February 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, February 16, 2008.
Here are the details.

The main trade route for the 5 Confederated Nations runs straight through the Bad Lands to the sea. Commerce depends on the safety of this route. The guilds have ensured its safety through treaty for decades. Stray from the route and there are no guarantees, but the route itself is secure.
Three caravans have been found destroyed. The people traveling with them report being attacked by creatures of unholy ability. Their speed, ferocity, and hunger have claimed lives and merchandise. Recent investigations have shown that the creatures started by attacking stray travelers and then escalated to entire caravans. Because of the nature of the beasts, the Mage's Guild has once again come under scrutiny. The working theory is that a portal was opened or some experiments escaped. The Guild denounces these allegations and seeks the help of the champions to clear their name. They are offering 1,700gp a soul for any who will answer the call.
More information at http://www.firstduty.com/add/league/events.php.
This event will follow the guidelines for the FCS Gaming League. It is rated at Novice level and players may bring their pre-generated teams. If you are new to Edition 3.5, we will review the rules as we go. You DO NOT need to be a member of the FCS Gaming League to participate in this event.
what2bring: FCSGL pre-gen character, dice, mini, PHB and relevant books. The GM will have most of the books available, but the GM has priority use. New players should bring an 11th level character. Some pre-generated characters will be available for new players.

This is the old SPI game of galactic empire building. It uses a card-driven system derived from Empires of the Middle Ages. The scenario played will depend on the number of players--they range from 1-5. The GM will not be participating as a player unless absolutely needed, and will be teaching the game and explaining it's rules.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for The Sword and the Stars which includes pictures and links to addenda and reviews.

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.

Revolution is a pure strategy game reflecting the independence movement in the Spanish Netherlands known as the "Eighty Years' War".
Each player represents one of the five main factions involved in this power struggle - each with their own motives and objectives. Some factions may help your cause in order to help theirs, but they are not your allies per se. Sorting out when you should count on them and when you should not is part of the fun!
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Revolution which includes reviews, pictures, rules and other playing aids.
Players will have a lot on their plates in this game so they should be familiar with the published rules beforehand.

Come fly the friendly skies - and try not to get shot down!
Based on the popular Wings of War series of card based games simulating WWI air combat, Wings of War - Miniatures takes the excitement to the third dimension with not only beautiful miniatures, but also rules for altitude.
This is an easy to learn game that takes about an hour to play with several players, so there should be time for several dogfights during the session.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Wings of War - Miniatures which includes reviews, pictures, playing aids, and rules.

Francis Tresham's classic Civilization is often imitated but never duplicated. Avalon Hill's "advanced" version is more of a new game than an expansion of the original as only the mapboard and nation tokens are needed from the base set. With additional calamities, trade commodities and civilization advances - including the addition of a Religions group - as well as altered rules of play, the game runs even smoother than before and is often quicker.
Each player takes on the role of leader of an ancient civilization, such as the Illyrians or Babylonians. Your task is to guide your people through the ages by expanding your empire and using its proceeds to finance new technological advances, such as Literacy, Metalworking, or Law. The advancements help your civilization better cope with its problems as well as help bring new advancements.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Advanced Civilization which includes reviews, pictures, and other playing aids.

The players are plantation owners in Puerto Rico in the days when the ships had sails. Growing up to five different kind of crops: Corn, Indigo, Coffee, Sugar and Tobacco, they must try to run their business more efficiently than their close competitors.
A unique game system let the players choose the order of the phases in each turn, and the player who understand to employ these most effectively, will win the game.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Puerto Rico which includes reviews, pictures, rules summaries and other playing aids.

Star Fleet Battles is an intricate game of ship-to-ship combat in the classic Star Trek universe (the one Kirk explored). Many other races have been added for variety. Tournament battles are like tense chess matches, with each player trying to bring his shipâs strengths to bear.
At the Star Fleet Training Academy, we'll have players of all types: veterans looking for some practice; guys who haven't played for years looking to shake off some rust; and new players still learning the game. All are welcome.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Star Fleet Battles which includes reviews, pictures, playing aids and a link to the publisher's website.

By Michael McKeown. A one-round core adventure set in the Domain of Greyhawk. An embattled plea from a halfling village leads to dark secrets. What has happed to the poor citizens of this quiet community along the Lake of Unknown Depths?
Signups available here to let the tables form ahead of time and ensure better party balance.

By Ron Lundeen. Five years ago, a dwarven artisan and a cleric of Fharlanghn were stranded on the shores of the Pomarj. These two unfortunates have been presumed dead for years. New information has revealed they are alive in a mysterious keep called the Storm Tower and may be in great danger. Brave heroes are needed to venture into the Pomarj and bring them home.
Signups available here to let the tables form ahead of time and ensure better party balance.

By Tim Sech. Tension is high in and around Safeton since the brutal attack on Narwell. The Pomarj is a flurry of activity and the high seas have once again become rife with danger. Whisperings of the Mak making his move, numerous disappearances in the middle of the night, and most disturbing of all, the sighting of ships sailing the yellow flags has the entire region on edge.
Signups available here to let the tables form ahead of time and ensure better party balance.

By Christian Alipounarian. An investigative and roleplay intensive one-round, core adventure set in the Free City of Greyhawk. The Free City of Greyhawk can be cruel, and in a place where one can find anything, the hardest thing to obtain might be a second chance. Can you solve a decades-old murder and free a needy soul? It is a loose sequel to COR5-04 Desecrators of the Lordâs Tomb; however, it is not necessary to have played that adventure.
Signups available here to let the tables form ahead of time and ensure better party balance.

By Dan Hass. Sometimes adventure finds you. Long ago something dark was trapped and hidden. Now it will be released unless heroes can be found to secure it.
Signups available here to let the tables form ahead of time and ensure better party balance.

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.