Why do you attend a wargamming show?

[Imperial Dave]

Brought about by comments in a related thread.

How do you choose a wargame show or event (as a punter rather than a trader)? Is it:

- Driven by a specific event eg competition
- chosen due to close proximity eg cost and or convenience
- the traders present
- by knowing people that you want to meet up with are going
- date/availability

I suspect its a mix of the above but wonder what is the primary reason for attending a show or event? Also how many shows do you aspire to attend per year?

[Sharur]

Personally, it's the distance, as how far I can manage to get and still be up to wandering around for a while is heavily health-limited. That restricts me to just the one show close enough nowadays.

In the past, when such restrictions didn't exist, it was a mixture of the date, traders and other folks who'd be there, primarily. Part of that was driven by my being roped-in to assist at a friend's stall at times, which at least usually meant travel and staying overnight if needed was provided (even if that was an air mattress on someone's floor; when you're young & daft, y'know how it is/was!).

[Imperial Dave]

For me its the golden 2 hour rule primarily. I have averaged 1 show a year but hoping to do more in 2026

Traders are a nice pull but seeing games is a greater one

[GavinP]

Location and traders. The former more for ease of travel and likelihood of meeting friends and the second for fulfilling purchasing requirements. For most shows the games are a bit of eye candy but rarely lead to anything worthwhile - although I like Hammerhead and it's all participation ethos. It's pretty annoying when you show interest in a game and the owners can't be arsed engaging with you and are more interested in having a jolly day out.

[Dave Knight]

AS a member of the public and not as a Test of Resolve trader (although I will still wear the T shirt and usually have one or two interactions about the rules) my reasons for attending are

1) To play games
2) To find interesting stuff on the Bring and Buy, usually painted figures
3) To have a quick look at the traders and perhaps buy a book

Part of it is where possible to also have a jaunt somewhere new.  I usually stay overnight and that gives me time to look at historic/scenic sites on the way and enjoy a walk somewhere new.  When my wife was alive we would often turn attendance at a new show into a mini break and I would limit my wargaming time to 2 or 3 hours.  However most shows I attend are drivable there and back in a day with points 1 to 3 above applying.

[Imperial Dave]

I have to admit that regarding the point about game organisers who don't want to involve, or discuss the game with, punters is a bit daft.

If I were there with a game if my own design id want people to ask me about it

[Ian61]

I have only recently started going to the odd show. My first was Colours post pandemic when I went to help Richard on the SoA stand. been a regular there since and have tried out a few others not too distant Plymouth, Devizes and most recently Yeovilton (Naval). Generally I enjoy talking to folks about their games and seeing what other people are playing and the new kit that's available. I have also enjoyed a few participation games. In effect a good day out.

[Imperial Dave]

Ill try and get to Devizes next year its on my short list. Used to go regularly

[Mark G]

If point 1 is key, Dave
(and I think it is, as do most people I know),
then why do a one day show at all?

That 70s model of demo games and traders attached harks from a time when the only way to see figures before buying was posting off a cheque or attending a trade show.
Clubs put on demo games to attract curious members of the general public to their club.

None of that applies now.

Excluding a couple of Salute size, which are proper public events, shows now seem to be duties not pleasures.

Traders attending out of nostalgia and duty (but really just hoping to break even on the day),
 clubs putting in a years effort into a demo game to attract 0 new members as the only attendees are already in a club,
and maybe a new venture trying to put on a novel experience for a small number of already committed gamers attracted while walking past

And the awful experience of never ending tat that comprises the bring and buy now, since all the good stuff goes on eBay

Compare that with the board game events now. Using a proper size convention centre with decent food throughout

Traders attending at the entrance, and then acres of tables available for pick up games.
 
Scheduled book in advance multiplayer games publicised weeks ahead. Many run by the producers.

Boards of times for players wanted / games wanted - standard signage on games letting the shy know this game needs another player.

Isn't it time to reconsider the whole model, and look at a gaming weekend, not a single day of demonstrations?

[Adrian Nayler]

Isn't it time to reconsider the whole model, and look at a gaming weekend, not a single day of demonstrations?

There we are Dave. Forget the 'traditional' show and we'll see you at the Society Convention next October. You could even trial your prototype rules there.

[Jim Webster]

The problem with the gaming weekend is the logistics and cost. I believe they're popular in the US where people do travel considerable distances to events.

We do have events like the society conference, and from what I've read in people's comments, some of the competitions are over a couple of days. The first has a very strong organised format. Different games but with people to run them around a theme. At a competition I assume people turn up with an army in a prearranged scale and for a prearranged rule set and period.
I'd be intrigued to see how it went if somebody organised something along the lines of the boardgame event mentioned.

[Imperial Dave]

Isn't it time to reconsider the whole model, and look at a gaming weekend, not a single day of demonstrations?

There we are Dave. Forget the 'traditional' show and we'll see you at the Society Convention next October. You could even trial your prototype rules there.

If only...

[GavinP]

Isn't it time to reconsider the whole model, and look at a gaming weekend, not a single day of demonstrations?

There we are Dave. Forget the 'traditional' show and we'll see you at the Society Convention next October. You could even trial your prototype rules there.

If only...

As newly arrived and volunteering to help with the convention, might I enquire why? Purely distance? Cost? Who will tend the 64 cows while you're away etc? Pm me if you prefer (Assuming that's an option on this forum)

[GavinP]

The problem with the gaming weekend is the logistics and cost. I believe they're popular in the US where people do travel considerable distances to events.

We do have events like the society conference, and from what I've read in people's comments, some of the competitions are over a couple of days. The first has a very strong organised format. Different games but with people to run them around a theme. At a competition I assume people turn up with an army in a prearranged scale and for a prearranged rule set and period.
I'd be intrigued to see how it went if somebody organised something along the lines of the boardgame event mentioned.

There are of course some logistical challenges with wargaming vs boardgaming. The terrain, figures and paraphernalia are significantly more bulk than a box for a boardgame (accepting there are small figures and tables and also heavy/extensive boardgames). I'd also say that the boardgame events I've been to tend to be a "bring something and you might not play it affair", with figure gaming that might not be entirely fulfilling given the time and effort taken to get to that point.

And tournaments/competition style gaming is decidedly not for everyone so rocking up with only one army isn't going to serve you well if your in that camp.

I spoke with Richard about the numbers for SOAC and what the upper limit is for attendees, and his experienced view was that many more than we have runs the risk of overcomplicated organisation and a much higher risk of not being able to run enough games. When I look at the Lardy 1 day events they're usually much smaller than SOAC and that's for a focused common interest group.

All good food for thought though.

[lionheartrjc]

To run the Society of Ancients stand!