[Milwaukee Gamefest, 1-3 August] OAD&D tournament

[Col_Pladoh]

Hi Ed!

The Milwaukee Gamefest was indeed a gamer-friendly event with lots of spots available. There were many exhibitors there too. hope to see you there next year

This is the brief report I just sent out to my lists:

Ciao,
Gary
---------------------------------------------------------------

Greetings Chaps!

I got back from the captioned con Sunday evening--tired but well -pleased. I really enjoyed the show

Attendance at the event was lighter than I expected--under 1,000. Exhibiters were plentiful including Kenzer & Comapny, Clyde Caldwell, Master Maze, Troll Lord Games, and Hekaforge. Sales were pretty good, I heard, considering the relatively small number of gamers. Alex was demoing the LA game all three days, and Inner City Games, they handling the Hekaforge sales, sold out of the LEJENDARY RULES FOR ALL PLAYERS. The Trolls were also quite pleased with sales of the whole "Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds" line, the LIVING FANTASY book being premiered at the MG con, and spurring interest in the whole series. They are eager to get the next work in the line, THE EXTRAORDINARY BOOK OF NAMES.

The OAD&D tournament went well, as I believe did all of the games that the con offered. All the finaliste played very well, and only at the last few minutes of the adventure were three of the characters in danger of death (by drowning). I had a lot of fuin DMing that final round

The attendees seemed very happy with the convention. I saw John Seibel and Mike Johnston from my LA game group there. Where were the rest of you?! And not one of the regulars from my campaign or lists showed up at the room party we held from 8 PM until around Midnight on Saturday...

Next year the MG is slated for 9-11 July, and we are sure it will attract a lot more gamers because the event is a fun one that is meant to provide a lot of gaming for attendees. I do believe that the Gamefest folks have the makings of a great regional con that will please those who want to play and share camaraderie with their fellows.

Now I have a few hundred emails to check through, so I'll close.

Cheerio,
Gary

 

[Bregh]

I am soooooooo going to this next year.

(I'da gone this year but I just bought a new home and would've had a hard time qualifying travel expenses involved.)

Great to hear that despite a rather low turn-out people seemed to have a great time.

Counting the days now.....

 

[Col_Pladoh]

I am soooooooo going to this next year.

(I'da gone this year but I just bought a new home and would've had a hard time qualifying travel expenses involved.)

Great to hear that despite a rather low turn-out people seemed to have a great time.

Counting the days now.....

Hi Bregh.

Larry Ice put out a lot of advertising for the Milwaukee Gamefest, but it wasn't likely as effective as he had hoped. I urged that he run a banner ad right here on EN World.

Actually, the relatively light turnout assured those there of getting into the game theu wanted to play. I also know that for next year they are planning on adding a lot of events, figuring that as word of mouth gets around many more gamers will come to the 2004 show. As it is in july, there won't be the close conflict with GenCon either

I loved it being on the small side as it gave me the chance to spend a lot of one-on-one time chatting with other gamers. that rercalled the old mini-cons we used to run here in Lake Geneva for the real hardcore fans, although no PIT games were being played where RPG events were being held... The down side was that my two seminars had only about 20 or so persons attending, but even that was a plus in regards to personal interaction with the audience.

Cheers,
Gary

 

[tmaaas]

I think I'll put this one on the calendar for next year. It's not like I'll have far to drive . . .

 

[Phebius]

Both myself and the two young'uns that went with me had a spectacular time. I enjoyed the small scale of it and my stepson and his cousin enjoyed getting to meet Gary and playing in all the events. Alex's signed dice box has been placed in a spot of honor and he has been bragging to his friends that his dice will now roll better than any of theirs. I will definately be going next year. Too bad I didn't get that chess game with Gary, though

 

[Dirt]

Gamefest Indy

Since we're on the topic of Gamefest, does anyone know about the Gamefest Indy that will be run in November? I was wondering if there are any plans to have an AD&D tournament there as well?

 

[Col_Pladoh]

I think I'll put this one on the calendar for next year. It's not like I'll have far to drive . . .

Heh!

So, why weren't you there? You missed having a beer or two with me and a bunch of other ne're-do-wells Being an official Old Fart now, though, I didn't go out bar-hopping with the bunch, but they hit several places including the Safe House and the Velvet Room Anyway, next year...

Cheers,
Gary

 

[KnowTheToe]

For those who attended, what was the turn out like?

What was the format, quality of games etc....

In short, what did you think?

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Both myself and the two young'uns that went with me had a spectacular time. I enjoyed the small scale of it and my stepson and his cousin enjoyed getting to meet Gary and playing in all the events. Alex's signed dice box has been placed in a spot of honor and he has been bragging to his friends that his dice will now roll better than any of theirs. I will definately be going next year. Too bad I didn't get that chess game with Gary, though

Ah...

That was your son who had the great wooden dice box, eh? I admit i was imprressed with it

Playing chess at a con would put me at a severe disadvantage, mainly because I'd be interrupted pretty frequently to autograph, answer questions, chat, and suchlike schmoozing with me fellow game geeks.

Come on down to Lake Geneva, and we can play chess--or shogi, Chinese chess, or even a modernized version of the old Courrier Game

Cheers,
Gary

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Re: Gamefest Indy

Since we're on the topic of Gamefest, does anyone know about the Gamefest Indy that will be run in November? I was wondering if there are any plans to have an AD&D tournament there as well?

Howdy!

I don't know, but I suspect that they'll want to run some AD&D, certainly.

The email contact for details is: gamefest@gamefestseries.com

Cheers,
Gary