Saturday, May 5, 2018

CAR-PGA Newsletter December 2017


CAR-PGa NEWSLETTER

Vol. 26, No. 12
An international network of researchers into all aspects of role-playing games
December 2017

David Millians, Editor
Paideia School, 1509 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA


ARTICLES

Convention Report: Monsterama 2017
By Ted Skirvin

Monsterama is a small convention in the suburbs of Atlanta that is focused on horror-genre movies and TV shows from the 1950's and 60's. It took place the first weekend in October, and there were about 200 attendees. There were three tracks of panels, a film viewing room with a 16mm projector rather than using video technology, a dealer's room, and a gaming room. The gaming room had lots of board and card games. The gaming director also had some computers set up for folks to play such games. He said he did not have anyone to run RPGs, and so had none planned. Considering the low number of folks that went to the gaming room, it probably would not be worth it for him to try to set up any RPGs. Overall, I found the con to be only mildly interesting. The demographic makeup was about 90% white and 10% black with a male to female ratio of 60/40.
FROM THE EDITOR

As we reach the turning of another year, I encourage everyone to contribute what you can to the cause in 2018. A few people send in the majority of New Material, John Boardman being the standout, but each of us in our daily lives must run across references to games of various kinds. Jot down the reference and send it along to share.

Just today, a colleague and parent of a four and seven year old discussed casually with me some approaches to getting them started with roleplaying games. Choices - especially for the mathematically-curious, older kid - ranged from just storytelling improvisation to something like Fuzzy Heroes or Mermaids to a D&D Starter Set. Knowing your own child or a group of children allows customization of a game and game style to their abilities, interests, and needs. If you find yourself in a similar conversation, write out even a few lines of it and make it available to the rest of us.

I’ve started a new game group, RuneQuest Glorantha, so these days I’m thinking about game choices and introductions, character creation, adventure design, social dynamics, and more. Many of us are part- or full-time visual artists, writers, editors, publishers, and more, and we’re all players and gamers of some sort. A few of your thoughts about your current work and the changing nature of the game industry will resonate with everyone else’s thinking and push us to consider other aspects of the hobby from our own perspectives. I’d love for this newsletter to be a forum for such exchanges.

We’ll all benefit.

Have a happy start to the new year!

David

NEW MATERIAL

FROM DAVID MILLIANS

Breakfast Clubber (2017 November 5) Teacher Uses Horror on the Orient Express to Teach 6th Graders. www.yog-sothoth.com/topic/31666-teacher-uses-horror-on-the-orient-express-to-teach-6th-graders. English and History through Call of Cthulhu.

Dashiell, Steven (2017 November 29) Rules Lawyering as Symbolic and Linguistic Capital. analoggamestudies.org/2017/11/rules-lawyering-as-symbolic-and-linguistic-capital. Rules Lawyers, Capital, Gender, and Gaming.

Great Big Story (2017 October 25) This Dungeons and Dragons campaign has been running for 35 years. boingboing.net/2017/10/25/this-dungeons-and-dragons-camp.html. Bringing friends together.

Kemp, Sawyer (2017 November 29) Escape Rooms and the Seductive Ubiquity of Capture. analoggamestudies.org/2017/11/escape-rooms-and-the-seductive-ubiquity-of-capture. Challenge, Constraint Society, and Micro-Societies.

Liu, Charles (2017 November 22) Chinese Gamers Draw Ire For Dominating World’ Most Popular Game. supchina.com/2017/11/22/chinese-gamers-draw-ire-for-dominating-worlds-most-popular-game. Players hacking online games.

Whitehead, Adam (2017 November 20) A Roleplayer’s Guide Roleplaying Games. thewertzone.blogspot.com/2017/11/a-roleplayers-guide-to-roleplaying-games.html. Overview and advice for beginning players.

FROM JOHN BOARDMAN

Hsu, Tiffany (2017 October 26) Thinking Outside the Box Seats, To Coax You Out to the Ballgame. The New York Times, B5. Building and rebuilding stadiums and other major venues to appeal to modern consumers.
                                                                                                       
CALENDAR

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.

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, TNyamacon.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, MSnarbycon.com
9-10: Oddmall Chrishanukwanzmadan, Cultural Center for the Arts, Canton, OH; chrishanukwanzmadan. oddmall.info [free Admission]
11-13: Geeknomicon, 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; Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; comicfiesta.org
29-31: Ikkicon, Renaissance Austin, 9721 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TXikkicon.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, Herneherner-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, 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, MAarisia.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
19-21: Protospiel, Best Western Plus, Bloomington, MN; protospiel.org [game design workshop]
20-21: Kapcon, Wellington High School, 249 Taranaki St, Mount Cook, NZkapcon.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 Genesee, Genesee, NY; geneseo.edu/gagg
26-28: WarpCon, University College, Cork, Ireland; warpcon.com
26-28: Winter War, Hawthorn Suites, 101 Trade Centre Dr., Champaign, ILwinterwar.org
27: Charlotte Mini-Con, Grady Cole Center; 310 N Kings Dr, Charlotte, NCupcomingcons.com/Charlotte [Mini-Con]

February 2018
2-3: Ambercon Northern Ireland, Belfast; ambercons.com
2-4: Captain Con, Crowne Plaza, 801 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, RIcaptaincon.com
7-11: Winter Fantasy, Grand Wayne Center, Fort Wayne, IN; wintfan.baldmangames.com
8-11: Rapier, Jacksonville Airport Doubletree, Jacksonville, FL; rapiercon.com [mostly board and miniature]
9-11: Farpoint, Delta by Marriott, 245 Shawan Rd, Hunt Valley, MDfarpointcon.com
9-11: Seishun-Con, Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center Atlanta, Atlanta, GA; seishun-con.com
10: Spaghetti ConJunction, Geek Retreat, 38 The Priory Queenswayk, Birmingham, W. Mids; ukroleplayers.com
15-18: Capricon, Westin Chicago North Shore, 601 N. Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL; capricon.org
15-18: GenghisCon Denver, Hyatt Regency, 13200 E 14th Pl, Aurora, COgengiscondenver.com
16-18: Anachrocon, Wyndham Atlanta Galleria, Atlanta, GA; anachrocon.com [alternate history]
16-18: Anime Milwaukee, Hyatt Regency, 333 W Kilbourne Ave, Milwaukee, WI; animemilwaukee.com
16-18: Bashcon, University of Toledo Student Union, 2801 W. Bancroft, Toledo, OH; bashcon.com
16-18: Boskone, Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer St, Boston, MA; nesfa.art/boskone
16-18: Con DFW, Radisson Fort Worth Fossil Creek, Fort Worth, TX; condfw.org [literary]
16-18: Con of the North, Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, Minneapolis, MN; conofthenorth.org
16-18: London Anime Con, London Metropolitan University, Rocket Complex, London; londonanimecons.com
16-18: RadCon, Red Lion, 2525 N 20th Ave, Pasco, WAradcon.org
16-19: DunDraCon, San Ramon Marriott, San Ramon, CA; dundracon.com
16-19: OrcCon, Hilton Los Angeles Airport, 5711 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA; strategicon.net
17-18: Oddmall, Expedition Elsewhere, Canton, OH; [Free Admission]
17-20: New York Toy Fair, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, NY; toyfairny.com
19-25: PrezCon, Doubletree Hotel, 990 Hilton Heights Rd, Charlottesville, VA; prezcon.com
22-25: Dreamation, Morristown Hyatt, 3 Speedwell Ave, Morristown, NJdexposure.com
22-25: Hoop and Stick Con, Ravenwood Castle, 65666 Bethel Rd, New Plymouth, OH; ravenwoodcastle.com/hoopandstick
22-25: Total Confusion, Best Western Royal Plaza, Marlborough, MA; totalcon.com
23-25: AdCon, Eidelstedter Bürgerhaus, Alte Eibagaustr.12, Hamburg; sdnv.de
23-25: Con Nooga, Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza, Chattanooga, TN; connooga.com
23-25: Fire and Ice Convention, Manitowoc County Expo Center, Mantiowoc, WI; fireandiceconvention.com
23-25: Gamicon, Cedar Rapids Marriott, 1200 Collins Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IAgamicon.org
23-25: Midgard West Con, Jugendherberge, Burg Blankenheim; midgard.westcon.de
23-25: Mysticon, Holiday Inn Tanglewood, 4468 Cathrey Rd, Roanoke, VA; mysticonva.con
23-25: OwlCon, Rice Memorial Center, Rice University, Houston, TX; owlcon.com
23-25: Pensacon, Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E Gregory St, Pensacola, FLpensacon.com
23-25: VisionCon, Hilton Branson Center, 200 Sycamore St, Branson, MOvisioncon.net
24-25: Revelation, Garrison Hotel, 635 Penistone Rd, Sheffield, S. Yorksrevelationgames.org.uk

© 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.

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