UK Games Expo 2013

On Saturday morning I drove across the Midlands from Droitwich to the NEC and the new venue for Games Expo. I have previously reported on this event, which used to be held at The Clarendon Suite on the outskirts of Birmingham. This year the organisers have decided to move the event to the Hilton on the NEC site.

I will say from the outset that I was against this move as I rather enjoyed the intimate atmosphere of The Clarendon Suite with its two main halls and loads of smaller event rooms.

Firstly, the carparking was free, although there was some discussion as to whether there would be enough for the whole day. I was pleased with my initial impressions and within minutes had passed through the main reception and registration areas. At just £8.00 entry for the one day - I thought is was reasonable.

I quickly made my way through the first hall (it was too busy) and into the second gaming area where there were loads of gaming tables and spare seating. This was a pleasant surprise as it meant that I could take stock of the rooms and enjoy a quiet browse.

I did not take many photos as the bulk of the areas were board games, however these two displays were very well done, a Gladiatorial game and my first real look at X Wing, which was being displayed on a fantastic gaming table.

There was the usual Dr Who area and the two named guests were soon mobbed by fans. Sergeant Benton - John Levene was particularly talkative and approachable. The second character Dorium Maldovar - Simon Fisher-Becker, was less identifiable without his blue face paint.

Within the first hour the event got even busier and I decided to browse some of the outer rooms where the various tournaments were being held.

There were a number of rooms  similar to this one where ardent gamers were engrossed in beating their opponents. As with last year I was ultimately very disappointed with these displays as they are not set up for display to the general public or browsers. This maybe an unfair criticism although I think it is the job of the organisers to make all sections open to all and to set up gaming tables with some WOW factor.

The Bring-and-Buy hall was the usual scrum, but with little of interest for me. I picked up just one magazine.

By 12.30pm - just three hours after arriving I was ready to go. It is difficult to pass too much negative comment on this show at it "does exactly what it says on the tin". It is a gaming exhibition to allow gamers to try out new board games. I was used to the eclectic mix of wargame, gaming and traders that I had seen at The Clarendon Suite and as such was a little disappointed.

I spent very little, buying a couple of magazines some figures and a book - total spend below £30.00.

I do not expect that I will be attending next year. However do not be put off if board games and new gaming ideas are your thing. It is just that I was expecting something a little different from what I found.

It would be interesting to read reviews from others who attended - to see if I was alone in this view.

Tony

Dr Who fans are the best.....

I was recently directed to this great post and thought it was worth sharing. 26 Reasons why Doctor Who Fans are The Best.

For full details click on this link.

Tony

Miniature Wargames May 2013 - Issue 361

I have already written about how I have been looking forward with much anticipation to the launch of the new look Miniature Wargames with Battlegames and not just because there is an article written by me! Over the last couple of months, I have read that with issue 361, Miniature Wargames is to be re-vamped with a new Editor, a new visual style and the inclusion of Battlegames. On Saturday morning, I popped down to WHSmiths and scanned the shelves for the magazine, initially disappointed as I could not find it among the usual gaming publications, I soon spotted it and using my WHSmiths voucher (a birthday present from Mum - thanks Mum) I eagerly picked up a copy.

Miniature Wargames with Battlegames has a new fresh and clear front cover, reminiscent of the original Duncan Macfarlane cover style with massed ranks of beautifully painted miniatures advancing over an equally impressive gaming table.

The contents are just as impressive, although I will state now that on first browsing the pages I was not immediately 'grabbed' by any one of the articles - OK I lie, there was one.....

However upon settling down to properly read the magazine, it was obvious that there was quite a lot of articles and content that both caught my attention and made me think, "I could use that idea in my own games." It is very apparent that the new Editor is on an evangelical crusade to make Wargaming more fun and the interchanging of different ideas and gaming mechanics a regular occurrence.

I have still to read every article, but so far have been pleasantly surprised by the writing and the exchange of ideas. It is also great to see Mike Siggins once again pontificating on gaming with 'Thoughts from an Armchair' being required reading for all gamers.

The article on photographing miniatures - 'Digital Photography for Wargamers' by the Editor was full of useful tips and advice, while the look-back at 'Little Wars, for little money in little space' was a real eye-opener, this may become a little side project for the rest of the year. Similarly 'Send Three and Fourpence' made me both smile and think of my own Lead Mountain!

My own contribution to this newly formatted magazine was a short piece of modelling called 'A Saladin for UNIT'. The original article was both conceived and written after a couple of e-mails with Andrew (the previous editor) who was looking for suitable content for a planned launch issue of Darker Horizons. The magazine never materialised, but the Dr Who themed article has found its way into this land-mark issue.

These images show the finished model on a custom-built display base with 40mm Graven Images Commandos. It is somewhat fitting that in the month when Jim Bowen has passed away, there is an article in the re-launched Miniature Wargames featuring some of his figure sculpts.

Finally, I think the new look Miniature Wargames with Battlegames has succeeded in moving the thirty year old title forward, while maintaining the core themes, the new look is easier to read, full of cross-over ideas and definitely new. I look forward to more of the same.

Tony