I’m just back from AireCon X in Harrogate. After spending a wonderful weekend , with some brilliant people, I thought I’d ask them all a question…
Why are board games conventions important to you?
Irina | Steery Game | @steerygame
I am an introvert. I don’t usually reach out to people unless I know for sure they’ll be interested in what I have to say. One reason why I love board game conventions is that once you’re there, you know you have a common ground with everyone: board games. This makes it so much easier for me to socialise, and creates a much more comfortable space for me to get to know new people, which is something I wouldn’t really do otherwise.
Conventions are also a great place to really dedicate yourself to play.
Conventions are also a great place to really dedicate yourself to play. We can get so caught up sometimes with work or chores that we forget to slow down and enjoy life. At a board game con, you forget about the work and chores, and you take the time to do something you truly enjoy!
Jess | Dissent Games | @dissentgames
Conventions are a great way to share ideas and to talk about interesting games recently played. I don’t want to know about the current popular game — I want the weird and the wonderful. What new exciting things have people come up with? How many different forms of trick taking can you get into one game? I want something which will make me go “ooooh, I wish I’d thought of that”!
Secondly, I go for the people. Where else will I get to chat to so many other people about games? I love walking through a hall and saying hello to the people I know… and now I’ve been coming to these conventions for a few years, that’s quite a lot of people. I’m the type of introvert who enjoys being extrovert for short periods of time, and so a weekend chatting to people is a great thing.
I’m the type of introvert who enjoys being extrovert for short periods of time, and so a weekend chatting to people is a great thing.
Thirdly, going to a convention is the best way for me to really concentrate on my own game designs. Between my part-time job, my variable freelance work, and my children, I don’t have a lot of free time, and definitely not the same free time each week. My mind wanders, and it’s really easy to put off crucial work on a new design. Going to conventions really encourages me to get on with my design projects!
John | Games by John Sherman | @gamesbyjs
For me, conventions serve 3 main purposes. Firstly, with no frequent local playtesting sessions, the playtest zones within Expos such as Airecon, Paradice and UKGE are essential experiences as it exposes me to new playtesters who offer differing opinions, which help shape the final experience. It also starting the ball rolling for when the game goes onto crowdfunding.
With no frequent local playtesting sessions, the playtest zones within Expos are essential experiences.
Secondly it’s a great source of networking. I’ve met a few reviewers at conventions and have begun building connections with them and making new friends; it also means I get to annoy fellow members of the #boardgameprotohype community more easily and see how their projects are coming along. Finally, it exposes me to many new games, both unpublished and published which helps inspire ideas of how to do things differently, generate new game ideas and helps challenge my critical thinking skills.
Oleta | Ocean City Games | @oceancitygames
Conventions are such an important part of being in the tabletop industry, whether as a visitor or an exhibitor. As a visitor, it’s a chance to reconnect with why I love games, seeing new trends, discovering exciting mechanics, and just enjoying the buzz without the burnout of running a stall. As an exhibitor, it’s about building confidence in ourselves, our games, and our pitching skills. Meeting manufacturers, retailers, content creators, and fellow designers face-to-face can open so many doors, and there’s nothing quite like seeing someone genuinely excited about our game in person.
I’ve also found a brilliant, supportive community of fellow game designers and publishers,
I’ve also found a brilliant, supportive community of fellow game designers and publishers, people I can learn from and vent to when I need to because they truly understand each step of the process. Conventions are an inspiring and invigorating time. I always come away reenergised to continue developing games and push through the next hurdle or milestone. One of my favourite convention memories was when we exhibited for the first time, nine months after our first Kickstarter, and a backer from the States showed up wearing merch from our first game, which was only a small project. That moment was so special. Meeting backers in person, hearing feedback from playtesters, and being surrounded by people who love games as much as we do is an incredible feeling. It’s not about the money spent on tickets or stalls. It’s about being in the presence of a wholesome community. And of course, there’s the added bonus of picking up new games without worrying about shipping!
Will | The Board Games Wizard | @theboardgamewizard
Conventions come in all shapes and sizes but all have a few things in common that are important to me, the greatest of these are discovery and community.
The physical wandering of a convention’s halls is second to none
Discovering new games by design or fortuity can be done online but the physical wandering of a convention’s halls is second to none. Who knows what is around the next corner? How can you resist when the game is in front of you just asking to be demoed or backed or even purchased and taken away for later devouring…
Community assists the discovery, meeting old friends, making new, talking to people with the same love as yourself, those boxes we call boardgames. Whether it is a passing conversation or a play of a game in open gaming or back at the hotel, being part of something greater is what conventions are all about.
Sam | Ezekias Games Ltd | @exekiasgamesltd
We’re very new to conventions (with AireCon X being only our 2nd!) but so far they have been the most rewarding and important part of the process for us. Getting our game in front of people has been both terrifying and amazing because there’s always that part of you that worries everyone’s going to hate it. But then you watch 30 groups of people play it, laughing and enjoying it, and realise that all that work you’ve done has paid off. The questions players ask and the feedback they have is so helpful for refining the game and the rulebook, but for me, seeing people enjoy the game is what makes all the difficult parts of game development worth it.
Seeing people enjoy the game is what makes all the difficult parts of game development worth it
It’s not just the attendees who are amazing – every designer and exhibitor we’ve met at conventions has been so friendly and helpful. We’ve been given invaluable advice, made friends, and been warmly welcomed into the BoardGameProtoHype group. The board gaming community is full of wonderful people on all sides and it really feels like conventions are the heart of that.
Mike | Huff No More | @huffnomore
Despite being part of a regular gaming group for about 8 years, I only started going to cons from last year. Initially this was when I plucked up the courage to take Sakana Stack out for public playtesting, and while that was crucial for the games development I quickly realised how much more I was getting from attending cons.
The gaming community is a wonderfully welcoming and inclusive place
The gaming community is a wonderfully welcoming and inclusive place and jumping on a table with people I didn’t know to play a game created some really fun moments and connections with people. I’ve been able to spend time and play games with a whole variety of people and build friendships which I know are going to be long lasting. I believe in the power of play as a huge positive to mental health and I always look forward to being in an environment with people to play, socialise and creating fun and uplifting memories.
Thank you to these wonderful folk for sharing their experience and expertise. If you’re a indie games designer or a gamer who loves conventions, please share your answer in the comments below. The designers above have their social accounts link in the titles, so please go and follow them!
Conferences are important to me for both personal and professional reasons.
On the personal side, I get to spend time with some of the nicest people I have ever met. I also get to spend time with my husband and friends playing games and doing something we have loved for over 20 years.
On the professional side, conferences are a great way to get a lot of feedback in one go on our designs. This feedback is invaluable and helps us leap forward in our design work. In addition, the conferences we attend have large lending libraries so we can play games for research purposes without having to purchase all of them. This gives us the opportunity to compare and contrast our game with others to make sure it continues to be unique and unlike any other.