The 3rd Annual Gamers for Cures 24 hour board game marathon to benefit Turner Syndrome Society of the US came and went in a flash! What was 6 months of planning, begging, advertising, volunteering, networking, and organizing all culminated to an absolutely amazing event on Nov 9th 2013. I absolutely couldn’t have been happier with both the resuts and the turnout as we had right around 40 marathon players and around 10 more who were overnight players. The foot traffic for the day was in the multiple hundreds easily, as no table was empty at all during the day. All that culminated in us shattering our fund raising goal. When the games stopped and the meeples were all put away, we tabulated the numbers and we raised $13,500 for TSSUS! I nearly fainted at that number and I will not lie it did bring a tear to many who were in attendance.
During the day we have a ton of events which go on including demos of games and painting/modeling, but we also had door prize raffles every 3 hours, in which anyone who was in the store had a chance to win one of a bunch of prizes we put out for each one. We of course also had the $1 raffles which could be bought and placed in one of 100 boxes to win the corresponding game/lot of games, and finally we had the big ticket raffles for $5 which we had a bunch of great prizes including an iPad and TV!
Here’s a little re-cap of the day through my eyes. (And I will do my best not to forget the games I got to play and what Lauren and DJ got to do through the day as well.
The event started as always, bright and early on Sat. , at 8am, with a bunch of great sandwiches donated by Chick Fil-A and some other tasty treats donated by Cinnabon as well. I didn’t get to do a whole lot of gaming in the morning time, between giving out the swag bags, making sure everyone had enough food for breakfast and just generally going over the day’s events and set up one last time with Crystal and Scott (The amazing store owners of The Gamers Armory who help make all of this possible with their amazing hospitality and help. Late in the morning Lauren got to play in a game of Ticket to Ride that I taught to a full group, and as always she had an absolute blast. She’s such an up and coming gamer. The TS often makes it harder for her to grasp some advanced visual and/or spatial concepts but she tries real hard and does an amazing job playing games.
After that game wrapped up Lauren wanted to try her hand at one of the demos going on for the day. We always have a ton of demos each and every event ranging from painting, to mini’s games to euro games to card games. This particular one was Wargames Factory’s Jim Goss leading a co-op zombie mini’s game for up to 8 people. It was a take on their Zombie Vixen’s line, in which up to 8 of us had to get from one side of the board to the other, all the while fighting hungry zombies lead by super model/vixen zombies which drew in hoards of male zombies to their side when they appeared on the map. What started as simply Lauren and myself commanding 8 survivors, quickly became 8-10 of us surrounding the table cheering and laughing at the game. It was an infectious fun that more and more people just wanted to be a part of. I was real proud of Lauren for trying out new things and getting into some mini’s gaming. Thanks to Jim for the well done demo!
Shortly after the zombie invasion was over Lauren and my son DJ headed over to the painting mini’s demo table. There we had some tanks and space marines, which were donated and Sandy H was helping people get started in learning the fun points of painting. She did an amazing job showing people, especially my kids as I couldn’t believe how good those models turned out!
While they were getting some painting going I got our lunch set up for the marathon players. Once again this year lunch was provided by Jersey Mike’s. They have been with us since the beginning of our events and they have never ceased to provide us with the best quality lunch and plenty of it! Thanks so much to such a great company for their help!
The afternoon was full of more demo goodness for me. I was able to demo one of my favorite games, the DC Comics Deck Building game. It’s a ton of fun for all ages, it’s easy to pick up, it’s quick and of course most importantly it’s got DC characters!!! All the participants loved it, and I of course, can never get enough of this great game. This card game theme continued on as next up was a 5 player game of Northstar Games’ Clubs. This light, family friendly, trick taking game is easily one of my favorites of this year and to no surprise was also a huge hit. While this was going on Lauren was getting into a game of Cinque Terre.
This is a real fun little Ticket to Ride meets Finca sort of game. She loved it, but she didn’t quite grasp all the deeper strategies of getting the tickets completed and getting the higher points for delivering goods, but none the less she couldn’t stop talking about how much fun she had playing it!
Next up was a small demo of the immensely popular Augustus. What has been dubbed “Gamer Bingo” by many, is easily one of my favorite games, both for that gate way game and for filling that small gap of time at the end of a night. My family loves it too, as it’s not too heavy and plays in less than an hour. We had fun playing it of course at the event, and the best thing you can say after doing a demo of a game, is not only that the other players loved it, but they immediately went and picked up a copy the very next day!
Dinner wasn’t far behind all of this demo fun (see how fast the day went? AMAZING!), and the marathon players enjoyed the food donations by Primo Pizza, Craft Public house and some delicious cheeseburgers from McDonalds!
The evening brought in some real fun social gaming. I am not usually one for playing in Werewolf type games but as I always say, those games are better with the right groupings of players so since I knew we had a bunch of great people around the table it was the perfect time for some! First up was BANG! The dice game. This is a quick moving game of (mostly) hidden objectives and (mostly)backstabbing. Each player has a hidden objective, outside of the sheriff, who just always wants the bad guys eliminated, and they are all trying to get their objective completed, all the while trying to convince the sheriff that they are his deputies. Dice are rolled shots are fired, beer is drunk (to heal health in the game) and Indians attack. It’s a quick pace game with tons of finger pointing and no trust anywhere and most importantly ABSOLUTELY FUN. We played it a few times during the marathon and I had a blast each time. This social game turned right into another social gamer favorite, The Resistance. We ended up picking up a couple of more players so The Resistance was a perfect choice to head into next. Many of us had never played the game before, but we all really got into it and I have to say I really enjoyed playing it. It’s not a game I would like to play with strangers, but one in which I can say would be real fun to play again with a bunch of my friends. Both times we played the Spies won, but hey I was a spy in the 1st game so it didn’t hurt quite as badly.
After all the social gaming goodness, it was nearly time to lock the doors and let the marathoners and over-night players get to the 2nd portion of the day, which is the overnight gaming. It seems like it went so fast but we still have 8 hours more to game!!!
But first, it was time for the raffles to be drawn!! We had the 90 boxes of $1 raffles and the big ticket raffles. I ended up winning Battles of Westeros and my lovely daughter came away with Cheeky Monkey. (A complete list of winners can be found at the bottom of this post). This was also the first year in which we opened up the raffles (both $1 and $5) to online sales through the Gamers Armory web story. It also was a big success. We had a bunch of winners for the box raffles and one of the big ticket winners was also an online sale.
Overnight is generally where I get in the majority of my heavier games. In the past I got to play some gems like Castles of Burgundy and a playtest of The Princes of The Dragon Throne. This year was no different with our test of the prototype of the Dice Hate Me 2014 release Brew Crafters. It’s an amazing game where you run your own brewery! It’s quite akin to Agricola in nature but a little less constricting on your available actions. A REAL good game , that I cannot wait to see next year.
While the Brew Crafters game was going on Adam O headed out to his patented Cook Out runs, that he frequently does during local cons and the like. While he was gone I got to play an old Reiner Knizia card game called Poison. It’s a typical Knizia game with math and funky scoring, but it didn’t overstay it’s welcome and I have to admit I liked it.
Only two more games to talk about so please stay awake with me!!!
Next up was our Wits and Wagers Demo/Game. W&W is quite possibly one of the best party/trivia game out there today. It’s a game in which you don’t actually have to know anything at all in order to win. You put your guesses on a erase board, they get sorted and everyone bets on who the correct one actually is. So in essence you can know nothing, and get none of the Q’s correct ever and STILL win the game. Thanks to Northstar Games for providing us with some copies of the game for prizes.
Last but certainly not least is an overnight staple at events and cons like these, Tier auf Tier (also known as Animal upon Animal, the on the bridge version). There is no replacement for the mindless fun and laughter this game brings. It’s a HABA game and you might have to hit up Amazon for a copy, but it’s one I CANNOT recommend enough. It’s for any age of player and weather you are a hard core gamer or just a new player you will LOVE the laughing and trash talking that erupts from a game of this.
So that about wraps up the 3rd annual GFC charity event. I really cannot thank all the sponsors, publishers, designers, the community enough(A good list can be found at the Gamers Armory GFC page). And another big thanks to Crystal and Scott from the Gamers Armory and their sons Alexander and Hunter who also did an amazing job helping out. Thanks to Carol, Mike and Robert who worked at the store during the event. A big THANKS to Adam Skelding who handled all of the graphical design of the posters and programs and online pieces. And of course a big thanks to all the volunteers from The Turner Syndrome Society who helped us that day, and for being there talking about TSS and for being great fans of our charity group.
Lauren with 2 TSS members Courtney and Barbara
And naturally none of this could be possible without the best Wife in the world, Janice you are amazing, and two of the greatest kids a guy could ask for, Lauren and DJ.
And of course thanks to all of you out there for supporting us and spreading the word about our event, without you none of these funds could be raised at all.
Remember next time you see me at a con or gaming event, I might just ask you to donate or be a part of the Gamers For Cures family! I know most publishers have seen my smile and begging face, and they will real soon again!!!
–GeekJock/Dan
(For another real good recap please check out Socially Inept Gamer)
Raffle Winners: Congratulations to our winners!!
Raffle Lot #1
Warhammer 40,000 Dark Vengeance
Donated By: Games Workshop
Winner: Adam Skelding
Raffle Lot #2
Venture Forth
Donated By: Minion Games
Winner: Ronald Watkins
Raffle Lot #3
Thunderstone: Thornwood Siege
Donated By: Travis Bryant
Winner: Cassandre Kowal
Raffle Lot #4
Coutier
Donated By: AEG Games
Winner: Casey Silva
Raffle Lot #5
Twilight Struggle Deluxe
Donated By: GMT Games
Winner: Eric Behymer
Raffle Lot #6
Descent: Journeys in the Dark (+ Token & Minis)
Donated By: Fantasy Flight
Winner: Brin Mackey
Raffle Lot #7
Bundle: Operation Cobra & Beyond the Beachhead 2
Donated By: Bounding Fire Productions
Winner: John Muje
Raffle Lot #8
Dungeon Roll
Donated By: Tasty Minstrel Games
Winner: Ginger Cherry
Raffle Lot #9
Mr. Jack
Donated By: Asmodee
Winner: Mike Mayer
Raffle Lot #10
Space Cadets Dice Duel (Signed by Designer)
Donated By: Stronghold Games
Winner: Timothy Edwards
Raffle Lot #11
Duel of Ages II
Donated By: Brett Murrell
Winner: Steven Brady
Raffle Lot #12
Panic on Wall Street
Donated By: ACD Distribution
Winner: John Pace
Raffle Lot #13
Legacy Expansion: Forbidden Machines
Donated By: Floodgate Games
Winner: Nicki Courson
Raffle Lot #14
Viva Java – The Coffee Game + Expansion
Donated By: Dice Hate Me
Winner: Burke Drew
Raffle Lot #15
Munchkin Deluxe
Donated By: Steve Jackson Games
Winner: Ronald Watkins
Raffle Lot #16
Dominant Species: The Card Game
Donated By: GMT Games
Winner: Timothy Edwards
Raffle Lot #18
Apocalypse Survivors “The Men”
Donated By: Wargames Factory
Winner: Butch Arthur
Raffle Lot #19
Tahiti
Donated By: Minion Games
Winner: Casey Silva
Raffle Lot #20
Lost Temple
Donated By: Stronghold Games
Winner: Tom Gurgarus
Raffle Lot #21
Battle of Westeros (with miniatures)
Donated By: The Gamer’s Armory
Winner: Dan Patriss
Raffle Lot #22
The Great Heartland Hauling Co. + Expansion
Donated By: Dice Hate Me
Winner: Kerry McManus
Raffle Lot #23
Dreadball Deluxe (figures painted by TGA in Display)
Donated By: Mantic Games
Winner: Matt Parker
Raffle Lot #24
Go Fetch It!
Donated By: ACD Distribution
Winner: Cassandre Kowal
Raffle Lot #25
King Philip’s War
Donated By: Multi Man Publishing
Winner: Allison Mcwaters
Raffle Lot #26
Relic Runners
Donated By: Days of Wonder
Winner: Adam Reeves
Raffle Lot #27
Command & Colors Ancients: Greece vs. Eastern Kingdom
Donated By: GMT Games
Winner: Ronald Watkins
Raffle Lot #28
Citadel Paint Hobby Starter Set
Donated By: Games Workshop
Winner: Luann Hensel
Raffle Lot #29
Fleet (Kickstarter)
Donated By: Matt Riddle & Ben Pinchback
Winner: James Neely, Jr.
Raffle Lot #30
City of Remnants
Donated By: Plaid Hat Games
Winner: Jeremy Maciejewski
Raffle Lot #31
City of Iron
Donated By: Red Raven
Winner: Ronald Watkins
Raffle Lot #32
The New Science
Donated By: Conquistador Games
Winner: Wray Ferrell
Raffle Lot #33
Space Empires 4X
Donated By: The Gamer’s Armory|
Winner: David Wingler
Raffle Lot #34
Dixit
Donated By: ACD Distribution
Winner: Adam Reeves
Raffle Lot #35
Yoda Wooden Wall Art
Donated By: High Tech Treasures
Winner: Kelly Watkins
Raffle Lot #36
Chewbacca Wooden Wall Art
Donated By: High Tech Treasures
Winner: Crystal Blanton
Raffle Lot #37
Command & Colors Ancients
Donated By: GMT Games
Winner: Tony Chen
Raffle Lot #38
Pathfinder: The Inner Sea World Guide
Donated By: Paizo Publilshing
Winner: Mike Tavares
Raffle Lot #39
Compounded: Better Gaming Through Chemistry
Donated By: Dice Hate Me Games
Winner: Scott Blanton
Raffle Lot #40
Viticulture 2013
Donated By: Stonemaier Games
Winner: Lynn Dubar
Raffle Lot #41
MTG From the Vault: Realms
Donated By: The Gamer’s Armory
Winner: Jacquline Coronilla
Raffle Lot #42
Star Wars Edge of the Empire Core Rulebook
Donated By: Fantasy Flight
Winner: Robert Barker
Raffle Lot #43
France ‘40
Donated By: GMT Games
Winner: Mark Palmer
Raffle Lot #44
Ticket To Ride: the Heart of Africa
Donated By: Days of Wonder
Winner: Tracy Lankford
Raffle Lot #45
Time ‘N’ Space
Donated By: Stronghold Games
Winner: Steven Herr
Raffle Lot #46
Canterbury
Donated By: Quixotic Games
Winner: Dan Patriss
Raffle Lot #47
Ticket to Ride
Donated By: Alliance Game Distributors
Winner: Stephen Brady
Raffle Lot #48
Pathfinder Bundle: The Worldwound/Faith & Philosophies
Donated By: Paizo Publishing
Winner: Butch Arthur
Raffle Lot #49
Jungle Speed
Donated By: Asmodee
Winner: Chad Barker
Raffle Lot #50
Pathfinder Core Rulebook
Donated By: Paizo Publishing
Winner: Chris Olsson
Raffle Lot #51
Trains
Donated By: AEG Games
Winner: Tracy Lankford
Raffle Lot #52
Navajo Wars
Donated By: GMT Games
Winner: Mike Hartshorn
Raffle Lot #53
Milestones
Donated By: Stronghold Games
Winner: John Taylor
Raffle Lot #54
Pandemic
Donated By: Z-Man Games
Winner: Casey Silva
Raffle Lot #55
Pandemic: In the Lab Expansion
Donated By: Z-Man Games
Winner: Peter Soloninka
Raffle Lot #56
Pandemic: On the Brink Expansion
Donated By: Z-Man Games
Winner: Adam Yonce
Raffle Lot #57
D&D Magic Items Compedium
Donated By: The Gamer’s Armory
Winner: April Gollar
Raffle Lot #58
Carnival + Expansion
Donated By: Dice Hate Me
Winner: James Neely, Jr.
Raffle Lot #59
Cuba Libre
Donated By: GMT Games
Winner: Matt Parker
Raffle Lot #60
Grave Business
Donated By: Minion Games
Winner: Wray Ferrell
Raffle Lot #61
The Supreme Commander
Donated By: GMT Games
Winner: Andrew Henrick
Raffle Lot #62
Dominare
Donated By: AEG Games
Winner: Vincent Reyes
Raffle Lot #63
1989: Dawn of Freedom
Donated By: GMT Games
Winner: Cassandre Kowal
Raffle Lot #64
MTG Return to Ravnica Guild Pack Bundle
Donated By: The Gamer’s Armory
Winner: Shawn Purtell
Raffle Lot #65
Steampunk Jewelry (Necklace)
Donated By: Nenne’s Little Treasures
Winner: Laura Drew
Raffle Lot #66
Steampunk Jewelry Set (Necklace & Bracelet)
Donated By: Nenne’s Little Treasures
Winner: Anna Naples
Raffle Lot #67
Advanced Squad Leader – Starter Kit #1
Donated By: Multi Man Publishing
Winner: Adam Reed
Raffle Lot #68
Advanced Squad Leader – Starter Kit #2
Donated By: Multi Man Publishing
Winner: Voss Graham
Raffle Lot #69
Advanced Squad Leader – Starter Kit #3
Donated By: Multi Man Publishing
Winner: Voss Graham
Raffle Lot #70
Mercante
Donated By: AEG Games
Winner: Breck Roundtree
Raffle Lot #71
Castellan (Yellow & Green International Version)
Donated By: Steve Jackson Games
Winner: Tyler Cooke
Raffle Lot #72
Fallen City of Karez
Donated By: Golden Egg Games
Winner: Chad Ramsey
Raffle Lot #73
Sword of Rome: Conquest of Italy 362-272 BC
Donated By: Wray Ferrell (Designer)
Winner: Tracy Lankford
Raffle Lot #74
Garden Dice
Donated By: Meridae Games
Winner: The Gaddys
Raffle Lot #75
Munchkin Apocalypse
Donated By: Steve Jackson Games
Winner: Ginger Cherry
Raffle Lot #76
Eight-Minute Empire
Donated By: Red Raven
Winner: Brant Guillory
Raffle Lot #77
Pathfinder Bundle: Chronicle o/t Righteous & Demon Hunter’s Handbook)
Donated By: Paizo Publishing
Winner: Swanson
Raffle Lot #78
A Distant Plain
Donated By: GMT Games
Winner: Ian Harris
Raffle Lot #79
Canadian Crucible
Donated By: Multi Man Publishing
Winner: Vincent Reyes
Raffle Lot #80
Gamer’s Armory – Grey Game Bag w/ Lid
Donated By: The Gamer’s Armory
Winner: James Neely, Jr.
Raffle Lot #81
Hide the Kids!
Donated By: ACD Distribution
Winner: Evan Niconienko
Raffle Lot #82
King of Tokyo
Donated By: Iello
Winner: Elizabeth Calcutt
Raffle Lot #83
Bundle: Munchkin Fu & Munchkin Fu 2 – Monky Business
Donated By: Steve Jackson Games
Winner: Stephen Barrera
Raffle Lot #84
Bundle: Munchkin Bites & Munchkin Bites 2 Pants Macabre
Donated By: Steve Jackson Games
Winner: Stephen Barrera
Raffle Lot #85
Cartoona
Donated By: Game Salute
Winner: Jenny Purcell
Raffle Lot #86
Bundle: The Walking Dead Board Game & Card Game
Donated By: Cryptozoic
Winner: John Koski
Raffle Lot #87
Cheeky Monkey – Stuffed Animal w/ Game inside
Donated By: Eagle/Gryphon Games
Winner: Lauren Patriss
Raffle Lot #88
Bundle: Goblins Drool Fairies Rule Game & Puzzle
Donated By: Game Salute
Winner: Todd Derr
Raffle Lot #89
Bundle: Flames of War Achtung Box Set & 2 Blister Sets
Donated By: Battlefront Miniatures
Winner: Daniel Edwards
Raffle Lot #90
Bundle: DC Deck Building Game + Promos + Playmat
Donated By: Cryptozoic
Winner: Ruth Boyack
