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]]>So without further ado, let’s take a look at this year’s DunDraCon, explore all that it had to offer, and see how it played out.
Location
DunDraCon 49 continued the convention’s streak of staying in the Santa Clara Marriott, which has remained an excellent location. The hotel is large enough to hold multiple game rooms of all sizes, including smaller hotel rooms for individual game sessions, and could fit the attendees nicely. Check-in and check-out were both quick and painless, so attendees could drop off their bags and get to gaming quickly.
Attendees could dine at the hotel’s bar or restaurant, although that did mean having to choose between hotel prices and convention quality. Fortunately, there were also plenty of options within an easy walking distance, including bagels, Mexican food, ramen, and pizza, with even more options a short drive away. (Driving was an easy option, since the convention had a special parking price of $5 per day, with in-and-out privileges for hotel guests.)
Gaming
Of course, people don’t go to DunDraCon just for the location – they go for the games! Suffice to say, there were plenty of options for all gamers, whether they were looking for a pickup game of Magic: The Gathering or wanted to get fully in-character for a LARP.
DDC featured a large assortment of scheduled games throughout the weekend, starting as early as 8 AM and running late into the night. Players could sign up for these games in advance online, but if any spots remained open during the con, they could try to grab one while there. These scheduled games included a wide variety of RPGs (plenty of Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder, of course, but also newer systems like DIE, Daggerheart, and Draw Steel), as well as board games like Wingspan, Red Dragon Inn, and even Trogdor: The Board Game.
Speaking of RPGs, Pathfinder Society was back with organized play for Paizo’s RPGs. They hosted multiple tables throughout the weekend, covering several levels of play, including a five-hour multi-table game on Saturday night. Organized play is a fun opportunity for players to bring their characters across conventions and stores, and many familiar faces continue to reunite for more adventures year after year. (There was still no Dungeons & Dragons Adventurers League at DDC, but that’s been the case for a while now.)
Some of the biggest games were Live-Action Role Playing games (LARPs), which filled large rooms to bring players through an interactive adventure. Many LARPers showed up in costume for their games, while other players experienced LARPing for the first time. The convention had a table where players could sign up for open spots in upcoming LARPs, complete with a useful flier explaining the system of hand signs players could use to signal comfort levels during the game.
Although when we talk about “big” games, that’s where the Miniatures Room came in. Players waged war with large-scale sets and tables, featuring detailed miniatures and impressive set pieces. The game pieces may technically be “miniatures,” but the games were anything but that.
Of course, players didn’t necessarily need to sign up in advance to enjoy a game, because there were multiple Free Play rooms. Players could go there with a group and grab a free table, or look for a “Players Wanted” flag to learn a new game.
Attendees didn’t even need to bring their own games, as DunDraCon’s game library featured an extensive assortment of options for all ages.
Players could even provide playtesting and feedback for games in progress in the Protospiel room. There, up-and-coming game designers were showing off their newest works, receiving valuable feedback while letting players try a game they’ve almost certainly never seen before. The Protospiel room was always a popular draw and is a great resource for game developers looking to reach players and see how their games work with a large and varied group of gamers.
Even walking down the halls, it was impossible not to see games in action. Some players took tables in the lobby to relax with casual games, while other halls had rows of tables set up for massive Dice Throne tournaments.
No matter what type of game you were looking for, DunDraCon had it.
Panels & Seminars
If attendees wanted to sit down and take a break from gaming, they could always check out seminars. These panels covered a wide range of topics, including a “Storytelling for Games” workshop, a presentation on “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Context of Tabletop Gaming,” and plenty of War College presentations that blended real world history and war game design.
The panels were hosted by experienced presenters, making them informative and entertaining experiences. Some delved into topics people don’t normally associate with games, like the criminal justice system, while others were hands-on workshops for embroidering or designing terrain.
Miniature Painting
DunDraCon’s Miniature Painting Room has, for several years, been a great place for attendees to sit, chat, make new friends, and paint free miniatures. This year was no exception, as the Painting Room remains one of the best parts of the con (in this writer’s opinion, sure, but it’s a commonly shared one).
The Painting Room featured rows of tables and chairs and a Paint ‘n’ Take table, so attendees could grab a free miniature and some paint, then get to painting. The staff was always welcoming, friendly, and eager to help new painters learn some tricks, so the room remained full for most of the weekend.
Saturday and Sunday also featured painting contests. Participants had until 5 PM to paint a miniature to the best of their abilities, and convention attendees could vote on their favorites, with the winners getting little 3D-printed dragons to commemorate their wins. The contests showcased some amazing miniatures from attendees, and the level of competition has only improved with each passing year.
(Full disclosure: I spent a lot of time in the painting room, and only barely managed to maintain my streak of taking home a tiny dragon by tying for third place once. Clearly, I need to up my game for next year.)
Weapons and Demos
If there’s one thing tabletop gamers like as much as their games, it’s medieval weapons and getting to whack friends with foam swords. (I’m pretty sure that’s a proven fact, though I can’t point you to any studies on it.) Well, DunDraCon had that as well.
The convention featured fighting demonstrations by Amtgard and The Society for Creative Anachronism. Attendees could check out their display room to see armor and clothing, try their hand at leatherwork, or see people bop each other with foam weapons for a bit.
Or, for those looking for a cracking good time (that’s a horrible pun, and I apologize), Randy Bartlett brought his 20+ years of whip experience to the convention with demonstrations and lessons throughout the weekend.
Shopping (and Free Stuff)
Of course, DunDraCon is a convention, and for many that means shopping. DDC’s Dealer’s Hall was packed with booths, including nearby game stores and vendors, artists, and even local game designers. Attendees could buy 3D printed figurines, discounted games, RPG supplies, jewelry, and of course, tons of dice (because we all love pretty math rocks that go clickety-clack).
Additionally, the Games Auction was an exciting chance to buy and sell games, where attendees bid on donated games. On Monday morning, attendees could sell and buy their well-loved games at the Bazaar. There, lucky attendees could find hidden treasure and out-of-print games, while sellers could find new homes for old favorites.
Or, if you’d rather not pay for anything, the Freecycle table was constantly filled with games that attendees dropped off to rehome.
And More
DunDraCon didn’t stop there, as there was plenty more to see and do. Other attractions included:
- The Anime Room, where attendees could relax and watch a great combination of new and classic anime series.
- A Kids’ Room for children to play, have fun, and even learn a little.
- An unofficial Hawaiian Shirt Day, which is exactly what it sounds like. (Although it was included in the convention’s program book, the entire section was surrounded by the word “Unofficial” over and over.)
- A blood drive from the Stanford Bloodmobile, so attendees could give back and donate.
- Pin Trading, for those who like collecting and trading commemorative pins.
- Drawings and contests throughout the weekend for free prizes, ranging from game books to figurines to GenCon tickets.
President’s Day and Valentine’s Day may have fallen on the same weekend, but for DunDraCon attendees, those days meant little. The convention weekend was filled with games of all sorts, providing no shortage of fun for all. Whether you’re there for gaming, shopping, seminars, or hours of painting miniatures, DunDraCon remains a great way for tabletop gamers to meet, play, and enjoy a nice, long weekend of fun.
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]]>So, let’s look at DunDraCon 48 and see how the convention went.
Gaming
Naturally, tabletop games were DunDraCon’s biggest draw. The convention had multiple open gaming rooms of varying sizes, which were packed throughout the weekend with attendees playing board games. Those who didn’t bring their own could borrow one from an expansive board game library or find a table with a “players wanted” sign set up.
DunDraCon also featured a room for large-scale miniatures games, featuring massive diorama displays and sets. The boards were filled with painted miniatures, engaged in battles and skirmishes across the massive tables.
The Protospiel Room remained a popular attraction, giving game designers a chance to show off their creations. Attendees could stop by and playtest games in progress and provide feedback, or get a sneak preview of games to come.
And for the younger gamers, there was a Kids’ Room, where they could play friendly, casual games with other children.
Attendees could also sign up for scheduled games, typically RPGs or larger board games. While these sign-ups were primarily online, attendees could also try to sign up for any with seats available at the con. Each game was held in its own room in the hotel, ensuring the players would have control over the space and noise levels.
As far as role-playing games went, DunDraCon had a schedule of LARPS alongside their TTRPGs. These hosted large amounts of players, who engaged in games of storytelling that covered everything from vampires to dealing with fae to Star Wars. Like the other games, players could sign up for these in advance, and even the largest of games had hefty wait lists.
In short: DunDraCon lived up to its reputation as a convention packed full of games and activities.
Pathfinder Society
The last few years of DunDraCon saw a surprising lack of organized play for RPGs, with both Pathfinder Society and D&D Adventurers League absent. This year, Pathfinder Society made its return, with a room dedicated to adventures in Golarion, along with Starfinder Society’s sci-fi quests.
The Pathfinder Society room had multiple tables playing games across the weekend, covering players and characters of all levels. The local organizer even had Paizo gift cards to distribute to players, along with rewards for GMs running games. On Saturday night, Pathfinder players gathered for a large multi-table quest, where characters between levels 1-8 could contribute to their overall success.
Shopping
What did attendees do when they weren’t playing games? Buy more games, of course. DunDraCon’s dealer’s hall had several vendor and artist booths, selling games, gaming accessories, artwork, handcrafted goods, and more. These included local stores and independent artists, so there was a nice variety of options on display.
Admittedly, the dealer’s hall wasn’t quite as busy as previous years, as the back row was surprisingly empty. However, that didn’t diminish the options that were still there.
Attendees could also buy pre-loved games in a few ways. First, there was an auction, where buyers could bid on rare finds. Then, on Monday morning, the bazaar allowed attendees to sell their old games and accessories or buy them at a discount.
For those looking to spend nothing, the Freecycle table was always full of old games, books, and puzzles attendees were looking to pass on to new homes.
Panels, Seminars, and More
DunDraCon had no shortage of panels and seminars to enjoy. They covered a wide range of topics, from wargaming to GM advice to diversity and inclusion in tabletop gaming, presented by experienced hosts who could bring their knowledge and advice to attendees. Anyone looking to sit down for a bit and enjoy the seminars could be sure to leave with some new knowledge and skills to share.
Additionally, the Anime Room was busy throughout the weekend, screening a fine selection of anime. Of course, there were plenty of fantasy series, such as this season’s “The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World” isekai and the self-explanatory “I May Be a Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time.” But it also included some classics and more recent non-fantasy series, such as a comparison of the classic and revived “Ranma 1/2” anime.
For those interested in weapon demonstrations, medieval crafts, or just whacking friends with foam weapons, DunDraCon also hosted both Amtgard and the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). They had a room where attendees could check out their gear, do a bit of leather crafting, and learn about the organizations, along with the occasional demonstration.
Miniature Painting
The Miniature Painting Room has been a staple at DunDraCon, and it was as active as ever this year. Experienced and enthusiastic miniature painters staffed the room, providing free miniatures, paints, brushes, and advice for anyone who wanted to sit down and paint a mini for their games.
Throughout the weekend, painters of all ages and experience levels came by to grab a mini, paint, and relax. The staffers there were friendly and happy to help, provide positive and constructive feedback, and chat with convention attendees.
Saturday and Sunday also had all-day mini painting contests. Anyone could paint a miniature and enter it in the contest in either the beginner or advanced category, and the votes were tallied through a combination of online and in-person voting. Winners would receive little 3D-printed dragon trophies (along with bragging rights) making it a fun, low-stakes competition that saw some incredibly impressive miniatures.
Attendees could also earn tiny dragon trophies by painting a meeple, with the only criteria for winning being to impress the staffers. As a result, the weekend saw many tiny meeples painted with creative and inventive designs.
Venue & Food
DunDraCon was held at the Santa Clara Marriott, as it has been for the past several years. It’s a convenient location with plentiful parking (which attendees could get discounted with validation) and plenty of rooms for all the games.
This year, DunDraCon had a golf cart shuttle to transport people from the farthest ends of the hotel to the main convention. This was a nice added amenity for those who could catch one, especially for the elderly, disabled, or just those with a lot of heavy games to carry.
The hotel had a fair share of food options, including a bar and a convention menu, although the convention food’s quality varied throughout the weekend. For those willing to walk a few blocks, there were more meal options available across the street, including places for bagels, Mexican food, and Japanese curry. The In-n-Out, a short drive or a moderate walk away, was also quite packed throughout the weekend.
Overall
DunDraCon has remained a staple of the Northern California gaming scene for nearly 50 years (give or take a pandemic year or two) and for good reason. With all the game rooms, gaming options, and shopping available, attendees could spend the whole weekend there and never grow bored.
Were there some areas for improvement? Sure, there always are; food quality is a concern at basically any convention, for instance, but those are minor issues that didn’t detract from the convention itself.
For tabletop gamers and gaming enthusiasts, DunDraCon remains a great way to enjoy a weekend full of games and entertainment.
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]]>The Venue
DunDraCon was held at the Santa Clara Marriott, utilizing the hotel space nicely. The largest rooms were set aside for shopping, open gaming, and similar large-scale events, while smaller rooms were set aside for individual games throughout the weekend. That allowed players to gather in a nice quiet room for their scheduled game sessions without fear of being interrupted or drowned out by background noise, and let players focus without disruption.
The hotel itself offered a decent variety of food options, from the hotel restaurant to daily buffets. Of course, those were all sold at typical hotel prices, so it wasn’t the cheapest. However, a row of restaurant options was just a short walk away, so attendees could grab a bagel, pizza, or burrito at far more reasonable prices.
Additionally, the Marriott had plentiful parking space and enough rooms for all attendees. Many who had attended the con before it moved to Santa Clara still have painful memories of struggling to find parking at any point in the day, but that was no longer an issue.
Games
Obviously, the biggest draw of DunDraCon was the gaming, and there were plenty of options. Attendees could schedule games in advance, which others could sign up for online. There was a wide variety of games, including several RPG systems and in-depth strategy board games, as well as LARP sessions where players could take on the role of characters and act through their adventures.
However, even those who didn’t sign up in advance could still find plenty to do. Several open gaming areas were set up so attendees could grab a game, grab a seat, and find players to befriend. The convention also offered a hefty game library with a nice assortment of options.
For attendees more interested in large-scale miniature games, there was an entire room dedicated to it. These often featured large diorama bases with detailed terrain, covered in hand-painted miniatures engaging in skirmishes, battles, and tests of ingenuity.
For younger gamers, there was a Children’s Room set up. This featured plenty of games designed for a younger audience, which they could pick up and learn under the guidance of staff members.
Those who wanted to try out new games before they hit the shelves (or demonstrate their upcoming games) could go to the Protospiel Room, where local game designers were running playtests and demos all weekend. Protospiel is an exciting opportunity to try out games while they’re still works in progress and provide feedback, and the room also offered raffle tickets to everyone who participated.
However, there was one very noticeable absence this DunDraCon: the lack of D&D or Pathfinder “organized play” games. Previous years would host both Dungeons & Dragons Adventurers League and Pathfinder Society games, and while last year only had Pathfinder, both were absent this time around. While there were rumors that the groups organizing those games disbanded, those were proven false by the local Adventurers League community hosting their own offsite event, with the organizers explaining that they left the con due to certain disputes.
While attendees interested in tabletop RPGs could still sign up for sessions hosted by other attendees, or run their own games, the organized play environment and the players that came with it were still missed. Many are hoping that the organizers will be able to come to an arrangement next year.
Shopping
While there were plenty of games to play, there were just as many to buy. DunDraCon’s Dealer’s Hall gave local vendors and artists a place to sell their goods, and there was no shortage of options. Several booths sold discounted games, while others offered handmade goods, artwork commissions, homemade dice, and more. Many an attendee left the hall with their wallets lighter and bags much heavier.
Attendees could even find hidden gems for free on the convention’s Freecycle Table. People could drop off games they no longer wanted there for others to pick up, and the offerings rotated significantly throughout the weekend as attendees snagged free games or left their own.
On Monday, DunDraCon held its Bazaar, where attendees could sell their old games and goods. The room was filled with shoppers looking for a great deal on well-loved games, helping the convention weekend end on a high note.
Seminars & Demos
Throughout the weekend, DunDraCon was host to an array of seminars, covering everything from wargame history to RPG horror stories. As 2024 celebrates the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, there were plenty of D&D-themed panels, including “50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons” and the “PlunderQuest Dungeon Grinder Game Show,” which also gave away D&D books as players introduced their characters only to meet a hilariously gruesome death.
Other seminars covered important topics, such as “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Context of Tabletop Gaming,” or provided advice on designing and running games or adventures. In short, there were plenty of panels for all to enjoy.
Several seminars also fell under the “War College” banner, focusing on not only wargames but real world and potential conflicts. While some of these were more sensitive subjects, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, they were still engaging and informative sessions.
Additionally, Amtgard and the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) were also present, featuring workshops, discussions, and combat demonstrations throughout the weekend. These included fencing, whips, and similar demonstrations for interested attendees.
Miniature Painting
Arguably one of the most popular rooms throughout the weekend was the Miniature Painting Room. Attendees could stop by, pick up a free miniature, and start painting. The room’s organizers were enthusiastic, friendly, and helpful from the moment the doors opened to the time the convention ended, making it a welcome environment for painters of all skill levels.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Miniature Painting Room hosted all-day speed painting contests. Interested attendees had until 5 PM each day to start and finish painting a miniature, and all competition pieces were put on display for attendees to vote on. Beginners and experienced painters alike were encouraged to compete in their categories, and several amazing miniatures won prizes. (Full disclosure: this reporter also entered on Saturday and ended up placing in the advanced category.)
Game On
This was a year of many changes for DunDraCon, including an overhaul of its volunteer system. However, the convention remains a fun and exciting event for gamers of all ages, experience levels, and favorite games. There was no shortage of games to enjoy, shopping to do, and miniatures to paint, and anyone walking the halls could see plenty of attendees enjoying themselves.
(The lack of D&D Adventurers League and Pathfinder Society was a notable omission, but hopefully it will work out for future conventions. After all, it feels odd to have a DunDraCon without the DUNgeons or DRAgons.)
So as the long weekend came to a close, DunDraCon attendees returned to their homes with new games, new miniatures, and new memories of a weekend well-spent.
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]]>So how was DunDraCon 2023, and what is there for attendees to look forward to?
Open Gaming
Whether you’re a wargamer invested in massive tabletop skirmishes or a hobbyist looking for a few rounds of a new game you picked up, DunDraCon has room for it. The convention had multiple rooms for games of all sorts, including an open gaming area, wargaming area, and a massive library of games for players to borrow.
Some players went all out with sprawling setups, covering entire tables with armies of miniatures. Others would sit down at an open table, set up a “Players Wanted” sign and see who’d join in. Of course, there were also plenty of collectible card games to be played as well, with “Magic: The Gathering” tournaments for every format. Gamers of all levels of experience and preferences could find something worth playing there.
Players could also stop by the Protospiel room to try out new games that designers are working on. The designers were happy to demonstrate their works in progress and gather feedback, giving players a sneak peek at what’s to come.
Scheduled Games
Of course, not all games were done on a drop-in basis. DunDraCon’s schedule was packed with scheduled games that players could sign up for in advance, often tabletop RPGs, LARPs, and similar games. Game masters would submit their games on the DunDraCon website, where players could then sign up and save a spot.
The convention also hosted Starfinder and Pathfinder Society, the organized play systems for Paizo’s RPGs. While the room was on the small side (and hopefully next year they’ll have a larger room), it was always busy as players gathered to explore new adventures in Pathfinder 2nd edition or take to the stars in Starfinder.
Dungeons & Dragons Adventurers League was not present this year, although many are hoping it will return for 2024.
Shopping
What’s a convention without a dealer’s hall? DunDraCon has one of the best dealer’s halls for anyone looking to buy new games, dice, miniatures, or any other gaming accessories (or decals, or Hawaiian shirts). Some dealers had sprawling walls filled with games, others sold a selection of 3D printed dice towers, and local game stores also set up booths to sell their goods. (As always, it’s recommended to shop around and check prices before buying anything, because prices could often vary between booths.)
The weekend concluded with a swap meet, where attendees could sell their old games and accessories. The swap meet room was crowded and bustling as interested buyers sought out great deals on gently-used games, or even better deals on less-than-gently used ones.
And for those who wanted to pick up something but didn’t want to spend, there was even a Freecycle table where people could donate old games.
Miniature Painting
One of the best places to spend time at DunDraCon was undoubtedly the miniature painting room. Throughout the weekend, attendees could sit down, grab a free miniature, and paint it up however their hearts desired, with helpful tips from the experienced team running the room.
Saturday and Sunday included miniature painting contests, where attendees could pick an upainted mini (or bring their own), spend the day painting it, then submit it for voting by other attendees. There was some fierce competition this year, with skilled painters breaking out all their best tricks to win, and there were some incredible miniatures on display.
And more
That’s just the tip of the DunDraCon iceberg. Other attractions included:
- A room for costumers, reenactors, and anyone who enjoys beating their friends with foam swords
- Outdoors combat demos
- Multiple panels and seminars, covering everything from the history of games to great debates in wargaming
- Anime screening rooms (featuring no shortage of isekai series)
- The Convergence of Costumes, where cosplayers paraded through the hotel and participated in a free raffle
DunDraCon 2023 provided plenty of entertainment and no shortage of games to try, making it a great event for anyone looking to enjoy a long weekend filled with games. DunDraCon will return in 2024, and it will be exciting to see what new games and activities come with it.
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