Monthly Nano-Con of Developers and Testers in the NoVA/DC Area

[apeiron]

WHO - People who want help others make games, and get help with their own games. By games i mean RPGs, card games and even board games.  So far i've about 4 people.  But we need a crowd to draw a crowd.

WHAT - Present your game ideas, critique, brainstorm and test the ideas of others.  Part salon, part workshop.

WHY - Worst case: We talk about some games, play some games, and make friends. Best Case: You publish that game that's been sitting on your hard drive for 5 years, maybe even sell it.  Turn your ideas into games.

WHERE - Vienna, VA (for now). i can host at my place. We'd have two or three areas for play. My place is kid free and clean, there are two areas for gaming. i live about a stone's throw from the end of the Orange Line, i'll pick you up at the station if needed. i'll send details to people who join the list.

WHEN - Noon o'clock, the last Saturday of each month (this might change to accommodate).  The inaugural event will be 26 Jan 08.

EMAIL - NoVA-Game-Smiths@googlegroups.com  The list is strictly controlled, so there will be no spam.

INTERNETS - http://groups.google.com/group/NoVA-Game-Smiths?hl=en

If i posted this in the wrong area, please move it. 

[Ron Edwards]

Hiya,

I apologize for missing your question in the sticky. This is a great example of perfect Connections topic! I hope you'll post again to talk about how it works out.

Best, Ron

[apeiron]

De Nada.  You're a busy dude.

i'm working on it.  People are slow to respond and i'm a bit behind on advertising.  i will keep you posted on any progress.

Thanks!

[khelek]

apeiron -

I am in DC, but weekends are terrible for me.

However, I am part of a open play group that bases out of the Compleat Strategist in Falls Church, VA (we;re not affiliated with the store, but we support them as much as we can), and played exclusively indie-games. We also playtest Ashcans and Hacks of Indie games that we either write or find online).

I can (and will) do the following:
   1. Invite you to join us! anytime, drop in fr just a night, if you have a game or want to discuss anything we are happy to discuss and/or play anything you can throw at us. A few of our players toy with their own systems and adaptations to systems we like (currently warring if we should be playing Shadowrun with Agon or Shadowrun with Criminal Element next).

   2. Let the others know. some might be interested in joining you and I might be able to drop by occasionally too.


_____
Jason

[iago]

I would LOVE to get some IPR games in at Compleat Strategist.  I hardly ever make it to that side of the beltway any more.  Any advice, there?  Feel free to run the answers to this over to PM or to my email: evilhat AT gmail DOT com.

[Clinton R. Nixon]

Fred,

I work a block from the Compleat Strategist. If you want to either give me advice on how to market IPR stuff to them, or want to meet me over there one evening and go with me (I'll buy dinner), I'd be more than willing to help.

Apeiron,

I'm only in DC about one week out of every eight, but I will definitely hit up this group if my trips coincide with it. This is a great idea.

[apeiron]

This is the google group i've created.  i'll add that to my sig in a moment.

Even folks who can't join us in meatspace are welcome in the list.  i want this to be a network as well as a meet-up.  You can post links and documents for the others to view. 

We're still a small group and there's bugger all traffic so far.  i think it's like P.T. Barnum said, "Nothing draws a crowd like a crowd".  More folks will draw more folks.

i'll look into this Compleat Strategist place.  My main gaming resource is the Game Parlor in Chantilly.

More to come!  i promise!

Clinton,

Maybe i can bring the group to you on one of those weeks.

[iago]

I work a block from the Compleat Strategist. If you want to either give me advice on how to market IPR stuff to them, or want to meet me over there one evening and go with me (I'll buy dinner), I'd be more than willing to help.

That'd be hot.

IPR's not the easiest sell...  I think my strategy right now would be to walk in with a couple copies of SOTC, run some 15 minute demos, and offer the store the opportunity to be the seller if anyone wants copies.  Then tell them where they can get more.

Some sort of roving demo squad approach strikes me as the best method.

[Clinton R. Nixon]

Fred,

Cool. Not to take over the thread, but I understand Mel White and others play games there on Thursday nights, which might be a good time to run some demos.

[khelek]

I am with mel's group that play on thursdays. We actually play SOTC quite often, and the manager of the Compleat Strategist desperately wants to get copies of SOTC on the shelves. My suggestion is coordinate with him to get the NY store (the owners) to order him some copies! he has asked them a number of times for shelf copies but no luck yet. (also we need them to carry some fudge dice!)

The management is very supportive of the various Indie press type RPGs.

Now on the other hand Fred, if you want to stop by and runs some games I don't want to stop you!

@apeiron: Should we expect you to drop by? We meet at around 6pm or so. ask for Jason (me), Mel, or Buddha.

______
Jason

[apeiron]

Not until i drop out of playing PlanetSide.  My outfit (guild) plays every Thursdays.  When/if my subscription ends, i'll come over.

BtW - The first meeting will be 23 Feb 08.

SOTC?

[iago]

SOTC?

Spirit of the Century.

[khelek]

So how did it go? will there be more of these?

I talked briefly with nick about the Nano-Con, but no details.

[apeiron]

This is a monthly event, the next will be 29 Mar, i think.

We tested Shawn's tarot mechanic and went through Nick's Burning Wheel story.  Twas a good time, with more peeps it could be even better.  i'd like to have 2 or 3 tables running if possible.

The info on the group is in my sig.

[apeiron]

Hey, i'm bumping this because it is about to happen.  29 Mar at Noon, in Vienna, VA.  Sign up with the group to get the details.  We need some attendees to be testers!

If bumping is bad form, let me know and i won't do it again.  Just trying to get things rolling.

IDEA: Have a calendar page!  List approved events for all to see.  i did it here with my google group.