Buffalo is preparing for three days of serious gaming. The event comes at a time when this city is experiencing a reawakening of board game culture. Aside from board games, Queen City Conquest (an annual convention) was set up to draw gamers together to meet each other and explore the fanciful world of gaming – board, card, live action role playing, miniature, tabletop role-playing and video games. The fun-filled three-day-long session of storytelling and gaming is coming to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center on September 18, 19 and 20, 2015.
“Going into its fourth year, The Queen City Conquest has increased its annual attendance to almost 400 attendees and this year plans to exceed that, with the addition of strategic partnerships and special guest speakers,” said Sean Gilgore, marketing director for the Queen City Conquest. “After a 2nd successful crowdfunding campaign finishing in May, on Kickstarter, the Queen City Conquest has partnered with local business in Niagara and Erie County that focus on the gaming niche and other businesses that support the individuals who enjoy the hobby of gaming.
“The Queen City Conquest brings gaming in both an organized and open environment. Players can sign up or create events on our webpage www.queencityconquest.com and play at set times throughout the convention or they may visit our open gaming library and find other players to sit down at open tables and play.
“Other events include: Dinner and gaming with our two special guests, Andy Hopp and Curt Covert. An auction on Saturday for the non-for-profit Child Play will provide new toys and games for Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Western New York.
“For fans of Miniature games an organized tournament for WarHammer 40K will take place on Sunday. This event is sponsored by WNY Gaming and Two Kings Games. As well as daily play of the X-Wing Miniatures game.
“New to the convention this year is two special guests, Andy Hopp and Curt Covert. Live action foam weapon combat with Dagorhir Battle Games and a partnerships one with Double Exposure Envoy. A game demonstration organization for over 50 game companies.
“Andy Hopp is an award-winning illustrator, author, and game designer. He is the illustrator of the children’s books Cliffourd the Big Red God and Where the Deep Ones Are by Atlas Games, as well as the creator of the Wanderers Guild, and the illustrator of dozens of RPG books, card games, and other products. Andy’s most well-known creation is the humorous and popular Low Life RPG. The game takes place gazillions of years in the future after the vaunted Hoomanrace has been driven to extinction by countless calamities. The dominant life forms have evolved from cockroaches, Twinkies, and the dregs that survived, while society is based on the misinterpreted archeological remains of the ancient Hoomanrace. The new Low Life: The Rise of the Lowly core rulebook was the subject of a successful Kickstarter campaign.
“Curt Covert is the owner of Smirk and Dagger Games – company dedicated to the belief that “games are more fun when you stab a friend in the back.” As a 12-year veteran in the board game industry, Curt is the designer of a line of wildly fun ‘backstabby’ game classics including Cutthroat Caverns, Hex Hex, Shoots and Ladders, Dread Curse, Student Bodies and his new critically acclaimed game; Nevermore. As a graphic artist, promotional marketing professional and inventor of other licensed toys and games, including Crayola 3D Outdoor Sidewalk Chalk, Curt knows the ins and outs of both the hobby game and mass market game industries. He will be available to share his insights, knowledge, and experiences in panel discussions to answer your questions. Learn more here.
“Dagorhir Battle Games pits warriors inspired by the works of Tolkein to compete in battle with homemade weapons. Swords, pikes and shields that are hand made from P.V.C. piping and foam constriction arm players to compete in both one-on-one combat or in mass army battles. Be it in a gymnasium or outdoor field, this form of foam combat requires strategy, teamwork and fencing or combat instincts. Dagorhir began as a hobby in 1977 on college campuses. It now has tribes throughout the United States and a national gathering in Ohio every year. You can learn more here.
“Double Exposure Envoy is the fastest growing demonstration team for independent gaming companies across the United States. Representing fifty companies and over 100 games, fans of different board, card and roleplaying-games can experience and play before buying. If you are passionate fan of any of the games and the companies they represent you can also apply to be a herald for them and earn free copies and other swag. Visit this site to sign up as a herald.
“With the popularity of the YouTube TV show Tabletop hosted by Will Wheaton, the board game hobby has grown. Erie and Niagara County are now the home to multiple independent gaming stores and one super store.”
To learn more about the upcoming three-day event, visit this Facebook event page. Also, learn more about the local gaming scene, by visiting Queen City Conquest on Facebook.
Individuals can sign up for one to three days of fun at www.queencityconquest.com Day passes for Friday and Sunday is $15. Saturday is $20. A three day pass is $30. The cost will be $5 more on the day of the event.