Another Point of Singularity

Mostly because the organization I created to run one, BURKE CENTRE FAMILY GAME DAYS, lost its charter with the community sponsoring organization, and we couldnt' utilize the community centers for free anymore. That pretty much sucks.

Their reason was they were 'trying to manage the onesie and twosie charter groups more effectively' these days, and they really 'needed to crack down on abusers'.

So I couldn't throw a National Game day this year like I did last year. So it goes. I'm working on setting something up with the church. In the meantime, here's the afteraction report from national.. it's pretty hopeful.

SUBJECT: National Games Week Afteraction Info and Prizes.

December 20, 2 005


Greetings to you, the members, sponsors, and many friends of National Games Week,



With the end of National Games Week 2005 behind us, we have a lot of great information for you.
First, some things I am excited to tell you some of the results from your efforts this year, that I think you will be excited about, too

This year, National Games Week's events nearly doubled last year's efforts

National Games Week 2005 had 4,437 events nationwide ! With the average attendance per event more than doubling (thanks to larger school and retail store events) to about 27 people, the estimated NGW attendance figure was a whopping 118,912 persons. (this compares to last year's eleven persons per event, and 2,623 events in 2004)



Now, for the particulars

Sponsors, Supporters & Affiliates: 126 companies and organizations
Total Members 4,492
Individuals 3,141
Social Org /Game Clubs 435
Retailers 618
Educators 262

Faith Communities 36

Areas of Interest
Board Games 3794 84.4%
Role-Playing Games 2734 60.9%
Collectible Card Games 2509 55.9%
Miniatures Games 2529 56.3%
Family/General interest Games 2489 55.4%
Party Games 1829 40.7%


It's great to see people playing games of all kinds! My wife and I hosted 34 people at our own Games Day, including some friends of friends. All had a good time, and now we have a few more friends.

Here's one of many member quotes:
I just wanted to drop a note, thanking you guys (and gals) for all your hard work. We always have game nights at our house but National Game Week was a great reason to have a bigger party. We had neighbors come over and I think we got them into gaming. They ask me questions now about "where can I get those cool games we played that night?" We already have tentative plans for next year to use our church basement and invite members of our church to game on National Game Week game night. We are thinking we might be able to get 100 people. Thanks again. Mike Moderski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin


On another front, our Web presence grew significantly, as well.


Total Web Presence :
Using the Google search engine, the results for the exact phrase National Games Week indicated that (On December 5, the peak of the search numbers) 41,100 web sites, all over the world, were carrying the NGW message. . That's up from last year's number of 31,800.


Of significant note, w e had fun translating a site that was in Chinese, and were thrilled to see the first event in Malaysia.
I am confident that we achieved a basic goal: NGW 2005 achieved its goal of reaching 50 million people with the message that games are positive, social entertainment.

Thanks to everyone who sent their after action reports. Your great event descriptions, photographs, and suggestions for improvements are wonderful. We are working to apply everyone's ideas to our 2006 plans. We will let you know in a few months about our full program for 2006.

And now, those prizes!!

Wizards of the Coast



THE NGW GRANDPRIZE of 2005

Pamela Brooks, Graham KY

Pamela has won one of each of the current Avalon Hill games: Axis & Allies, Axis & Allies Pacific, Axis & Allies Europe, Axis & Allies D-Day, Risk 2210, Risk Godstorm, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Sword & Skull, Nexus Ops, Vegas Showdown, Monsters Menace America, RoboRally, The Great Dalmuti, Guillotine.



Eagle Games



Anita Cottrell, Malius NY

Chris Miller, Morehead KY

Greg Osborn, Michigan City IN

Each wins a copy of Eagle Games Bootleggers.


Nintendo/Pokemon USA



C David Ross, Minier IL

Marcus Hatchell, Turlock CA

Ryan Olson, Eagan MN

Timothy Burall, Hydes MD

Each wins a display of booster packs from the new Pokemon TCG expansion, EX Delta Species.



Mayfair



Vicky Fasnacht, Reading PA

Vicky has won three games by Mayfair: Entdecker, Settlers of Catan card game, and Domaine. Each is autographed by designer Klaus Teuber.



Wizkids Inc.



Troy Tucker, Ft. Meyers FL

Wins the Marvel HeroClix Dark Phoenix was WizKids premiere convention exclusive this year- a truly large scale prize. Erupting into the fiery bird of destruction, Dark Phoenix possesses the Power Cosmic. As a Big Figure, this allows her to push every turn without taking damage. It also allows her to make full use of all her powers, since she's immune to Outwit, Psychic Blast, and Exploit Weakness.



Rio Grande



Bill Peeck, Rochester NY

Harry Shiflett, Stauton VA

Keith McCormick, Somerset NJ

Matthew M Fay, Cincinnati OH

Robertr Foose, Evansville IN

Sara McArthur, Orlando FL

Each has won a copy of Rio Grande's Carcassonne.



Palladium Books



James Rogers, Milford PA

Johanna Long, North Liberty IN

Larry Ricketts, Greensburg IN

Susan Rozmiarek, Liberty Hill TX

Di Sudduth, Saint Louis

Each have won a signed limited edition RIFTS Ultimate Gold, Beyond the Supernatural Gold and some other surprise items.



FanPro USA



Jeffrey Sobel, Alexandria VA

Peter Goins, Stillwater OK

Thomas Gore, La Vergne

Each has won a copy of Shadowrun Fourth Edition.



HL Games



David Van Sweden, Plainwell MI

David McMillen, Boulder CO

Drew Heller, Cedarburg WI

Each has won a copy of HL Games' GO Mental.



JoyRide Entertainment



Steven Winsor, San Luis Obispo CA

Steven has won a Fullmetal Alchemist Premier Edition and Blood & Water game set;



Chuck Parrott, Winnaboe NC

Ed Roziarek, Liberty Hill TX

Lara Cross, Layton UT

Raymond Becker Jr., Jacksonville FL

Each have won sets of: 2 Starters & 4 boosters of Fullmetal Alchemist Blood and Water



Games Quarterly Prizes



Alex Hoover, Norfolk VA

David Pollock, Cedarburg WI

Edward Bryan, Norman OK

Ken Spontelli, Avon OH

Kevin Chapman, Evansville IN

Each has been awarded an annual subscription to Games Quarterly Magazine.



The National Games Week Photo Contest Winner is:

Jack Ecklund, University Place WA

Jack has been awarded two free passes to Games Expo 2007.



Games Expo 2007 is a massive exhibition of all socially interactive games- the first time they will all be showcased together under one roof. After three days for business only, there will be 2 1/2 days for Members of National Games Week (the general public will not be admitted). Members attending will get unprecedented access to see the coming new games for 2007, meet the publishers, designers and special guests. They will be able to learn and play games of all types, and participate in many special events. Games Expo 2007 will be at the new South Coast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Full details about NGW Gold Memberships will be announced in Spring 2006.




Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Mark Simmons, with Chris, Vicky, Jonathan, Richard, Janice, Erin and Karen
National Games Week



National Games Week is supported by over 100 publishers, including Wizards of the Coast, Nintendo of America, Pokemon USA, Eagle Games, FanPro USA, Palladium Books, White Wolf Game Studio, Gen Con LLC, Hobby Que, Mayfair Games, Reaper Miniatures, Rio Grande Games, West End Games and Games Quarterly .

This email was sent to (you) because you are a member of National Games Week.