GeekGirlCon 2014: Crowd Surfing at the Con

(GGC Logo)

 

It's been three years since I attended my very first GeekGirlCon (GGC).  That year, it was held in the Seattle Center, which was fine, but the activities were spread from one end of the park to the other. 

Shortly after that maiden voyage, GeekGirlCon found a new home at the Washington State Convention Center (WSCC)


Getting to the WSCC parking garage is easy coming off I-5S.  But once I made my way out of the labyrinth, I found the main building practically deserted.  Fortunately, I blundered into another GGC-bound couple wandering around looking for an entry portal.  We felt like muggles trying to find Platform 9 3/4.

 

But before we sprinted into any walls, we found a Convention Center employee who pointed across the street to the smaller, annex building--the one with the line of people wrapped around it.

Despite losing our urban bearings, we arrived just as the doors were opening (9 AM, or 0900 hours for us military types).  Signing-in was a much smoother and easier process than during my last visit. 

The speedier in-processing allowed attendees to attend the first activities of the day (10 AM/1000 hours).  Having the convention housed in one building helped too.  Events included:  Panel discussions, gaming, and connections (professional, club and educational booths). 

Some of the connection booths had representatives from the following:

Microsoft, Amazon.com, and the Girl Scouts, etc.   (Not a complete list, just the ones I noticed).

I didn't do any gaming, because I was more interested in the panel discussions and hoped to do some shopping in between venues.

For those interested in gaming, here's a look at The GGC Gaming Dungeon:

(Looking down into The Gaming Dungeon)

(An overhead view of a role playing game in-progress)

(Down at The Gaming Dungeon Floor)

But it wasn't all Fun & Games.  There was Fun & Science Experiments for kids to participate in: 

(GeekGirlCon's Science Lab)

 

Before lunch, I attended three panel discussions:

1. Hiring in Gaming.

2. How to Be a Nerd for a Living.

3. If You Can Write You Can Make Games.

By the time the last panel ended I was tired and famished.  The sausage & egg sandwich, with the compressed hashbrown patty I picked up en-route at McDonalds had ceased providing my body with any fuel.  The caffeine from the large coffee I drank wasn't any help either.

So I cancelled whatever panel I was planning to attend and embarked on a quest for lunch.  The line outside the Subway down the street was much worse than this...

(I took this photo about an hour after lunch.  The line was three times as long at one point)

...so I opted for the Wild Rye Café, inside the convention complex. 

The line was much shorter than the one in front of Subway, but everyone remained stationary, as if Medusa was the hostess. 

 

After about fifteen-to-twenty minutes the line began moving at glacial speed and I got my much-needed food.

My mid-day refueling consisted of a Rueben sandwich with some chips, drink and a double-chocolate brownie.  The sandwich was good, but the crust a tad extra dry and crispy.  But I was hungry enough to chomp through it anyway.

I was surprised that for an event this size, while smaller than the Emerald City Comicon, the convention center didn't establish additional food stands, with ready-made sandwiches. 

Of course, packing a nutrition bar would have helped too.  One of many convention survival guide tips is:  Pack snacks and water, so you don't get hungry or become dehydrated.

Anyway, after lunch I had enough time to get some shopping before the last panel discussion of my time-constrained day:

Ethics in Comics.

I hated leaving early (about 5 PM/1700 hours), especially since there were three additional panels I wanted to attend, plus an after-con concert featuring the following bands:

The Doubleclicks

Sammus, and

Thundering Asteroids!

But alas--I had a long drive and had to work first thing in the following morning.  But despite cutting my stay short, I had an enjoyable and productive time.  GeekGirlCon 2014 was definitely worth the price of admission, parking and gas.

 This was just an overview of my convention experience.  I have six more GeekGirl-related posts in-the-works; which will cover cosplay, merchandise and the four panel discussions I mentioned earlier.

So stay tuned!

Product Review--Star Wars X-Wing: Tantive IV Expansion Pack

Now this is the reason I'm delving into the Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game:  The Tantive IV Expansion Pack.

 

I've been eyeing this beauty for a few weeks, debating on whether or not to buy it.  Last Friday, I gave in to temptation and purchased the only model at Apocalypse Gaming Center, where I bought the X-Wing core set, which I discussed at length in my previous post.

 

In fact, I bought the core set after I decided to buy the expansion pack.

 

And like the X-Wing core set, the Tantive IV Expansion comes with a variety of lavishly colored cards and playing aids.  In addition to a small rule book is the campaign game, Point of No Return, which includes a Progress Sheet. 

 

The model itself is beautifully painted and finely detailed, made of the same hard plastic as the smaller fighters. 

 

This is the largest model Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) has made for the game, so far, and appears to be properly scaled to the fighters.  Although I think the smaller figures from Wizards of the Coast's discontinued Star Wars Miniatures Starship Battles look more appropriate. 

A CR90 Corvette (FFG) vs. a flight of TIE Fighters (WotC)

The Tantive IV is the most famous of the CR90 Corvette Series, both on-screen and in Star Wars lore. 

 

However, my primary reason for buying this expansion isn't to play out scenes between Star Wars:  Episodes III and IV.  

 

Instead, a mercenary corvette, Alderaan's Vengeance, is one of the starships featured in the Redshift Chronicles.  So my prime directive for buying this model is to create scenes like this:

While I paid full retail (minus the 10% military discount) for the Tantive IV, you can find them cheaper on-line at sites like the Miniature Market.

 

Reviews on this product are extraordinarily high:  70 x 5-star ratings out of 84, on Amazon.com.  While on Boardgame Geek, the Tantive IV earned an 8.27 rating out of 10.

The complaints less-than-five-star raters had, dealt primarily with quality issues; such as missing and/or broken parts, cards and playing aids.  Others were expecting something along the lines of a static display model.  Then there was one outlandish review that I'm assuming is a joke.  (There's always one in a crowd isn't there?).

I'm certainly happy with my new addition to my fleet, and look forward to taking the Tantive IV/Alderaan's Vengeance out for a spin, whether in an actual game, or staged photo shoot.

Note:

There's a Support Page available to help run X-Wing game sessions and tournaments.

Product Review--Star Wars X-Wing

For the past couple of years I've resisted buying the Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game.  I have a decent sized collection of Star Wars Miniatures: Starship Battles (SWM: SB) consisting of both starships and fighters.

However, I came across an expansion pack that sparked my interest in the game.  I'll discuss what motivated me to alter my thinking in the next Product Review post.

For now, I'll give you my impressions of the core game, which consists of 1 x Rebel X-Wing and 2 x Imperial TIE Fighters.  The game also consists of specialized dice, colorful data cards, figure stands, and playing aids; along with a quick start and standard rule booklet.  The 28-page rules can be downloaded as a PDF, courtesy of Fantasy Flight Games (FFG).

The miniatures themselves are finely-detailed and pre-painted, made of hard plastic.  I was hoping the figures would be the same size as Wizards of the Coast's (WotC) discontinued line of SWM: SB, but they're noticeably larger.

Left:  A TIE Fighter from FFG's Star Wars X-Wing
Right:  The same TIE Fighter from WotC's Star Wars Miniatures

Not too much larger though.  It may even be possible to integrate the WotC figures with the FFG ones, provided some enterprising wargamer has created the appropriate playing aids.  

 

The quality of FFG's figures is an improvement over the WotC's ones.  The hard plastic ensures the miniatures are straight.  They may be more brittle, than the softer WotC ones, but they don't obviously droop either. 

Star Wars X-Wing retails for $39.99, but can be found cheaper in on-line stores like the Miniature Market.  I purchased my set from Apocalypse Gaming Center in the McChord Field Base Exchange. The store offers a 10% off, military discount for active duty members and retirees.  But you don't skip out on paying WA State sales tax.  

Yeah, I could have saved even more money going buying from the Miniature Market, especially since it offers free shipping on orders over $99.  But I like supporting game stores in my local area too.  And since expansion packs, usually containing one figure, run from anywhere from $9.99 to $61.49, not to mention all the plethora of Litko Game Accessories, it's easy to rack up an order well beyond the $99 Threshold.

Yup. I'm speaking from experience.

I'm happy with my purchase because I intend to incorporate some (most?/all?) of the game mechanics into my slow-brewing Star Wars Legacy Era campaign.  

The reviews on Amazon.com are overwhelmingly positive:  131 x 5-star and 35 x 4-star ratings.  There are however, an even dozen of less-than-stellar reviews (7 x 3-stars, 3 x 2-stars and 2 x 1-star reviews).

While my first impressions of Star Wars X-Wing is good, I think the "meh" raters may have a point.  Unless you are a Star Wars fan, as I am, then the game may indeed be a less-than-exciting session of:  Move ships, roll dice, repeat. 

Let the Force (along with your personal finances and available storage space) guide you in deciding whether or not to buy Star Wars X-Wing.

Book Reviews--Marvel Comics Epic Battles of the Civil War, Vols. 1-4

 

A couple years ago, I visited the Roberson Museum and Science Center in my hometown, which had a small exhibit commemorating the 150th year anniversary of the American Civil War.  Or as wargamers like to abbreviate it, the "ACW."

 

Venturing into the gift shop, I discovered all four volumes of Marvel Comics Epic Battles of the Civil War.  I can't remember what I paid for them.  I'm sure they were priced at full retail value.  But since the money would go to support our local museum, I thought what the heck.

 

The four volumes cover the following battles:  First Bull Run, Shiloh, Antietam and Gettysburg.

 

Each volume appears to present a decent overview of the events leading up to a particular battle, the course of the battle itself, the aftermath and short biographies of a handful of key leaders.

 

I say "appears to present a decent overview" because I must admit my knowledge of the ACW is as extensive as many of my wargaming buddies.  But these are, in fact comic books, which are ideal for introducing young readers to the subject of the Civil War.

 

The one hiccup I did spot was in Volume 4, which perpetuates the #1 myth of Gettysburg:  That the battle started because Confederate troops were trying to find shoes.

 

The illustrations in each volume varies, because different artists were involved in this project.  Overall, I found the art added to the sense of drama as the battle unfolds to its climax.  If I had to choose, I liked the artwork in Volume 3:  Antietam the best.  The colors used were darker, giving a better sense of the dreary field conditions soldiers experienced.

 

The series has earned decent reviews on Boardgamegeek and Goodreads. 

 

True, there are extensive works by eminent historians that cover each battle in great detail.  However, for a quick read, which includes "eye candy" almost as good as painted miniatures on modelled terrain, Marvel Comics Epic Battles of the Civil War, is worth the modest price for each booklet.

 

Copies can be found on-line or at museum gift shops.

 

 

Game Report: Twilight Imperium, 4-Player Session

The Galactic Council convenes.

Game Set Up:

A few weekends ago, four of us got together to play Twilight Imperium.  My friend Joe & I played it a couple times before:  The last time being a 3-player session with Dallas, who couldn't make this time around.  Newcomers to "The Galactic Council" were:  Jason and Ken.

Since our Twilight Triumvirate game, I re-read the rules a third time in order to avoid our previous errors.  But during the set up, Joe discovered we did the Public Objective Cards wrong.  These cards, which help players earn victory points, are suppose to be laid out as they become available due to political action.  The first player who can claim it, along with spending the necessary resources, gets the points.  In our last game, the cards were handed to the player who initiated the political action.

 One of the great features of Twilight Imperium is the random set-up.  From the map, to the Political Action Cards, to the races themselves, it's guaranteed that no two games will be alike.

Our "4-Player Galaxy" looked like this:

Starting forces and initial positions of the four major races.

The major races vying for power this time around were--

The Yssaril Tribes (Joe):

The Federation of Sol (Jason):

The Clan of Saar (me):

The Winnu (Ken):

Conquest of the Galaxy:

Here's a pictorial history of how the Yssaril, Humans, Saar and Winnu carved-up the galaxy among them...



The Winnu invasion force is repulsed at New Albion, while the troops landing on Starpoint succumb to some form of biohazard.



The Yssaril peacefully annexes Garbozia, but the inhabitants of Saudor put up a fight.

While the Yssaril conduct mop-up operations on Saudor, the Saar annex Belatrix and gain control of the trading post Tsion.

Federation troops stumble across a lost colony of Lazax, the former overlords of the galaxy, believed to be extinct.  This discovery gives Federation Councilors a significant amount of clout in the Galactic Council.  

The Yssaril discovered additional wealth on Primor.

Lodor, along with the nearby wormhole is annexed by the Yssaril.

The Federation advances on Tar'Mann.  Meanwhile, the Winnu are still mustering-up a task force to reclaim New Albion and Starpoint.

Vespin-II (I think) is annexed by the Yssaril.

The Winnu finally mobilize and acquire Gral and it's wealth, but discover lethal doses of radiation on Centauri.

The Saar gain new wealth on Hope's End along with the planet's extensive shock troop training facility.

Vega Minor is peacefully annexed by the Federation, but the inhabitants of nearby Vega Major put up a fight.

Vega Major is captured by the Federation.

The Saar advance on Arinam and Meer, but are unable to initiate an invasion due to command & control, as well as logistical issues.  A task force remains on station at Wormhole Alpha, which leads to Lodor--in Yssaril territory.

A Yssaril cruiser enters the Lesab System, and remains in orbit.

A Yssaril carrier group plunges down the Cormund Gravity Rift, to find a hostile reception.

The Federation make another anthropological discovery.  This time a lost colony of Humans.

Thanks to conducting a fighter reconnaissance, the Saar task force directs the bulk of its troops against Meer.  Arinam is annexed without incident, however, Meer proves to be a tough nut to crack.

The entire Saar invasion force is defeated by the Meerians.

While the Saar lick their wounds, the Winnu seize El'Nath, but of course, not without a fight.

Meer is finally subdued by a second Saar invasion force.

Not wanting to provoke the Winnu, the Saar remain at Hope's End, raising shock troops, while the Winnu subdue the Centaurians. 



A Federation dreadnought task force moves out of the Sol System.

Another Sol task force discovers Wellon to be the terminus of Wormhole Beta, the galaxy's shortest--and most useless--wormhole.

The Winnu return to New Albion and Starpoint.  New Albion is invaded while Starpoint is cleansed of bio-toxins.

The Yssaril cede Lesab to the Saar, which is peacefully annexed.

At this point, only Mecatol Rex remained unclaimed. The stage was now set for a galactic-wide conflict.

End Notes:

We had to end our game at this point, which took an hour to set up and five hours to play.  Fighting only occurred between the space-faring races and the indigenous forces resisting invasion.  Although interplanetary war would have broken out if we had the time to play even just one more turn.

Applying the rules properly slowed things down a bit in terms of how many actions a player can take per turn and how much he can produce.  This can be frustrating at times, but it does provide players with a steady game pace, a less cluttered game board, and an increased awareness of using political and economic power to gain victory points.

Twilight Imperium is not for anyone who likes their games fast & bloody.

Social Gathering with Seattle's Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writers

(Image:  The Seattle Space Needle and Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum)

This past Saturday, I invited myself  was invited to the monthly gathering of the Seattle Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers group (SF2W).  Actually, I've been receiving newsletters for the past several months, but haven't been able to attend until now.

It's an informal group, whose origins date back almost a year ago at the Northwest Bookfest.

The Prime Directive of meetings are social, with no personal business agendas permitted.

One of the members followed-up on a previous suggestion to provide "Hello, My Name Is" name tapes for everyone.  So it was easy for everyone to actually remember each others' names.

However, out of the 10 of us, I only know the full names of the following writers:

Django Wexler, co-founder and meeting coordinator.

Janine Southard, our hostess for the day.

And Casey Blair.

We talked about upcoming conventions, such as next month's Geek Girl Con, various comic cons, writers conferences and even "Outdoor Trek."

While no one made any elevator pitches, folks did talk about their good, bad & ugly experiences with certain websites, on-line stores, e-book pricing and computer programs.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover nearly everyone is involved in some aspect of gaming; whether computer games, boardgames, miniatures, or role playing games (RPGs).

I had an enjoyable time, loved meeting new people, and I look forward to attending future gatherings--with my usual caveat of:  Work schedule permitting.

Buying Board Games Down Under

Dael Kingsmill rants about discusses the problems Australians have when buying boardgames and other merchandise.



I get turned off about on-line purchases when the shipping and handling (S&H) fees are over $15 (US).  I can't imagine contending with the prices our Australian gamer friends deal with.

Remembering 9/11

 

Program Review: Emma Approved

 

The folks at Pemberly Digital scored big a couple nights ago at the 4th Annual Streamy Awards, with it's ground-breaking Lizzie Bennet Diaries (LBD).

 

This vlog version of Pride and Prejudice was my first exposure to the works of Jane Austen. 

 

Now my latest video venture into the world of Jane Austin is:  Emma Approved, an adaptation of the novel Emma.

 

Meet Emma Woodhouse, (played by Joanna Sotomura), lifestyle coach not-so extraordinaire, and her business partner Alex Knightley (played by Brent Bailey).

 

She's on a quest to "improve the lives of those around her," while he struggles to keep the business afloat.

Yeah, you guessed it, conflict ensues.

(An Emma Approved version of American Gothic?)

Oh, Emma means well, and her grandiose schemes are successful--for the most part.  But, more often than not, Emma leaves hard feelings and heartache in her wake, because she's blind to the obvious.

I enjoyed the series, and from the comments I read on YouTube, the other viewers did too, and looked forward to each new episode.  Emma Approved seemed to be a rebound from Pemberly Digital's LBD spin-off Welcome to Sanditon. 

However, there's more to these webseries than posting videos on YouTube.  Apparently, Emma Approved didn't work as well as LBD, in part because Emma Approved didn't utilize the full range of transmedia that LBD did.

Other than Facebook, I didn't delve into any other media platforms during my viewing times.  I guess having an "in-character" blog, which includes womens' fashion advice isn't enough anymore.

Well being the Y-Chromosome tainted Luddite that I am, I'm still giving Emma Approved 4 out of 5 stars, or for those who like using the IMDb Scale, 8 out of 10.

I think Emma would approve.

Thank You for the 2K Visits!

(Image: The USS Constitution firing a 21-gun salute)

Sometime yesterday, Stern Rake Studio was reached it's 200,000th view.

Thank you for visiting, whether you're a frequent follower, or just passing through.

I appreciate the interest.

Best wishes to all of you.