July Game-a-thon

The SWA sponsors eleven one-day Game-a-thons each year. We schedule these every month (January through September, November and December). October is reserved for Council of Five Nations. We usually shoot for the second Saturday of the month, but we're flexible in consideration of Studio availability and other regional conventions. We generally have 6-10 events, scheduled into two time slots (11am-4pm, 5pm-10pm+). We can easily accomodate games that run longer than a five-hour slot. You only pay for the games you play in. No registrations fees at the door, and no badges. GMs don't pay, and they play for free in the session they're not running.

Our next scheduled Game-a-thon is Saturday, July 17, 2010.
Here are the details.

Having successfully cleared out the threat to Sant Syrus building in the ruins of the old Rodemus keep, the villagers are now planning to trace the goblins back to their source and put an end to these evil beasts on the island once and for all. The danger is great and the rewards plenty. Are you game?
Dragons at Dawn is a retro tribute RPG using the gaming system pioneered by D&D co creator Dave Arneson in 1971. Beginners are welcome and new characters will be rolled at the table.
Follow these links to a review for Dragons at Dawn on RPG.net and the publisher's page for more information.

A rear guard action, where the retreating Russians are doing their best in trying to slow down the French Grand Army as it fights deep into the Motherland.
More information at the official website for Napoleon's Battles.

Each player is a zoo owner who is trying to build the best zoo by collecting animals to fill his enclosures. Placing a variety of vendors' stalls placed throughout the zoo will also help the zoo. We will use one or two of the expansions, to make our zoos even more attractive for visitors.
More information at the game designer's website for Zooloretto.

The classic fantasy quest game that's been going strong for 25 years. Take your hero all the way to the Crown of Command so you can destroy your rivals and rule the kingdom. Easy to learn, lots of fun to play. We will be playing the newest edition of this game from 2007.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Talisman 4th Edition which includes the game rules, images, playing aids, links, and other info.
Note: One or two "kids glove" rules will be in effect and explained when the game begins. These are just to make sure things go smoothly for all.

Each of the six main powers in the game have a unique path to victory. Take on your opponents in the first card-driven game to prominently feature secret deal-making. A true six-sided diplomatic struggle, the game places a heavy emphasis on successful alliance-building through negotiations that occur away from the table during the pre-turn Diplomacy Phase. Set during the period in which Niccolo Machiavelli published his masterpiece "The Prince", backstabbing is always possible, especially because the card deck is loaded with event and response cards that can be played by any power to disrupt the plans of the powers in the lead.
The short convention scenario for GMTâs Here I Stand begins on Turn 4 with the action fully underway and ends on Turn 6.
Follow this link to the publisher's website which includes rules, scenario book, player aids, and play tips.
Additionally, visit the BoardGameGeek entry for Here I Stand which includes reviews, pictures and playing aids as well as links to errata and FAQ.
Note: This event may run past 4pm, depending on the number of players and their experience levels.

A not-for-profit organization has founded a no-kill shelter for dogs that others will not or cannot take in. The facility is well-known, but not often visited. But why is the wildlife on the island disappearing? Who is funding the not-for-profit? What are the new buildings on the other side of the island?
Blood Brothers is a variant of Call of Cthulhu based, not on the Cthulhu Mythos, but set in the world of Horror movies.
Bring: Dice (d100 especially), pencils, notepaper.

We have a situation with serious diplomatic repercussions. 24 hours ago a member of the Australian SAS was captured by Charlie. You and your SEAL team have been called back from R&R to participate in this operation. This may not be an easy mission but your country is counting on you.
Follow this link to the publisher's website where you can purchase the game.
Additionally, visit RPG.net for a review of RECON.

Battleground: Fantasy Warfare and Battleground: Historical Warfare are point-based table-top tactical wargames in which units are represented by cards instead of a collection of figures or models. We bring you all the charging, flanking and intricate maneuvering of a great wargame in a convenient package for a fraction of the cost. Unlike most tabletop wargames where you have complete control over every soldierâs actions, Battleground puts you in the role of a true general. Your troops are loyal and will obey your orders but you canât be everywhere so you have to spend your resources carefully!
Tonight we will start with a round of 1-on-1 games to get warmed up, and to teach any new players. We will then split into sides and do a larger battle. New players welcome. Bring your own decks if you prefer. Decks will also be provided.
Follow this link to the publisher's website which includes scenarios, pictures, playing aids and rules.

Load up your high tech glider with missiles, rockets and bombs. Then swoop down on the unsuspecting enemy offshore oil field and devastate their oil derricks. You might want to spare a few shots for the clusters of ships and gun platforms that are defending the oil fields (or just hope that they spot somebody else's glider instead of yours).

Players attempt to build up their cultures during the Middle Ages and Renaissance period. The game features a card deck that holds events, payout cards and famous leaders of the particular eras. Although all cards will turn up somewhere during the game, the timing and position in which they will be played is crucial and will ensure a different game every time.
The main goal of each city-state is to gain points in the form of technical advances while keeping their cultures misery level as low as possible. The payout structure is similar to those of Civilization and Advanced Civilization in that more resources of the same type yield increasingly higher payouts. This time particular payouts are triggered by card play for every player at once. An ingenious and very smooth working ãcombatä system is implemented to determine province ö and thus resource - control.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Age of Renaissance which includes reviews, pictures, player aids, and rules of the game.

The object of Power Grid is to supply the most cities with power when someone's network gains a predetermined size. Players must acquire the raw materials - coal, oil, garbage, or uranium - to fuel the power plants they purchase (except for the highly valuable 'renewable energy' plants), making it a constant struggle to upgrade your plants for maximum efficiency while still retaining enough wealth to quickly expand your network to get the cheapest connections.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Power Grid which includes reviews, pictures, playing aids, and rules.
Note: This event will not start until 6pm.

Location

As usual, this Game-a-thon will be held at the Studio of Bridge and Games, in Schenectady, NY. If you need directions, you can click here, or send an email to: mailto:directions@swa-gaming.org An automatic reply will immediately be sent to you with detailed directions.

The number at the Studio is: (518) 346-3773

Session Fees

Show up and play one game session = $4.00

Show up and play both game sessions = $6.00

GMs play all day for free.

Full-time students get in for free. For our purposes, "full-time students" are people in Kindergarten through college. Our intent here is to help allow younger games/"new blood" to participate at SWA events, and the gaming hobby in general.
The student discount does not cover working adults who happen to be taking a Continuing Education class. Please help us fulfill the spirit and intent of this policy.

Registration

Our Game-a-thons have generally been pretty casual events; people stroll in and sign up for the event of their choice on-the-spot. Lately, however, attendance has been increasing and more events are filling to maximum and beyond.

If you would like to greatly increase your chance of getting into the game of your choice, you can now formally pre-register online. Payments will be handled through PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account, you can still pay with your credit card.

Online pre-registration is not required. You can still just stroll in and get into a game. But pre-registering is now an option for those who want to take advantage of it.

Follow this link to go to the online registration page. We'll sign you up, but your spot's not guaranteed until we get your payment.

Swap Meet Tables

If you've got merchandise you'd like to sell, please consider renting a table or three at our Game-a-thon.

This is meant to be more of a Swap Meet / Garage Sale atmosphere, and not really intended for full merchant setups.

Each attendee can rent a maximum of three tables. The first costs $2, two cost $10, and three cost $20. As you can see, the price structure encourages individuals to rent few tables. We will have a maximum of eight tables available at each Game-a-thon.

Each table is (2.5' x 2.5'); a standard card table. Some of them are kinda old and thus not very sturdy. Please keep this in mind when planning what you'll bring for sale.

You can reserve your table(s) ahead of time by using the online registration form. You will see the prices repeated there. Please list your table request in the 'Comments' field. Please also note that you have to pay the Game-a-thon registration in addition to the table rental fee.

You can also rent tables on a walk-in basis, but please remember we'll have no more than eight available for the day; first come, first served.

We suggest that you use our Forum discussion boards to announce what you will/might bring. We suggest posting in the "What's happening this week" category where the Game-a-thons are announced.

(Here's our secret agenda... Not only do we want to help you get rid of gaming stuff you're not using, but we'd also like to see this generate some more walk-in traffic.)

Questions or Comments?

Events at Future Game-a-thons

If you'd like to run a game at a future Game-a-thon, please click here to submit your event online.

You can also email us at your convenience.

You can even call Bill and tell him about your event over the phone - we're flexible!

If you'd like to see a particular game run at a future event, let us know by filling in a Game Request Form here.