Props for a convention game

[infelix]

After the stress of Christmas I've promised to host a game of simplified SoTR at a small, local convention. I haven't really hosted games like that before but I have played a lot of them and one thing I always thought made the games more fun was props/handouts. So I've been trying to make some for this game.

This far I have all the paperwork done and a bunch of photos but I can't come up with what else to include or how to present it and it's with that I would appreciate some help. I would love to hear your suggestions.

[Cory]

A few things I do when I host a convention game:

First I post a color copy of the cover of the rule book at one end of the table - it helps passers by as well as newcomers to the game remember what they saw/played. Depending on space I usually try for a double sized copy mounted on a piece of foamcore. For wierd war I also try to add something showing what makes it "wierd" -pictures, alternate timeline, 11" plastic dinosaur in Nazi uniform (saw that one done), etc.

For WWII games I sometimes make dog tags for the leaders of each faction out of scrap roofing metal and a $10 letter punch set.

Medals - cheap medals from a party store, often just the ribbon with the plastic medal replaced with a d6 or plastic army man. Awarded for best rolls, worse rolls, etc.

One page rules - a quick rundown of phases/rules/etc. with some artwork as well as the game makers website and some figure suggestions to get people started if they are interested. If there is room I will include a list of appropriate foreign phrases comic book quality.

Plus players like things that are tactile and honestly it helps to minimize how much they handle figures, so some empty and disabled water pistols, fake monacles and mustaches, etc go a long way.

[Hat Guy]

We had a big backdrop with "Stalingrad 1949" on it along with some SoTR posters and other WWWII art.



At one end of the table we had some Weird War Comics and books to demonstrate the tone.

[infelix]

Wow thanks a lot of the ideas, some great ones there. I ordered some dog tags, medals, posters and reproduced cigarette packs and I am looking for some good music to have on in the background.

How would you guys recommend presenting the material? Just give out a pile of paper or put it in a folder or mount it on thicker paper and have it in a binder?

[DD-Chris]

All the conventions i have something that is a 'mood setter' ( no i dont dim the lights and play barry white )
i would suggest putting all your paper into a large envelope that has " CLassified " printed in red on the front.
something fun, and keeps all the paperwork in 1 place if you intend to collect it at the end, or as easy transport for players that wish to keep it.

[Wirelizard]

Wow thanks a lot of the ideas, some great ones there. I ordered some dog tags, medals, posters and reproduced cigarette packs and I am looking for some good music to have on in the background.

Background music at most conventions would be a non-starter, in my experience. It's either going to be drowned in background noise, or add to that background noise in an irritating way.

I've done posters to put at one end of the table before, but I put most of my effort into character sheets with some flavour, event cards and such so far. That said, when funds allow I do want to start a hat collection to get people involved... anyone who has seen one of Bob Murch's pulp games will know what I mean!

[Steve F]

Background music at most conventions would be a non-starter, in my experience. It's either going to be drowned in background noise, or add to that background noise in an irritating way.

At Salute one year, the people staging a Buffy the Vampire Slayer game had the theme music on a loop.  It drove me mad, and I wasn't even playing the game, just passing that part of the hall from time to time.

[infelix]

Yea I think you have a good point about the music, I'll leave that out. Don't want to drive the players mad

[infelix]

I finished most of the paperwork today. The players will get three small folders containing a mission briefing with maps etc, army list with photos and a quick rundown of the rules and some stats for their equipment:






Now I just have to figure out what to put on the, mostly blank medals I ordered. A round 50mm base fits perfectly. Anyone have any ideas?

[Cory]

Holy crap that looks good.

[darthfozzywig]

Fancy!

[infelix]

Thanks guys!