The games, games, games!

Origins boasts one of the largest assortments of gaming!  And as a 5-day 24 hour convention, there's a lot of gaming to be experienced.

Whether your interests are traditional board games such as Scrabble or Settlers of Catan; card games such as Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, YU-GI-OH!, or poker; historical or fantasty miniatures games; or role-playing in any genre --Origins has something that interests you.

You can try out some of the latest and hottest games, get a chance to meet designers and gaming industry members alike.

Origins gives you a chance to try out those small-press or self-published items you can't get your local store to carry, or to play an old standby with a whole new group of players.

Miniatures Gaming

One of the joys of playing in a miniatures event at a major convention like Origins is the chance to play with fully painted and scenic'd settings, such as this recreation of the Invasion of Omaha Beach during World War II.  If you're not familiar with Miniatures Gaming, it started as tactical exercises for military training, and caught on as both a "recreationist" and "recreation" activity.  Miniatures Gaming allows for anything from a tactical abstraction of Science Fiction Interstellar Combat through careful recreation of a specific event or historical battle (except the players can see how things might have been different if they were in command), right through fantasy battles between mythological beasts.

Live Action Roleplaying (LARP)

Conventions provide an opportunity to play in various "Live Action" rolegames, such as the Living Greyhawk events sponsored by the RPGA, White Wolf's various Storyteller (Vampire, Werewolf, Hunter, etc.) events, and similar types of "live" gaming for almost any gaming system.  If you're new to the hobby, LARP, instead of having the players sit around the table and roll dice, has the players interact within character in a type of improvisational theatre.  GMs are still available to handle rules calls when needed, and while costuming is nice, it's not required (usually).  While many of the LARP players enjoy taking their characters seriously, there's also plenty of opportunity for just plain fun in LARP as well.

Card Games (Collectable, Customizable, Traditional)

Card Gaming is an integral part of the "Gaming" hobby, and Origins holds several events designed for the avid card gamer.  If you are a novice or think you're ready to swim with the sharks, there are games to meet every level of experience.  One of my most memorable moments at a past Origins was sitting down at a table with a designer of historical simulations to teach a novice the basics of how to win at Poker, since the novice had signed up for the tournament.  The Card Games are traditionally held off in their own area, but you will encounter pickup games throughout the convention.

Traditional Board Games

For the avid fan of traditional (and not so traditional) board games, you can find new players to challenge, or a chance to play that game you got that no-one else will play anymore since you win all the time.  There is an EXCELLENT representation of board games at Origins.

Roleplaying

Origins, during it's Columbus run, has been a stellar convention for rolegamers.  The RPGA has an area set aside for their events, and there are events running 24 hours for members.  In addition, many talented GMs offer events ranging from classics like Dungeons and Dragons, Call of Cthulhu, and GURPS to smaller press games like FUDGE or Ironclaw. 

Other Gaming

If you're interested in games other than those mentioned in my little Survivor's Guide, don't despair!  There is more going on a major convention like Origins than one person can describe.  There are open tables all around, and enough pickup games so you can get a little taste of everything.

For the Complete Novice

Origins sponsors a Novice track, with several different games designed to introduce new gamers to the various types of games which take place at this type of event. You can also check the program - any event marked "Easy" and/or "Rules taught" is usually a good bet for beginners.

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