Saturday, January 27, 2024

Gateway Game Day - Results

And a great time was had by all!


The "Gateway Game Day" was a successful event, and I want to thank all who participated, setting up, playing, hosting, tearing down, etc. We raised about $700 for various ministries that the church sponsors or supports in the community, directly and indirectly.

This is what the fellowship hall at Abington Baptist Church looks like normally: 

Our hard working minions moved a lot of tables to set it all up!

Minion asking if the tables up there will move themselves.
The answer of course is "No...no they won't."

Kevin D. of BuxMont Gamers running a 15mm Napoleonics game using the venerable "Fusilier" rules by D. Cochran and a horde of extras.
"You may think that Irishmen don't talk with our hands, but we do!" Kevin explains some of the mechanics to avid listeners, including local gaming hero Reg W. 

Some came for the games, some for the food. Well, they needed food to keep gaming, anyway!


Brian C hosting Command and Colors "Waterloo", while Mark D clearly just saw something shiny...
The French are planning to restore Emperor Napoleon to his throne - but the Allies say otherwise!

Many came to play, some came to sell, some came to buy - and yes, there were a few things to buy. Vendor Fred [?] explains to staff that he gets no food until all these things here are sold!  He may also have to walk home...

BuxMont Gamers Chris and Matt also have a few things to offer. Well, maybe more than a few things...
Treebeard and the Balrog ponder their fate at the hands of their next owner - surely, must be better than Sauron??

Bill R. gets a buncha pics as I played in this game!  Love figs and terrain, using a modified version of "Song of Drums and Tomahawks".  British retaliatory raid on a Mohican village. Hey, "can't we all just get along??"

One fellow is enjoying some sartorial splendor thanks to the French, it appears.  Does make him a better target, tho.
Team John Bull staged for the raid.  

Cliff B running the Battle of Britain - Spitfires, Stukas and Messerschmitts galore using the popular "Wings of War".
Stukas may be in trouble, but looks like a Henkel and escorts will make it through to their target.

Phil throwing down some ancient beat-down in the ADLG [Arte De La Guerre] 15mm tournament. 
Romans v. Teutonic Knights, perhaps?
Definitely Teutonic Knights - against vikings it seems.
Someone is nervous and dropped his shield, I think.

Paul T running a combo deck-building game, "Moonrakers"


Hutch runs the GURPS horror "Air BnB Blood", if memory serves.  Did anyone escape the horrors of that BnB??

EPGS [Eastern Pennsylvania Gaming Society] making  "Unplugged" happen at the Game Day with "Flamecraft".

"No gamers were harmed using this inflatable baseball bat - it is a game piece."  Marina, Paul and Kelly prepare for another game, Marina is apparently defending the table from encroachment by other gamers...

Mich T hosting "Sub Terra" card / tile game.

That's a "no sir, you can't do that" look from the host if I've ever seen one.

Keith running sci-fi skirmish game "Tomorrow War", near future sci-fi 28mm action. Figs were super-creative!
Kinda-sorta Napoleonic sci-fi fusiliers marching forward.
Storming a ruin "For the Emperor!" [no, not THAT emperor, Napoleon!]

It was a good but long day. Will be hosting another game day in the future when the stars align properly and with some "lessons learned" to make it even better.  

A bit thanks to all our hosts and vendors who were on the tip of the spear to make it a good day and a good time for all!

Monday, June 5, 2023

Gateway Game Day: Sat June 24, 9-7pm Abington, PA


GATEWAY GAME DAY

Saturday, June 24th, 9-7pm


1501 Huntingdon Rd., Abington PA 19001

Entry: $5 [kids under 12 FREE]

  • All Tabletop Games no video or electronic
  • Flea Market
  • Hosted Games
  • Open tables for Pick-up Games
  • ADLG Tournament

WORTH NOTING:

  • If you have flu symptoms / don't feel well, please stay home and rest! Hand sanitizer available. Wear a mask as needed.
  • Free parking behind Church
  • Light Refreshments will be for sale
  • Wheelchair accessible 
  • Just off PA 611 and PA 63
  • 12 min from Fort Washington or Willow Grove exit of PA Turnpike
  • Convenient to numerous local eateries
  • Proceeds will support local ministry to people in need

 

VENUE

Abington Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Hall has wheelchair access via elevator and ramp. It does NOT have a wheelchair accessible bathroom, sorry.

 

FLEA MARKET TABLES 

6' long: $10 for each 5 Hours [morning 9-2pm, or afternoon 2-7pm]. Below is just a partial list of what is being brought for sale:

  • Painted and unpainted miniatures [15mm, 28mm, 54mm, Micro-armor 6mm or 1:300] for American Civil War, Franco-Prussian War,  Ancients, Saxons and Normans, WWI / WWI Ships, WWII vehicles, Napoleonics, Sci-fi, Space ships, Games Workshop figures and books, Warhammer 40K, More!
  • Classic board games [mint and gently used], Euro Games, Wargames
  • Miniature game rules classic and recent
  • Terrain for games and Trains: American Civil War, Medieval Castles, generic
  • Toys and Action Figures, e.g. GI Joe 
  • Books: history, military, thrillers and best sellers
  • Osprey Publications

 

GAMING

* ALL Tabletop Games 

* Hosted or Pick-up Games are welcome

* "Gateway Game Day" means new players are especially welcome to play!

Even if you've never played a table top game, you can try games here! 

 

General Explanation of Offerings:

  • "Board games" = includes Euro Games, e.g. Settlers of Catan
  • Miniature games = Historical, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, e.g Napoleonics, Star Wars Legion, Lord of the Rings
  • Role-playing Games = e.g. Dungeons & Dragons
  • Card games = Magic the Gathering, Code Names, Uno
  • MANY demos / games for first-timers, quick to teach, learn, and play.

 

Submit your interest using the Contact Form to the right concerning: 

- flea market tables [include which time slots],
- hosting a game [Time slot, Title, Type, Rules, #of players, Recommended ages, Hosts, contact info, description, etc]
- hosting a tournament
- any other questions or comments
.

 

HOSTED GAMES

All Day

All Day - Art De La Guerre ["ADLG"] OPEN 200 point Tournament

15mm Ancient & Medieval Historical Miniatures, Rules: "ADLG", 3 Rounds

Host: Phil Gardocki, To Enter: phil.whiteknight AT gmail DOT com


All Day - EPGS Game Demo Tables.

Eastern Pennsylvania Gaming Society, www.epgs.org will run demos of board games all day.  All-day games will be:

  • Love Letter: 6 players 10yo+ compete to win the favor of a princess.
  • Can't Stop: 2-5 players 8yo+ compete in this classic tile game.
  • Just One: 7 players 8yo+ try to discover the mystery word
  • Wits & Wagers: 4+ players 8yo+ bet answers to a trivia question

More info on the games is here: https://boardgamegeek.com/


All Day - "Triple-T Gamers of DelCO" Demo Tables.

Offerings from Host Paul:

  • Scout, Concept, Just One, Spots, Wavelength, and The Crew for beginner games
  • Magic Maze on Mars, Cascadia, Earth, and Moonrakers for more advanced gamers
Offerings from Hosts Mich & Marina:
  • Bears & Bees, Suspend, CodeNames, Bamboozled, Dutch Blitz, Frequent Flyer, Cribbage, Unstable Unicorns, Poetry for Neanderthals, The Chameleon, and Farting Frenchies for simpler games
  • King of New York, Meadow, Pan-Am, Parks, Viticulture, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride

More info on all these games is here: https://boardgamegeek.com/


Morning: the game starts and ends between 9 and 2pm


1) Morning - World War 2 "Battle for Britain"

1:200 Historical Airplane Miniatures, Rules "Wings of Glory"

6-8 Players, kid-friendly rules, Hosts: Cliff B and Del-Val Gamers


"Never was so much owed by so many to so few". German Aerial Bombings began the period on September 7th 1940, which was to be known as the Blitz. Luftflotte 2 flying out of their bases in Belgium, concentrated on Tangmere Airbase and the Radar station at Pevensey. Our Heros in RAF 11th group flew out to protect these valuable assets. British RAF Spitfires and Hurricanes moved to knock down German ME109, ME110, and Do 17.


2) Morning 11:00 - French & Indian War 1757 "Torches at Dawn"

28mm Historical Miniatures

Rules: "Songs of Drums and Tomahawks" [Song of Blades and Heroes system]

2-6 Players, Quick to learn rules, Host: Bill R. 

Guided by Iroquois warriors, the British 44th Foot launch a dawn raid against rival Algonquin tribe's village along the Canadian frontier; and the Algonquins are allied to the French. Easy to jump into, fun for new or experienced gamers. 


3) Morning - "Waterloo - 1815" 

1/72 plastic Miniatures on Hex mat. Rules: Borg's "Command and Colors"


6 Players, Age Range - 10+,  Host: Brian C.


Jump into the most famous battle in the world near its 209th anniversary!  The Duke of Wellington will pit his British against the re-assembled Grand Armee of Napoleon in Belgium.  Beefeaters against Cheesemongers...will the Empire successfully strike back?? Players will take the roles of three generals on each side, working as a team to make decisions in the battle. 


4) Morning - "Jamaica: The Great Challenge Race" at EPGS demo table

Board Game, Rules: "Jamaica", 2-6 Players, Age Range 8+, Host: EPGS 

Jamaica, 1675. After a long career in piracy, Captain Henry Morgan [lately seen on rum bottles] becomes Governor of Jamaica. Each year, in remembrance of the "good old days" of piracy and mayhem, Morgan organizes the Great Challenge, a race around the island, and at its end, the Captain with the most gold is declared Grand Winner. This is an ineractive pirate-themed tactical race game with side goals (e.g. detouring for treasure). The winner is the player who best balances their position in the race with their success at the side goals.


Afternoon: game starts / ends btw 2 and 7pm

5) Afternoon - Games at EPGS Demo Table
  • Calico: A puzzly tile-laying game of quilts and cats for 4 players 10+ years old.
  • Sorry - Advanced: 4 players 6y.o.+ race around the board to their Home. 
  • Splendor: 4 players 10y.o.+ compete for prestige as medieval merchants.
  • The Mind: 4 players 8y.o.+ bid lowest cards and psyche out their opponents.

More info on the games is here: https://boardgamegeek.com/


6) Afternoon - "Exploring the Frozen City"

28mm Fantasy Miniatures, Rules "Frostgrave: Fantasy Wargames in The Frozen City", 6 Players, kid-friendly rules, Hosts: Cliff B and Del-Val Gamers


Description: It is an evil and dangerous place. The locals call it 'Frostgrave', and It is shunned by all right-thinking people. For those who seek power and riches, however, it is an unparalleled opportunity: a deadly maze concealing secrets of knowledge long forgotten... Seek your Fame and Fortune in the Frozen City!


7) Afternoon [3:00] - French & Indian War 1757 "Torches at Dawn"

28mm Historical Miniatures

Rules: "Songs of Drums and Tomahawks" [Song of Blades and Heroes system]

2-6 Players, Quick to learn rules, Host: Bill R. 

Guided by Iroquois warriors, the British 44th Foot launch a dawn raid against rival Algonquin tribe's village along the Canadian frontier; and the Algonquins are allied to the French. Easy to jump into, fun for new or experienced gamers. 


8) Afternoon - "Steins in Tsingtao, 1914"

28mm Historical Miniatures, Rules: "Neil Thomas WWII" modified

4 players, 13+, Hosts: Reg W.

Germany versus Japan in WWI - Fact or Fiction?   The amazing answer is "FACT" as Japan was an Allied Power against the Central Powers. Here, Gen. Mituomi advances against the German colony of Tsingtao in China, defended by Gov. Alfred Waldeck and various naval land forces, including sailors and marines. For pics of these great miniatures in action, go here: CLICK

 

9) Afternoon - GURPS Horror “Air BnBlood”, 1-5pm

Table Top Role Playing Game with boards and counters

Rules: "Generic Universal Role Playing System", AKA "GURPS"

6 Players, 15+, Host: Hutch H, umbrielx AT gmail DOT com 

A group of college friends' ski weekend turns into a slow-burn haunted survival horror! All experience levels welcome, but an excellent introduction to the very popular GURPS system with all-too-mortal 100 point pre-gen characters.


10) Afternoon - Space Bastards Save The Day

28mm Miniatures, Rules "Tomorrow War" near future sci-fi

Players - 2-6, Host: Keith S.


A gunship has gone down over a besieged city. Elements of the special forces unit know as the "Space Bastards" must push through and rescue the surviving crew, before the Imperial Republic forces swarm the area and capture them. 


11a) Afternoon - "Escape from the Dungeon"

Board Game, Rules "Sub Terra" 

4- 6 players, 10,+ Host: Steve P 

Jump into this co-operative board game of escape from a dangerous dungeon. Players explore a tunnel system attempting to survive perils such as floods and cave-ins, gas leaks and scree. Each Player has specialist abilities, such as an Engineer with dynamite or a Scout. Randomised tiles keep tension high, and when they run out the game ends - will you have escaped before then??


11b) Afternoon - Fightin' in '42

Board Game, Rules "Fighters of the Pacific" 

4 players, 14,+ Host: Steve P 

US and Japanese aces clash over the Pacific Ocean - who will establish air superiority for their strike against the enemy carriers first?  At stake is naval dominance of the Pacific!  Will it remain an American lake?  Or will it fall under the influence of the Greater Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere enforced by Japan?


12) Afternoon - "Redbacks v. Rebels, 1777"

15mm Historical Miniatures, Rules: Club rules for American Revolution,  

4 players, 13+, Hosts: BuxMont Gamers, Chris & Matt  

The British are once again confronted by an American army holding the high ground. Can they quickly advance and crush the rebels? Or will the Americans save their army for another day?


Gateway Game Day - Results

And a great time was had by all! The "Gateway Game Day" was a successful event, and I want to thank all who participated, setting ...