Origins After-Action Report

[The Gorn]

This came from GAMA...

"Thanks for another great Origins Game Fair in Columbus, Ohio! If you
had a chance to make it to the event, you were one of over 10 thousand
gaming enthusiasts who enjoyed the show. Although attendance numbers
were down by approximately 18% from 2008, day-pass ticket sales
increased by nearly 16% which means more people were introduced to the
hobby this year than ever before.

This year also saw an increase in sponsors for Origins, more vendors
in the exhibit hall, expanded open gaming, an impressive Art Show and
Art College, and many other great events and seminars..."

Not sure how to interpret the day-pass info, but....

a. There were 2200 less people than last year. Probably 1500 of those were
Pokemon players, family, and staff. The economy was likely responsible
for the rest.

b. Increase in sponsors and vendors. It seemed to me like there were more
vendors there.

I think from the perspective of the gaming industry in general, this is good
news.

I've seen people say things like "Origins is dying" and "They discussed
canceling it this year." Granted, it took a hit (largely due to Nationals moving)
but it's still in pretty good shape. That's good news all the way around.

Here's hoping Gencon stays strong.

 

[Prime]

What games are not at Origins anymore? Is YGO there? Is MTG there? VS system isn't going on anymore, is it? Is Naruto or DB there? (I mean, tournaments like Nats or Regionals being held there).

 

[The Gorn]

The CCGs were pretty much all gone from the gaming hall. Except that there was a big Magic thing (I guess there's a re-boot of Magic or something). It wasn't being run by WOTC though. I was surprised by the number of players they had actually.

No Yu Gi Oh. They left 2 years ago, right?

Naruto had a very large booth in the vendor hall. I'm not sure what's going on with that.

Is VS system even around?

CCG like LOTR, L5R, Seven Seas, Deadlands, ... those entire card games seem to have died.

And all the clicky figure games (Heroclix, etc.) seem to have died as well.

Origins was chock-full of tabletop games, role-playing games, miniatures (their hall was monstrous), and those darn LARPers (who seem to be getting bigger, both in numbers and in girth).

 

[kwisdumb]

Anything by Wizkids (Heroclix, Horrorclix, Pirates) aren't being produced anymore, either is V s. System.

I believe Naruto and Dragonball have their big tournaments at GenCon.

Thanks for the Origins info. I've never gone, but I've been interested in seeing the financial state of things like this post-economic crisis.

In my opinion, just from the demographics at my LCS/LGS, Naruto and Dragonball being held at ORIGINS would help it more than anything.

Thanks again.