Let's Get Some More Gencon Information

[Redleg]

Short version:

Can we get information on AAM at Gencon? A schedule? Amount of AAM at the con?

Long version:

Let's remember that the Gencon is less than 2 months away and some of us (working professionals with families) need to do advance planning if we are to attend. I've searched the Gencon website for WoTC information and all I could find is:

http://www.gencon.com/displayindy.aspx?file=indy-event-highlights

and

http://www.gencon.com/displayindy.aspx?file=2004-indy-event-highlights

Neither (as of 5 July) details anything about AAM. All we know so far is there may be a presell and a demo.

My friend and I intend to go there for 1 day only (Thursday) and would like to commit only if we knew for certain AAM was going to get some love that day. If it isn't scheduled until the weekend, this changes almost everything.

If anybody has nuggets of information regarding Gencon, please share it here.

[Marat]

There's two events on the GenCon schedule; a release tournament on Saturday at 11, and Leagues starting Saturday at Noon. Here are the listings from the GenCon event schedule:

Event ID: 1350
Game ID: HM00036
Title: WotC Special Miniature Release Event
Event Description: To the sound of exploding grenades and the rattle of machinegun fire we invite you heroic generals to participate in our very first Axis and Allies Miniatures tournament! There will be plenty of product prizes and the chance to win a very special replica jacket in this first engagement of it's kind. Please note that this tournament is by invitation only and has only 200 places. To get an invitation you are required to take the demonstration at the Wizards of the Coast booth in the trade hall.
Event Type: HM - Historical Miniatures
Rules Edition: Latest
Age Requirement: Teen (13+)
Experience Required: Some Experience Needed
Event Duration (hours): 7
Event Start Date: 8/20/05 11:00 AM
Event End Date: 8/20/05 6:00 PM
Event Cost: $30.00
Gaming Group/Sponsor: Wizards of the Coast
Location: Sagamore Ballroom; Minis HQ
Event limit: 200

First thing Thursday morning, I'll be playing the demo and getting my "invitation". :)


Event ID: 1348
Game ID: HM00034
Title: WotC Special Miniature League
Event Description: TBA. This league will open on Sat at noon and run thru Sun at 4 pm but play is on a casual basis- just play when you are able.
Event Type: HM - Historical Miniatures
Rules Edition: Latest
Age Requirement: Teen (13+)
Experience Required: Some Experience Needed
Event Duration (hours): 24
Event Start Date: 8/20/05 12:00 PM
Event End Date: 8/21/05 4:00 PM
Event Cost: $30.00
Gaming Group/Sponsor: Wizards of the Coast
Location: Sagamore Ballroom; Minis HQ
Event limit: 100

I played the D&D minis league last year, and it was great. For a price under MSRP, you got a starter, a booster, and an extra uncommon mini. You registered what you opened on a sheet and turned it into the event staff, and they gave you a badge to wear. For the rest of the weekend, you'd just go to a specific area of the minis hall, look for other people wearing the leagues badge, and play. After your battle, you'd go to the event table and tell them the winner. Win or lose, you won another mini to include in your league warband. The mini won was randomly determined by a roll of the dice, so even the loser had a chance at winning a rare. The winning player got to roll twice and pick the mini they wanted. Judges in black and white zebra stripes were always walking around to explain rules and referee rules disputes.

The leagues are a great, casual way to learn the game. The players I battled ranged from other beginner mini players, to players who had won state qualifiers and were at GenCon to play in the National Championship. Everyone was friendly, and it was just fun casual gaming. Can't guarantee they're running leagues the same way this year, but very highly recommended.


Marat

[fenyan]

That sounds like a fun, well-organized event. Wish I could go.

[GoblinSlayer]

Wow that league thing sounds awsome I'm going, I'll probably be playing in the league a lot.

[NewtonCain]

Darn, I want to play in both of those events, But I 'll be participating in DDM worlds which is in the same time slot.

Hopefully I don't get the time to play :) , that way I'd be in the winners bracket.

[smo63]

Marat,

Just curious...why would WotC run the opening of their Miniatures Release Event at GEN CON the same time as most Axis & Allies Players will be playing or wanting to play in the Axis & Allies Mega/Masters Tournament sponsored by you?

Was this an oversite?

Sincerely,
GS:(

[Marat]

Marat,

Just curious...why would WotC run the opening of their Miniatures Release Event at GEN CON the same time as most Axis & Allies Players will be playing or wanting to play in the Axis & Allies Mega/Masters Tournament sponsored by you?

Was this an oversite?

Sincerely,
GS:(

An excellent question, but I don't know the answer; I don't work at WotC and am not sponsoring any events at GenCon.

Sorry I'm no help. :(

Marat

[smo63]

An excellent question, but I don't know the answer; I don't work at WotC and am not sponsoring any events at GenCon.

Sorry I'm no help. :(

Marat

Thanks for the info....so where did you get all the lowdown on the AA Miniatures Release Events or was that posted earlier and I just missed it? Will you be helping WotC run the events?

GS:)

[Der Panzinator]

Greg,

Go to this link:
http://www.gencon.com/displayindy.aspx?file=indy-eventdownloads

Open the csv or excel spreadsheet and find the HM0034 and HM0036 games listed. It has the info that Marat provided. I'm pretty sure that he found the info there and just posted it in an easy to read format just so everyone knows when and where the A&A minis games are taking place.

Sounds like there was some poor planning on WoTC's part if they scheduled the A&AM games to conflict with the A&A tournament... :rolleyes:

[smo63]

Thanks for the info...we will see?

GS:)

[rekced]

WotC also has two other miniature lines to run tournaments for. I am sure part of it was just that they had to spread them all out a bit. They have limited floor space to work with in the miniatures hall.

[Engineer]

I'm planning on playing in the AAM league instead of SWM. Too cool to win more MG42 minis.

[Weapon]

I wish I was attending GenCon. The League play sounds like a lot of fun.