Article written by Ashleigh Lowry (guest writing for culture).
Last weekend, my geeky little self found her way to Go Play Brisbane, a free to participate convention dedicated to tabletop gaming. I was in heaven. I saw a few friends and found myself talking to the two responsible for the creation and continuation of the event, Andrew Smith and John Reid. These two guys were amazing and so inspiring as they talked about how they wanted to have this event to encourage everyone to come and play in an area free of judgement or discrimination, something that I can completely get behind because the entire point of gaming is to have fun and feel welcome.
As I entered a few games and played the afternoon away, I got to try some amazing systems and see all their hard work in action. The room was filled with nothing but warm and inviting tables of people, all of whom encouraged each other to be themselves and enjoy the games the way they wanted to. I couldn’t help but feel like that I had found my people; tabletop gamers that love to play and make memories with each other. There were some people like myself that had come to the event having not signed up for any of the scheduled games, but we all still found games to take part in and enjoy. Those not familiar with the system they were playing in were treated kindly and with patience as they took all the time they needed to understand the rules of the game. No matter who arrived, they were welcomed and encouraged to join games and make memories. Strangers became friends, and friends became closer as stories were swapped, dice were rolled, and monsters defeated. As the end of day’s scheduled activities came to a close, we all went our separate ways for the day, some to the pub, others to home and bed, all happy and excited to see what Sunday had in store for them.
I came back the next day and watched as veterans taught newbies their favourite games, and tables filled again for another day of gaming. For those who didn’t feel up to playing a long session of role playing, there was a literal table full of board games to play, provided by The Loot Room, a gaming club situated in Beenleigh. Everyone there was smiling, laughing and getting along with each other. Andrew, John and their team of organisers and volunteers were not just watching over, but taking part and enjoying the weekend themselves. Anyone that walked into the event was greeted and talked to, those who didn’t know about what was happening had the event explained to them, and everyone was encouraged to take part. I have never seen that many tabletop role-players of every kind in one place. It felt absolutely amazing to be a part of. I played and played until I was too tired to think, and went home with nothing but a smile and fantastic memories that I will never forget.
After the event was finished, I was able to ask Andrew some questions about the event, how it got started and where he hopes to go from here.
Go Play began in 2008, at a convention. Andrew sparked the idea after a conversation with a convention guest Robin D Laws, where he said that local gaming conventions are necessary to help bolster the local gaming community. Andrew had already identified the need for this type of convention himself, after watching other gamers who were delighted to find people just like themselves. So, later that same year, Andrew held the first Go Play event. The decision to name the convention Go Play came from the network of Go Play conventions around the world. One of his biggest goals for the convention is to see it grow in numbers and diversity, inviting all diversities to be able to come and play in a welcoming and accessible environment. Something that I can’t help but put my hand up and say, “I want to help make this a reality.”
One way in which this convention has made such a safe and inviting place for both new, old and veteran gamers, is through a set of attendees called Hearth Wardens, having identified that any public event could be the spawning ground of unwanted behaviour. They put in place a group of trusted and trained volunteers who can help care for anyone attending the event, and have been targeted by such unwanted behaviour. I can’t stress enough how amazed at this initiative I am. I am a female gamer, and I will not lie that I have had my fair share of sexism and stereotyping thrown my way. However, knowing that at this event these people were around made me feel like I could enjoy and meet people without being talked down to or judged, which I think is what makes this convention one of the best I’ve ever been to, period.
To finish off our conversation, Andrew shared a statement which I would like to share with you all now.
“This year I saw people who've enjoyed the hobby for decades play alongside people who've never played any roleplaying games at all; and everyone had fun. My best hope is for that to continue.”
I cannot encourage people enough to come and check out this event next time it comes around. If you are searching for updates, head to Go Play’s website at www.goplaybrisbane.com.au or to their Facebook page. No matter who you are or your gaming level, come to this event and just enjoy the welcoming environment of soon-to-be friends.
Thank you Andrew, John and the whole Go Play Brisbane team for a one of a kind event.
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