gaming-and-dungeons-dragons/.
From the “I Need Diverse Games” blog, an overview of episode 16 of “This
Filipino Life” podcast, in which video and tabletop gaming receive attention.
Robinson,
Hawke (2017 June 29) Volunteer & Training Opportunities. www2.rpgresearch.com/about/volunteer-training-opportunities. Various ways to work
with the RPG Research team. Here is a link to the
online form.
Wezerec.
Gus (2017 October 12) Is Your D&D Character Rare?. fivethirtyeight.com/features/is-your-dd-character-rare. Data and analysis from
online character creation site D&D Beyond.
FROM
JOHN BOARDMAN
Aisch,
Gregor, Damon Darlin, Rich Harris, Josh Katz, Adam Pearce, and Kevin Quealy
(2017 August 26) The Good, the Bad, the Beautiful. The New York Times, C1 &
C2. Analysis of reader survey on “Game of Thrones” characters’ traits.
Bray,
Chad (2017 September 6) Angry Birds To Pull Back Sling on I.P.O. The New York
Times. Rovio tests investment possibilities for mobile game juggernaut.
Bray,
Chad (2017 September 29) Rovio, Angry Birds Maker, Is Valued at $1 Billion in
I.P.O. The New York Times. Game business models and change over time.
Bromwich,
Jonah Engel (2017 September 17) A Game of Dark Secrets. The New York Times.
Review and discussion of board game Secret Hitler.
Egner,
Jeremy (2017 August 14) The Nights Watchman for Sunday TV. The New York Times.
The rigors of recapping “Game of Thrones” for eager readers.
Egner,
Jeremy (2017 September 15) ‘Game of Thrones’ Plans Multiple Endings. The New
York Times. Keeping the viewers guessing.
Egner,
Jeremy (2017 September 22) 5th Prequel in the Works For ‘Game of Thrones’. The
New York Times. Scripts finalized, no show is guaranteed.
Hudson,
Laura (2017 August 17) Using YouTube as an Accelerant for Players. The New York
Times, B9. Promoting video games through high-profile individual video
producers.
Izadi,
Elaine (2017 September 1) GoT theories you’ll have lots of time to think about.
The Washington Post. Fan theories after season 7 of “Game of Thrones”.
Itzkoff,
Dave (2017 July 23) ‘Confederate’ Poses a Test for HBO. The New York Times.
Controversy around Alternate History in Mass Media.
Kelly,
John (2017 September 20) D.C. rabbi enlists TV animators to create a card game
stacked with blessings. The Washington Post. Yom Kippur blessings in
collectible card game form.
Keveney,
Bill (2017 August 18) Bronn stirs up the dragon’s nest in ‘Thrones’. USA Today,
7B. Interview with “Game of Thrones” actor Jerome Flynn.
Lieber,
Ron (2017 September 30) To Win This Video Game, Finish College Without Going
Broke. The New York Times. Free web-based game Paycheck helps teens understand financial
decisions necessary for a young adult.
Malitz,
David (2017 August 20) Fired Up?. The Washington Post. Top five battle scenes
in “Game of Thrones”.
Meacham,
John (2017 August 26) A World of Hate, Revisited. The New York Times, C1 &
C5. Looking at the impact and legacy of Robert Penn Warren’s book Segregation:
The Inner Conflict in the South.
Poniewozik,
James (2017 August 25) Fantasy Frenzy? Or Eerie Dream?. The New York Times, C8.
Comparing “Game of Thrones” and “Twin Peaks: The Return”.
Vineyard,
Jennifer (2017 August 30) Talking ‘Thrones’ With Three Who Know. The New York
Times, C6. Interviews with “Game of Thrones” actors and director.
Vineyard,
Jennifer (2017 October 15) All Pumped Up, A Favorite Returns. The New York
Times. Interview with “Game of Thrones” actor Joe Dempsie.
Zhang,
Carolyn & Paul Mozur (2017 August 17) Chinese Video Game Draws Rule
Breakers. The New York Times. Rising video game creators in China, screen time,
and government controls.
FROM
M. ALAN THOMAS
Hutton,
Jake (2017 September 18) Librarians report: Dungeons and Dragons in the
Library. games.ala.org/librarians-report-dungeons-and-dragons-in-the-library. D&D successful in
library format.
Jahromi,
Neima (2017 October 24) The Uncanny Resurrection of Dungeons & Dragons. www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-uncanny-resurrection-of-dungeons-and-dragons. What’s old is new
again.
Nevines,
Jess (2017 September 4) Sexual Harassment in the Science Fiction & Fantasy
Communities survey results. jessnevins.com/blog/?p=796. Grim statistics and
convention policies.
CONVENTIONS
New
listings this month were provided by Paul Cardwell. Others are urged to submit
information. If you attend a convention, be sure and check the conventions
table and let us have a copy of the fliers (or at very least the when, what,
where, and contact information) for upcoming conventions available there.
CAR-PGa is international, so this includes anywhere in the world.
Dates,
precise venue, contacts' URLs or phone numbers, and other information, where
missing from this list, would be particularly appreciated.
"[LARP]"
means only LARP events as many RPG cons include at least some LARP, as likewise
applies to the mention of specific game systems. The same bracketed information
applies as well to game systems when the con will have only those games
present.
In
an attempt to get more face-to-face meetings of the membership, we list who
will be going to what convention, if they will tell us. Get this type of
information in at least two months before the convention itself, so we can run
it at least once. Support your local cons by helping in the staff. It is a good
way to promote RPG and you generally get in free for the brief time spent
helping.
A
review of any attended convention afterwards for the Newsletter would be
appreciated too. These reviews should include demographic data such as
attendance, percentage male/female, white/ethnic minorities (or what- ever is
the majority/white/others), games in addition to tabletop RPG, and more
subjective matters such as unusual events, quality of games and dealers' room,
encouragement of new gamers, and whatever seems worth reporting. We need to
work to restore CAR-PGa's reputation as the media's go-to on gamer
demographics, especially since the media are still citing a study that cut off
all those over 35 - at a time when that was the median age of gamers - it is
closer to 40 now - which indicates we also need to work on recruiting younger
players, although some increase in college age players at conventions has been
noted.
Conventions
are currently being compiled by archivist Paul Cardwell, 1127 Cedar, Bonham, TX
75418 or plcardwell@gmail.com so please send them there.
November
2017
1-5:
Lucca Comics & Games, Lucca Fiere, via della Chiesa, Trav.1, 237, Lucca,
Italy; ludica.it/roma
2-5:
AmberCon NW, McMehamins Edgefield Bed & Breakfast Resort, Troutsdale, OR; amberconnw.org [Amber diceless and indie
games]
2-5:
Gamehole Con, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI; gameholecon.com
2-5:
Metatopia, Morristown Hyatt, Morristown, NJ; dexposure.com
[game design]
2-5:
Midwest GameFest, Stoney Creek Hotel, Independence, MO; rpgkc.org
2-5:
Youmacon, Detroit Marriott, 400 Renaissance Venter Dr, Detroit, MI; yumacon.com
3:
Underground Comic Con, Delaware Contemporary, 200 S Madison, Wilmington, DE; undergroundcomixxx.com
3-5:
Carnage on the Mountain, Killington Grand Resort, Killington, VT; carnagecon.com
3-5:
ComiCon-way, Faulkner County Library, 900 Tyler St, Conway, AR; comicon-way.com
3-5:
Conjuration, Marriott Century Center, 2000 Century Blvd, Atlanta, GA; conjurationcon.com
3-5:
Fall In!, Lancaster Host Resort, Lancaster, PA; fall-in.org
[mostly mini wargame]
3-5:
Nekocon, Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton, VA; nekocon.com
3-5:
Unpub Midwest, Doubletree Grand Rapids, 4747 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI; migeekscene.com [playtesting]
3-5:
Warmachine Weekend, Sheraton Westport Chalet, 191 Westport Plaza, St. Louis,
MO; warmachineweekend.com
9-12:
Con on the Cob, Days Inn, 4742 Recksville Rd, Richfield, OH; cononthecob.com
9-12:
Indicon, Hobourne, Naish, Christchurch, Dorset; indiecon.net
10-12:
AcadeCon, Dayton Convention Center, 22 E 5th St, Dayton, OH; theacadecon.com
10-12:
AetherCon Online RPG Convention, online; aethercon.com
10-12:
Mace, Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC; justusproductions.com
10-12:
Millennium, Wingate Inn, IH 35, Round Rock, TX; www.millenniumcon.info
10-12:
PentaCon, Grand Wayne Convention Center, 120 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN; pentacongames.com
10-12:
Philcon, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2349 W. Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, NJ; philcon.org
10-12:
Windy Con, Westin Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL; windycon.org
11:
Coast Con Jr, Quality Inn, 2414 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS; coastcon.org
11:
Extra Life @ Macon, Expo enter, Macopn Fairgrounds, Macon, MO; extralifeatmacon.com
11:
Glasgow Games Festival, Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchichall St, Glasgow; glasgowgamesfestival.com
11:
Grogmeet, Mad Lab, 36-40 Edge St, Manchester: eventbrite.co.uk
12-13:
Spellenspektakel, Beursgevouw, Eindhoven; spellenspektakel.nl
16-19:
Chicago Toy and Game Fair, Navy Pier, Hall A, Chicago, IL; chitag.com
17-19:
Daisho Con, Kalahari Resorts, Wisconsin Dells, WI; daishocon.org
17-19:
JimCon, Bronx Park Community Centre, 720 Henderson Way, Winnipeg, MB; jimcon.ca
17-19:
Karlsruher SpieleTage, NCO-Club, Delawarestraße 21, Karlsruher; thole.de
17-19:
Memphis Comic & Fantasy Convention, Guest House at Graceland, Memphis, TN; memphiscfc.com
17-19:
Orycon, Red Lion, Jantzen Beach, Portland, OR: orycon.org
17-19:
PAX Unplugged, Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA
17-19:
U-Con, Marriott Ann Arbor at Eagle Crest, 1275 S Huron St, Ypsilanti, MI; ucon-gaming.org
17-19:
Wizard World Comic Con Austin, Austin Convention Center, Austin TX; wizardworld.com
18-19:
Dreieich Con, Bürgerhaus, Dreieich-Sperndingen, Fichtestr. 50, Dreieich,
Germany; dreieichcon.de
22-24:
Hal-Con, Halifax World Convention Centre, Halifax, NS; hal-con.com
23:
Project Play, London Convention Centre, London, ON; projectplay.ca
23-27:
Kaleidoscopic Consequences, Naish Holiday Village, Christchurch, Dorset; conquences.org.uk [freeform LARP]
24-26:
LosCon, LAX Marriott, 3855 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA; loscon.org
24-26:
Stuffed COWS, College of Du Page Student Resource Center, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen
Ellyn, IL; coldironconventions.com
25-26:
Darmstadt Spielt, Darmstadtium, Darmstadt; darmstadt-spielt.de
December
2017
1-3:
Anonycon, Sheraton Hotel, 700 E. Main St, Stanford, CT; anonycon.com
1-3:
Meeplecon, Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre, Ball St & St George Rd,
Preston, Vic; meeples.org.au
1-3:
Yama-Con, LeVonte Center, 2986 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN; yamacon.org
2-3:
Dragonmeet, Novotel London West, Hammerstead, London; dragonmeet.co.uk
9-10:
HobbyCon, Badminton Hall, Likas Sports Complex, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia;
hobbycon.my
9-10:
NarbyCon, maCna Gaming, 2307 Hwy 90, Gautier, MS; narbycon.com
9-10:
Oddmall Chrishanukwanzmadan, Cultural Center for the Arts, Canton, OH; chrishanukwanzmadan.oddmall.info [free
Admission]
11-13:
Geekonomicon, Mississippi Coast Convention Center, 2350 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS;
whynotgeek.com/geeknomicon
15-17:
Holiday Matsuri, Marriott World Center, Orlando, FL; holidaymatsuri.com
16-17:
Comic Fiesta; Kualoa Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; comicfiesta.org
29:
Trashfest NW, 1148 Heffley Cres, Coquitlam, BC; fortressat.com/trashfest-nw
29-31:
Ikkicon, Renaissance Austin, 9721 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX; ikkicon.com
January
2017
5-6:
ShadowCon, Clarion Convention Center, 2007 S Service Rd, West Memphis, AR; shadowcon.org
5-7:
Evercon, Central Wisconsin Convention Center, Wausau, WI; evercon.org
5-7:
Morpheus, städtischen Sielezentrum, Jean-Vogel-Str. 27, Herne; herner-burg.de/morpheus
5-7:
Sac Anime Winter, Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, CA; sacanime.com
5-7:
Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans, Morial Conference Center, 900 Convention Center
Blvd, New Orleans, LA: wizardworld.com
11-14:
Midwinter Gaming Convention, Hilton City Center, 509 W. Wisconsin Ave,
Milwaukee, WI; midwintergamingconvention.com
12-14:
Albuquerque Comic Expo, Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM; abqcomicxpo.com
12-14:
MarsCon, MarsCon, Ft. Doubletree Hotel, 50 Kingsmill Rd, Williamsburg, VA; marscon.net
12-14:
OrcaCon, Hilton Bellevue, Bellevue, WA; orcacon.org
12-14:
PAX South, Gonzalez Convention Center, 200 E. Market St, San Antonio, TX; south.paxsite.com
12-14:
Rustycon, Marriott Seattle Airport, 17620 International Blvd, Seattle, WA; rustycon.com
12-14:
Siege of Augusta, Augusta Doubletree, Augusta, GA; siegeofaugusta.org [mainly mini
wargaming]
13-14:
SnowCon, Cross Insurance Center Bangor, ME; snowconmainee.com
13-14:
SwampCon Frontier, Reitz Student Union, 686 Museum Rd, University of Florida,
Gainesville, FL; swampcon.com
12-15:
Arisia, Westin Waterfront Hotel, 428 Summer St, Boston, MA; arisia.org
12-15:
BryceCon, Ruby's Inn, 26 S. Main, Bryce Canyon City, UT; brycecon.com
12-15:
Scarab, Medallion Convention Center, 7309 Garners Ferry Rd, Columbia, SC; s-c-a-r-a-b.com
17-21:
ConTingency, Sandy Balls Holiday Village, Godshill, Fordingbridge, The New
Forest; contingency.uk
19-21:
GenghisCon Perth, RAAFA, Perth, WA; genghiscon.org
20-21:
Kapcon, Wellington High School, 249 Taranaki St, Mount Cook, NZ; kapcon.or.nz
26-28:
GCOM Winter Games Fest, Elks Lodge, 878 Stevenson Rd, Severn, MD; winterquest. Gamesclubofmd.org
26-28:
Ohayocon, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH; ohayocon.org
26-28:
Polar Vortex, SRC Bldg, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL; polarvortex.games
26-28:
Running GAGG, College Union, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY; geneseo.edu/gagg
26-28:
WarpCon, University College, Cork, Ireland; warpcon.com
26-28:
Winter War, Hawthorn Suites, 101 Trade Centre Dr., Champaign, IL; winterwar.org
27:
Charlotte Mini-Con, Grady Cole Center; 310 N Kings Dr, Charlotte, NC; upcomingcons.com/Charlotte-Mini-Con
©
Copyright 2017 by the Committee for the Advancement of Role-Playing Games
(CAR-PGa), ISSN 1071 7129. The CAR-PGa Newsletter is a monthly publication. For
more information contact David Millians, Editor, Paideia School, 1509 Ponce de
Leon Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA, phone (404) 808-1070, fax (404)
377-3491, e-mail millians.david@paideiaschool.org. Back issues are
available. Contributions of material from the membership are urged, and the
byline is responsible for content. Deadline is the last weekday of the month,
email preferred. Permission is granted to copy anything in the Newsletter,
provided we get a credit line in the publication copying it, and it doesn't
have someone else's copyright on it. Information, including details on joining
CAR-PGa, can be obtained on the Internet at car-pga.org.
