Despite what I posted yesterday I did manage to pop into Norwich this morning for Diceni. This event is now in its fourth* year - it seems settled into the first weekend in May. The only other time I've made it was in 2014,** but if my own experience of the day is anything to go by, attendance seems to be growing.
*Or third?
** Checking my Loot Post I see several items that haven't been painted two years on...
The Venue: The Forum, Norwich |
The Pink Ladies were nothing to do with Diceni - just some loca; colour. (Robert Audin would have made a wry comment about that I'm sure!) |
* Or do I mean a 'Strategy Games" Show?
** Norwich also has a "Gaming Show" in the same venue earlier in the year. That seems to be devoted to computer games.
LARPers from the Norwich Fools & Heroes |
To avoid appearing to be a pervert I didn't take photos of the children or women cosplayers, but they were there. |
Some readers might not like to hear this, but I think that this combined approach makes for a better atmosphere. I'm sure there are grumpy old pedants involved in cosplay and boardgames just as in wargaming, but if so they're not so at the fore! Today they was a great, friendly and fun with a high proportion of families and passers-by looking around*.
* The venue being slap-bang in the centre of Norwich and entry being free probably had a lot to do with that.
The stall of our local hobby shop - it's basically a toy shop, but hopefully events like these help justify their decision to stock tabletop hobby and LARP materials. More strength to their elbows! |
* Though as you'll see from my photos there weren't any geeks to be seen!
This may or may not have been the GreatGeekMeet |
But to the tabletop activities...
Being shy by nature I didn't take many photos or talk to many people, but these might give a taste of what was there. Those expecting the big tables one sees at wargames shows would have been disappointed - though I'm sure the organisers wouldn't turn one down if someone offered to put a big-table game on!
Warlord demo'ing Bolt Action and Beyond the Gates of Anatres. |
The Aftermath Gaming Club playing SAGA |
The New Buckenham Club had brought along Wings of War |
This interesting-looking game from Fat Chance Games is shortly to be subject of a KickStarter |
The Loot
As always, I tried to be modest about the loot, I resisted the blashisments of MMM's pre-owned figures, but I did bring some things home with me.
First the freebie
As I was looking at the TAG stall the guy told me the price of the six-figure and cavalry blister packs. "And the individual figures?" I asked. It turns out that these were freebies that they'd brought along* in theory to give to people in costume** but had decided to hand out anyway.
*I see from their website that normally you get one of these when you spend £39 mail order.
** I'd come along as a fat, bearded, grumpy middle-aged man.
Giving me a freebie had the desired effect and I later went back and bought a pack of their Goons in President Masks - nicely painted up on their gallery page.
There was no special figure for this year's event, but I bought a d10 to mark the occasion.
And other than that there were just a couple of Bones figures that I thought might come in as Frostgrave spellcasters.
'Olivia' |
'Bathalian D'khul' |
I've not painted Bones before, but the Not-Illithid looks like it'll be fun (he'll also come in for interaction with Pulp cultists).
Looks like a very special event! No pictures of women? Must me my old eyes, but I thought I saw something in the fourth picture (the one with the man with his high hat)! Nice loot to BTW.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Greetings
Peter
Thought someone would spot her! She was a blond-bombshell Capt America.
DeleteEveryone loves freebies! Reaper Bones minis take paint really well - you don't even have to undercoat them (a quick scrub in soapy water first won't hurt though). The detail isn't always as sharp or clear, so I always give mine a dark wash first o see what's what.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip.
DeleteThis does look like it is developing into a rather god show. Splendid loot, but "I didn't take photos of the children or women cosplayers" - apart from the young lady in blue!
ReplyDelete