June 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, June 20, 2009.
Here are the details.

The sky turned red, the ground split, the oceans flooded, fire rained down, mythical beasts awoke and magic lashed out. When the Night of Fire ended, nine out of every 10 people in Scondera were dead. The Long Winter killed countless more.
You survived.
Desolation is a post-apocalyptic fantasy roleplaying game set 18 months after a high-fantasy world was nearly brought to an end. You create a character who survived the devastation. Will you seize power amidst the chaos, help to rebuild civilization, remap the twisted remains of the world ... or will you even survive another day?
More information at the official website for the Desolation RPG.

Stalingrad has been reclaimed by the Russians,Êand a small force of Romanian soldiers is trapped behind enemy lines. Can this force hold out in time to be rescued or will they, along with theirÊrescuers, be overwhelmed? This battle will be fought on two fronts.

Take on the role of a chivalrous paladin or a wise shaman, a holy priest or a vile warlock, a mighty mage or a crafty rogue. Play as a savage orc, a mighty tauren, a tribal troll, or one of the Forsaken undead; become an ingenious gnome, a doughty dwarf, a mysterious Night Elf, or a noble human.
Based on the popular World of Warcraft Massively Multiplayer Online Game from Blizzard Entertainment, World of Warcraft: the Board Game invites the players to choose from 16 characters, drawn from the eight races and nine character classes of the Warcraft universe, and take up arms for the glory of the Horde ... or the Alliance. Travel across Lordaeron, vanquish monsters, gain experience and power, and earn honor for your faction.
The game will likely not play to conclusion, but this affords a good opportunity to learn the game in a relaxed atmosphere.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for World of Warcraft which includes reviews, pictures, playing aids and a link to the rules on the publisher's website.
The game will likely not play to conclusion, but this affords a good opportunity to learn the game in a relaxed atmosphere.

7 Ages is a game of world history from 4000 BC/E to 2000 AD/CE. Players represent dynasties that decide the fate of the world across the millennia. You, as a dynastic head of one or more empires must guide your empires through history gaining glory points for historical, scientific, religious and cultural advances as you increase their health, wealth and prestige.
All the leading figures of history are included, as they attempt to influence events and their society through their great words and deeds. Are you game to change history?
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for 7 Ages which includes reviews, pictures, and playing aids.

Monsters Menace America, Sword and Skull, Settlers of Catan Junior, and Family Business will all be available for the younger gamers.
Follow these links to the BoardGameGeek entry for Monsters Menace America, the BoardGameGeek entry for Sword and Skull, the BoardGameGeek entry for Settlers of Catan Junior, and the BoardGameGeek entry for Family Business. which include reviews, pictures, player aids, as well as many other resources.

In Stone Age, players struggle to survive the titular era by working as hunters, collectors, farmers, and tool makers. As you gather resources, and raise animals, you work to build the tools needed to build your civilization.
Players use up to 10 tribe members each in 3 phases. During the first phase, players place their men in regions of the board that they think will benefit them, including the hunt, trading center, or the quarry. In the second phase, the starting player activates each of his staffed area in whatever sequence he chooses, followed in turn by the other players. Finally, in the third phase, players must have enough food available to feed their population, or face losing resources or points.
In Agricola, you're a farmer in a wooden shack with your spouse and little else. On a turn, you get to take only two actions, one for you and one for the spouse, from all the possibilities you'll find on a farm: collecting clay, wood, or stone; building fences; and so on. You might think about having kids in order to get more work accomplished, but first you need to expand your house. And what are you going to feed all the little rugrats?
Follow these links to the BoardGameGeek entry for Stone Age, and the BoardGameGeek entry for Agricola which include reviews, pictures, player aids, as well as many other resources.

Through the Ages is a civilization building game. The goal is to develop your civilization, not to destroy other ones. Military strength is just one aspect of your nation, as well as population, production or science. It is up to you which aspect you will concentrate on, more or less, but you should not underestimate any of them while building your civilization.
Victory is achieved by the player whose nation produces the most culture during the game. However, there are many ways to produce culture: through religion, literature or drama, by building wonders, by utilizing cultural persons, etc. Considerable amount of culture can be gained even via wars or aggression.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Through the Ages which includes reviews, pictures, playing aids and links.

Japan is in the Sengoku Period and each player assumes the role of a great Daimyo hoping to become Shogun by owning provinces, temples, theaters and castles. Developing their kingdom will be paramount to success, wise use of the troops at their disposal will be a key.
Shogun is a retheming of the popular Wallenstein game system. A central focus is the unique Cubetower that is used to resolve battles between armies. The troops that meet for battle are all thrown into the tower together and whichever army has the most troops come out of the bottom of the tower achieves victory.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Shogun which includes reviews, pictures, playing aids and links to the rules.

Viktory II is loosely based upon 19th century warfare and supports up to eight players fighting for game domination, either through direct player elimination or alternately through player subjugation.
Each player has custom designed infantry, cavalry, artillery and frigate units waging war upon a modular hex map comprised of mountain, forest, plains, grassland, and water hexes. The modular map is scalable and customizable, allowing larger or smaller maps to be played for either longer or shorter games.
During the game, players explore the map by moving units and building towns and cities. When they encounter other players, fighting begins. Combat is fought through dice rolling based upon the number of different types of units engaged in battle, the terrain being fought upon, and the presence of a town or city.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Viktory II which includes reviews, pictures, and playing aids.

Someone is interfering with valuable shipments from the mining community of Ioma Town. Production is way down, and the rulers of Amn arenât pleased. The evidence indicates that itâs an inside job· deep inside. Adventurers are needed to go into the mines and find out who (or what) is trying to sabotage the Iomic Crystals.
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in the Nelanther Isles for characters levels 7-10. It is recommended, but not required, that characters have participated in CORE1-4 Crystal Clear before playing this adventure.
We will determine the adventure to run in each slot based upon attendance - please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.
Characters must be created conforming to the current RPGA character creation guidelines. More information available here.

The Fall of Stars is the most famous adventurersâ club in Faeržn. Who can say no when offered membership in the Stellar Fellowship, for a mere errand? But of course, things are never that simple.
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in the Dalelands for characters levels 1-4.
We will determine the adventure to run in each slot based upon attendance - please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.
Characters must be created conforming to the current RPGA character creation guidelines. More information available here.

Regular attacks by creatures of the wild turn life in Daggerdale into a nightmare. So when mercenaries offer protection for a fee, does it matter that these were the old enemies of the past?
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in the Dalelands for characters levels 4-7.
We will determine the adventure to run in each slot based upon attendance - please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.
Characters must be created conforming to the current RPGA character creation guidelines. More information available here.

A man of importance has disappeared in hostile territory, and may have been captured. Returning him to safety might not be easy as the path leads to depraved Scardale. Sometimes things are exactly as they seem.
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in the Dalelands for characters levels 7-10. This adventure is part of the Conspiracy of Ravens quest that started in DALE1-1.
We will determine the adventure to run in each slot based upon attendance - please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.
Characters must be created conforming to the current RPGA character creation guidelines. More information available here.

Somewhere beneath the dirty streets of Westgateâs docksâ district, one shining light of justice is being held hostage by a force intent on extinguishing any resistance. A rescue mission must be mounted, and it all starts at· a masquerade ball?
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in the Dragon Coast for character levels 7-10.
We will determine the adventure to run in each slot based upon attendance - please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.
Characters must be created conforming to the current RPGA character creation guidelines. More information available here.

Zhentil Keep is a city with a storied history, even if most of the tale is not fit for innocent ears. A mission to find the wayward son of a wealthy merchant leads deep into the secrets, deceptions, and brutal power on which the dreaded Zhentarim built their ominous keep.
A Living Forgotten Realms two-round special adventure set in Zhentil Keep for characters levels 1-4.
We will determine the adventure to run in each slot based upon attendance - please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.
Characters must be created conforming to the current RPGA character creation guidelines. More information available here.

Rumors of an ancient artifact, sacred to Shar, have proven all too true. The church of Amaunator has assembled an expedition to return to Zhentil Keep, enter the dangerous twilight-shrouded southern ruins, and destroy the artifact before it can return to its dark mistress. Will you join the followers of the Light on their quest to purge the Shadow?
This is a two-round continuous-play Living Forgotten Realms Core Special adventure set in Zhentil Keep for characters levels 7-10. It is recommended, but not required, that characters play SPEC1-1 Shades of the Zhentarim before playing this adventure.
We will determine the adventure to run in each slot based upon attendance - please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.
Characters must be created conforming to the current RPGA character creation guidelines. More information available here.

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.