Fall-In: Convention Overview

I have previously attended two Salutes in London and 6 or so CanCons in Australia but Fall-In was the most fun I have had at any gaming event, ever.

Overall, The Lad and I got to play 6 different games of different genres with a range of people.  The range, scope and scale of the games on offer was beyond that which I have seen anywhere.  I understand Historicon might be bigger but this was sufficiently overwhelming for choice!

The boys in the Vendors' Hall

We had lots of fun together and I'll go into those in detail in later posts.  We gamers are indebted to all those who put their time and money into putting on the demonstration and participation games, which are so much fun. I've only done it once but I understand the effort it requires.  Thank you.  Events like this wouldn't be the same without you.

The venue was very good.  A little tired perhaps, it was nevertheless clean, well presented, nicely staffed, had great food and drink options (got to love a Con where you can wander around with adult beverages in hand) and the many different rooms felt intimate rather than getting lost in a big metal roofed sheep shed (i.e. CanCon).  I thought the Host did very well.

Naturally, money was spent. Lots of it. Even without the dollar conversion factored in (which I didn't naturally).  I've now discovered something more expensive than going to a Con: going to a Con and financing two gamers' worth of shiny!  But well worth it of course.  Loot details to follow.

But best of all, I got to meet a range of people who I have blogged, emailed and corresponded with from Australia for years but never met personally. In particular:

Byron Collins from Collin's Epic Wargaming - maker of such fine games like Spearpoint 1943 and the upcoming Polyversal.  http://www.collinsepicwargames.com

Greg Smith, war-game designer and author of The Hunters (see here) and the upcoming US equivalent game Silent Victory.  I helped Greg with some research on the latter and an upcoming supplement for playing German and Italian submarines in the Med.  Great to meet you person at last Greg!

Sadly, my planned RV with Steve from Sound Officer's Call didn't happen because he has a family illness - I hope it all works out well buddy.

We got to meet and chat with the WWPD boys (http://www.wwpd.net) and join the audience for their show recording. That was quite a bit of fun and Reilly did well in the prize distributions too - thanks guys!

Pontificating...

A job well done!

And most importantly, Reilly and I got to meet Miles of the Uber Geek Lair fame (here) who was an absolute delight.  The best part was that we had a few days to enjoy the con together and not only was he kind enough to treat me to dinner (thanks mate!), he introduced Reilly to the very friendly WWPD boys and their X-Wing campaign.  More to follow on that but it was definitely his highlight game of the Con.  Miles, what a pleasure mate. I truely hope we can do it again in the future at either your place or mine.  And congrats again on your 3rd place in the FoW Doubles tourney. 

Miles and Reilly about the smash some Imperial Tie Fighters!

Overall, the best summary was Reilly’s comment when we got home:“That was much better than I thought it would be. It was even better than our trip to Disneyworld.”  High praise indeed!

I'll post some more pics soon with eye candy from the tables, our games and of course The loot!

 A well satisfied gamer on the 7 hr drive home! 

Tankfest at the Hobby Shop

A big cat waits for prey...

We are off to enjoy Fall-In today!  While we are gone I'll leave you with these pics of a recent Tanktober celebration (well it could have been incidental, but professionals don't believe in coincidences now do they...)

Two weeks ago my local Hobby shop put on a six player FoW game which was rather an impressive setup.

It was a 1945/late war/Fall of the Reich style game played lengthways along a long 12 x 4 table, pitting 4k of advancing Soviets from one short send, 4k of advancing Americans from the opposite short side, and 6k of Germans sandwiched in a defensive position in a central city.

Each nation had 2 commanders to make it a 6 player game.  On top of that, the Russians and Americans weren't allowed to talk out loud to coordinate their actions (no common codes you see).

...while Ivan advances on the right...

...and on the left...

...supported by the big guns of the Red Army

Stalin's "God of War" looks impressive. I love the diorama effects with the spent shell casings but all that Arty should be off board!

Meanwhile on the other flank the Americans advanced more cautiously...

...with their own guns in support...

...to be met by some angry Panthers in defensive positions

The boys were clearly having fun and had made a few adjustments to the rules to make them work better in this fun setup.  The lead elements of both allied forces had taken a good blooding but the US and Soviet aircraft were getting into the fray and starting to pick off the big panzers.

The ruined city terrain is by Novis (the guy who used to own JR Miniatures) and is very, very nice even unpainted (it had arrived two days before the game) - I clearly need some.  So do you Alan.

Another gratuitous King Tiger shot, because it was Tanktober!

See you when we get back from Fall-In!

Fall-In! Who is going?

EDIT - I am reposting this because it got a bit lost in the treads of Tanktober, is now only a few days away, and I'm getting excited!


The Lad and I are off to the HMGS Fall-In! show :-)

We are road tripping to Pennsylvania with another local warmer for 3 days of fun and dice.

We've booked in for a number of different games - WW1 Aerial battles over France, Gnome Pirate skirmishing, WW2 Tank smashing and Age of Sail battling!  Plus all the usual stands, exhibits and second hand stalls.  Should be a hoot!

While there we are planning to meet up with Miles from Lair of the UberGeek blog and Steve from Sound Officer's Call. Would love to catch up with other bloggers who will be there too - let me know if you are going.

Post convention eye-candy to follow of course :-)

https://hmgs.site-ym.com/default.asp?page=FIHome

More Library additions

The 'about to move overseas and not have Amazon anymore' buying frenzy is underway.
The ECW library got a few new titles, including our intended rule set: Baccus' Polemos.

Yes Dux, the centre bottom title is a present for you!

Sadly, most of these must go into the sea freight box shortly and wont be seen again until March or maybe April.
Lots to look forward to then though :-)