Reply To: UKGE25 and CoG Games

[jamescutts 6925xp 3]

So having now had a bit more time to think about it I thought it would probably be wise to capture my thoughts and ideas for this. My ideas here where very much start with the smallest and simplest thing we as a community could contribute and keep the already huge workload on the OTT team as small as possible. This would be an experiment so I my mind it would be better to make something happen and see how it goes than try and make something perfect that might not happen.

My assumption here would be OTT could lean on a bit of generosity from the UKGE team to sort out getting a space to make it possible and that we’d work with that space and any requirements from OTT and UKGE to see what’s achievable. We’d also drive and organise this as much as we can through the community to reduce the workload on the OTT team. To that end here’s my quick list of points for the idea:

• Ideally something close, next to or part of the existing OTT stage (assuming this isn’t super prime real estate, which is probably is) failing that pretty much whenever we could get!
• A handful to tables to showcase games from our community members, all of which would be open to participation by anyone interested, and with the aim of “snagging a normie” along with a bunch of CoGs and Cultist to spread the word!
• I’d imagine tables would be smallish say 3×3 and probably the bar height standing ones rather than the vast showcases at a “wargames show”.
• Games would be something quick and fun that can be demoed by eager volunteers, anything goes including board games, ideally, we’d want some awesome eye candy too, and may space depending, a larger game as a proper visual feast, something like we see in a awesome table set up from HQ! The main thing is whatever is show off is both friendly, quick and most importantly shows off the passion of our community. For some examples, I was thinking the likes of Barons War, Blood & Plunder, Quar and Saga… for example 😀
• To reduce the workload and demand on the community members volunteering rather than the same games every day we would have them change out every day or two as needed on a schedule (as needed). That way we wouldn’t require everyone go to the expense of staying over for the full show and they could also take time out to go explore it themselves.
• It would act as a great meeting point for OTT members in addition to showcasing the community to the rest of the show, and perhaps also be great for some footage on the days.
• FLEGS and Banners, we’d probably want some form of branding on display, hopefully with as much being existing stuff reused as possible, though i think Gerry would approve of a GIANT FLEG!
• T-Shirt, for the volunteers who I assume would be more than happy to buy them anyway would probably be a neat addition, we’d probably also need some flyers to give out showcasing OTT and with QR codes quick links on them to get people to the site!
• As a nice to have, I think any freebies or giveaways we could organise might be a nice addition, this could be anything from a company throwing in some freebies for people who play one of the games we demo (such as a free mini), to having OTT draw something on the stage you can only get by picking up a entry ticket by attending the OTT Stand.
• A similar nice addition would perhaps be to have some sort of “exclusive” to pickup by attending if you’re in the community already, something as simple as a CoG sticker perhaps?

I think while it would be amazing to show off things like the spring clean challenge, and painting competitions the logistical burden of doing something for those would probably be far too great, especially in any initial attempt at this. I do love the idea of some sort of “challenge” inspired participation though, I noticed there’s been a rise in “paint a mini in X min” at smaller shows, but this needs a lot of logistical effort and sponsors to make happen. We could potentially have a “showcase” cabinet or the like showing of things like peoples painting but i think it would be too demanding to hold a full on painting competition, though i love the idea!

In short the idea is, put a bunch of cool games on that showcases both how welcoming, awesome and diverse our community is, in as simple as way as possible, and if that works then maybe it’s a format we could expand or even bring to other shows too!

On a smaller scale we could try this out in some of the later UK shows this year early next, perhaps organising a OTT/CoG table and just practicing the format on a smaller scale, The Other Partizan and even Salute might be good places to just have a table with a game from the community going.

• This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by  jamescutts.
• This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by  jamescutts.