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ConnCon - First and Lasting Impressions

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There Will Be Games

My family and I decided to take the plunge and make a trip to ConnCon this year. We have been to the WBC in Lancaster PA. for the last two years, and loved our experiences there so much, that we decided to take Matt’s recommendation to come to Stamford for the convention. Long story short, we are glad we did.

The only way I can talk about the convention is to compare it to the WBC, our only other gaming convention experience. Right away, we could see some differences. ConnCon is a much smaller event than the WBC, but held at a much nicer facility. The hotel was very easy to find, and the accommodations were very nice. We even had a fridge in our room so we didn’t have to eat breakfast out, and could save some money. The hotel pool and gym, while small, was a real plus for my wife and kids. Those who have met me know that, clearly, I am not much interested in these facilities, but my wife and kids sure are, so it was fantastic that it was there. There are pool facilities at the Lancaster Host as well, but my kids liked the pool with the window into the gym so my wife could watch them while working out. The rooms were clean and well maintained, unlike the Host where there were actually some moisture/mildew/mold issues (yuck!). Other than a short evacuation due to Loter probably pulling a fire alarm to wake people up, the hotel and the location were very nice.

Now on to the people. The people are where this convention sold itself. The gentleman running the convention was super friendly, very nice, helpful and concerned that we all had a good time. I saw him constantly helping people get together if they were looking for a game, making introductions and facilitating the experience. I really appreciated this. It makes it much easier to go somewhere new when people do not just dump you in a room and leave you to your own devices. In all fairness to the WBC, I think it’s just too large for Don to do that, and they have come up with some systems (player needed flags, and willing to teach signs etc.) that help people meet up, but this convention was much more intimate. By the time I left, I felt like I had grown to know a few new people, and greatly enjoyed their company (and hopefully, they enjoyed ours). I was also quite impressed by the number of people who were courteous and friendly to my kids. There were not many kids there, and my kids are budding gamers who are very capable for kids their age, but it was so nice to see people who were willing to play with them instead of turning up their noses. There were lots of people at the WBC who were willing to play with them as well, but there were many more turned up noses at that event. There was none of that at ConnCon and I know my kids and I appreciated it. One gentleman I met who was nice enough to play Defenders of the Realm with my kids (even though my son was leaving everyone hanging out to dry by going off to try to complete quests!) said he had a child as well and, based on what he saw from my kids and the warm reception they received, he may bring her with him next year. I took that as a very good sign. The convention was not what I was expecting (I thought it would be larger), but it exceeded my expectations in many ways, and my wife has declared that she would be disappointed if we did not go back next year. I agree!

Now on to the games I played. I really enjoyed getting to play some games that I had never played before. It was the best part of the con for me other than the reception my kids received. I have ALWAYS wanted to try Princes of the Renaissance, and finally had the chance when I got to meet up with a gentleman I had never met, Joe Gola. Joe was nice enough to teach a group of us this game (there were four, and I’m so sorry but I do not remember everyone’s name) and Joe gave enough information about the end game (something some people tend to forget) that I felt I had a grasp of what I needed to do, even if it did not always work out for me in the early game. The game was tense and tight, and I managed somehow, with a little Machiavellian backstabbing and double-dealing, to win the game. I’m still not sure how it happened, but it was one of the best memories of the convention for me personally. I was also very glad that the other players at the table were all so gracious and fun to play with throughout. A tight game like that can lead to tension and terseness during and right at the end of a game, but not with this group. It was just fun! Thanks guys!

Another highlight for me was getting to play Moongha Invaders with Shellie the Great and her Gracious husband Al. I’m very sorry, but I forgot the fourth player’s name, though I can clearly see him and know he just finished his teaching program in New York, and was a great guy to play with.The game was both Wallace and not Wallace since its theme was silly and fun, and there was much dice rolling, but the rule set was Wallacey dense and meaty. Overall, I thought the game was a really good time. I particularly enjoyed the passing mechanism in the game, and the way it added a “push your luck” element that just increased the fun. I was also a fan of using the die rolls in the beginning of each turn to add to the base resources available each turn so the game play is varied and different so it does not become a math exercise. Thanks to all who agreed to play this with me, another great memory of this fantastic Conn!

Speaking of Al and the other gentleman who’s name I sadly just cannot remember (please help if anyone can refresh my memory), I also got to play King of Tokyo with my kids one night before we put them to bed. They really liked this game and had a blast playing it. The game is simple, fun and easy to play, but very thematic. The cards add so much variety and spice to the game that I cannot imagine it ever gets old. This is an instant buy for me as soon as it’s re-released. Thanks to the guys for being willing to play with us, and to the guys from the FAT crew for teaching it to me the night before after the event which shall not be named.

Or will it? Why not. For some strange reason (could be scotch and beer), I decided to partake in Matt Loter’s Pretty Pretty Princess tournament. As would be fitting, I lost after just ten minutes in the first round to a nice young lady, so even though I was sad to give up my earrings and necklaces (my wrists and hands were just too big for the bracelets, so it was left to dangle from my necklace in an alluring fashion), I was also relieved that I was able to just sit back and watch the show! It was a show. See Loter’s picture in other lists, or maybe don’t, it may scar you. The panties, my god the panties (shudder…… or maybe, “Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle wiggle….I work out!).

I played a great game of Airline’s Europe as well. I don’t recall the player names (apparently I’m going to need to write them down next year), but we had fun. I think Airlines is a “grown up” ticket to ride that is always interesting to play, fun, and does not outstay its welcome. The group was great, and the game was a blast.

Other notable games were a game of Survive with Octavian and the kids. He had never played (shame on you Matt!), but really seemed to enjoy himself, and I know the kids had a blast as always. It’s always fun at the end of the game to see who actually won since the point values on the meeples who survive is so important in the end game. I appreciated him being willing to sit and play with us. It was great fun!

I also had the chance to play Deadwood with, I believe, Josh if my memory and horrible name recognition has not betrayed me once again. Again, he was very gracious to play with the kids and it was fun to see him, after a few turns, look at me and say, “They really do get the meta game here, don’t they?” Proud parent moment. My kids were killing my cowboys left and right, but I managed to show ‘em all in the end as I left the varmints behind in the dust and won the game. That’ll learn ‘em! Another great gaming memory.

I met up with Joe one last time to play Little Italy. As a Knizia nut, it was one he had never played, so I was happy to teach him and glad to play. There is more to this game than first meets the eye, and though two is not the best number of players, it was still quick, light and fun. I hope he enjoyed it, and hope to see him next year so he can teach me Amun Re.

So, overall, the convention was wonderful. Great location, easy to find, only two hours away from Northeastern PA., and, most importantly, great, great people. It seems like everyone there knows everyone, and it’s more a gathering of friends. It’s easy to feel shut out at events like that, but this was an exception to that rule. No exclusivity, no cliques, no snobbery, just my own people getting together and having fun and welcoming us into the fold. We always had a good time, and this is a Con I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone in the greater NE corridor.

There Will Be Games
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