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Well, here we are.
Arcanacon 2001 was the first summer Arcanacon, and apart from some comments on the warmth, everyone seemed to have a pretty good time. So we're doing it again - welcome to Akenaken XX, Wonders of the Ancient World.
As you've probably gathered, in 2002 Arcanacon Roleplaying Convention puts on its funny hat and becomes Akenaken XX to help celebrate the 2002 theme - Wonders of the Ancient World. This year we have games galore partaking of the theme - 18 of them, from Egypt to Britain to South America and more.
But its not just the themed event, you don't get off that lightly. Akenaken XX consists of 37 events all up - 14 tabletops, 1 freeform and 3 special events in the Ancient World theme, 11 table tops, 4 freeforms and 5 special events set in times and places other than the Ancient World. Arcanacon will also be featuring videos, traders and the essential and well-stocked foodstall, packed with goodies.
A games convention is a three or four day games-fest held to run and play various types of roleplaying games. It's not just for established gamers - plenty of games are written and presented specifically for newcomers to roleplaying. If you're new to gaming, keep an eye out for the games with little or no system knowledge - these games are easy for new roleplayers to pick up quickly and run with.
If you're an established gamer, you can try out game systems or playing styles that are new to you, especially freeforms (which are rarely run outside of conventions), see how others write and run a game, and pick up some new approaches to old games. You can meet other gamers who share your interests and swap anecdotes and ideas. You also have a chance to buy gaming stuff you probably haven't seen before. If you're into minatures or board games, it can be hard to find opponents (and time!) - a convention provides a meeting place for plenty of fellow enthusiasts.
People who come to games conventions are generally eager to have a good time, forget about mundane matters for a few days, mingle with other players and generally play games until they drop.
Most of all, conventions are fun!
So what's Arcanacon about? All of the above, really. More specifically, Arcanacon provides an opportunity for gamers to share the many facets of our hobby. We want to promote roleplaying to both existing gamers and interested newcomers, and to provide a forum for new ideas and innovations. Most importantly, we all want to have a good time doing all of this!
Akenaken XX will be held at Collingwood College, Hoddle St, not quite opposite the Collingwood Town Hall (Melways 2C, G9). It is close to Collingwood Station and Johnston St, and effectively on Hoddle St.
In 2002, the convention will be held over the Australia Day weekend, the 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th of January. Festivities begin at 2pm on the Friday and continue until prizegiving at 7.30pm on the Monday, in the process cramming in 13 sessions of roleplaying, wargames, boardgames, theatre games and more.
If you have any queries about Akenaken XX please contact arcanacon@vurt.net or
Damien on 9885 9581 or
Martin on 9387 6248.
You can also contact the convention organisers by post, at this address:
Arcanacon XX
P.O. Box 181
Ashburton 3147
If a tournament organiser has supplied contact details please direct any enquiries about that tournament to them. For privacy reasons, some tournament organisers have declined to list contact details. If you wish to speak to one of these organisers, ring the Arcanacon number and give us your name and phone number. We will pass this onto the tournament organiser, who will then ring you.
This year, we have a Convention Phone Number to allow people to ring into the convention. The phone will be kept at the Registration Desk - any messages received will be posted on the Noticeboard so please check it regularly. Note that with over 200 people 'somewhere' on-site, we cannot track down individuals to relay messages in person. The number is:
0408 842 266 or
0408 VIC CON (if that's easier to remember).
This number will only be active during the four days of the convention - outside those days, please contact either Damien or Martin.
If you have any special needs, eg ground floor access only, please contact us before the convention so that we can make the desired arrangements for you.