Let's discuss growing up and gaming!

[VV_GM]

I posted on Gnome Stew recently about a seminar that myself, Telas, and others gave at Gen Con 2009 titled "All Grown Up and Still Gaming". There is a recording of the seminar available on Gnome Stew at this link.

We had a great time presenting this topic, and I want to start hosting online discussions as a followup to these events here at the tavern. I hope you all get something out of the recording, but I also hope that we can continue to learn more as we discuss it even further.

[AdmLee]

Well, I found out about Tabletop Adventures' products, and I aim to get them soon. 

I've been playing/GMing for 28 years or so, married a gamer, have two kids.  The concept of "Wife Karma" (we call 'em "wife points") takes on a different spin when one also has to include babysitting the kids so the spouse can also go play.  Or trying to arrange for sitting so we can play together.  Our D&D group is 3 couples, turning all of the children loose in the host's house has been an effective solution. 

Conventions have been a particular problem, we usually only go to Origins (because we live in Columbus), and we have to take shifts so that the kids can get fed and go to sleep on time. 
I look forward to when the guys can or will  play on their own, and we can all go together.

I've never really had a problem with gaming and the attitudes of others.  Yesterday, the postman (new guy in the neighborhood) dropped off a box of minis and asked me what I play.  He RPs, too, it turns out!

[VV_GM]

My wife doesn't game at all, so for me the conventions are usually a solo trip. That is cool in some ways, because I get to hang out with my friends and have a lot less responsibility in general.

The problem is that I now have to divide my vacation time between family and hobby. I'd like for my family to join me one year at Gen Con, Origins, or whatever convention I might be attending, but what I don't want them to be dragged into what daddy considers fun. Let's face it - Columbus, Indy, pretty much all of the gaming convention locations that I can think of do not have as much to offer as a nice cruise or Orlando.

Are there any gaming conventions that are actually near some truly family friendly resorts?

[Telas]

Neoncon - Las Vegas (which really depends on your definition of "family friendly").  There's also some kind of "gamer cruise" that I've never checked into.  And there was that "game in Hawaii" thing, but it was 4E all the time, and if I'm going to be on a tropical island, I'd rather go diving...

I suspect that wargaming is originally a northern thing.  In the temperate parts of the country we can actually go outside in winter without risking frostbite.    Which probably explains the upper midwest as 'convention central'.

But you're right; someone should put together a serious con in Orlando or San Diego, so the spouses can take the kids to Disney while the husbands are acting like kids.  My wife doesn't game, but I don't want to push her to go to Gen Con, especially not with a toddler.  I have considered arriving early or staying late and seeing the sights for a couple of days, then having a bit of overlap with Gen Con.  Origins is another option because my wife has family and friends in Ohio. 

[AdmLee]

The Columbus Area Boardgaming Society (CABS) had this year's annual convention in a hotel with attached indoor water park. That's as close as I know to having a con at a resort site, and I don't believe that would hold for 4 days.

I suppose any medium-to-big city would have enough museums to hold a non-gaming family's attention for 3+ days, but I don't know that it would hold for repeat visits.

[VV_GM]

Sounds like as the gaming consumer ages a new type of convention is needed.

Which sounds like a great business opportunity for someone who live in a relatively warm area near a major city who understands both the gamer's and the family person's needs.

Telas... we should talk.

[longcoat000]

There's Strategicon over President's Day weekend in Los Angeles (about 40 miles away from Disneyland), and I remember a convention taking place in the Anaheim Convention Center (about a stone's throw away from Disneyland) sometime last December, but I don't know if it's annual or not.

[Telas]

Which sounds like a great business opportunity for someone who live in a relatively warm area near a major city who understands both the gamer's and the family person's needs.

Telas... we should talk.

Oh yeah, like we have time for another project right now...