The Wolverine Gaming Club sponsored the University Convention this weekend at the Michigan Union - but participants didn't go hunting for furry animals. Instead, about 700 people went to test their skills at role-playing and battle games.
Participants played board games, miniatures games and role-playing games. Companies also featured new games and UCon hosted special guest Richard Garfield, creator of the game "Magic."
"(People attend conventions) because finding a place to play games is not easy," Garfield said. "You need to find lighting, people to play with and a place. Conventions provide that. They bring people in to play."
UCon is a branch of the Gaming Club, which meets once a week in the Union.
"People aren't compelled to be here (at gaming club meetings), like they are in political groups," said Joseph Saul, chair of UCon. "This is more of a hobbyist-type group. Attendance varies on people's class schedules. Near finals there is almost no one at meetings."
On the other hand, UCon draws a larger number of participants from across the state and from Canada. The convention is one of six major conventions in the state each year. It is the second largest in Michigan.
"This is my third time coming to the convention," said Allen Shock, a Mount Pleasant resident. "I get to meet other people who like my hobby and try new things. I heard about it from my friends who first attended in 1988."
The convention was open to both experienced gamers and beginners.
"We want to make (games) available. Anyone who has a hobby wants to share," Saul said. "This is a good place to learn how to play games. There are over 200 events of different varieties."
UCon staff members said they were concerned about the number of people in attendance this year.
"We started up late with advertising this year," said Dave Morris, an Engineering graduate student. "Last year we had about 1,200 people, but this year we may only get 700."
Some exhibitors said they hope to show that computer games have become an activity that a group of people can share.
"We get more people to play, and it becomes more social," said Mark Lebay, who works at Digital Ops and hopes to open a store in Ann Arbor this year with his partner, Jon Rosenthal.
"We're promoting social interaction through graphic violence," Lebay said.
The convention is in its eighth year and is earning enough money to pay for itself each year. It also donates some of the proceeds to the Leukemia Society.
"A longtime member of UConn died of leukemia," Saul said. "We used to rotate charities, but since the death that has been our primary charity."