New at this year’s PulpFest will be a gaming track. Many of the themes found in the world of modern games resonate from the pulps and the stories published in those magazines. There are games based on Conan, the Cthulhu Mythos, space operas such as Doc Smith’s Lensman series, westerns, mysteries and, of course, the pulp heroes. Role-playing games, or RPGs, are especially noted for quick action, cliff-hangers, and adventure.
Responding to numerous requests over the last few years to add gaming to the convention mix, PulpFest has decided to begin a gaming track in 2015. We will have a room set up with eight tables where a variety of board games, card games, and role-playing games will be presented. We are currently working with several Columbus-based gaming groups and individuals that will run and teach games to convention attendees who would like to explore that aspect of the pulps.
The Columbus chapter of the Ohio Pathfinder Society will run RPGs dealing with weird tales, ancient ruins, and murder mysteries set in a fantasy world based on the Pathfinder RPG. Another Ohio group, Rogue Cthulhu, will be running role-playing adventures based on H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos and other weird tales set in the 1920s. In addition, the Trail of Cthulhu game system will have adventures set in the 1930’s and add a noir approach to the Mythos. Another will be Fortune and Glory where you are an adventurer crossing the world in search of lost artifacts. Depending on demand, we may have a few other games dealing with cliffhangers and mysteries. All of these RPGs generally happen around a table using pens, paper, and dice. Most convention RPGs last about four hours.
Besides RPGs, there will be a number of board and card games that will be demonstrated and played at the convention. These games can last from twenty minutes to several hours. They will be set up for people looking to find some new and interesting entertainment at PulpFest 2015. We’ll be offering Cthulhu Dice, Elder Sign, and Arkham Horror.
PulpFest will also be contacting a number of game companies in search of prizes for our gaming members.
The PulpFest 2015 gaming track will begin at 10 AM on Friday and Saturday and last until 10 PM or thereabouts. On Sunday, games will begin at 10 AM and continue until the end of the convention. All games will be set up in the Clark Room, located on the second floor of the Hyatt Regency.
The only requirements to play games at PulpFest 2015 are a PulpFest membership, your imagination, and a desire to have a good time. So if you enjoy pulps and you enjoy games, PulpFest will be the place to be. You can join us at the beautiful Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio, beginning on Thursday evening, August 13th and running through Sunday afternoon, August 16th. Click here to learn how to register for “Summer’s Great Pulp Con,” and now, “Summer’s Great Pulp Gaming Con.”
