Savannah, Georgia
August 1 – 4, 2002
Hi everyone,
I too want to express my thanks for such a wonderfully fun experience. Gulf Games was so much more than just a great gaming event – I really enjoyed getting to meet, and game, with many of you. I wish I could have arranged to connect with everyone!
As I mentioned to many, I was in Ohio the week prior to Gulf Games, so I took the opportunity to drive down to Georgia,exploring a part of the world I had never seen before. The drive was tremendous, I inadvertently explored Amish country Ohio, then I reveled during my drive through the staggering beauty of West Virginia and Virginia. The Carolinas were so pretty with all the trees…
Upon arrival, I was immediately greeted by so many folks in the lobby. Josh Kurzban was bouncing off the floor (and over me) with excitement, and in quick succession I met several folks, Steve Kurzban and his entire family, Craig, Ty, Greg. By evening time I was happily involved in my first game. Stven, a long-time e-mail pal, Greg, Craig and I played TongaBonga together. The list of games is long, but the list of new friends is even longer!
Being car-less, pushed me to be a friendly cager of rides. I want to especially thank Chris and Elaine Lohroff, Henry and Ward for their kindness in giving me transportation. The Ghost Walk tour of old Savannah was great fun,and I especially enjoyed the Greek dining with Lenny, Henry, Frank and Sandi. It was wonderful fun getting better acquainted, and enjoying each other’s company.
I have to mention how pleased I was to meet Dave Vander Ark and his family. Dave and I have exchanged many an e-mail over the years – it was so good to finally connect! Dave taught me Kuperkesel Co. and proceeded to beat me twice. Then I taught him Medieval Merchant – and he beat me again!I’m angling for a re-match at a future Gulf Games!
There were so many others I very much enjoyed socializing with.The entire Glanzer family (Toni – you are a riot!), Joy and Dennis Mills, Joe Huber, the Labranche family… I can’t mention everyone’s name. So all I can say is that I hope to join in on this fun again someday.
As Rob Derrick mentioned earlier today, we are trying to emulate the fun y’all have created a little closer to our home – here in New Mexico. We will have our first ever event over Labor Day weekend. Once we get our act together,I’d love to invite those of you interested to our Fandango here in New Mexico.
I just returned for Gulf Games in Savannah, GA.Wow! As Rob Derrick can attest,it is impossible to capture the energy and camaraderie present at the event and faithfully report it.
Since we are trying to emulate Gulf Games, in our own way, in our own style, it may be useful to try to illustrate some of what makes Gulf Games tick.
Gulf Games started 5 years ago when three families agreed to vacation together. All of the families were into board games, and they simply agreed to meet at a mutually agreeable site and socialize together, which included playing a bunch of games. The event grew from these roots, and still is faithful to this heritage. Gulf Games is family-friendly. Families pay a registration fee, which is the same for a family of 3 or a family of 8.
99 people arrived at Savannah for Gulf Games 10. The site was a banquet hall at a Holiday Inn Express. Around the edge of the room were several tables piled high with everyone’s games. Each owner labels his games so there is no confusion about who the owner is. During the event the games are there to be used. Generally, it is a nice to ask permission of the owner to use their game, but the owner has brought them to be used – so it’s not a problem to use someone’s game without consulting them.
Several tables are set up with chairs in the center of the room. Players may freely use any table, and do! In addition, Gulf Games offers a big Prize table – each attendee is asked to bring a single game (or more) as a donation to the prize table. The last night of the event all attendees names are placed in a hat,and each person gets to take a prize from the table. So while it’s called a prize table, it really turns out to be a game exchange table.
Several contests are held at Gulf Games. Perhaps the best one is the “Most Friendly Gamer” award. Basically everyone keeps track of who they played with, and the gamer who played with the most different folks at Gulf Games, wins a small prize. Thisis a great contest, as it keeps a gentle pressure on folks to mix it up, and not just game with folks they already know. (The winner at GG10, was Ty Douds who gamed with over 75 of the 99 attendees.) All of the contests are just for fun, with minor little prizes awarded for winning. The point of the contests are to have fun, not to foster competition.
In one corner of the banquet hall was a video-game set-up to help occupy the children present. The kids are also happy to play board games too. This year, a giant Villa Paletti (stacking game) proved very popular with the youngsters – we heard several booms and crashes that announced the end of that game often. The kids don’t just game with each other.Frequently you’ll see adults playing games such as Loopin Louie or Epic Duels with the younger set.
The first evening of the event, a Welcome Party was held.Everyone participated in a game called Take it Easy, which is sort of like Bingo.Then an elaborate game of tiddly winks had the entire hall (99people) on their knees. The whole point was to have fun in a nactivity that the adults and kids could enjoy together.
For three solid days the Gulf Games party went on. Folks come and go as they wish, some game constantly, others go explore the community. (I went on a Savannah Ghost walking tour.) A few special events were sprinkled through, such as a Liar’s Dice tournament, a Werewolf party, a Hilarium tournament – but the events are purely optional, and are merely there to elevate the fun factor.
Imagine being surrounded by 99 folks who intensely enjoy being together, who share a common love of social board gaming, and implicitly trust each other. Powerful stuff! In ten events, Gulf Games has never had a problem with someone stealing a game, or willfully damaging another’s property. Most people who attend Gulf Games try to come on a regular basis. The friendships grow stronger and stronger with each event – yet they are always open to new friends.
Gulf Games does have a limit of 100 people. Gulf Games has the potential of being a bigger event, yet they decided to limit the size, so that the small-get-to-know-everyone feel of Gulf Games can endure. Attendees must be invited. If you participate online, (and are a fun positive correspondent)Greg will happily invite you to a Gulf Games. Since the potential demand for slots is high,Greg relies on a first-come basis for registration. This allows the event to remain open to new and previous attendees alike.
The hall is elaborately decorated, with game posters, pictures of the gamers, hanging signs. Each player gets a badge and decorates it with badges for each game they win. The badges are either pictures of the game, or just something silly. I took one that said “Needs Supervision”. Winning the most games was one of the contests held.
There is a snack area too. Sodas and chips, etc. were constantly available.
What we decide to do with South West Games is up to us. We may want to borrow some of the ideas Gulf Games uses, and I’m sure we’ll come up with our own brand of fun too. I can hardly wait!