It is my hope to do a larger write up before too many things evaporate from memory, but I want to at least post my initial reactions to this year’s Metatopia. This was one of the best convention experiences for me, out shining even Dreamations. The Team at Double Exposure really know what they are doing and are hosting one of the most supportive spaces for Game Designers and the people who love gaming.
I’m personally not a big fan of Panels. I’m too restless. I wanna play in or run something rather than sit and be talked too. But the Panels were smart, there were a number of topics that appealed to me. Things that could improve my game designs, Like the Panel on adding Mobile Apps to your game. And things of general interest like the panel on The granddaughters of ripley: which looked at the rise and fall and rise again of the strong female action hero (go Jessica Jones) I was surprised at home much I enjoyed going to panels.
The big new thing which I now want in all my convention experiences was the support group. “I got my cred right here, buddy” blossomed into something beautiful. It was not inclusive for all games, but rather the gamers who most often have their geekdom questioned, or are out right bullied and trolled. So women, those who identify as women, transfolk in general. All of which have known the sting of patronization among geek culture. Some of us are so used to that sting that we just expect it.
The support group placed a safety net over convention. Knowing if you got panicky there were people you could go to removed the shame of those feeling and made it ok to HAVE panic and feelings. Also if I saw someone looking lost or upset I felt allowed to go up and ask if they were ok not knowing them but knowing we were part of the same group. Thank you Avonelle Wing, that was awesome.
And From that started the Tea Party. Which needs to keep happening. Cause it created a nice space for non drinkers to be able to join in the very very important nightly social gathering. Game designers love each other, we want to cluster and catch up and hear each other's stories. the nightly gamer groove is a lovely lovely thing.
I enjoyed the games i playtested very much. I napped each day. and I Designed. I designed and playtested 2 games this con. AT the con. One I brought as vaporware and asked for a workshop. So the game went from ideas to discussion to 6 hours of rule writing to a 2 hour playtest (which was awesome) so awesome I talked friends into a longer playtest The game is holding up well.
The second game I thought was just going to be a reskin of my own game but the night before the playtest I realized that it wasn’t going to work so I was designing at the table and that game rocked. Time Capers is a beautiful fun game.
So yes. Best Convention Ever.
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