Gamers skip football, head to Union convention instead

Held on all floors of the Union, U-Con brings together people of all ages. Along with role-playing, gamers delved in much heated battles of miniatures, board games and collectible card games, such as the very popular "Magic: The Gathering."

Chair of the convention Eric McGlohon, who recently won a "Magic" pro tour qualifier and traveled to Rome to compete, explained that the convention focuses on the student population, but they "try to pull in as much as possible."

With a crowd ranging from junior high schoolers to 50-year-olds, the convention kicked off on Friday at 5 p.m. and ran until yesterday evening. All players paid a fee for either a one-day or full weekend pass. Gaming lasted until around midnight on both nights.

Trading the Ohio State game for a chance to show off their skills, gamers went head-to-head against one another with the watching eye of the game masters, who McGlohon said were a combination of game fans and certified GMs.

Along with these qualified leaders, the convention invited various dealers to display their products and run demo tests of new, up-and-coming games. Bill Barber showcased "Baseball Tycoon," a hip, new board game that allows the player to feel what it's like to be George Steinbrenner, as you act as the owner of a baseball team, trading and signing players en route to the championship.

Along with "Tycoon," Mark MacKinnon's role-playing game version of "Sailor Moon," published by Guardians of Order, premiered at U-Con, after its North American release on Wednesday. Based off the hit television series which he researched by watching countless times, MacKinnon explained that "it's an easy game to learn, easy to catch on."

Another highlight of the convention was the attendance of guest of honor Jolly Blackburn, creator of the popular gaming comic magazine, "Knights of the Dinner Table." Winner of the 1997 Origins Award for Best Professional Gaming Magazine, the quite jolly Blackburn explained that he's just, "enjoying the ride."

Blackburn participated in a live reading of his comic on Saturday evening as audience members were encouraged to dress up as their favorite "Knights" character and partake in the fun stories which Blackburn feels are "timeless." Costumes were donned again yesterday with a costume contest featured as one of the convention's closing events.

With the close of this year's convention as a success, the U-Con Gaming Club is already planning gaming fun for next year's festivities, to be at the Union on Nov. 12-14, 1999.

11-23-98