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DAY 2: GAMES
GALORE!
All in all, I had a great time meeting Pat for the first time in person and seeing all the games and gamers with a common goal---to have fun in the biggest gaming community ever assembled. PHOTO GALLERY |
As
I made my way through the crosswalk leading to the Convention
Center, I was surrounded by gamers of all ages with backpacks and
rolling suitcases full of their favorite game boards, dice, and
playing pieces. Some of them had scheduled gaming or tournament
times they were heading to and some were just looking for a table to
throw down a board for hours of gaming with others. I stood by
waiting to meet up with Pat (Jedi Scholar 8) for the first time and
make our rounds for the day.
There
were rooms set up for about any game you can think of…and then some.
Their were magic games, Star Wars Miniatures, card games of all
kinds, and computer gaming to keep your game face on. Some of the
card and miniature games had elaborate setups with a full room of
gamers showing off gaming expertise. Some groups/teams had shirts
made up to support their dominance with the cards. Outside of some
of the gaming rooms were groups of 3 or 4 musicians playing and
singing for passing gamers. In addition to the musicians, some
gamers decided to skip the haul to their hotel rooms and just catch
up on their sleep on benches and floors throughout the hallways.
These are some diehard gamers here with the 24 hour gaming.
In
between the games and tournaments, everyone seemed to make their way
into the Exhibit Hall B for some major purchases. Inside, you could
find about anything that you need to perfect your game. Miniatures
of all shapes, sizes, and prices and dice with various number of
sides and colors, cards of all kinds, and plenty of artwork to
support the look of the games throughout the building. I, honestly,
am not a gamer as far as board games and card games go. I am a major
computer gamer though and have respect for all games. But I can say
that I was quite surprised by the price fluctuation for different
miniatures and game pieces. It is truly amazing how much time and
money that these games can take up. I saw prices for game miniatures
selling for $1 up to $100.
A
popular place to be in the Exhibit Hall B was Gentle Giant’s booth.
They had the exclusive Mara Jade busts for sale and had a great
setup of Star Wars Bust-Ups and Busts. The Jade Busts are amazing
and the Bust-Ups gave us a sneak peak at some of the animated Clone
Wars wave coming up in a few months. Gentle Giant also had set up
for Shannon McRandle, the actress/model portraying Mara Jade, to be
at their booth at specific times throughout the weekend to autograph
the Mara Jade busts for free to fans that made the purchase of the
bust. I have to say that I don’t own even one Bust-Up as of this
minute, but these might find a way into my basement very soon. Very
detailed and with a price usually around $5 each, you just can’t
pass em’ up!!
There
was also a section set up to build, and I mean build, card towers
and building. These guys took ordinary playing/gaming cards and
stacked and bent them to form pyramids, buildings, and bridges that
were amazing. And to top off the amazing feat, they had scheduled to
allow gamers on the last day, Sunday, to come by and toss coins at
the structures to destroy them. All coins that are collected for the
demolition will be given to charity along with any other donations.
A fun idea and it just has a cherry on top with the charitable gift.