Gaming in Billings, MT

[nopantsyet]

I'm considering a job offer in far off Billings, Montana. One of those sorts of offers that is compelling enough to force you to consider a drastic change in your life.

So what's the story with gaming in Billings? Is there a decent gaming community? Any good stores? Mind you, I'm not deluded enough to expect anything like what we've got in the Boston area, and sadly gaming is unlikely to be a factor in the decision, but I'm curious to find out and to meet anyone on the board from that region.

:npy:

 

[adwyn]

There is an active gaming community in Billings, not as large as one might expect for a place of its size, but large enough you should be able to find a group. There is currently one game store that I am aware of, a couple have popped up and fallen by the wayside quickly, but the Splash Page is a dedicated game/comic store that has been around for at least a decade.

Billings does not have its own convention, the closest ones would be on the other end of the state or in SD. Either way, about a five to six hour drive.

 

[Starman]

Wow. I can't say I ever expected anyone to ask about Billings here on the boards. Small world and all that.

There is another game store in town, now, called Gamer's Edge. It is a much better hangout than Splash Page. It's not too hard to find a game going on there. The only bad part is that the gamers tend to skew somewhat young there (lots of high school kids), but if you ask around it won't be too hard to find a group of older gamers.

Feel free to ask me any other questions you have about gaming here or Billings in general.

Starman

 

[Piratecat]

First, my friend, you should buy pants.

 

[Starman]

First, my friend, you should buy pants.

That's probably a good idea. I'm pretty sure the FLGS here "recommends" pants when you come in.

Starman

 

[nopantsyet]

First, my friend, you should buy pants.

Ahh...Let's not jump to any conclusions here.

Though I think the climate alone would be enough to justify an investment in some warm pants. I wonder if Morrus would sanction a handle-change if I could provide proof of pants....

Thanks for the info, Starman and adwyn. Should I find myself in a position to make use of it, I'll be sure to drop you a line.

As to Billings itself, I would like to know more. You can always find the cultural attractions and other major things from touristy web sites, but it's harder to find out about the things that make up the day-to-day character of a place. Anything you can think of along those lines, I'm definitely interested to know.

:npy:

 

[Starman]

Well, let's see...

Billings (and Montana) is a fairly conservative place. I don't know how long it's been since we voted Dem in the presidential election.

Outdoor activities are HUGE here. Just about everyone around here participates in some outdoor hobby with hunting leading the pack; though hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing are all very common.

The population of Billings isn't quite 100,000 (and we're easily the biggest city in Montana), so there aren't a lot of things here that there are in "big" cities. In fact, there's not a lot to do here. That means that the two biggest activities (when people aren't doing something outdoors) are drinking and gambling. The number of bars and casinos around here is staggering. You're tripping over them every time you turn around. Churches, too, come to think of it. Maybe there's a correlation there...

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. I guess I've never really sat down and thought about what makes Billings Billings. I'll post anything else I can think of and see if I can't get some of my friends to post some of their thoughts here.

Starman

 

[nopantsyet]

My wife and I met and dated playing about in the Rockies and the red rocks. The accessibility and noncommercialization of outdoor-oriented locales is something we've missed since coming back East, and is definitely a selling point. As is the possibility of a break from the current pace of our lives.

Yeah, the conservative aspect is one that would prove interesting, since I am nothing of the sort. But I can certainly see why churches and drinking go hand in hand. Seems one can easily drive you to the other, or vice versa. Maybe both.

 

[Orwell]

Somehow I feel compelled to chime in because who'd a thunk there'd be a thread on Billings, Montana on EnWorld? Anyway, I grew up in a small town outside of Billings (Broadview) and while I haven't lived there in 20 years (since I left for college) my extended family still lives in the area and I visit every year or so.

One observation I'd add is that while Montana is conservative it's more laissez-faire "don't bother me and I won't bother you" "old-school" conservatism and not so much the right-wing religious conservatism. Though there's always a Freeman or two to keep things interesting (might be a adventure idea in there...).

Definately outdoor activities predominate. There's decent skiing down the highway at Red Lodge, Montana and better IMHO skiing further up at Bridger Bowl at Bozeman.

Billings can surprise you at times with things like getting main-stream movies in to theaters quickly because they're the regional retail center for a pretty big area but on the other hand you won't get "art house" pictures soon or at all.

That's the other thing, Billings is big for regional retail, Federal government agencies, regional medical service and somewhat an educational center.

It was interesting to me to leave at 18 and watch as I basically came back at intervals to see how it has changed. It was weird to watch the gambling joints come in and take over, over a period of about 6 or eight years.

Can't really speak to the issue of the gaming scene though as I gamed with my high school friends a bajillion years ago but we've all (mostly) left since then....

 

[Starman]

Though there's always a Freeman or two to keep things interesting (might be a adventure idea in there...)

Don't forget the Unabomber.

Starman