Salt Lake Gaming Convention, 2018 Wrap Up

Two days of gaming and associated geekery are wrapped up for this year’s edition of the Salt Lake Gaming Convention (SLGC) (website). A convention combining electronic and tabletop games is still in its infancy after only a few years of existence. This year, having lost some of their supplies to theft, presented a major hurdle they successfully overcame.

Part of the game floor

There were hardships that almost led to the convention not being held this year. I heard a few months before the regular convention date, this year wasn’t going to happen, and there might not be another edition of SLGC at all. Plans changed after the gaming community started enquiring about when and where the convention was going to be this year. The organizers responded to the fans and provided the event.

On a short timeline, a convention was put together. Knowing some of the limitations they were up against, I would call this year’s event a success. And, pulling it all together showed the ability to make a sustainable convention that fans can look forward to.

What did they accomplish?

Electronic Games

The electronic games area was the biggest draw, which is where the focus of the convention has been. Along with Microsoft having a showcase area, there were open areas for conventioneers to set up and play. Game pits for open multiplayer games were consistently full. There were large screen viewing areas for the competitive play, which included intercollegiate esports.

 

Pinball Alley

The electronics area hosted a number of tournaments, along with college teams going head-to-head. There were events for both amateur and professional players. The crowds were enthusiastic in support of their favorite players and characters. Conversations abounded through the audience about what was happening on the screen and the strategy they would have used if they were playing.

Pinball

Pinball alley returned from last year and was another place of overflowing use. New games and retro flippers were available for everyone young and old to step up and see if they had what it takes to work the digit counting ball. Standing and watching three generations of one family playing pinball together was a joy. A grandfather was standing with his grandson during his parent’s turns sharing a story of how he used to meet friends to play pinball because there weren’t video arcades.

Tabletop Games

St. George Tabletop Game Convention (website) provided a library of games for those who wanted to challenge their friends across a table instead of through a screen. I hope people extend a thank you to the organizers of the St. George event because it’s at least a four hour drive between there and Salt Lake City. Envoy/Double Exposure (website) ambassadors were on hand helping teach games and give recommendations to those who weren’t sure of what game would fit their style.

Warhammer

The tabletop games had their own tournaments. Both days hosted a couple dozen tables for Warhammer. Other miniature games included Star Wars and War Machine. Collector card games included Magic the Gathering, Star Wars, Pokemon, along with My Little Pony at dedicated tables.

Role playing games (RPG) were present in force due to the strong individual talents of the local Adventurer’s League (website) and Pathfinder Society (website). There were other free tables running games for those looking for something different. The RPG area kept two to three dozen tables regularly filled with players from beginning to end.

Kids Zone

SLGC again provided an area dedicated to the younger players. A pirate ship was available for exploring. A Nerf battle zone and a trike race course was a place for many young gamers to burn off some the excited energy they came with. The Lego building area and tables for creative design work were places that might not have been so energetic, but they were well attended. Some groups looked like the parents took the kids in so they could build with the blocks.

Lego pit

Live Action Area

The arena for battle was once again erected with opposing forces facing off with foam weapons. Epic battles were waged. There was also a smaller area set up for just the younger players learning to get their battle feet under them.

Vendors

In the midst of all of this was the market place, where conventioneers were able to pick up their remembrances of the event and support their fandoms. The area had a wide selection of memorabilia, artists, game designers, and promotional areas for other groups and events.

Guests and Panels

The guests and panelists were well received.

Great voice actors were there to share what they do and who they are. Charles Martinet (website) of Mario fame. The cast of God of War included Christopher Judge (Facebook), Danielle Bisutti (website), Jeremy Davie (imdb), and Robert Craighead (Twitter). The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was represented by Patricia Summersett (website), Elizabeth Maxwell (website), Andi Gibson (website), Bill Rogers (Twitter), Jamie Mortellaro (Twitter), and Joe Hernandez (Twitter). And, Chloe Hollings (Twitter) from Overwatch, Victoria Atkin (Twitter) from Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, Jason Charles Miller (website) of Geek and Sundry, and Jason Hayes (composer) (Twitter) were also talked about their experiences.

The panels covered topics about all types of gaming and other areas of interest.

Cosplay

Cosplay wasn’t left out. There was a competition which was highlighted by Zabracus (Twitter) and Missy Mayhem (Twitter). These Two local talents provided insight for those who want to do cosplay.

Overall

These were two days packed with a lot of activities a person could get involved with.

I’ve had the opportunity of attending this convention every year since its inception. This year was a struggle. Even with the struggles, the organizers had the guts to push forward when others may have folded. That showed their strength and the power of the gaming community in SLC. My hat’s off to their success (and, yes, I wear a hat when I go to conventions).

There will be more articles coming from my experiences at SLGC 2018. I look forward to seeing more of this convention in the future and watching it grow into what it is capable of producing for the gamers supporting it.

This article also submitted for publication to Utah Geek Magazine and Big Shiny Robot.

If you have a comment, suggestion, or critique please leave a comment here or send an email to guildmastergaming@gmail.com.

You can also join Guild Master Gaming on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter (@GuildMstrGmng).

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Salt Lake Gaming Convention 2017

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.

You can also join Guild Master Gaming on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter (@GuildMstrGmng).

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