What makes the WBC tick?
One often wonders how one convention compares to another and many were disappointed when Origins split, devoting their play area to RPG's and CCG's because Magic became popular. WBC has been running for ten years, originally under the name of Avaloncon and only two years ago under the name of the World Boardgame Championships. The change was necessary after Hasbro acquired Avalon Hill.
This community of gamers is estimated to be around 1,500 with 1,000 being pre-paid attendees. Men outnumber women 9 to 1, which is an improvement over previous years. Attendance for the full event cost $60 while single day badges could be purchased for only $20. Attendees needed to pay even to play in open game-playing, because of problems in the past.
Most of the cost of the convention is covered by the players with a small part covered by the 8 or 9 sponsors who had to pay $500 each. Among the sponsors were Rio Grande Games, GMT Games and Decision Games.
Since the WBC is paid mostly by attendees, the games are chosen by the attendees, creating a very enjoyable game-playing experience. Don Greenwood told me that someone enjoyed the event so much he just walked up to him and gave him $500 to ensure that it would continue!
At the end of the week, most walk away tired, hungry, and loving every minute of it. As Cliff Ackman from Harrisburg, PA says, "game-playing, sleep and food - one of them has got to go and for me that was food."
Another gamer claimed to have had a contest with a few of his friends to see who could stay up the longest and he won, falling asleep after 52 hours of game-playing!
In six days, there are a total of 124 tournaments, so it is obvious that you will not be able to play in every tournament you want to play. Plaques are given to the winners because everyone is playing for the fame and prestige rather than money.
This leads to a very informal atmosphere for maximum fun. Of course, there will always be arguing with GMs over rules and an occasional angry comment, but when all is said and done everyone is sure to go home a winner.
