If you love playing board games, you have to know that there are some special gaming events in the world, where you can try new games, meet people that have the same hobby as you and buy the newest items on the market. Here are some events that take place in Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, that you might find interesting. All you have to do is pack your bags, buy your ticket and … roll the dice!
Taipei Game Show – January, Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei Game Show is not only an international exhibit for gamers to experience innovative products, but also a great platform for business, networking and exchanging experiences in the game industry. Since the announcement for registration in late July, more than 130 companies and indie game developers from France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Russia, Singapore, the United States and more have registered for the B2B zone at Taipei Game Show 2016. Taipei Game Show 2017 is expected to reach more than 500,000 public visits and 3,000 trade visitors.
More info at: http://taipeigameshow.biz/
MeepleCon – March, Melbourne, Australia
Source – Meeplecon 2014
MeepleCon is an annual board gaming event held in Melbourne, on the first weekend of December. It features new releases from the International Spieletage (held in Essen, Germany) as well as older games including those from Melbourne Meeples library.
MeepleCon is primarily an open library event where you can grab a game from the library, put it on the table and play. It also includes scheduled tournaments and special events.
More info at: http://con.meeples.org.au/
SaltCon – March, Utah, USA
Image source: SaltCON
The mission of SaltCON is “to bring people together with games.” The convention brings together exhibitors, prizes, game teachers, tournaments and a huge game library to try new games. At SaltCON, you can try board games, card games, party games, role playing games, dexterity games, miniatures games and more.
A Full Convention Adult Ticket is 50 US dollars and a 1 Day Adult Ticket costs 30 US dollars.
More info at: http://saltcon.com/
Fastaval – April, Hobro, Denmark
Fastaval is an annual gaming convention in Hobro, Denmark, with focus on role-playing games, live action role-playing games, board games, miniature war gaming and collectible card games. The first many years was held in or around Aarhus but the 2011 Fastaval was held in Silkeborg, while the conventions from 2012 to 2016 were held at Mariagerfjord Gymnasiet in Hobro.
The convention has been held on the long weekend of Easter since 1986, with the exception of 1988.
More info at: http://www.fastaval.dk/
Board games decathlon – October, Bucharest, Romania
This October, gamers in Bucharest can participate at a decathlon of board games that will last 10 hours! Participants will play ten of the most popular board games, such as Catan, Dixit, Activity, Saboteur, Jenga or Game of Thrones – Card Game.
All the funds raised will be used to develop the HOSPICE socio-medical center from Adunatii Copaceni, where children suffering from diseases with limited life prognosis are taken care of. The event addresses both board games enthusiasts, who can participate in the Decathlon competition for the grand prize trophy, as well as beginners, who have never tried board games.
Tickets can be purchased online on www.ove.ro, at the price of 9 euros for the official competition and 6 euros for the casual gaming area.
More info at: http://www.haveacigar.pub/decatlon/
Internationale Spieltage – October, Essen, Germany
Spieltage is the largest annual board game exhibit in the world. This year, the event will host more than 1,000 exhibitors from 50 nations.
The cool thing about this gaming convention is that they offer a shipping and packaging service. This means that if you attend the event and like 5 or 6 games, you don’t have to take them back home with you via plane and pay a lot of money for extra luggage. You have the option to ship your purchased games directly from the fairground to their homes.
A One-Day Ticket costs 13 euros and a Four-Day Ticket is 31 euros.
More info at: www.merz-verlag-en.com/
Lucca Comics and Games – October – November, Lucca, Italy
Lucca Comics & Games is the leading European festival dedicated to comics, games, movies and video games. With nearly 500,000 visitors in total, more than 40,000 square meters of exhibition space, 20 exhibitions, more than 500 events including meetings with authors and publishers, shows and concerts, the event is a must for gaming fans all over the world.
Lucca Comics & Games is held in the historic center of the ancient city of Lucca, a charming city rich in art and history in the heart of Tuscany. It takes place every year, at the end of October.
More info at: www.luccacomicsandgames.com/it/lcg/home/
Spielwies’n – November, Munich, Germany
Spielwies’n is a large board games fair and a showcase for new games and toys. Most of the producing companies have stands at the location, where you can get tutorials on how to play the new items and try playing it. At the end, you can buy the game, if you liked it.
Moreover, you can also take part in competitions. Don’t worry if you go alone – you will definitely find a game partner – thousands of fans from Germany and around the world attend this event.
The ticket is 27 euros for a three-day full access and there are also daily or family packages available.
More info at: www.freizeitspass-muenchen.de/messen/spielwiesn