CanCon / Australian Games Expo experiences 2009
Meng Tan
Australia
Carseldine
Queensland
-
This was my first ever attendance at a gaming convention, something I had wanted to do for many years but never got around to. I was not disappointed, and I will be planning to come again next year.
As the tables and booths are being cleared, my memories of the event are already fading, but these are among the ones I expect to last.
Please add your own thoughts!
-
Meng Tan
Australia
Carseldine
Queensland
-
The Settlers Tournament Tantrum (definitely not a highlight)
I did not bear witness to this, but even after hearing the story third-hand from two different sources, I am still curious to hear other accounts of the incident.
The version I heard was that a Settlers tournament contestant turned up 20 minutes late for his game, which had started without him. He then sat down to spectate for another 20 minutes before flipping the board, and was then forcibly removed from the convention centre. (Oh yeah, and he were ten-foot tall if he were an inch ...)
So, who reckons he'll be back for next year's tournament?
-
-
Meng Tan
Australia
Carseldine
Queensland
-
The RGG Demo Booth
Of course there were other demo booths, including Mayfair, Z-Man and Dr Wood, but I spent most of my time loitering around Rio Grande, basking in the celebrity of the staff and foisting myself on unsuspecting gamers ("Hey, I know how to play this game, I see you've just had the rules explained to you and you're not already at the maximum number of players, mind if I join in?")
Rio Grande deserves special mention for sponsoring the after-hours gaming at the local pokies club.
Thanks in particular to Ewen for demonstrating games suitable for my young children (I purchased Chicken Cha Cha Cha) and Giles for, well, being Giles. But you're all wonderful!
-
-
Meng Tan
Australia
Carseldine
Queensland
-
Adam and Steve
This is one of those "you had to be there" stories. My last game of the convention was at after hours gaming Sunday night (Monday morning to be precise). I was explaining the rules for Stone Age to the one player who hadn't played before. When it came to the hut/population growth, someone else piped up, "It has to be a man and a woman, it can't be two men,"[1] to which I replied ironically, "Because it was Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve,"[2] moments before realising that two of other players were named Adam and Steve.
[1] Every time I've heard the rules explained, someone makes this comment, I'm not sure why. I mean, I know why in a biological sense ...
[2] Probably the only time this quote will ever pass my lips, seeing as I believe it to be one of the most ignorant utterances in the history of humankind.
-
-
Meng Tan
Australia
Carseldine
Queensland
-
The Chicago Express bandwagon
To the casual observer, this game featured prominently in retail sales at the convention, I was probably among the first to buy it there. It was played at least twice at after hours gaming on Sunday night, and I really enjoyed my first time. I was impressed most that we finished a 56-player game in less than an hour, with only one "experienced" player.
It gets my vote for Game of the Con, although I'm not sure how many times it was played at the Con. Anyone else?
-
-
5.
Board Game: Dominion
[Average Rating:7.95 Overall Rank:11]
Meng Tan
Australia
Carseldine
Queensland
-
Most Played (personal)
I had only played one game of this before the convention, and although I liked it, I did not arrive in Canberra hoping to get more plays in. However, as it was very popular (and because it is quite easy to ask a bunch of strangers if they'd like another player), I ended up with 4 plays at the convention.
I'm still not so excited about this game that I'll go out and buy it, but I won't turn down an offer to play.
-
-
Meng Tan
Australia
Carseldine
Queensland
-
Buying Spree
I knew that self-restraint (or lack thereof) would be a problem, and sure enough, I spent over $700 on games. My collection is now at just on 200 games. Is that enough to qualify as a real gamer yet? No? Never mind, I'll keep on buying.
MilSims and Games Paradise were the beneficiaries of my credit card.
-
-
Meng Tan
Australia
Carseldine
Queensland
-
Formule 1 Motel
So, the room was very small, but we were only in there to sleep, and only for ~5 hours each day, so no complaints there (the beds were comfy). The shower was particularly small, but I'm on the smaller side myself, so again I didn't mind. (In fact, I had 5 showers in 48 hours, desperately trying to stave off gamer pong: let me know if you think it worked!)
But the price was oh so right! I would not hesitate to return there next year.
Also, props to my room-mate Randy, who provided me with transport between the hotel and the gaming venues, and even took me to the airport on the way home. Plus, he snores softly enough that I can still sleep. 
-
-
Meng Tan
Australia
Carseldine
Queensland
-
Internet withdrawal
I am the first to admit that I'm an internet junkie, and so I try to stay online when I travel (I'm never without a computer, or at least my wireless internet tablet). I rely on hotel or convention centre wireless - even if I have to pay for the privilege  - to keep up-to-date with my email, and especially to research games before I purchase them.
Unfortunately, neither EPIC nor Formule 1 seemed to have internet available, and I had to visit the McDonald's to get online. My one small disappointment of the weekend.
-
-
Meng Tan
Australia
Carseldine
Queensland
-
Bratwurst and Onion Roll
My lunch, two days running. Oily, but satisfying. I'm generally fussy about my food, and I'm quite willing to pay top-dollar for haute cuisine, but at a convention, a long lunch is not an option.
Dinner both nights was McDonald's. I'm not proud of it, but I'll try to compensate by not eating at Macca's for the rest of the year.
-
-
10.
Board Game: Evo
[Average Rating:6.98 Overall Rank:331]
Meng Tan
Australia
Carseldine
Queensland
-
Wannabe Wargamer
I enjoy reading about, purchasing and discussing wargames, but I rarely play wargames. I really should stop calling myself a wargamer, I'm a disgrace to the uniform! In keeping with this pattern, this game was the closest thing to a wargame that I played at the convention. (I won, too!)
-
-
Timothy Hyde
Australia
Blue Mountains
NSW
-
No , I didn't get to play it, but I did eat the food.
Pho Phu Quoc, just around the corner from the Tradies Club
was a great experience.
Set in a row of old industrial units, the laminex tables and plastic flowers was a time warp to 60's Saigon.
The food was fast and fabulous. Recommended.
-
-
Timothy Hyde
Australia
Blue Mountains
NSW
-
I normally don't get much time off in Canberra when I visit for work, so took the opportunity to zip over to the War Memorial for a couple of hours.
I had not been for probably 20 years, so quite a few changes especially the huge new exhibition hall. G for George is always inspiring (my dad flew Stirlings with Bomber Command) but I had gone mainly to see the new Over the Front exhibition. 5 restored WW1 fighters and an amazing audio visual experience that I believe was filmed by Peter Jackson. Great Stuff.
-
-
Meng Tan
Australia
Carseldine
Queensland
-
Not that there's anything wrong with that ...
I was having dinner tonight with three work-mates, and telling them that I spent last weekend in Canberra for a gaming convention. One looked quizzically at me, and I repeated myself, then she laughed and said, "Oh, I thought you said you went to a gay man convention."
Now that would have been an interesting convention, right next door to the Jehovah's Witnesses gathering on Sunday.
-
-
|
|
Sarina
Queensland
AGE was excellent this year, and I am way tired, but so glad I was a part of it. The maths trade went really well, and I will be volunteering to be a drop off point again in the coming years. Pity I didn't get a single play in during the 4 days - One day of set up.
Love to you all!!!
xxx
Shebby
North Ryde
NSW
Thanks immensely for the run-down and your impressions, especially for those of us unable to attend.
Good stuff. It really sounded like fun!
Wodonga
Victoria
Randy dropped past my place on the way home today (Monday) for a chat and a game and mentioned bunking with you and enjoying the gaming.
I'm looking forward to meeting you at an upcoming con or some such.
I'll definitely be attending AGE\Cancon again in 2010 as this was my first missed year.
Carseldine
Queensland
Whatever he told you - it's all lies!
Carseldine
Queensland
Nothing against Mind Games, the Melbourne store gets a good share of my money at other times during the year. I visited CanCon Mind Games area a few times, and came very close to buying 1861.