Well, I am just back from attending Historicon 2025 and have the loot and reduction in my bank account to prove it. Another nice event for HMGS and a must attend for gamers that make it to Lancaster Pennsylvania.
As usual, there were plenty of games being held for all periods and even some fantasy/sci-fi. The overall quality of game boards was high again (not so much at the tournaments). Most of the normal tournaments were held, but there were a few of the usuals missing (FOW/Team Yankee being the most obvious). Some nice speakers and always good classes at Hobby U. The usual vendor hall and flea market.
I decided to keep the trop short this year, as I felt the hotel rates in the area were a bit excessive. I think I will look into an AirBnB house and get a group of buddies to kick in to see if that helps with the price. If you could get into the hotel with the convention rate, that was a very good deal in retrospect. Unfortunately, it filled up to fast for me to pull that off.
The hotel is under renovation, so the lower level used for board gaming and the flea market was not open. It should be open next year. This year, they rammed the flea market into the main room with the tournaments. Let’s just say, it was a bit of a mad house… I have not been so close to some many people since being on the Tokyo subway… The lower floor renovation cannot come soon enough!
There were also a few regular vendors not in attendance (battlefront, BTC, etc.). Not quite sure why. I was hoping to pick up some of the direct order new releases, so that was a bit of a bummer. With that said, it did not stop me from spending on a whole bunch of other vendors!
Now I just need to unpack all the stuff I bought and plan for Fall in!
- Manteuffel
A few grid games amongst the fotos, cramped conditions are very bad for business these days – people expect space. That said in the uk the top northern? Shows are at Newark these days and very busy.
With the exception of the flea market, the space was fine. They almost always use hotel facilities here, so it is always a bit of a jigsaw puzzle to work out. However, you get the convenience of having your room and choices of food within walking distance (not usually the case for convention centers in the US).