Posted 2/7/13 12:09 PM
NineWorlds NineWorlds on Kickstarter [Its] a weekend-long, multi-genre, residential GeekFest in London next summer, on August 9th-11th ... The idea behind Nine Worlds is to create a large fan-run multi-genre geek event in London. That said, we're not really a sci-fi con either; we're more than that. We started off self-defining as a sci-fi con because there aren't really any other models (or words) for what we're trying to create. But we always intended to be inclusive of all kinds of things from board games to costumes to Dr Who fandom to rocketry. As we're been developing the project, the label Sci-Fi Con has been fitting less and less well, and eventually, we decided that GeekFest is a better description. And while there'll be lots of sci-fi/fantasy TV/film & lit stuff going on at Nine Worlds, there'll be even more other stuff like science and creative writing and filmmaking, that have no direct link to sci-fi (other than a degree of overlap in fan bases). We're really looking to make Nine Worlds about fan-led events, and having conversations with creators (writers, directors), rather than focusing on merch and celeb signings. The merch and celeb market feels pretty well covered by the soulless corporate expos. We've rented out the entire conference space and hotel rooms of two large neighbouring Heathrow conference hotels for the weekend. So, we have lots of space, which is great because we've got lots and lots of content organised into a couple dozen tracks. Some of our GeekFest Tracks are being run as mini-cons in their own right under the Nine Worlds umbrella, and some are run as discussion streams hosting conversations on aspects of particular fandoms. Some are put on by fandom clubs looking to introduce their passion to new fans, and some are hosted as taster events for other fan-based conventions that run at other times of year. All proceeds from the Nine Worlds convention will go to our charity partner English PEN, a charity that supports persecuted writers around the world and is the UK's oldest human rights organisation. None of the Nine Worlds organising team are being paid for their work.An event that LoB is going to be part of. They're raising the startup money via Kickstarter now, why not go and throw a few dollars their way? See:
Edited by Paul A on Mar 22, 2013 11:43 AM
Posted 2/7/13 1:25 PM
This area should start filling up with content as zero hour approaches: http://nineworlds.co.uk/track/board-gaming They're also still looking for organisers for their 'social gaming' track - so if you've ever wanted to run a multi-room, mass-effect Knees Up Mother Brown Hubbard session, this is your chance. PS: Do not poke the Ymir.
Edited by Jeroen van den Hark on Feb 7, 2013 1:55 PM
Posted 2/7/13 1:33 PM
Well, it'll fill up as soon as we decide what we want to do ... NineWorlds have basically given us carte blanche (and a small budget) to do whatever we want in the scope of putting on a public gaming stream. We have some ideas, but we fix them down closer to the event.
Posted 2/11/13 1:23 PM
I'd love to help out with doing something at this event, sounds like it could be a load of fun. Unfortunately it clashes with the World Croquet Championships so I can't make it.
Posted 2/12/13 2:00 PM
Can't decide whether you're serious or if this is the weakest (and weirdest) excuse ever ... In any event, the flyer for the event is now available (see here). I'm also calling for volunteers for the event. In return for a few hours (either running a particular event or just hanging around the boardgame area) we can subsidize your ticket to NineWorlds. For a few more hours, we'll pay for your whole ticket. And again, event ideas are very welcome.Unfortunately it clashes with the World Croquet Championships so I can't make it.
Edited by Paul A on Feb 12, 2013 2:37 PM
Posted 2/12/13 5:05 PM
Big whoopsie, Paul. With a current world ranking of 41, I think you'll find Robin takes his croquet very seriously. Backtracking furiously in 5, 4, 3...Can't decide whether you're serious or if this is the weakest (and weirdest) excuse ever ...
Posted 2/12/13 5:07 PM
In other news, that flyer is an affront to mine eyes - but consider me a volunteer anyway.
Posted 2/13/13 9:13 AM
Looking at the flyer, I'd love to be involved sounds like a lot of fun.
Posted 2/13/13 9:26 AM
I might be interested in volunteering, but can't commit so long in advance
Posted 2/13/13 2:32 PM
Much appreciated guys. I know it's a ways off, but a vague promise is good enough at this point. Suggestions about what to actually put on are needed as well. We've had talks by speakers and designers, game sales, demo games, a game library, event games (giant Settlers or Carcassone set?), etc. We'll need to firm these plans out in the next few months. As for Robin's expertise in an unknown area - I once worked for the world tiddleywinks champion and thus have no cause to comment.
Edited by Paul A on Feb 13, 2013 2:33 PM
Martin
Posted 2/13/13 2:37 PM
What did you do for him, polish his tiddlywinks?
Edward Morland
Posted 2/13/13 3:02 PM
I'll tentatively put my hat in the ring as well, may be completely dead on my feet though as I'll be performing at a folk festival for the week before. Will let you know nearer the time if I decide I'm up to it. Also apparently one of the members of my Molly side is currently ranked 32nd in the English Tiddlywinks Association rankings, doesn't quite stack up a world champion I know.
Paul A
Posted 2/13/13 4:35 PM
The correct term is "wink". Let's not pursue this line of discussion. Thanks Ed, will chase up closer to the time.What did you do for him, polish his tiddlywinks?
Jeroen van den Har...
Posted 2/13/13 4:44 PM
Seconded. I once came second in the Dutch Open Titan Championships, donchaknow. As for the suggestions you mentioned, I'm not sure how much mileage there is in inviting speakers/hosting talks about the world o'boardgames - unless we can be certain that the audience will be sufficiently 'up for it'. However, all the other ideas seem sound. Now where did I put that giant Shadows over Camelot set...Let's not pursue this line of discussion.
Edited by Jeroen van den Hark on Feb 13, 2013 4:49 PM
Paul A
Posted 2/14/13 10:36 AM
That be so - I also just don't know that there will be a lot of people going to a (say) talk by Reiner Knizia. Most of the other streams will have a bit of overlap: Harry Potter with Cosplay with Josh Whedon with Scifi. (Isn't there a quote by Hannah Arendt about some errors being indicative of a completely askew worldview?) So maybe we should just look at doing cool game stuff - demos, giant Carcassone, game library etc.
Soren Vejrum
Posted 2/14/13 12:33 PM
I am happy to volunteer - life in general permitting me to do so.
Soren Vejrum
Posted 2/14/13 12:45 PM
As an alternative/supplement to game designer talks, we could do other "celebrity" activities. "Meet the game designer" tables where you get to play fx. Snowdonia, Fzzt!, Coup, Divinare with the designers. "Game designer workshop" where budding game designers can talk to established designers and other wannabe designers - maybe the Playtest group would be happy to be involved.
Martin
Posted 2/14/13 1:57 PM
The problem with talks/meet the designer things are that most people attending will probably never have heard of any of those games or designers before. A 'how to design a game' workshop I could see people being interested in though.
Dan H
Posted 2/14/13 2:01 PM
will obviously help. Totally agree with Martin. Only people going to a game specific con would be interested in designers, most people would have no idea what we are talking about and would just find it very odd. But the design your own boardgame idea, with a prize for the best at the end of the week (or each day) IS A great idea. We can then pass it off as own own and get it published :)
Tom
Posted 2/14/13 3:01 PM
I'm all for tournaments. We can learn from Eastbourne. I'd suggest choosing a number of different games that showcase various mechanisms etc - e.g. worker placement, deck building, that sort of thing. Then have dedicated explainers (we could rotate to stop getting board [geddit?!!]) and have a shop on hand to sell them, if that's possible. We could also arrange by something like 'enjoy X game? Then try this!' kind of thing. Or by theme maybe. Or both. I agree about the speakers. Game design workshop would be interesting. Perhaps we could have a debate about what defines a game, and use Love Letter as an example with which to play raps with Soren.Totally agree with Martin.
Paul A
Posted 2/14/13 4:19 PM
Thanks for all the volunteers. Understand that commitments may pull you away. Right, now we just need someone to run the "design a game" workshop. Get the names ready ... To start bashing out a list of games we could have on constant demo (and we can have other ones here, let's call this the core), off the top of my head: Requirements: * Easy to teach * Complete in under 90 minutes, preferably under 60 * Colorful / catchy / interesting * Cover a variety of mechanisms and subjects Candidates: * Hanabi (coop / cards / fast / simple) * Coup / Love letter? (cards / fast / simple) * Pandemic / Space Alert (coop / colourful) * King of Tokyo (colorful) * Room 25? (traitor) * Settlers (worker placement / trade / alternatives?) * Who's the Boss (negotiation) * Dominion (contempt for social mores) * Cash & Guns (social) * Carcassone (tiles) * Pitchcars / Villa Paletti (dexterity) "Interesting" stuff that may fall outside these parameters or be superfluous: Battlestar, Space Alert, Escape, Forbidden Island, Power Grid. Any other suggestions, especially for Euro, Ameritrash or newer titles?
Jeroen van den Har...
Posted 2/14/13 5:29 PM
Lords of Waterdeep Small World Kakerlaken Poker Royale 7 Wonders CitadelsAssuming that this is going ahead (the Kickstarter isn't looking to promising), I'd also suggest and can bring:Alhambra Thurn und Taxis Red November Further suggestions that will require others to bring (and no, this isn't troll bait):
Martin
Posted 2/14/13 6:21 PM
Game designers in the LoB fold include: Tony Boydell Nigel Buckle Brett Gilbert Rikki Tahta (though I think he is mostly based in New York)
Bez (née Behrooz ...
Posted 2/15/13 2:33 PM
Kakerlaken Poker is great. Paul, did you forget Kosmonauts or is it unsuitable? I'm up for volunteering in principle. But my medium term (nevermind long term) work & accomodation are still uncertain at the moment. Are they still looking for folk to make the social game, or is that all being handled by the Haberdashery Collective? I imagine it can't be too disruptive, needs to be optional, involve everyone who wants to be involved and last the length of the con. Are there any other constraints? I'd love to get involved in the creation of that! I'd also love to run a Wee Van Sank tournament. ;-p (Honestly, I think it might work well, since a game can be played in <5min) If neither of those options are open, I'd be willing to demo any game.
Paul A
Posted 2/15/13 2:49 PM
Appreciated Bez. I think most everyones presence is contingent at the moment, but we need a rough idea of volunteers. I skipped Kosmonauts initially (this is a rough list) due to the lack of teachers. (Me, you, uh ...) But this is just a brainstorm. Dunno about the social gaming. I suggest dropping them a line. There's a lot of talk on Facebook and it may be useful to be inside of that.
Chris Marling
Posted 2/15/13 3:26 PM
That is awesome - nice work Robin! Backed - sounds like it could be good (or bloody terrible, but I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt).Big whoopsie, Paul. With a current world ranking of 41, I think you'll find Robin takes his croquet very seriously.
Dávid Turczi
Posted 2/15/13 3:28 PM
I'd love to teach Kosmonauts. Also for something a bit more meatier I'd drop Among the Stars (similiar to 7 wonders, I find it a bit better...) in the hat too!I skipped Kosmonauts initially (this is a rough list) due to the lack of teachers. (Me, you, uh ...) But this is just a brainstorm.
Pouria
Posted 2/15/13 4:15 PM
I am happy to volunteer given no major life incidents. Maybe Paul would be willing to offer a few copies of the games being played for sale so anyone interested can take them home.
Paul Watson
Posted 2/15/13 4:21 PM
If my nehpew's birthday party isn't being held on that weekend, I'll volunteer. I've already pledged entrance money. I can happily teach some games and can bring the case o'doom from the Red Herring if we need some more games. Obviously my suggestion includes Sentinels of the Multiverse as a fun co-op but I may be the only person to teach it.
Paul A
Posted 2/15/13 7:03 PM
Thanks guys. We will have a budget to work with - amount to be resolved, but £100 pounds can buy 15 copies of Hanabi to use as spot prizes, if nothing else.
Ronan
Posted 2/15/13 7:41 PM
I am happy to help Paul. I am definitely around that weekend. I am happy to help with any planning, gophering, over the weekend itself, whatever you need.
Simon H
Posted 2/15/13 11:26 PM
Sorry, I am a bit slow off the mark replying but I'd be up for helping on at least one of the days. Always happy to teach any games with which I have more than a passing familiarity! That's quite a few of your provisional list, Paul! Simon
Dan R
Posted 2/16/13 9:22 PM
I'd be up for helping with demos, done a fair bit of board game demoing.
Paul Watson
Posted 2/17/13 11:13 AM
Paul, As a thought maybe we should make sure we have some tie-in games to act as gateways for those in the other streams? I mean DC Heroes, Ankh-Morpokh, the Star Trek Captains game, that sort of thing. If it wasn't so long Battlestar or Lord of the Rings would work
Paul A
Posted 2/17/13 10:10 PM
I did have thoughts along those lines, although you've named a whole bunch o' games that I hadn't considered. Now, we shouldn't feel bound by the idea of SF/F as themes for gaming (the NineWorlds organisers are adamant that it's not a Scifi con), but those seem obvious marketing / evangelism points. LoTR is probably out (length and complexity). Battlestar is a bit long (2 hours?) but simple enough and I think could be a real attraction. What length does the Star Trek captains game run at? And has anyone played the X Wing min game yet?Aagin, thanks guys. No idea of what sort of crowds we'll get, but it's good to know we'll have the manpower. And hey, will all those streams on, there's sure to be something interesting on for us when not gaming.Paul, As a thought maybe we should make sure we have some tie-in games to act as gateways for those in the other streams? I mean DC Heroes, Ankh-Morpokh, the Star Trek Captains game, that sort of thing. If it wasn't so long Battlestar or Lord of the Rings would work
Jeroen van den Har...
Posted 2/18/13 11:31 AM
Excellent thinking from Paul W there - cross-pollination for the nation. The GoT card game (HBO tie-in version) would be another good pick along those lines, as indeed everything else in this category. Quick Kickstarter update: A shade under two grand short with two weeks to go. At this rate it will be getting there, but slooooooooowly.
Edited by Jeroen van den Hark on Feb 18, 2013 11:34 AM
Rob Harris
Posted 2/18/13 3:55 PM
Slightly late to the thread, but a Playtest member mentioned this to me at our meetup yesterday. Happy to help out and involve the Playtest group if required. We already run events at the UK games Expo and Dragonmeet, so adding another shouldn't be a problem. I'm coming to LoB tonight, so maybe we could discuss it further there. Cheers, RobAs an alternative/supplement to game designer talks, we could do other "celebrity" activities. "Meet the game designer" tables where you get to play fx. Snowdonia, Fzzt!, Coup, Divinare with the designers. "Game designer workshop" where budding game designers can talk to established designers and other wannabe designers - maybe the Playtest group would be happy to be involved.
Paul A
Posted 2/18/13 9:11 PM
Thanks Rob. Getting the Playtest group involved would be great. I'm usually a Tuesday attendee, but you can discuss this with any of the organisers.
Paul A
Posted 2/23/13 9:51 AM
The NineWorlds kickstarter has made its money with more than a week to go. And no doubt it's partly down to us. So congratulate yourself and know that the con is definitely on. Next month, I'll start to hammer some details down after we know how much budget and space we have to work with. Also, NineWorlds are still looking for volunteers for various events, so get along to their website if you're so inclined.
John B
Posted 2/23/13 2:55 PM
Given some of the comments and ideas above, I would be happy to run a deck building area. I have DC Comics, three Star Trek ones and from next month the Marvel game as well. They should all go down well with the NineWorlds Crowd.
Paul A
Posted 2/24/13 6:13 PM
Thanks John. Good suggestion. Although it brings up the obvious question re deckbuilding: do we have any dedicated Magic or Dominion players in the club?
Edited by Paul A on Feb 24, 2013 6:13 PM
Bijmeister
Posted 2/25/13 10:24 PM
Magic...... Wow, did not think I would hear those words uttered here. I have been out for a year BUT can easily teach/have a couple of friends who might be willing as was/possibly still am a player for many years. Magic, Dominion, Ascension..... I am not sure on the dates but I believe I can lend a hand if needed. (Be it card or board games)As for starter games, why is Hey That's My Fish never mentioned!
Edward Morland
Posted 2/25/13 11:19 PM
I've similarly not played a huge amount in the past year but have played a large amount of Magic, casual and limited rather than any of the constructed formats, in the past and so if I make it along would be able and willing to help out there if we wanted any Magic events.
Martin
Posted 2/26/13 8:56 AM
Hmm, if the board gaming room is going to be presented as London on Board, I'd rather no Magic really. It would just lead to confusion with our club policy.
Mehran Baluch
Posted 2/28/13 12:34 AM L
Bought my ticket and happy to see the Kickstarter was fully funded... still a couple of days to go before it ends, get your early bird tickets while you can.
Paul Lister
Posted 3/1/13 6:02 PM
Seconded. I'm up for volunteering that weekend if not selling stuff or not at a 50th birthday party weekendHmm, if the board gaming room is going to be presented as London on Board, I'd rather no Magic really. It would just lead to confusion with our club policy.
Paul A
Posted 3/5/13 11:29 AM
Dear all, An update on our plans and what's happening: * NineWorlds sailed past their presales goal for 200% funding. So we are definitely on. * Exact details unding and rooms are still in a little flux but look to be more than fine. * Broadly the schedule of NineWorlds is a series of 75 minute sessions with roughly hour-long breaks between them. This makes for 8 sessions on Saturday and Sunday (starting 10am, going to 8pm). Note that the late night events tend to be social and entertainment, and we don't have to actually use them. On Friday night, people will be checking in and registering and it might be handy if we put on some unstructured fun gaming. * As said, we can wrangle discounted or free tickets for those who assist to varying degrees. Looks like there will be more than enough and when I have more details, we can start to hammer out shifts and times. * From our discussion here and elsewhere, my pitch to the committee of NineWorlds was that few people were likely to come to NineWorlds _just_ for the boardgaming, and that we saw ourselves more as a drop-in centre or something people might do between events. So while we'll put on explicit sessions of games, we will be open to walk-by traffic. * Suggest we have a game library, where people can borrow games and play them (e.g. turn in a licence or credit card for security). * Suggest we have a game design contest, where one of our local designers can give a short talk, we provide a box of bits (like those from SpeilMaterial.de) and judge the results on Sunday night. I've also become enthused with Tom's idea of "what makes a game", which could be a good throwdown debate, even just amongst ourselves. * Esdevium have offered their help, although I think it's going to be mainly limited to posters and bling. * We should get banners and maybe some info cards for London-on-Board. Funding will cover this. * We will need hard commitments / a schedule two months before the event. * Buy a bunch of games and use as awards / spot prizes? * Put the train gamers in a cage in the corner and pelt them with rotten fruit? * Maybe the playtest guys want to playtest a game there? * Suggested game sessions / themes, can be done as tournaments or just free play: Parameters: * Easy to teach * Complete in under 90 minutes, preferably under 60 * Colorful / catchy / interesting * Cover a variety of mechanisms and subjects * Preferably need at least two people who can (and want) to teach it Choices: * Dexterity games: PitchCars, Via Palleti, Climb * "At the movies": Spartacus, Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek, King of Tokyo? Lord of the RIngs, Anhk Morpork, DC heroes, XWing? * Deckbuilders: Dominion, Legendary, DC heroes, Sentinels, Marvel * Cards: Hanabi, Love Letter, Coup, Karkerlaken, Wee Van Sank * Coops and traitors: Hanabi, Resistance, Space Alert, Escape, Room 25, Shdows over Camelot? * Negotiation / business: I’m the Boss, Cash and Guns * Space: Kosmonauts, Space Alert, Galaxy Trucker * Euro classics / thinkers: Carcassone, Settlers, Kingdom Builder * Other? (Small World, 7 Wonders, Citadels, Alhambra, Thurn und Taxis, Red November, Among the Stars) (What are we missing? Some Euro classics? This feels a little lightweight.)