Warpcon
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| Warpcon | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Tabletop gaming, role-playing games |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Venue | UCC Student Centre |
| Location(s) | Cork |
| Country | Ireland |
| Inaugurated | 1990 |
| Organised by | WARPS |
Warpcon is an annual wargaming and roleplaying convention held at University College Cork (UCC) in Cork, Ireland.[1] As of 2010, the organisers reportedly described it as "Europe's largest student-run gaming convention".[2] Beginning in 1990, it is run annually over a single weekend in January. Run by UCC's Wargaming And RolePlaying Society (WARPS), games played at Warpcon include role-playing games (RPGs) from several systems, collectible card games (CCGs), live action role-playing games (LARPs) and tabletop wargames.[3] The 20th anniversary event, in 2010, reportedly hosted approximately 700 attendees.[2]
History
[edit]First held in 1990/1991, the inaugural event was attended by 40 people in a single-room venue, growing to approximately 650 people by the time of the 2009 convention.[2]
In 2006, the Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming was awarded to "Irish Game Convention Charity Auctions", including Gaelcon and Warpcon.[4]
In past years, Warpcon has invited writers, artists and other special guests to sign merchandise and occasionally run events such as games-making workshops.[citation needed] Previous attendees and guests have included John Kovalic,[2] Steve Jackson,[2] Gareth Hanrahan,[5] Games Workshop's Jervis Johnson,[2] and actor David Nykl.[2]
Events and features
[edit]At previous Warpcon conventions, a charity auction of collectibles and other items has been held on the Saturday night. Past auctions have included signed first-edition and pre-publication books, slots to appear as a character drawn by John Kovalic in card game, Jayne Cobb's hat (as worn in the TV show Firefly), and the first ever "My Little Cthulhu" plush toy.[citation needed]
In previous years various CCGs, from Magic: The Gathering to Yu-Gi-Oh!, have been hosted at Warpcon.[2] RPGs and LARPs from different systems are also run, with some based on the theme of that year's convention.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ "About Warpcon". warpcon.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Student wizards and goblins prepare for battle". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Warpcon XXIX". uccexpress.ie. 24 February 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "The Diana Jones Award 2006". dianajonesaward.org. Retrieved 19 May 2007.
- ^ "Cork author: 'Write or starve is a powerful motivator'". echolive.ie. The Echo. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2023.