GM Secrets of Successful Convention Games – Wargaming Recon #300

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Jonathan J. Reinhart

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:39 — 35.9MB)

Peter Saloom and Jonathan recorded this episode LIVE in the seminar room at TotalCon 2024.  The two of them have over 50 combined years of gaming experience & decades of running games at conventions.

Peter published his first licensed adventure.  It is Shadows of the Sacred Hills for the RPG system Savage Worlds.  Buy Shadows of the Sacred Hills (affiliate link).

Tips

  • Be prepared
  • Be welcoming
  • Engage the players
  • Make the game visually appealing
  • Be kind
  • Know the rules (or at least the core rules)
  • Be succinct with initial explanations (say what the players need to get going, leave everything else for when or if the situation arises during the game)
  • Adhere to the time slot times
  • Playtest your game at least once
  • Provide enough player aids for each player
  • Have helpers/assistant GMs if needed
  • Practice good hygiene
  • Make sure players have something to do at all times
  • Take breaks
  • Let players know they can leave the game at any time if it isn’t for them

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[FIXED] Gaming Goals for 2024 – Wargaming Recon #299

Posted on January 30, 2024 by Jonathan J. Reinhart

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:57 — 51.4MB)

This contains the fixed podcast episode.  Use THIS one, and not the old one.  Apologies for the error and inconvenience.

 

Peter Saloom kicks off the episode with his 2024 goals for tabletop gaming.  Jonathan discusses using the SMART criteria.  SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based.  Jonathan’s goals serve as starting points to engage with larger change.

Pete’s Goal

  • Double the number of hours spent gaming in 2024.

Jonathan’s Goals

  • Find a good home for the Yamashiro Mountain Fort terrain (by Things from the Basement) by the end of 2024.  If you’re interested in it, contact Jonathan.
    • Jonathan wants to divest of tabletop gaming items that aren’t used or won’t be used.  This will clear physical and mental space so that other projects can be accomplished.
  • Bring my family to one gaming convention by June 2024.
    • Jonathan’s girls are getting to be of the age where they’re interested in what their Dad does when Dad goes out to gaming events.  This is an opportunity to expose them to new places, people, and hobbies that may be of interest to them.  It also fits a core value of the podcast by attempting to grow the hobby.
  • Play 1 solo wargame by Thanksgiving 2024.
    • Jonathan has multiple GMT games still in shrink wrap.  Many are from the P500 program.  Instead of constantly purchasing new games, Jonathan wishes to play what Jonathan already has.

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[BROKEN] Gaming Goals for 2024 – Wargaming Recon #299

Posted on January 29, 2024 by Jonathan J. Reinhart

This contains the BROKEN podcast episode.  Click HERE for the fixed one.Apologies for the error and inconvenience.

Peter Saloom kicks off the episode with his 2024 goals for tabletop gaming.  Jonathan discusses using the SMART criteria.  SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based.  Jonathan’s goals serve as starting points to engage with larger change.

Pete’s Goal

  • Double the number of hours spent gaming in 2024.

Jonathan’s Goals

  • Find a good home for the Yamashiro Mountain Fort terrain (by Things from the Basement) by the end of 2024.  If you’re interested in it, contact Jonathan.
    • Jonathan wants to divest of tabletop gaming items that aren’t used or won’t be used.  This will clear physical and mental space so that other projects can be accomplished.
  • Bring my family to one gaming convention by June 2024.
    • Jonathan’s girls are getting to be of the age where they’re interested in what their Dad does when Dad goes out to gaming events.  This is an opportunity to expose them to new places, people, and hobbies that may be of interest to them.  It also fits a core value of the podcast by attempting to grow the hobby.
  • Play 1 solo wargame by Thanksgiving 2024.
    • Jonathan has multiple GMT games still in shrink wrap.  Many are from the P500 program.  Instead of constantly purchasing new games, Jonathan wishes to play what Jonathan already has.

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Carnage 2023 – Wargaming Recon #298

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Jonathan J. Reinhart

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:41 — 59.4MB)

In this episode Jonathan is joined by Peter Saloom to talk about Carnage 26. Carnage was held Oct 27-29, 2023 at Killington Grand resort in Killington Vt. Jonathan, Robert Dunn, and Peter Saloom all attended Carnage on behalf of Wargaming Recon.  Jonathan & Peter discuss the games played by all three people.

Robert:

Jonathan:

  • Sat 1:00 PM: Carnage in San Miguel. Run by Mark McKinley and played on side of the witches.
  • Sat 7:00 PM: Capt. Benson vs Hanghai Raiders, run by Mike Paine.

Peter:

There was a live recording on Saturday morning of Wargaming Recon. If you have not listened to our last episode, then you can listen to episode 297 here.

Everyone stayed onsite at Killington Grand Resort.  We talk about the hotel experience and how it compares to other convention hotels.

There is even a general discussion of favorite and least favorite parts of the convention.

If you have any thoughts about this years Carnage, we would love to hear from you at [email protected], or you can reach out through any other our social media.

If you want to see any of the Wargaming Recon crew, they can be found at TotalCon 2024 on Feb 22-25 at the Best Western Royal Plaza in Marlboro, Mass.

The next Redemption Con Game Night will be 6pm EST December 21, 2023 at Redemption Rock Brewery.

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Minis Agnostic Gaming – Wargaming Recon #297

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Robert Dunn

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:29 — 72.6MB)

This episode was recorded LIVE at Carnage 2023 in Killington, Vermont.  Jonathan is joined by co-hosts Robert Dunn and Peter Saloom. The trio sit down and talk about miniatures agnostic gaming.

Peter and Robert begin by defining what minis agnostic gaming is.  We talk about our thoughts about this type of game and what sort of pros and cons you might have trying out games of this type.

Peter’s game of choice is Song of Blades and Heroes by Ganesha Games and you can find more about it here.
Robert’s game of choice is the solo game by Modiphius Publishing and Nordic Weasel Games call five Parsecs from Home, and you can see about the game here.

We would love to know what your thoughts are about minis agnostic games and if you have any personal favorites.

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