There are different types of gamers who play a wide variety of games. Going into the Salt Lake Gaming Convention with that basic premise is enough to understand that every attendee would be looking for their own style of entertainment in the convention hall. I will not go as far as to say everyone in attendance found the specific item they were looking for, but I did not find anyone who wasn't enjoying themselves.The South Towne Expo Center was the location for the 2017 Salt Lake Gaming Con. This is the third year of the convention and all have been at the same location. Last year shortly before the convention Salt Lake Comic Con took on part ownership of the convention and there were differences I noted where this convention was better with the input of their experience. But, the gaming was in the forefront, or more in lines with the layout, what bracketed this event.
When entering the hall, attendees had the main electronics gaming floor to their right. During the two days of convention the pre-set areas and the open gaming tables had a regular sense of buzz. A number of islands were set up where on each of the four sides games were being played which were sponsored. Open gaming tables were for participants who brought their own equipment and tapped into the event by finding other players and competing on different levels. Behind the players was enough room that fans of the games, or the players, were able to stand or sit. Some spots were three to four deep, and there was still ample room to move around without having to press through.
Professional gamers were present and where the tournaments. On the electronics side there were two viewing areas set up where fans could watch the action on projected screens. And everyone had the chance to participate in a tournament if they desired.There was pinball (no quarters required). Around two dozen machines were set up back-to-back and there was competition play taking place. In my younger days this was more my style of arcade play and there were machines that I remember playing. There were even analog games dating back to the fifties. And, if you are fan of the pinball experience, they even had Captain Fantastic.
At the other end of the hall were the tabletop games and they had their tournaments as well. Starting on Friday was a Warhammer tournament. On Saturday there was a Star Wars Miniatures. Participants unloaded their armies and their fleets and the battles ensued.There were other games available s people brought some favorites, or borrowed from the library of games provided by SaltCon. It didn't look like SaltCon had brought their whole library, but there was a large selection of games that people were not left with walking away without something.
A section of tables were also set up for role-playing games (RPGs). Both the Adventurers League and the Pathfinder Society were present and were running games from almost the time the convention started to the time the tables were closed. They were not alone. Tables were also occupied by conventioneers playing other RPGs. Virtual Reality was represented by at least a half a dozen locations in the middle of the floor. They were mixed in with vendors covering what participants were looking for. Along with electronics and games was merchandise to remember the convention and to promote particular kingdoms of the greater realms of geekiness that we represent.
This wasn't just for the older geek either. Along the back of the hall were several areas of activities designed for the up and coming gamers of the next generation. A zone was marked off for younger players where they could play their own games. With them along the back wall was a nerf zone and a LARP arena where everyone was invited to step in and take up weapons in fun-filled battles.Along the front of the hall was where you could find the guests of honor. The talent that brings the games to life were available to meet with and collect autographs and photos.
Just outside the main arena were additional rooms where panels and presentations were held. Having them outside wasn't an inconvenience because we are not talking about having to go on a hike to find the locations. And, they were away from the main floor so everything was at a level where people could be heard. These events covered aspects of gaming creation, artistic talents, voice artists, podcasting, and some other areas of interest. And one room hosted the Cosplay competition. But, cosplay is never limited to the stage during the competition.
Cosplay was present, like a constant thread, from beginning to end, from one side to the other. There were the professionals showing what they do with amazing talent. There were booths of cosplay organizations (Umbrella Corp., Jurassic World, Ghost Busters, Heroic, etc.) who were raising awareness to causes with their talents. And, those who were there enjoying sharing in the fun of their favorite fandoms. I think many of these overlapped for even those who said they were there just enjoying the fun had some great costumes.
Salt Lake Gaming Con is developing to showcase the different aspects of the gaming world. Where many believe there to be great gaps, here for two days those gaps were bridged. Old friendships were reinforced and new ones created. People were finding the joys they have come to expect from the games they already knew, along with finding new avenues of expression they hadn't realized they would enjoy.I stopped for a few minutes at the end of the convention to "drop a quarter" into a pinball machine. As I walked up to one (Party Animals) which was just vacated a girl was asking her parents about the machines she had never seen before. They at first tried to explain. Then the man playing the game near where they were standing offered up his machine so she could experience a game. The family was playing pinball together when I finished my game and walked away.
For me that is what gaming is about, and that told me the convention was a success.
Photos were provided by Rob Sandberg.
You can also find more at Utah Geek Magazine.
If you have a comment, suggestion, or critique please leave a comment here or send an email to guildmastergaming@gmail.com.
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