Why We Can’t Wait for Skycon 2018

Skycon is a Kitchener-Waterloo based gaming convention in its second-year. With planners aiming for between 1,000 and 5,000 participants, this is going to be the convention to go to for gamers and game developers. With this important of an event, we have put together a small list of 8 reasons why we can’t wait for Skycon.

1. Gaming Tournaments

Skycon is the place to be for competitive gaming. Not only are they playing a tournament style Pandemic, there is also a National Qualifier for Settlers of Catan. What that means for you is that you may be able to finally become the very best. Like no one ever was! In the very least, you can maybe pick up some tips so that your cousin Gary doesn’t keep winning ever single game of Catan.

2. Role-playing Games

At the time of writing, there is currently a whole day dedicated to Dungeons and Dragons. As some of you may know, I’m very much into that D&D scene and look forward to getting some games in. Any chance to roll some dice and get my adventure on!

3. Fantastic Guests

3 amazing guests are going to be going to Skycon currently, Victoria Rogers of The Broadswords fame, Lar De Souza of Least I Could Do illustrator fame, and Assad – the creator of Genesis: Battle of Champions. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and listen to some of the best names in the Canadian gaming industry. Not to mention that Ed Greenwood was there last year…just sayin’…

4. Marvellous Miniatures Games

Whether you’re looking for some Blood Bowl action, Malifaux, or some inspiration for your next miniature hobby, there are events both on Saturday and Sunday that will whet your appetite for miniature destruction.

5. Game Developers Connections

Locally-based Maple Games and Genesis: Battle of Champions will be represented at the convention with many opportunities to connect amongst other game developers to meet, collaborate, and playtest. Even if you don’t find any developers, there are over 200 titles in the Skycon library to play!

6. Largest Gaming-centric Convention in the Tri-Cities

Large isn’t necessarily better. When it comes to taxes, moving boxes, and the price of gas, I’d prefer things that were a bit smaller. When it comes to new faces to meet, make friends with, and game with – the more the merrier. If you’re looking for your gaming tribe, you may just make the connection you need here.

7. The Maple Protoroom

Games still in alpha or beta testing and you get some neat swag! It’s a little extra on top of Skycon admission, but just think of the bragging rights amongst your gaming friends. To the visitor goes to street cred.

8. The Vendors

Okay. So you have a fun-filled weekend, what are you going to do between games, eating, more games? Shopping! There are some wonderfully talented vendors and artists coming for your amusement and gaming needs. Truly this convention will have it all!

Disclaimer: I’m receiving no monetary reimbursement for this advertisement. I just like seeing people gaming. Hope to see you there!

Board Game Central

 

Board Game Central

Jackson Square, 2 King St W, Hamilton, ON
Friendly Local Gaming Store (FLGS)
http://www.bgcentral.ca

Google Rating: 4.3 stars

Where2Game Rating: ♟♟♟♟

Cost to Play ♟♟♟♟♟ Accessibility ♟♟♟♟♟ Atmosphere ♟♟♟♟♟

Menu Cost Not Applicable Parking ♟♟♟_ _ Community ♟♟_ _ _

Bookable? No.

Board Game Central (BGC) has recently undergone some significant renovations after their move, but that hasn’t stopped them from providing a great gaming space and wonderful customer service.

The space itself is highly accessible but has limited playing space. With that said, BGC has a unique admission structure. The tables themselves are open to play, but require a $5 admission. That $5 gets applied to a store credit that you can use to purchase anything in the store. It’s a try then pay model that Hamilton seems to love! When I went in, the tables were fully of people playing board games.

The staff themselves are wonderfully helpful and go beyond to try and find the right games for you. Have questions or need a suggestion? The wonderful staff are there to help and provide you with legendary customer service.

As it happens, the store is a friendly, local gaming store and doesn’t have any snacks on hand to purchase. A variety of food and drinks can be found at the food court in Jackson Square just a couple minutes walk within the Square. Parking can be found either paid on the street, or within the parking underneath the Square.

With regards to community, it doesn’t seem that BGC provides an online community space for people to connect and go to game. This makes it harder to find partners to play with in the grand scheme of getting more people to connect through gaming.

 

North of Exile

61 Main St, Penetanguishene, ON L9M 1S8
Friendly Local Gaming Store (FLGS)
http://www.northofexilegames.com/

Google Rating: 5.0 stars
Where2Game Rating: ♟♟♟♟

Rating Breakdown

Cost to Play ♟♟♟♟♟ Accessibility ♟♟_ _ _ Atmosphere ♟♟♟♟_

Menu Cost ♟♟♟♟♟ Parking ♟♟♟_ _ Community ♟♟♟♟♟

Bookable? No.

Look at that gaming space! Of the tiny space, I’d hazard about 75% of it is places where people can come and connect with no admission.

Upon stepping into the North of Exile store, I was surprised how quiet it was. We came on a Wednesday afternoon in the height of tourist season. This store seems like a hidden gem that residents of Penetanguishene like to keep secret.

The area boasts a large play area complete with a sitting room with a TV for smaller children who are less interested by the games their caregivers are playing. There is a bit of everything in this store including local art, board games, card games, Magic the Gathering, and role-playing game books at very reasonable prices. Compared to the prices in Toronto, everything was a steal!

North of Exile sitting room

The area was quiet and fresh. The only admission to the tables was that they hoped people would pay for some reasonably priced snacks.

A selection of snacks await you at North of Exile

Snack prices are a steal compared to admission and food you’d pay elsewhere

Accessibility and parking were a little bit harder to assess on our visit as there is currently construction along the road and sidewalk that is primarily used to park and visit. This has the opportunity to become a fantastic spot for any accessibility, so we look forward to seeing what comes after the construction is complete.

The community largely seems to be word of mouth, Facebook page, but also have set up a Facebook group for interested people to connect. With regular posts and attempts to bring community together, I couldn’t be happier.

For anyone in the Penetanguishene area, please check out this wonderful store.

A letter from the Store Manager of Tim Horton’s regarding a donation from Camp Day.

An explanation on why prices for Magic the Gathering booster packs are going up

Just some of the fine merchandise you’ll find including: Magic the Gathering booster cards, Dicemasters, board games, cards, and more.

A hot drink condiment station is available

A disclaimer from North of Exile

Comic Connection Oakville

490 Speers Rd, Oakville, ON L6K 2G3
Friendly Local Gaming Store (FLGS)
https://www.comicconnectionoakville.com/

Google Rating: 4.7
Where2Game Rating: ♟♟♟ ¹/₂

Rating Breakdown

Cost to Play ♟♟♟♟♟ Accessibility ♟♟_ _ _ Atmosphere ♟♟♟♟_

Menu Cost ♟♟♟_ _ Parking ♟♟♟♟_ Community ♟♟♟_ _

About

The Comic Connection is a surprisingly large gaming and comic store located on Speers Rd. When we first walked in, we were amazed by how bright and spacious the store was. Each section is easily accessible and the staff were attentive and friendly.

A view from inside Comic Connection

 

Review

While snacks and drinks were available, there was not a large selection. Chips, candy bars, and soda were readily from vending machines and the front of the store. What’s nice is that the sticker price is what you pay making mental math easier when keeping a tally of your bill.

The gaming space consisted of large card tables, and a number of spots. There is no table fee and you can bring whichever games you wish! The downside is that there is not a selection of games to choose from and it’s BYOG (Bring Your Own Games).

Accessibility wise, Comic Connection takes first place in accessibility. There is only one door to wrangle, inventory is an appropriate distance to allow for physical disabilities, there is plenty of light for the seeing impaired, the carpeting allows for a bit more sound dampening for less echoing.

What I’d love to see is an increase in accessibility such as an installed accessibility operator on the front door and a universal washroom to claim 100% in this category.

Game Venue: Black Knight Games

Black Knight Games

864 Mohawk Rd E, Hamilton, ON L8T 2R5
Friendly Local Gaming Store (FLGS)
http://blackknightgames.ca/

Google Rating: 4.5 stars
Where2Play Rating ♟♟♟♟

Rating Breakdown

Cost to Play ♟♟♟♟♟ Accessibility ♟♟_ _ _ Atmosphere ♟♟♟♟

Menu Cost ♟♟♟_ _ Parking ♟♟♟♟_ Community ♟♟♟♟♟

Bookable? Keep Game Room – yes.

About

Black Knight Games is on the corner of Mohawk Rd E and Upper Ottawa St in a section of Hamilton known as ‘The Mountain.’ They have been running for close to 8 years and have a wide selection of board games, miniatures games, and role playing game supplies. As they are on the more spread out Mountain, they also offer free parking and are close to transit lines as well.

Review

 

As soon as you walk in to the Black Knight

It’s hard not to gush about Black Knight Games (BKG) because they do almost everything that a local gaming store wants to do – and they do it right. They charge no admission to play at their large gaming space and there is no time limit to play – short of how long you can subsist on snacks such as candy bars, water, and soda (all available at the front for purchase). The space is intelligently decorated and feels homey right from getting in the door.

This is about a quarter of the gaming space

Beyond the main gaming space is a small, private room that doubles as a getaway for board gamers and those interested in role-playing games to avoid any distractions from miniature gamers. The area is bookable and free, but is in high demand.

The Keep Game Room – a free game space for those who need a bit of quiet

They have an active Facebook page where they quickly answer questions, and an active Twitter. All posts seem to be around getting people together to play games which aligns perfectly with what Where2Game is all about! Their staff are friendly, helpful, and patient for any gaming or program questions you may have. They even offer day camps and a league for youth to teach games and make friends in their community.

I would say that overall BKG also is the most accessible gaming spot in Hamilton as of writing. There is little resistance to physical accessibility issues, hearing or sight concerns, or mental health concerns. It seems that BKG wants all people to game there, which is great. To go above and beyond, automatic door openers would ease the double door entry system they have, and universal washrooms would be great to see as well.