Traditional Pre Pax Boardgames Night 2014 - 2pm Oct 30th Games Laboratory

Rapacity · November 2013

So as some of you are aware, I'm the guy who got roped into organizing the night last year. We had about 100+ including locals who were in a magic the gathering tournament. So I'm just droping in to say that we will try do another boardgames night the Thursday night before pax on Halloween! So I will get in contact with some people and see what we can do this year, With the pax event being 3 times bigger I'm gonna look into seeing what we can do about getting a temporary bigger venue for the night. We had a massive space last time and still filled it up so I am not sure what we can do.

If anyone has any thoughts, suggestions, idea, comments please feel free to add them here. Last year was very last minute roping everything together.

I will reserve a post under this and keep any updates we may have.

PLEASE READ POST BELOW FOR UPDATED NEWS!

Rapacity · November 2013

UPDATED NEWS:

Current News (Latest):

Hey Everyone,

We are all good for the 30 October. Props to Games Laboratory for hosting the space (. Games Laboratory have a new venue as well. There is space for games in the bar area as it was part of their licencing arrangement that people would be able to play games whilst drinking. Access to Games Laboratory's event space upstairs has room for ~140 and the board game library is $5 a head if you want to borrow from their great selection (http://gameslaboratory.com.au/about/lab-space/board-games-library/).

Games Laboratory have a Event Page at https://www.facebook.com/events/835797679784118/?ref=5

We are looking at a 5pm start but the bar will open 5pm that day. Also we are looking to go till late (ie. 11 was around when we finished last time), generally there is a last call made to start closing out your games which usually gives you about another hour or so. The event space and the shop floor will be available! So people can rock up as they want during the afternoon, those who want do larger scale games can come in early then

Food and Drink is allowed as long as you don't make a mess (Keep it clean people!)

As of 5pm the entire premises will be licenced so patrons must be over 18 OR with a Parent or Legal Guardian.

Start listing your games if you are going to bring any. I got mine already down on the next page of my full range, taking requests =P. You can and are invited to bring your own boardgames along as well. Everyone is friendly and respectful, of course you do this of your own choice

Please spread the word, Twitter, Facebook, Word of Mouth, Smoke Signals, Skywriting... Anyway you would prefer.

That's all for now, See you all on the 30th October!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks again Games Laboratory for the time and space (http://gameslaboratory.com.au/)

Squire_Pug · November 2013

Already attending! We should see about even getting some space at MCEC, even the foyer would do. There are a thousand pubs, halls, churches and other venues in the area so something will be available. I'm happy to put my hand up to help organise for 2014 if needed.

ehronlime · November 2013

Reporting for duty! I live around the Southbank area, which is kinda near the MCEC and I'm happy to help. If a venue is found nearby, I could bring out more games

Mikrio · November 2013

Board games you say ?, i'd be keen for some board games as long as someone can teach me a little.

Daviesh · November 2013

If you are gauging numbers I'd be very keen. It feels a little weird that all this is nearly a year away! I live in Darwin these days but grew up in Melbourne and know my way around so happy to help out on the night. I'm also happy to bring a few games along. It could be an interesting tetris-esque challenge to see what fits in the suitcase :-).

I'm sure I am not alone in saying that I'd be very happy to teach you a game or two Mikrio, that's part of the fun of the PAX experience.

melissainau · November 2013

This is great - thank you for organising! I'll be too busy with setup to come along (sniff) but I hope we'll see you in the Tabletop area during PAX Aus as well - and if you have any suggestions for games you would like to see in the library, or events we should run, please get in touch!

Beker · November 2013

Squire_Pug wrote: »

Already attending! We should see about even getting some space at MCEC, even the foyer would do. There are a thousand pubs, halls, churches and other venues in the area so something will be available. I'm happy to put my hand up to help organise for 2014 if needed.

MCEC isn't likely unless it is space that is not being used for PAX, as the final stages of setup will be happening. There may be space like that this year, but I would guess by next year PAX will consume the entire venue. Even so, unless that convention center is orders of magnitude cheaper then US convention centers, another venue would probably work best. PAX East and Prime seem to both have had good luck with taking over local hotel lobby's and getting the hotels to provide space while setting up bar's to provide revenue. Not saying that is what has to happen, long as you find a place for the fun times, the where doesn't really matter.

ehronlime · November 2013

This event was held at Games Lab this year. They've actually moved, and I heard they now have an extra event space above their new location. Not sure about the capacity or details, but I will try to find out (if you haven't already, @Rapacity). I thought it was really nice this year that they had an early copy of Scoundrels of Skullport available for us to play with.

Yug · November 2013

You guys should see if ACMI might be interested in offering some space?

Otherwise keep in mind, the Oaks apartment hotels that we're doing exclusive accom with through the pax website will be, like, 100% full of only pax attendees.

ehronlime · November 2013

Yug wrote: »

You guys should see if ACMI might be interested in offering some space?

Otherwise keep in mind, the Oaks apartment hotels that we're doing exclusive accom with through the pax website will be, like, 100% full of only pax attendees.

Oaks on Collins is right next to my current workplace (I can look into their balconies...) and Oaks on Market is really near by. I'm definitely up for some meetups then

Rapacity · November 2013

Alright sounds good, I would love to see if games lab would help out with some of it too. They did a really amazing job helping last year. To be honest i have been out of the loop but would be great if we could get some stuff organized at a bigger venue.

PDP11 · November 2013

Maybe talk to the Arcanacon people about venues, or return to the Rydges on Swanston Street. Does anybody remember Phantastacon?

Slymonk · November 2013

There is a group that meets for eurogames in the city at the Royal Stanton hotel every second Wednesday. Numbers are capped at 80 but the venue could hold more as they keep space for the public, a special one off night might be possible. They're used to a large bunch of board gamers and this would be during the off week if the schedule remains the same through to next year.

ehronlime · November 2013

Slymonk wrote: »

There is a group that meets for eurogames in the city at the Royal Stanton hotel every second Wednesday. Numbers are capped at 80 but the venue could hold more as they keep space for the public, a special one off night might be possible. They're used to a large bunch of board gamers and this would be during the off week if the schedule remains the same through to next year.

It's at the Royal Standard and you can find out more on Meetup here. It's a nice group, so worth checking out even if it's not PAX

BTW, I was just at Games Laboratory today and spoke to the guys there. They have a big new space upstairs, which can hold about 150 people. They mentioned that they are already starting to plan an event for that Thursday night, and could use that space since none of their regular Thursday events would use the event space. I think it was James? He mentioned that he's going to try and coordinate with some local game groups to plan a big board game event for that night.

Rapacity · March 2014

Hey guys, Sorry its been a while since I've updated this.

So i spoke to Games Laboratory and they are very happy to re host again this year. So we are looking to get some preliminary numbers and drum up interest around the event. So if you can post some numbers on how many people you have in your groups that are interested in going on Thursday 30th October *Night before pax*

Ayefkay · March 2014

Heya, posting to express interest, bit early to tell yet but pretty sure ill be able to go.

philomglol · March 2014

Expression of interest in the bag!

ninnanuam · March 2014

I'm interested, I couldn't make it last year due to my late flight, this year I arrive early afternoon.

Zanial · April 2014

Add two to the likely list. Probably won't be able to get in until later in the evening (5pmish) but definitely would like to be a part of it.

Montablac · April 2014

two more here, possably more, trying to convince others that AU isent so bad in the summer

MagnusCarter · April 2014

I should be there again, had a great time last year.

shib71 · April 2014

I'll come.

Griphin · May 2014

Geelong PAXer submitting interest, with a likely tag along group of 4 more.

Ayefkay · May 2014

any fellow Pinny Arcade fans going to this? Couldn't hurt to do a little trading on the side while we play

Montablac · May 2014

managed to convince a total of 3 people that australia dosent have killer moths (the FOOLS)

so thats myself and 3 others

WallStar · June 2014

This sounds cool. My Husband and I will be flying down on the Wednesday & hopefully doing the trivia night so why not this too! What sort of games are we talking?

Jazzy · June 2014

I'll have a couple with me. @Wallstar Should be a decent mix of casual and euros if we manage to get the MeetUp guys involved.

WeeMadAndo · June 2014

There's been a quite successful boardgame community that started in Melbourne at this event last year and will definitely be in attendance this year. We were even discussing it last weekend.

I'll make sure it's in our schedule.

Also, Games Lab has changed a lot since last year. They're in a far bigger premises and even have a bar now. It's the best venue by far.

WallStar · July 2014

WeeMadAndo wrote: »

There's been a quite successful boardgame community that started in Melbourne at this event last year and will definitely be in attendance this year. We were even discussing it last weekend.

I'll make sure it's in our schedule.

Also, Games Lab has changed a lot since last year. They're in a far bigger premises and even have a bar now. It's the best venue by far.

A bar? This is sounding better and better! Do we need to book in advance?

Ayefkay · July 2014

I get this is just a community thing, but i wonder if we are able to get a game or two of Thornwatch here. Wonder what it takes to get some demo copies

Beker · July 2014

Ayefkay wrote: »

I get this is just a community thing, but i wonder if we are able to get a game or two of Thornwatch here. Wonder what it takes to get some demo copies

Jamie Dillion <jdillion@penny-arcade.com> would probably be the best person to ask about that. I'm not sure how many GM's will be coming down or if they will be training any locals. They may not even know yet. Also to throw in the mix is of the existing trained GM's (most of which are PA staff or enforcers) who will be free from "getting ready for PAX" responsibilities. I'm guessing after Prime they will know more.

Ayefkay · July 2014

Hmm. Might tweet or email her and ask, see what happens

Ayefkay · July 2014

Thornwatch update: Jamie emailed me back and said she liked the idea, but can't commit to anything until after Prime. Wait and see i guess

vonhist · July 2014

I'll be there and can bring a couple of games if needed.

Rapacity · July 2014

Sounds great, I'll be updating this very shortly. Getting more details before I confirm anything futher.

ehronlime · August 2014

Looking really great! I can confirm that the new Games Lab venue is a great choice. Lots of space, good lighting, plenty of food & drink options nearby, bar downstairs. They even use the bar space for board game events, which have been pretty great. There's also going to be a Trivia Night hosted there on the Wednesday. There's also talk of a meetup of local/Australian board game designers, and I've alerted them to this event.

Rapacity · August 2014

ehronlime wrote: »

Looking really great! I can confirm that the new Games Lab venue is a great choice. Lots of space, good lighting, plenty of food & drink options nearby, bar downstairs. They even use the bar space for board game events, which have been pretty great. There's also going to be a Trivia Night hosted there on the Wednesday. There's also talk of a meetup of local/Australian board game designers, and I've alerted them to this event.

Love it ehronlime, Sorry about the delay. I'm trying to get details finalised but I've been a bit ill the last week. Once i get it i will start rolling out the full details and event times etc.

Also please feel free to post any details here about what games your brining, any games you may like to see.

Montablac · August 2014

Rapacity wrote: »

Also please feel free to post any details here about what games your brining, any games you may like to see.

dont know if this applies to me, but hopefully my copy of manifest will make it to me before pax so i can bring that

then i can kick all ass at shiping goods and personnel around the world XD

Rapacity · August 2014

Haha i know that feeling Montablac, I finally got my copy of Betrayal at House on the Hill!

Montablac · August 2014

rapacity, bet i can ship 2 irish to new york before you can betray the team

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