Day 366 of Year 2020...

It has been 31 days since my last post and it also happens to be the last day of 2020.

As far as leap years go, it has been a year full of challenge and no doubt many people will be keen for it to be over with as soon as possible.

While looking forward to 2021, I have some hesitation about how quickly things will improve with respect to the pandemic, politics, and ongoing aspects of other things 2020 will be remembered for.

But this blog is not about those things and I am not planning to change that any time soon.

Let us talk about tabletop games.

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I usually start one of these with a reflection on the year gone but I think my most recent posts do that for me.

Some brief highlights?

AlbaCon was a success and raised over £3,000 for an amazing charity.

I published Unsettled Ground. An adventure for Dungeons & Dragons on DMsGuild after taking part in the RPG Writer Workshop.

The Dungeons & Dragons Scotland Facebook Group has grown from 0 to 725 members and the associated D&D Scotland Discord Server now has multiple games running on it every week. Not bad. Naturally there was a big upturn of members after March...

I’ve DM’d more sessions of RPGs than I have since my teens including continuing to DM two ongoing D&D campaigns and running several intro sessions of D&D at work and for friends looking to explore RPGs. My two campaigns are made up of:

• Homebrew set in Forgotten Realms with some flavourings of my own. We hit two years of running this in October and successfully migrated to playing online back in March.
  
  
  
  
  
• The other is a run through of Season 9 of Adventurers League – Avernus Rising.
  
  
  
  
  

I’ve also played more RPGs than ever including playing in games of the Eberron - Oracle Of War storyline with Shane, Pete, Iain and Ian run by Rich.  Fabulous people I would usually only get to see at events like UK Games Expo but thanks to the wonders of online gaming I have the pleasure of spending time with them semi-regularly.

Probably worth a few hobby related lowlights too? Although in the grand scheme of things these really are not that important…

Lots of conventions were cancelled, including Tabletop Scotland 2020.

I haven’t played a board game since March, largely due to East Neuk Tabletop being on hiatus.

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So with 2021 on the horizon, what plans do I have?

Conventions?

If (and it's a BIG if) in-person events are actually possible in 2021 then my plan is to go to the following: AireCon, Conpulsion, UK Games Expo, GenCon, Glasgow Games Festival and I plan to finally go to Dragonmeet.  That’s with organising Tabletop Scotland 2021 and AlbaCon 2021.

If in-person events are not possible then I’ll look at attending an equal number of online conventions, although most likely to play RPGs.

Other stuff?

After completing the RPG Writer Workshop I intend to write & publish at least 3 more DMsGuild products & maybe some other non-D&D stuff too.  I’d like that number to be nearer 6 but that’s going to be dependent on available time which will be driven by whether Tabletop Scotland goes ahead or not.  I fully expect to take part in the RPG Writer Workshop events in July and November 2021 either way.

Alongside continuing to run my alternating D&D Tuesday campaigns I want to run at least 6 games other than D&D for more than a one-shot.  Now that’s not with the intention of starting up another campaign but more a case of running short (2 to 4 sessions maybe) arcs.  What games?  Damn good question…

Night’s Black Agents – Unlikely to be the Dracula Dossier (given the session constraint above) but want to run a short arc, likely one of the published ones.

The Expanse or Ashen Stars or maybe both.  They can offer similar play experiences but are different both in setting and play style.

Mutant City Blues or something else that’s police procedural. Maybe 2021 is the year I run Cthulhu?

I’d like to run some Savage Worlds although unsure what setting I’d use.  I could use this as an opportunity to write some Savage Worlds stuff as I have run games of it at cons "back in the day".

Plus it’s about time I tried out 2d20 (maybe Star Trek?), Cypher, Cortex and a couple of other systems to see if they work for me.

Typing that up highlights the challenge I’m setting but I think it’s doable.  Especially if my roleplaying remains online exclusively.  52 weeks in the year. If I run 3 sessions on average for 6 games that is 18 sessions.

Something tells me I’ll be reflecting on failure with this challenge but that’s why it’s a challenge!

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Before I wrap up it’s probably worth reflecting on my Objectives & Principles...

Objectives :

1. Balanced gaming – This is very RPG centric now.  Nothing wrong with that and a complete u-turn on previous times I’ve checked it.
2. More gaming overall – So, I think I’m still doing this.  Between the campaigns and running one-shot demos of D&D I think I’m “up” on previous years albeit RPG only.  Board gaming has stopped and likely will remain thus until ENT can return.
3. More involved – Interesting one this. Conventions help with this a lot and now with a plan to publish more RPG material I think this will develop further.
4. Event Attendance – Technically I attended 5 conventions this year.  All of them were online.
5. Organise Events – AlbaCon is the shining light for this.  I may revisit other ideas in 2021 depending on how things pan out.

Principles :

1. Only buy it if you're going to use it – Well this took a nosedive in March / April. When the first lockdown came, I started to buy more board games. Partly because I wanted to support Scotland's FLGS’ but also because I wanted some retail therapy. I stopped buying board games shortly thereafter and instead bought a lot of RPG books. Mostly D&D books but also other RPGs and lots of PDFs…
2. Is everyone having fun? Including you? – Continues to be key and is a regular topic when people ask me for advice on running RPGs.
3. Accept that you're going to be the GM – I called this an eternal principle a few years back. It still is and something I’m still very comfortable with. Getting to play is nice though 😉.
4. Change is a good thing and is necessary – This one has never been more evident than now. I’ve historically been resistant to playing RPGs online but when it became the only option, I embraced it.
5. Opinions aren't as important as knowledge and experience – This remains to be a truth for me. I continue to value input from lots of people, moreso when it comes to feedback on conventions I organise and of course with the release of Unsettled Ground. That said, I continue to reserve the right to ignore opinions in favour of relying on knowledge and experience!

Day 335 of Year 2020...

So it's been 3 days since I last posted here. That's got to be the shortest time between posts for a LONG time!

So what's happened?

My adventure, Unsettled Ground, has been published on DMsGuild! Exciting!

Not only that, but people are buying it!

Day 332 of Year 2020...

So it's been 184 days since I last posted here. Certainly some of the weirdest days most of us will have experienced and no doubt most of those days will have blurred into one another.

So what's happened?

Conventions -

After cancelling Tabletop Scotland 2020 I saw a slew of online cons materialise, maybe some of them already existed but I wasn't aware of them. Not to be outdone and needing something to fill that Tabletop Scotland shaped void a group of us got together to organise an online RPG convention, one that had a dual-primary focus of playing RPGs and raising money for charity.

So AlbaCon was created.

On October 3rd & 4th we hosted 40 GMs from 6 countries who ran 70 games for 178 attendees from 9 countries.  Which translates into 402 virtual seats taking part in 1,434 hours of RPGs. We hosted 8 video panels about various topics and published them on YouTube. Plus we also raised over £3,000 for It's Good 2 Give which is fantastic and beyond our original expectations.

Not bad for our first event.  Naturally we're doing it again in 2021.

What about Tabletop Scotland 2021?

Well, as you will no doubt have noticed things are in a state of flux at the moment with respect to large gatherings of any kind. That aside we're working on the assumption that the event is going ahead and slowly getting our plan sorted.  The slowness is partly because the other parties we need to work with are also in a state of flux in many respects. When we have more info, we'll share it through the usual channels.

Other conventions across the UK & Ireland are generally in a similar position. Plan to happen but be prepared.  As a reminder, I maintain a list of the board game & RPG conventions here - http://bit.ly/UKIRPGBGCons

I update it semi-regularly but if you're curious about the status of the cons you usually go to, best to ask them directly.

My Gaming -

Board gaming has stopped for me.  I can't play with my regular or irregular groups and the online presence of board games underwhelms me.

RPGs online continues to be my main gaming outlet.  In fact I think I've spent more time playing RPGs this year than I have for many many years, like probably 20 years if not more.

I'm running two Dungeons & Dragons campaigns on a weekly rotation and playing in an adhoc D&D game.  I took part in games at D&D Live, GenCon Online and D&D Celebration; now granted some of those were as research for AlbaCon planning but I still took part and played games etc.

I've also, during this month of November, taken part in the RPG Writer Workshop programme and I should (will!) have published my first DMsGuild product in the next few days.  As I've said to a few people, it was either do that or organise _another_ online RPG convention... I think I made the right choice.

Will I publish more stuff? I hope to.  I've had numerous other ideas pop into my head (which I've written down) throughout this process so it is likely that I will.

So there we have it.  Day 332.

Day 148 of Year 2020...

So it's been 67 days since I posted.  What's changed?  Well in many ways, not a lot.  In other ways, quite a bit.

Conventions -

The catalogue of convention cancellations has grown exponentially with essentially everything from mid-March onwards being cancelled.

Greg and I had already decided to cancel our trip to Gen Con as even if it was to go ahead (it isn't), we didn't think we should go.  Of course we are now looking at 2021...

So yeah the rescheduled versions of UK Games Expo and Tabletop Scotland (more below) have been cancelled.  As has Gen Con in Indianapolis and Spiel in Essen.

The impact on the hobby cannot be underestimated and it will be a multifaceted one.  I'll probably reflect on that later.

If you want to see the sea of red / cancelled cons go here - http://bit.ly/UKIRPGBGCons

Game Stores -

To repeat what I said in the last post...  If there was ever a time for you to support brick & mortar game stores, now is that time.
Many in the UK are starting the process of re-opening which means, amongst other things, they're spending money to bring in products to sell.  Your support will make that effort worthwhile.

Community -

I would encourage you all to explore the options available to you, especially as right now I'm seeing more and more people (re)turning to this hobby as an outlet for escapism.

You can do this via the various social media platforms but also through forum services like BoardGameGeek (link to Scotland forum), ENWorld (for RPGs), D&D Beyond (for D&D specifically) and there are many more.

Facebook is littered with groups.  Here are a few I'd point those in Scotland at :

Dungeons & Dragons Scotland - https://www.facebook.com/groups/DnDScotland/
Dungeons & Dragons Glasgow - https://www.facebook.com/groups/525585977643435/
(Aberdeen) Granite City D&D - https://www.facebook.com/groups/245802669125748/
Open Roleplaying Community Edinburgh - https://www.facebook.com/groups/605318762823146/
Scotland Tabletop - https://www.facebook.com/groups/164138950300208/
Board Game Player Glasgow - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoardGamesPlayersGlasgow/
Edinburgh Board Gamers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/EdinburghBoardGamers/
Juniper Green Board Gamers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/393090567800456/
(Aberdeen) Granite City Gamers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/366948050026563/
there are lots more...

Ultimately though if you're not sure where to start get in touch and I'll see how I can help.

Looking forward - 

In many respects I think the tabletop hobby will see 2020 as an aberration and attempt to write it off.  It's never as simple as that but as we all look for brighter days and a time when we're all able to get round a table to play games again I wanted to spotlight a little on Tabletop Scotland 2021.

It's going to be a 3 day affair and we're back at our regular time of August.  What will adding a third day bring to the convention? 
Right now that's not 100% clear.  We want to enable the whole range of game playing options that are available normally as well as things like the Bring & Buy.  Exhbitors wise it's TBC how this will work and until we've discussed it with them in more detail it is far too early to speculate.

Now the trick here is we're all largely working on the assumption that by August 2021 we'll be back to "normal" from a hobby perspective.  We'll be able to sit together in large numbers again etc.  There's a fair bit of fingers crossed associated with this and in reality we have to plan on the basis of "normal" anyway.

What would you like to do on the Friday at Tabletop Scotland?
With this extra day, what would you change about the Saturday & Sunday?
I'm curious to know.

Day 81 of Year 2020...

2020 huh.  The year of the Critical Hit etc etc.  It's certainly going to be one for the history books for the saddest of reasons.  The next few months are going to be really challenging for everyone and I hope you're all keeping safe and staying well.

I'd like to focus on what effect COVID-19 has had on the tabletop games hobby for this post.

Conventions -

AireCon went ahead.  I opted against going, asthmatic and all that.
Conpulsion has been cancelled.
UK Games Expo has moved to the August dates for Tabletop Scotland (in consultation with us).
GenCon is hanging in there but I have serious doubts it'll go ahead or more accurately if I'll be able to get there.  Given the impact on the airline industry there might not be a flight for me to get on.
Tabletop Scotland has re-scheduled to the 10th & 11th October.
Glasgow Games Festival date hasn't been announced yet but I expect they'll be mid-November as usual.

Beyond that a lot of conventions have naturally cancelled.  I maintain a Google Sheet with all the UK & Ireland Board Game & RPG conventions on it if you want to see.

Game Stores -

If there was ever a time for you to support brick & mortar game stores, now is that time.
You can support by contacting them to see if you can buy stuff and get them to post it out to you.
As well as being employers, these businesses are crucial to the community they serve.  If you can't support them financially ask them how you can help and encourage others to do the same.

Here's a list of the Scottish based brick & mortar stores that we compiled for Tabletop Scotland 2019.

Location	Name	Website
Aberdeen	ABZ Games	https://www.facebook.com/abzgamesonline/
Aberdeen	Asylum Books & Games	https://www.facebook.com/asylumbooksandgames/
Aberdeen	Plan 9	https://www.facebook.com/pages/Plan-9/341081725918660
Airdrie	The Last Outpost	https://www.facebook.com/outpostcomics/
Ayr	Unboxed Gaming Café	https://www.facebook.com/unboxedcafe/
Cumbernauld	Castle Comics	https://www.facebook.com/castlecomicsuk/
Dundee	Highlander Games	https://www.facebook.com/HighlanderGamesDundee/
Dunfermline	Little Shop Of Heroes	https://www.facebook.com/LittleShopOfHeroes/
Edinburgh	Black Lion Games	https://www.facebook.com/blacklionedinburgh/
Edinburgh	Edinburgh Game Hub	http://www.gameshubedinburgh.com/
Edinburgh	Geek Retreat	https://www.facebook.com/GeekRetreatEdinburgh/
Edinburgh	Murphy's Vault	http://www.murphysvault.com/
Edinburgh	Noughts & Coffees	http://www.noughtsandcoffees.co.uk/
Edinburgh	Red Dice Games	http://www.reddicegames.com/
Elgin	The Pop Shop	https://www.facebook.com/ThePopShopElgin/
Falkirk	Geeks & Games	https://www.facebook.com/GeekGearBox/
Glasgow	Geek Retreat	https://www.facebook.com/GeekRetreatUK/
Glasgow	Geek-Aboo	https://www.facebook.com/thegeekaboo/
Glasgow	Lucky Sparrow	https://www.facebook.com/luckysparrowgamescafe/
Glasgow	Max XP	https://www.facebook.com/pg/maxxpgaming/
Glasgow	Static Games	https://www.facebook.com/StaticGamesUK/
Glasgow	West End Games	http://www.westendgames.co.uk/
Hamilton	Settlers	https://www.facebook.com/SettlersHamilton/
Inverness	Ellerium Games	http://elleriumgames.co.uk/
Kirkcaldy	Kingdom Comics & Games	https://www.facebook.com/kingdomcomicsfife/
Lanark	Knightly Gaming	https://www.knightlygaming.co.uk/
Largs	Bus Stop Toy Shop	http://www.busstoptoyshop.com/
Paisley	Comicrazy Café	http://www.comicrazy.co.uk
Perth	Big Dog Books	http://bigdogbooks.co.uk/
Stirling	Common Ground Games	http://www.commongroundgames.co.uk/

Community -

This hobby is all about socialising with others whilst playing games and when that ability to socialise is limited or even removed entirely it can be very difficult.

I've never been in a situation like this before and whilst I know that between my family and other things I can keep myself busy and entertained, I will miss playing games and socialising with others.

So how does someone tackle that?

Play online.  Get organised as a group and get online together.  If you meet up at the same time every week or fortnight then try and get people to do the same but online.  It won't be the same but it will be better than not doing it at all.  It's not something I've done but it is something I will explore.

RPGs -

Wizards Of The Coast recently published this article - https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/remote - and whilst it's Dungeons & Dragons centric it's useful in general for all RPG players and those looking to explore that.
In there they mention Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds as well as chat/video tools like Discord, Zoom and Skype.  It's worth noting that there are other online RPG platforms like Astral and D20Pro which offer similar functionality to Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds.  Try them out and see which one works best for you.

Update - Chaosium have also published an article - https://www.chaosium.com/online-gaming-getting-started/

Board Games -

There are several options here and I won't list them all mainly because I'll end up forgetting something.  So here's 5 I found whilst searching online -

• Board Game Arena - https://en.boardgamearena.com/
• Tabletopia - https://tabletopia.com/
• Yucata - https://www.yucata.de/en
• Happy Meeple - https://www.happymeeple.com/en/
• Tabletop Simulator - https://www.tabletopsimulator.com/games

Whilst many of these RPG & Board Game online platforms have free versions be aware that their services are seeing huge spikes in players and that by buying a license, not only are you getting more functionality, you're enabling the companies involved to provide a better service overall.  So if you can, do.

Closing out this post I hope everyone stays safe and well over the next few weeks and months.  Let me know how you're dealing with this exceptional circumstance and get in touch if I can help.

Oh and WASH YOUR HANDS!

GenCon 2020 - The Prep...

Flights - Booked

Accommodation - Booked

Tickets - Booked

So pretty much sorted then?  Logistics wise yeah largely there.  What comes next is figuring out what I'll be doing when there.

Events wise there's a LOT to choose from.  Event booking goes live on Sunday 17th May and based on 2019's event schedule of 19,589 different events there's going to be some decisions to be made!

I think this time my focus is going to be on the Gen Con film festival and the seminars / panels with a selection of gaming events (probably RPG centric) mixed in.  Plus of course the exhibitor hall where all the gaming goodies will be.

After seeing Eye Of The Beholder at Gen Con 2018 and having lots of good chat with the team behind it I was able to host the UK Premiere at Tabletop Scotland 2019 which was fantastic.

Maybe I'll see something else that I can bring to a future Tabletop Scotland?

I'd be interested in seeing Seminars & Panels either by D&D twitter folks I follow or podcasts I listen to.  There might be a few others that catch my eye but that's a decision for nearer the 17th May.

Gaming events will likely involve a few RPGs.  I'd like to try and play in a game of Night's Black Agents and also will likely sign up for some D&D 5e too.  That aside I think the majority of my convention time will be spent in the exhibitor halls and playing board games.

Exhibitor wise I think I might have a bit of a RPG splurge this time as that's largely my gaming focus at the moment although I will be picking up various new releases and other games to be added to the games library for Tabletop Scotland 2020.

If you're going to GenCon let me know (not you Greg, I know you're going!).