Manitoba’s longest-running gaming convention is set to take over the Assiniboine Community College this June.
Organizers of PrairieCon 39: It’s a Trap! are expecting hundreds of gamers from four Canadian provinces and one American state when they host one of the province’s most successful venues for board, card, role-playing, miniature and social gaming on June 15 to 17.
“The gaming community is definitely strong here,” says Alexis Braun, a member of PrairieCon’s organizing committee and a veteran gamer.
“There’s a large group of people here who have gotten to know each other over the years through PrairieCon and who may only see each other once a year at the annual convention. The community has continued to grow as card games and board games grow in popularity, and the arrival of board game cafes has given our community more opportunities to connect and introduce new people to the hobby.”
PrairieCon was established in the 1980s. It was originally held up to twice a year, but has since become an annual event. The convention was created by a group of local post-secondary students and attracted just a handful of gamers at first.
Today, PrairieCon is a non-profit organization that attracts more than 300 participants from throughout Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and North Dakota. It is open to players of all ages.
“I love seeing young kids come out because there are so many skills that can be fostered through gaming,” said Braun. “All games involve some level of imagination, critical thinking, math, cooperation, communication and literacy. In creating a shared, imaginary world; calculating the results of a dice roll or the resources generated in a turn; or figuring out how to overcome obstacles in the game, we don’t even realize we are developing useful skills. Learning becomes fun. It doesn’t get better than that.”
Braun, herself, has been gaming for 25 years, playing traditional, dice-based, role-playing games, board games and some card games. She is drawn to the hobby by the fellowship it develops.
“Every year, there are familiar faces I may not have seen since last year, but the fun of our shared experiences makes it really easy to fall back into a friendly, casual atmosphere,” she said. “Then, there are the new faces, sometimes a bit overwhelmed, and it is incredibly satisfying to help them find their gaming niche. There is so much to be gained by sharing a hobby that doesn’t rely on a computer or gaming console for connection. PrairieCon is people sitting around a table together, having fun.”
The games cover the gambit of tabletop entertainment. Participants are encouraged to bring games they prefer, but most of the competition is established beforehand. The games include everything from “The Settlers of Catan,” and “Cards Against Humanity” to role-playing games like “No Thank You Evil” and “Kult: To Catch a Killer.”
The entire list includes more than 200 board, miniature, card, role-playing, party and kids games. Many of them are “beginner friendly,” giving new participants an opportunity to enter the hobby on a level field of competitors.
“This year, we are featuring a return of the original D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) game run at the first-ever PairieCon, and we’ll have a new, problem-solving D&D tournament set in a fictional reinterpretation of a real city,” Braun said.
“Our game masters who run the role-playing games will put a lot of time and imagination into developing their adventures, creating rich and often long-lasting memories for the players.”
Braun suggests the convention is a great place for new players to get started. Participants can come watch the games in progress and give them a try using a single-day pass.
“One of the best parts about coming to PrairieCon is getting to learn the games from people who already know how to play instead of having to read a rule book that could be 20 or more pages long,” she said. “The folks running the games choose what they run because they enjoy those games, and that enjoyment comes through in how they help others learn.”
The organization also hosts smaller gatherings in the spring, autumn and winter, the most recent being held on March 10.
Registration for PrairieCon 39: It’s a Trap! is currently closed. However, registration dates and more information will become available in the weeks leading up to June 15. Follow PrairieCon on Facebook or visit their website at prairiecon.com.
Prairiecon is a not-for-profit organization providing playing opportunities for gamers from throughout the province. The weekend convention will also include an auction featuring games no longer used by various participants, some being out of print or more expensive in retail stores. A portion of the money raised through the auction benefits various charities in Brandon and the Westman region.
