"Origins - Worst Game Convention You Have Ever Attended" Topic

You were asked – TMP link

What is the worst game convention you have ever actually/physically attended? Why was it "the worst"? I'm wondering if there are certain patterns about these cons and maybe some of your experiences will validate some ideas I have been having lately.

52% said "none of these/no opinion"
15% said "other (explain)"

Very few votes for actual conventions:
5 votes – Origins
2 votes – GenCon
1 vote – Salute
1 vote – Council of Nations
1 vote – TwisterCon
1 vote – Fall-In
1 vote – Pacificon

Yeah, my vote was for Origins. With the influx of boardgaming they pushed miniature gaming pretty much out of existence. That and GAMA was trying to make the event "inclusive", not that there is anything wrong with that.
But it seemed to my friends and I that instead it became "exclusive"…. We didn't want to be there supporting a cause, we wanted to be there to game….

However with the reappearance of HMGS Great Lakes and Midwest, there was more events to get into than I had time….

I'm looking forward to this year….

Dave

A guy designed a set of WW2 skirmish rules. The problem was turn length we're 5 condos each. So it took several turns to reload or stand.

The other was in the 1980s. A gentleman had a colonial game where chance to hit was 1-2 for close range, only 3-4 for medium range and only 5 or 6 for long range. 33% for each range.

Seconds not condos. I hate auto correct.

PzGeneral, Origins was always intended as a primarily board game convention, originally being sponsored by Avalon Hill and SPI.

Yep, my first Origins as an attendee was just outside Philadelphia in 1980. Even had miniatures then. I played in a WRG tournament using an Early Ach. Persian army. Made it to the semis when a Viking army sliced me up. Bought a copy of Siege of Jerusalem by the oribimal company, pre AH. It was in a big bad. And I still have it. Lol.

I don't remember the name of the con, but I think it was in the late 80s in Baltimore (Atlanticon?) You had to pay to register for games. Mine got cancelled so I went to the desk for a refund and was told they didn't do refunds until Sunday. It was Friday and I was there on a day pass.

I was out of work and I sold some board games at a 2nd hand auction. They paid for some groceries. I got a job the following week. I stayed there 28 years. I digress.

The absolute worst was a minicon at a college in Frederick, MD. I found a flyer for it at an HMGS Lancaster con. I drove out there (about an hour) and there was no event. I spoke with campus security and they knew nothing. I ultimately wrote it off as a prank.

Wow… That's definitely one of the most interesting stories I've heard…

I was out of work and I sold some board games at a 2nd hand auction. They paid for some groceries. I got a job the following week. I stayed there 28 years.

The mix of people at shows are interesting. The wealthy gaming with guys living in their car.

My bad, I thought it was the worst game not show.

After 42 years of going to shows and in the 1990s there were over 20 shows a year, it is hard to select a worst show. All had their quirks and positives. Always enjoyed being invited. Quirks?
At the combined origins and Gencon in Milwaukee, the vendor room remained closed until the tax man could visIt very booth. The laminator next to me was forced to remain closed until he could pay back taxes.
Let's see, Infantrycon at Fort Brenning provided a stripper show on Saturday night.
I have stories from every one, it seems.

I, my wife, and a lot of my fellow attendees got sick as dogs following the most recent GaryCon. (held in late March, Lake Geneva, WI.) Flu, cold, and Covid germs run rampant in these conditions. And a lot of that convention is poorly organized. At an expensive venue that is congested and rapacious. And many no-shows at events, which messes around with the GMs. Plus two years running of surprise snowstorms! So that gets my vote. GaryCon.