As our reputation grew in the tournament scene more and more
players wanted to challenge us and make a name for themselves.
Some games we won, others we lost.
Some tournaments we placed on the top tables, and others we
found ourselves at the bottom of the list.
Our notoriety came from not only our tactics on the table,
but also how we conducted ourselves.
We were friendly and approachable, which was rare in the tournament
scene.
Dinner and drinks after many of the events began to build a
network of people, which eventually lead to being invited by that company to
their big game’s day event, giving us a table to in the open gaming event.
Brainstorming with my friend JW, we explored our options.
Run a mini tournament ourselves?
Offer players a chance to take us on?
What about a meet and greet?
Those who met us in person or crossed out paths on the table
top wanted all three.
What about running a
big game event? JW on one side, Roppo on the other, and players can join
through the day and pick a side to battle with.
Year one was a small success.
Twenty or so players joined us, and a good time was had by
all. Battle reports hit a few of the community blogs and we received generally good
feedback, minus the few that had it our for us.
Year two got us another invite, this time with a table more
prominent in the center of the hall, and the plan was to run things just like
last year. JW on one side, myself on the other, bring you army and join the
fight.
After the Waaagh and the doors to the convention hall
opened, we were surprised to find around sixty people waiting for us.
Setting the battle up, the game began and about half way
through I had to pass command of my army to another player as attention was
needed to keep the logistics of the game running smoothly with so many players.
It was not about winning or losing since technically the
game had no start or finish, but rather about rolling some dice, moving some miniatures,
and making something cool happen along with getting to kick around JW and
myself for laughs.
It wasn’t just about our reputation, but also the reason all
of us played this game over others, I wanted everybody to have a good time, to
take those few hours together and step outside of time together and live in
that universe for a while.
Towards the end of the day a new player had arrived and set
their army up on the back of the table. I briefed them on the scenario and they
joined the game. Over the next few turns they just quietly sat there, didn’t
really move any units, and fired off a few long-range shots which really didn’t
do anything.
By the time I circled back around to check in on them when
the game ended for the day they were gone.
Year three was even more lit compared to year 2, and to think
JW and I talked about skipping games day this time, the personal invite for a
table, a bigger table, was one we couldn’t turn down.
We planned big this time, brining along BC with us for some
additional in-game logistics support, which was very forward thinking on our
part as we had almost 100 players in total.
Simultaneously playing the game and making the rounds among
the players to talk and socialize I noticed the same player from last year,
same army setup on the back line, some not really doing anything. I engaged
with them for a few minutes as they proudly showed me some tanks in their army.
Three more years, three more events, and by now our big game
had become a community standard with some player joining us year after year. They
were there again, army set up on the back line, not really doing anything,
sitting at the corner of the table.
Within eyesight was a man watching them, an older man, given
the ages perhaps a father. Had I noticed this man before in the years past?
I wasn’t really paying attention, my focus on both playing
and running the game.
Placing myself off to the side next to them for a moment, it
was as I suspected.
The man was his father, and they drove quite a distance to
be at the event.
His son loved playing the game, it was one of the few things
that he really focused on and showed an interest it, and when he found JW and
myself featured on a blog he wanted to be a part of the event.
His father was happy to have him be a part of something.
Looking over the battle on the table, that is the first time
that I noticed his tanks were pained in a similar style and iconography as JW’s.
Year six was going to be our biggest event yet, and our last
event as the company sponsoring the event made it know that this was the last
game day.
We want all out with a custom table, brought in a few other
well know guest players, and when the event closed to the doors for the day and
on that chapter of gaming history we were still playing with over 100 players
strong.
Knowing this was the last event, I was careful to take extra
time talking to the players at the game, engaging with my own army as best I
could, and this time when I got to the end of the table that familiar spot was
empty.
The army was not lined up, and they were not there.
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