Hail Gamers!
Well, as you know it's on again... I've decided to book the wonderfully welcoming Centenary Community Hub at Mount Ommaney for a weekend of gaming 21-23 of October 2022.
This year the programme will run over 3 days from Friday night til midnight, all-day Saturday til midnight and again on Sunday til early afternoon.
Bump-in/setup is from: 5:30pm Friday and again from 8am on Saturday and Sunday. Bump-out/tear-down must be completed by 2pm Sunday.
An organised booking for dinner (pay your own way) will likely occur on Saturday night (TBA) at a near-by venue.
As this stage, we are only calling on anyone keen to commit to hosting / facilitating /running a game session or two at the ‘Fest..
No player registrations are being taken at this time. Once we have the schedule looking ship-shape we will open up registrations.
I'll send out an email about regos when we’re ready. Otherwise please keep an eye on the website for updates.
*******************************************************************************
** WARNING – VERY LONG BLOG**
If you have hosted at GameFestBris before and know what to expect, feel free to skip to “YOUR GAME PROPOSALS” at the end… otherwise please enjoy the read..
If you aren't interested in hosting a game, then feel free to stop reading now.
..but please keep an eye on this website for updates. :-)
*******************************************************************************
OK SO YOU’RE INTERESTED IN HOSTING A GAME AT “GAMEFEST BRISBANE”?
What we are after:
We welcome board games, role-playing games, strategy games, Eurogame’s, Ameri trash, tactical and strategic miniature games and other genres of tabletop-gaming. You may use whatever props, player aids or house-rules you wish to enhance the experience. These games aren’t tournaments, and we don’t ask that you follow any kind of ‘official competition rules’. Run them the way you are most comfortable.
What we (generally) aren’t looking for:
We don’t generally host computer games, eSports or LARPs*.
(*Although if anyone thinks they have the resources to create something like “TrueDungeon(TM)” or are interested in hosting a ‘MegaGame’ I’d certainly be interested in chatting to you… possibly for future events; as they may take a bit to organise…)
We have tried a few computer-based / e-gaming type events but they tend to get too noisy and take a lot of effort to setup… so I’d generally say ‘no’. We’ll leave that to the professionals like PAX.
Using technology:
You should however feel free to use technology to support your game if you think it will help.. Using laptops, iPads, tablets and other devices can enhance the play.. (They are essential for ‘App-enabled’ games like Mansions of Madness after all).
All I ask is that you please be mindful of the noise level if you intend to play music or sound effects; otherwise go nuts!
P.S. We don’t supply WiFi, so, if you need Internet access during the event, please BYO.
What we need from hosts:
You must be willing and able to:
- supply all the game materials needed to host a game yourself. i.e. You need to please bring everything along with you on the day including dice, pens, pencils and paper(if needed), and obviously you need to own or acquire a copy of the game to bring along.
- teach the game to new players (i.e. you need to know the rules and have play-tested the game in the format you intend to run it on the day – [please don’t show-up on the day and start reading the rulebook at the start of the session]). You need to know the game well enough to introduce new players to it in a reasonable amount of time at the start of your session.
- accommodate a minimum of 3 players (besides yourself*)
o I know that there are a number of great 2 or 3 player games out there, but GameFest is all about getting players together and 2-player games don’t usually work well at our event.
o If your game has two ‘sides’ and can accommodate multiple players per side then by all means put it forward.. team vs team games are great!
o 1 person vs a team, Gamemastered or pure Co-Op games (where the game has built in ‘AI’ or an App for example) are very welcome!
(*Some games require a Gamemaster, antagonist [e.g. RPGs, Descent 1st Ed, Treasure Island or HeroQuest 1st Ed] or can be run by an Adjudicator [e.g. Captain Sonar, double-blind Wargames with hidden units..] and these games often allow more players because of their format! )
- provide some true idea of the running time for the game You should know how long it actually takes to play (especially with new players), not what it states on the box – which is often only for players who already know the game well. Experienced players can be a boon at your table, but you can’t rely on having them show-up – see “Experts only need apply” below.
Recommendations:
Timing:
The game you propose to run at GameFest may be old or new, great or small, complex or simple however I recommend that you plan to run your session within a 2 to 4 hour time slot INCLUDING a brief introduction on how to play at the start.
Teaching:
You should consider providing enough of an explanation of the rules for new players to get into it and have a go.
You don’t have to go into a detailed explanation of every possible situation that could occur during the game or talk about all the nuances and tactics you have learned when playing it.
Give the players an overview of the basics, run through an example or two that might come up and then get stuck in..
Providing player aids, cheat sheets, rules quick references and other props can help (there are a bunch of great resources on www.BoardGameGeek.com).
Shut-up and Sit Down did a great YouTube tutorial on teaching boardgames here: https://youtu.be/P5fjDaFuft8
‘Experts only need apply’:
If, for whatever reason, you believe that you can only run your game with experienced/expert players, then please re-consider either the choice of game system or the style of game you intend to run.
For many attendees, GameFest is an opportunity to try games they haven't played before, so I'd prefer that their first experience to be an enjoyable one..
I don't believe we are a big enough event to have tiers of players in the sense of experience, and we are not running tournaments or competitions for the same reason. So this recommendation is something I'd like to emphasize as I know it works for GameFest in its current format..
Additional - Mark’s tips for running a successful game at the ‘Fest:
If you are a new host trying to choose a game to run, here are a few tips I have found useful:
TIP 1: For one-off games at an event like this, I suggest you consider streamlining the experience in any way you can by:
1.1 Getting the most actual playing-time in during the session slot vs the time spent on rules explanations...
Avoid strategy tips unless you really believe the are essential for the enjoyment of your game. Remember, the goal is to have fun and make it fun, not to get it 'textbook-perfect'. (See also TIP 3)
1.2. Communicate the core of the rules and format of the game to the players in the most efficient way (e.g., rule reference sheets, pregenerated armies / characters, chosen scenario, colour-coded pieces. whatever will enhance the play).
1.3. Remove any complex or non-essential rules from the play - 'dumb-it-down' a bit if you need to so that you can show the players the essence of the game. Try not to use optional rules or advanced play rules unless it truly enhances the experience and it will comfortably fit within the time-slot (see also TIP 2)
TIP 2: Choose a scenario or format of the game that fits into the time-slot - perhaps with a bit of wriggle-room/slack at the end.
2.1 You may need to play-test your game a few times before you know that the 'scenario' will fit. Bear in mind that you will also need a bit of time at the start to explain how to play.
2.2 Plan to finish the game.. even if you have to have a contingency plan in case the group doesn't look like finishing.. Players will have a better impression and are highly likely to enjoy the game more if you manage to finish.
2.3 Try to allow for setup time at the start of the session slot – i.e. plan (if possible) to get to your table early enough that you get the best use of your timeslot. If your game requires a lot of setup time (and/or pack-up time), please call this out to me in your initial proposal so I can plan for your game to start at the end of a break/start of the day, allowing you to arrive earlier.
TIP 3: There's no need to discuss much in the way of tactics or nuances of the game in your 'how to play' segment - some of the fun for new players is figuring out the strategies themselves; UNLESS you believe (from experience) that in order to have fun/get the best out of the game you deem it unavoidable to mention a few playing tips.. If this is the case, then make sure everyone knows what you know about the game that makes it fun in your experience.
3.1 By contrast, please don't hold back on any essential strategies/nuances of the game and then use them yourself to beat everyone else/win the game.. this won't make the game fun for the other players. They may even resent that you 'held-out' on them and walk away with a poor view of the game (or GameFest.. )
3.2 You should not be afraid to create house rules that you believe will enhance the experience of the game - but make sure you tell folks clearly what they are and explain (briefly) why they are included.. usually as a result of play-testing your game. Afterall, it is your game and, as host, you have the right to make changes to enhance the game as you see fit. Try not to get too radical right out of the gate.. Remember, some of your players (if not all of them) will be new to your game.
--------------
**YOUR GAME PROPOSALS **
If you do intend on hosting a game at Game Fest Brisbane, please find my details on the 'Contact' page and let me know what game (or games) you would like to offer to host… requirements below.
If you have several game proposals please place them in the order of your preference.. I will usually pick your top 1 or 2.. unless there are double-ups between hosts.
Please let me know if you have restrictions on the number of games you can run or on your availability over the course of the weekend?
The minimum information I need to know just at the moment for each game you propose to run is:
--------
Name of the game?
Number of players (min and max) - please indicate if the numbers include yourself)?
(Some games need GM’s or antagonists (1 vs the players), in which case, logically, you might choose to be the ‘GM’.
As mentioned above, as a game host you can choose to be a ‘player’ or you may simply offer to be a rules adjudicator/facilitator of your game.
i.e. You could be one of the ‘players’ for your game unless there are a lot of players who sign up for your game, in which case you may offer to ‘host’ your game - it's your call…)
The more players you can accommodate, the better for Game Fest
Style of game? (i.e. Boardgame, Role-play, Strategy, Tactical Minis, other...)
Maximum session length: 2 hours (half-slot), 4 hours (full-slot).
---------
Thanks in Advance,
Mark
Well, as you know it's on again... I've decided to book the wonderfully welcoming Centenary Community Hub at Mount Ommaney for a weekend of gaming 21-23 of October 2022.
This year the programme will run over 3 days from Friday night til midnight, all-day Saturday til midnight and again on Sunday til early afternoon.
Bump-in/setup is from: 5:30pm Friday and again from 8am on Saturday and Sunday. Bump-out/tear-down must be completed by 2pm Sunday.
An organised booking for dinner (pay your own way) will likely occur on Saturday night (TBA) at a near-by venue.
As this stage, we are only calling on anyone keen to commit to hosting / facilitating /running a game session or two at the ‘Fest..
No player registrations are being taken at this time. Once we have the schedule looking ship-shape we will open up registrations.
I'll send out an email about regos when we’re ready. Otherwise please keep an eye on the website for updates.
*******************************************************************************
** WARNING – VERY LONG BLOG**
If you have hosted at GameFestBris before and know what to expect, feel free to skip to “YOUR GAME PROPOSALS” at the end… otherwise please enjoy the read..
If you aren't interested in hosting a game, then feel free to stop reading now.
..but please keep an eye on this website for updates. :-)
*******************************************************************************
OK SO YOU’RE INTERESTED IN HOSTING A GAME AT “GAMEFEST BRISBANE”?
What we are after:
We welcome board games, role-playing games, strategy games, Eurogame’s, Ameri trash, tactical and strategic miniature games and other genres of tabletop-gaming. You may use whatever props, player aids or house-rules you wish to enhance the experience. These games aren’t tournaments, and we don’t ask that you follow any kind of ‘official competition rules’. Run them the way you are most comfortable.
What we (generally) aren’t looking for:
We don’t generally host computer games, eSports or LARPs*.
(*Although if anyone thinks they have the resources to create something like “TrueDungeon(TM)” or are interested in hosting a ‘MegaGame’ I’d certainly be interested in chatting to you… possibly for future events; as they may take a bit to organise…)
We have tried a few computer-based / e-gaming type events but they tend to get too noisy and take a lot of effort to setup… so I’d generally say ‘no’. We’ll leave that to the professionals like PAX.
Using technology:
You should however feel free to use technology to support your game if you think it will help.. Using laptops, iPads, tablets and other devices can enhance the play.. (They are essential for ‘App-enabled’ games like Mansions of Madness after all).
All I ask is that you please be mindful of the noise level if you intend to play music or sound effects; otherwise go nuts!
P.S. We don’t supply WiFi, so, if you need Internet access during the event, please BYO.
What we need from hosts:
You must be willing and able to:
- supply all the game materials needed to host a game yourself. i.e. You need to please bring everything along with you on the day including dice, pens, pencils and paper(if needed), and obviously you need to own or acquire a copy of the game to bring along.
- teach the game to new players (i.e. you need to know the rules and have play-tested the game in the format you intend to run it on the day – [please don’t show-up on the day and start reading the rulebook at the start of the session]). You need to know the game well enough to introduce new players to it in a reasonable amount of time at the start of your session.
- accommodate a minimum of 3 players (besides yourself*)
o I know that there are a number of great 2 or 3 player games out there, but GameFest is all about getting players together and 2-player games don’t usually work well at our event.
o If your game has two ‘sides’ and can accommodate multiple players per side then by all means put it forward.. team vs team games are great!
o 1 person vs a team, Gamemastered or pure Co-Op games (where the game has built in ‘AI’ or an App for example) are very welcome!
(*Some games require a Gamemaster, antagonist [e.g. RPGs, Descent 1st Ed, Treasure Island or HeroQuest 1st Ed] or can be run by an Adjudicator [e.g. Captain Sonar, double-blind Wargames with hidden units..] and these games often allow more players because of their format! )
- provide some true idea of the running time for the game You should know how long it actually takes to play (especially with new players), not what it states on the box – which is often only for players who already know the game well. Experienced players can be a boon at your table, but you can’t rely on having them show-up – see “Experts only need apply” below.
Recommendations:
Timing:
The game you propose to run at GameFest may be old or new, great or small, complex or simple however I recommend that you plan to run your session within a 2 to 4 hour time slot INCLUDING a brief introduction on how to play at the start.
Teaching:
You should consider providing enough of an explanation of the rules for new players to get into it and have a go.
You don’t have to go into a detailed explanation of every possible situation that could occur during the game or talk about all the nuances and tactics you have learned when playing it.
Give the players an overview of the basics, run through an example or two that might come up and then get stuck in..
Providing player aids, cheat sheets, rules quick references and other props can help (there are a bunch of great resources on www.BoardGameGeek.com).
Shut-up and Sit Down did a great YouTube tutorial on teaching boardgames here: https://youtu.be/P5fjDaFuft8
‘Experts only need apply’:
If, for whatever reason, you believe that you can only run your game with experienced/expert players, then please re-consider either the choice of game system or the style of game you intend to run.
For many attendees, GameFest is an opportunity to try games they haven't played before, so I'd prefer that their first experience to be an enjoyable one..
I don't believe we are a big enough event to have tiers of players in the sense of experience, and we are not running tournaments or competitions for the same reason. So this recommendation is something I'd like to emphasize as I know it works for GameFest in its current format..
Additional - Mark’s tips for running a successful game at the ‘Fest:
If you are a new host trying to choose a game to run, here are a few tips I have found useful:
TIP 1: For one-off games at an event like this, I suggest you consider streamlining the experience in any way you can by:
1.1 Getting the most actual playing-time in during the session slot vs the time spent on rules explanations...
Avoid strategy tips unless you really believe the are essential for the enjoyment of your game. Remember, the goal is to have fun and make it fun, not to get it 'textbook-perfect'. (See also TIP 3)
1.2. Communicate the core of the rules and format of the game to the players in the most efficient way (e.g., rule reference sheets, pregenerated armies / characters, chosen scenario, colour-coded pieces. whatever will enhance the play).
1.3. Remove any complex or non-essential rules from the play - 'dumb-it-down' a bit if you need to so that you can show the players the essence of the game. Try not to use optional rules or advanced play rules unless it truly enhances the experience and it will comfortably fit within the time-slot (see also TIP 2)
TIP 2: Choose a scenario or format of the game that fits into the time-slot - perhaps with a bit of wriggle-room/slack at the end.
2.1 You may need to play-test your game a few times before you know that the 'scenario' will fit. Bear in mind that you will also need a bit of time at the start to explain how to play.
2.2 Plan to finish the game.. even if you have to have a contingency plan in case the group doesn't look like finishing.. Players will have a better impression and are highly likely to enjoy the game more if you manage to finish.
2.3 Try to allow for setup time at the start of the session slot – i.e. plan (if possible) to get to your table early enough that you get the best use of your timeslot. If your game requires a lot of setup time (and/or pack-up time), please call this out to me in your initial proposal so I can plan for your game to start at the end of a break/start of the day, allowing you to arrive earlier.
TIP 3: There's no need to discuss much in the way of tactics or nuances of the game in your 'how to play' segment - some of the fun for new players is figuring out the strategies themselves; UNLESS you believe (from experience) that in order to have fun/get the best out of the game you deem it unavoidable to mention a few playing tips.. If this is the case, then make sure everyone knows what you know about the game that makes it fun in your experience.
3.1 By contrast, please don't hold back on any essential strategies/nuances of the game and then use them yourself to beat everyone else/win the game.. this won't make the game fun for the other players. They may even resent that you 'held-out' on them and walk away with a poor view of the game (or GameFest.. )
3.2 You should not be afraid to create house rules that you believe will enhance the experience of the game - but make sure you tell folks clearly what they are and explain (briefly) why they are included.. usually as a result of play-testing your game. Afterall, it is your game and, as host, you have the right to make changes to enhance the game as you see fit. Try not to get too radical right out of the gate.. Remember, some of your players (if not all of them) will be new to your game.
--------------
**YOUR GAME PROPOSALS **
If you do intend on hosting a game at Game Fest Brisbane, please find my details on the 'Contact' page and let me know what game (or games) you would like to offer to host… requirements below.
If you have several game proposals please place them in the order of your preference.. I will usually pick your top 1 or 2.. unless there are double-ups between hosts.
Please let me know if you have restrictions on the number of games you can run or on your availability over the course of the weekend?
The minimum information I need to know just at the moment for each game you propose to run is:
--------
Name of the game?
Number of players (min and max) - please indicate if the numbers include yourself)?
(Some games need GM’s or antagonists (1 vs the players), in which case, logically, you might choose to be the ‘GM’.
As mentioned above, as a game host you can choose to be a ‘player’ or you may simply offer to be a rules adjudicator/facilitator of your game.
i.e. You could be one of the ‘players’ for your game unless there are a lot of players who sign up for your game, in which case you may offer to ‘host’ your game - it's your call…)
The more players you can accommodate, the better for Game Fest
Style of game? (i.e. Boardgame, Role-play, Strategy, Tactical Minis, other...)
Maximum session length: 2 hours (half-slot), 4 hours (full-slot).
---------
Thanks in Advance,
Mark