The Wargamer

When we think of gaming conventions, we usually think of either large events such as Origins and GenCon or small regional affairs sponsored by a local gaming club. The TillerCons are unique in that they are small but international, devoted to the lovers of the games developed by John Tiller and published by HPS. Playing the games is indeed a major reason to attend yet attendance also provides an insight into a unique development community as well as seeing what uses games are put to other than entertainment. Attending such a conference is much more rewarding than just cyber combat and having a few beers and laughs with the guys.

All This and Steak Too

TillerCon II was held at the elegant if pricey Hyatt-Regency Crown Center Hotel in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Meeting in the aptly named Pershing Hall, over sixty gamers met through May 26 -28, 2007. Attendees came from the US, Canada, and Britain, bringing with them a wide spectrum of experience, tastes, and gaming philosophies. Thirty-six computers were joined for head-to-head play with personal laptops floating around to show off new material or slick examples of play. The weather was great for gaming: wet and overcast, nobody felt guilty about not seeing the sights and enjoying Spring, although excursions to nearby fine steak houses did occur. Presiding over the event was congenial and harried Rich Hamilton, ably assisted by Ernie Sands among others. Other notables present were Scott Hamilton and his wife Elisa as well as the affable and calm John Tiller himself. All of the HPS/Tiller games were sold at a bargain price with over forty prizes given out. The de rigueur T-shirts and ball caps were also for sale.

Each computer had every Tiller game loaded and updated. Games varied from head-to-head matches between grizzled and competitive vets to beginners testing a new system or experiencing computer wargames for the first time. Seeing youngsters finding out that games don't necessarily need wizards to be fun was very satisfying. While single games were played almost around the clock for three days, two events stood out. One was a six-player game of a special scenario for Campaign Vicksburg, designed by Mike Mihalik, that had Pemberton breaking out and attempting to join everybody's buddy, Joe Johnston. Each player commanded a corps. Play for this campaign started early Saturday and wrapped up only at noon Monday. The Confederates had a major victory after 65 turns with the Union saying the outcome would have been different if the last hundred turns been played. A nice summary of play with pictures can be found at the American Civil War Game Club.

Another special event was the Panzer Campaigns tournament run by Gary "Grrr" Cobeigh. The structure of this event was fascinating. Having four rounds with four matches each fought on four different fronts between the teams of SHAEF, STAVKA, and OKH ensured a wide array of World War II battlefields. Each match had an eight-hour time limit with points awarded to both winners and losers, guaranteeing that both the Axis and Allies could grab victory regardless of a few early defeats. The Axis barely won after 23 matches, 70 - 68. Gary has a great round-by-round AAR in the style of several war correspondents of the period at his website