Yes! Britcon is BACK!!
The largest event in the BHGS calendar will be returning to the now-familiar surroundings of UMIST in (always-sunny) Manchester over the Friday-Sunday of 9-11th August 2013.
We are very aware that this year's event has perhaps been a little longer in it's gestation than normal, but the end result – even if we say so ourselves – is as fresh, new, exciting and downright gaming-tastic as it possibly could be.
That's because at Britcon this year you will see a whole new management team, new gaming periods, and even an innovative new format which has been developed in direct response to the feedback you all gave us last year (so, yes, someone in the upper reaches of BHGS Towers did actually read that survey last year's competitors filled in!)
Full details are on the BHGS Website bhgs.org.uk, and a link for those of you who want to to just go ahead and book your place is britcon2013.eventbrite.co.uk.
Periods on offer at Britcon 2013 include:
Field of Glory: Ancients & Medieval
Field of Glory: Renaissance
Field of Glory: Napoleonic
War & Conquest
Saga
Flames of War
DBMM
Epic Armageddon
Bolt Action
What To Look Out For in 2013?
New Periods – including a 10+ game "Epic Saga" competition for the runaway success that is the Saga ruleset, as well as the debut's of two further 28mm rulesets, "War and Conquest" (supported by the author, Rob Broom) and WW2 skirmish game "Bolt Action" (supported by Warlord Games)
New "relaxed gamer" Option – we've listened to your pathetic whining, sorry, "feedback" about how unwelcome Britcon's two late night games can sometimes be, and so for 2013 there will be an option to drop Friday or Saturday night's game and just play 5 games in the larger gaming periods.
This also means that each of the "traditional" 6-game main periods will now be decided by counting player's best 5 scores. Any "Iron Man" gamers amongst you will still be able to play all 6 rounds – and benefit from dropping that one score when "the other guy got all the lucky rolls" … Anyone playing 5 games can still pick up a trophy by going on a faultless 5-game winning streak.
So, whether you are working late on Friday, want to save money on one night's accommodation, or just fancy a bit more time to fit in the full half-dozen poppadums, starter, mains, AND a dessert (plus several beverages) that are a traditional part of every other wargames weekend, you can do so secure in the knowledge that you still are in the running for when the big prizes are handed out at the end of the weekend.
The Britcon entry fee remains the same no matter how many games you choose play, and you'll need to let us know when you book how many rounds you are planning on participating in, as otherwise the steam-powered BHGS laptop will seize up and explode instead of processing the draw after each round… but we are sure many of you will just be grateful to have the choice this time around :-)
Prices Frozen – we know there is a recession out there, so through careful negotiation with the venue there will be no increase in entry fees in 2013.
Accommodation still optional – we've also negotiated some great rates at UMIST for a variety of standards of rooms – all still in stumbling distance of the venue and bar as usual. To be honest we'd like as many people to stay in UMIST accommodation as it helps keep the venue happy with us as tenants, but you are totally free to book and stay elsewhere if you wish. University Bed & Breakfast starts from just £33.50 GBP/night in shared accommodation, and just £36.00 GBP/night in an en-suite room. The online booking system for accommodation is expected to be live by the end of February.
No "2nd Class Gaming Rooms"
We aim to keep everyone in the two main gaming rooms, and even if we sell those out and need to expand we won't be using those pokey little rooms that were so far away that they were practically in Salford – so no 2nd class citizens this year. This may well mean we sell out, so make sure you book early as places are limited.
No Bloody Quiz – lets face it, like many of the tracks in the "spot the intro" round that someone had taped off the radio when they were 16 it was great at the time, but now it's run its course and the quality of the audio was always
rubbish anyway. You're all staying in the beating heart of one of the UK's liveliest cities, so put down your dice, put on your glad rags and go forth and have a pint and a curry instead…
(you may also have spotted by now that Britcon 2013 will be a Madaxeman.com powered event..)
worries about not losing his rules stuff.
