GottaCon 2009 – Victoria, BC Based Gaming Convention

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Carson Upton
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GottaCon 2009 – Victoria, BC Based Gaming Convention

Post by Carson Upton »

GottaCon 2009 is a new Canadian gaming convention slated for February 6, 7 and 8, 2009. The convention doors open at 6:00pm Friday and do not close until 7:00pm Sunday (that is right, around the clock gaming for an entire weekend).

GottaCon is a broad spectrum gaming convention to be held annually in Victoria, BC that embraces the science fiction and fantasy genres, covers many related hobbies and offers a one stop experience for the fans and enthusiasts of those genres. The vision of GottaCon is to host something for everyone including tournaments in collectable/non-collectable miniatures, collectable trading cards, role-playing games, board games, and electronic games as well as special guests, demonstrations, contests, information sessions, workshops, a variety of vendors and sponsors. Our goal is to deliver a high quality and exciting environment that will establish GottaCon as an annual destination that participants will return to for years to come. February 6th, 7th and 8th of 2009 will be our inaugural show and will be taking place annually on the first weekend in February for the years to come.

Where will it be held?
GottaCon™ will take place at Pearkes Recreation Centre at 3100 Tillicum Rd. Victoria BC with approximately 20,000 square feet of floor space.

Who do I contact about getting my school/club/community involved:
Please contact Evan Hatch – ehatch@gottacon.com

Who do I contact about running events at GottaCon 2009?
Please contact Evan Hatch – ehatch@gottacon.com

Who do I contact about becoming a sponsor at GottaCon 2009?
Please contact Michael Lum – mlum@gottacon.com

Who do I contact about becoming a vendor at GottaCon 2009?
Please contact Michael Lum – mlum@gottacon.com or Evan Hatch – ehatch@gottacon.com

Who do I contact if I want to volunteer at GottaCon 2009?
Please contact Carson Upton – cupton@gottacon.com

Where can I see a list of events being run at this convention?
Please stay tuned to our website and message board for our events listing.

How much will it cost?
Full weekend Pre-registration: $30.00
Full weekend registration at the door: $40.00
Friday admission only: $15.00
Saturday admission only: $20.00
Sunday admission only: $15.00
Children 8 and under get in free (must be accompanied by an adult, maximum two free child admissions per adult)

For more information on our convention please visit us at www.gottacon.com or send us an email.

Thank you,
GottaCon Conventions
www.gottacon.com

Carson Upton
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Post by Carson Upton »

As of today, GottaCon tickets are now available for purchase from our www.gottacon.com website as well as our www.warhorn.net/GottaCon2009 website. There are different prices for each day as well as a full weekend pass price and special packages which include entry into some of the major events. There are a number of reasons why you should get your tickets in advance of the big show.

• If you purchase your ticket in advance you receive a 25% discount on your full weekend cost (you pay $30 instead of $40).

• Once you have purchased a ticket you will be able to sign up to our www.warhorn.net/GottaCon2009 site where, once approved by us, you can start to preregister for events in advance. You will also be able to change your events at anytime up until preregistration is closed. Preregistration helps to ensure your seat at the events you want as seating at most events is limited. It also avoids you having to stand in the event registration lines the days of the convention to sign up for the events you want.

• Pre-paying for your ticket also gets you past the lines at the door as we will have an advance tickets line especially for you. Once you arrive just look for this line to get your convention pass, swag bag, program and get directly into the action of the vendors and events.

Here is the ticket pricing (all pricing in Canadian dollars)**:
- Full weekend preregistration: $30.00
- Full weekend registration at the door: $40.00
- Friday admission only: $15.00
- Saturday admission only: $20.00
- Sunday admission only: $15.00
Children 8 and under get in free (must be accompanied by an adult, provide proof of age if asked, maximum two free child admissions per adult)

There are multiple ways to get the hottest gaming ticket to hit Vancouver Island in years! Methods of payment that will be accepted will include:

1) Paypal – Pay from the comfort of your own home
2) Certified cheque – Send in your payment via post to address below
3) Money Order – Send in your payment via post to the address below
4) Purchase a ticket at a local participating retail location (see below)

Local participating retail locations where tickets can be purchased:
- Skyhaven Games: 3458 Tillicum Road, Victoria BC - 250-477-1519
Payment methods available include cash, credit and debit

It is very important to remember that when you purchase your ticket that you include your first and last name and the full name of the individual(s) that the ticket(s) are for as well as a phone number and/or email address we can contact you at to confirm your purchase was received. Once you have purchased your ticket we will update our records, then all you have to do is sign up for events and show up on February 6th to 8th and enjoy the show.

If you are going to send in your payment via post (snail mail) please make your cheque/money order payable to Michael Lum. All payments sent via post must be received at least two weeks in advance of the convention. Do not send cash via post, GottaCon Conventions will not be responsible for lost or stolen payments. Please send your payment to this address:

Michael Lum
GottaCon Conventions
4129 Cabot Place
Victoria BC V8N 4V9

**These prices include entry to GottaCon 2009 the "Event". Some designated activities require preregistration and/or payment of a separate, additional fee. More information on this will be contained in the event listing which can be found at www.warhorn.net/GottaCon2009/ .

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RetroRyan
           
           
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Post by RetroRyan »

Thanks for the info! Will definitely be there...

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Post by Aaron »

Been brainstorming a lot about Brikwars and Mechaton can't wait to show all the attendees how AFOLs game.

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Post by Carson Upton »

I think Brikwars is going to be very cool. Looking forward to seeing it in action.

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Guests at GottaCon

Post by Carson Upton »

Over the next week or two we will be announcing all our guests for GottaCon 2009. As we confirm the details with each guest we will release the information via announcements. Today we are please to announce the following guests:

Dave Duncan
Originally from Scotland, Dave Duncan has lived all his adult life in Western Canada, having enjoyed a long career as a petroleum geologist before taking up writing. Since discovering that imaginary worlds are more satisfying than the real one, he has published 40 novels, mostly in the fantasy genre, but also young adult, science fiction, and historical. He has at times been Sarah B. Franklin (but only for literary purposes) and Ken Hood (which is short for “D'ye Ken Whodunit?”).

His most successful works have been fantasy series: “The Seventh Sword”, “A Man of His Word” and its sequel, “A Handful of Men”, and the ongoing series about “The King's Blades”. Dave’s most recent release, “Ill Met in the Arena” has met with excellent reviews and is now available in Hard Cover at a book store near you. Also his current work, “The Alchemists Pursuit”, Book Three in The Alchemist series is planned for release in the spring of 2009.

He and his wife Janet were married in 1959. They have one son and two daughters, who in turn are responsible for a spin-off series of four grandchildren. Dave now lives in Victoria, BC.

Dave will be performing a reading of his latest novel, “Ill Met in the Arena” and fielding questions regarding all his works on February 7th, 2009 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Following that Dave will also be doing a book signing in from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. Visit Dave’s website at http://www.daveduncan.com.


Gareth Von Kallenbach
Gareth Von Kallenbach is a syndicated movie & game critic, writer, author and frequent radio guest. His work has appeared in over 60 publications worldwide and he is the creator of the rising entertainment site "Skewed and Reviewed".

He has three books of film, game reviews and interviews published and is a well-received and in demand speaker on the convention circuit. Gareth has appeared in movies and is a regular guest on the top rated Seattle morning show as well as an East Coast radio show. He has also worked in the game industry giving him insider access to the latest industry news. He is finishing the third of four Star Wars fan films he wrote and directed and will soon have a small part in the upcoming film version of “Far Cry” as well as “Travelling” with Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart and is scheduled to voice a character in the coming video game Postal 3. Visit Gareth’s website, Skewed and Reviewed, at www.sknr.net

Gareth will be discussing what the movie and gaming industry has in store for us over the next five years Sunday February 8th, 2009 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

Please stay tuned for announcements regarding future guests.

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More Guests at GottaCon

Post by Carson Upton »

In week two of our guest announcements we are please to announce the following guests:

James Zwiers
James Zwiers is a game-designer and author by night, and a software developer by day. He has authored more than forty d20 adventures, released primarily by Paradigm Concepts as part of their hugely successful Living Arcanis campaign.

James is the Campaign Director for Living Arcanis leaving him responsible for the editing and release of more than thirty adventures each year, as well as the coordination of their premiere events at the Origins Game Fair. Having served as campaign staff for over 4 years now, he is well versed in what is involved in writing an adventure and seeing it through to release.

Interested in writing in the gaming industry? Want to know what it really takes to get published in the tabletop RPG world? Need tips on how to take your adventure craft to the next level? Come listen to Living Arcanis Campaign Director James Zwiers Sunday February 8th, 2009 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm talk about working in the industry and his experiences as an editor and author for Paradigm Concepts, Inc. Bring your own questions and we'll try to get them answered as well.


Eugene Dere
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Eugene Fong Dere has been an avid gamer since learning how to play Dungeons and Dragons at the age of 8. Playing this game and many others, he has been an excessive 'hardcore' player for over 26 years.

Graduating from the University of Toronto with ° in Actuarial Science and Sociology, Eugene realized later that he had inadvertently followed a degree in 'gaming socialization' and has quietly enjoyed monitoring the various trending and patterns of gamers based upon both participants details and game complexity. (as well as mechanics, flavouring and player's suspension of disbelief)

In 2003, Eugene co-founded the Toronto Role Players Association (TRPA). An community gaming organization that now boasts over 750 players, bi-weekly broadcasts, podcasts, and hosting over 40 events annually (both club and public) including event running for various conventions in Toronto. In 2009, TRPA plans to run gaming departments for GFX, Anime North, World Con - Montreal, Nothern Anime Festival, Spellstorm and several others including hosting its own bi-weekly socials/games nights, quarterly and annual events.

In addition to presiding over TRPA, Eugene also has heavy interests in writing, theatre and film. Eugene has performed in over forty theatrical productions, was producer for 2 local films and a cabaret, hosts an online column and published a fantasy novel in 2005 (the Lich, Lost in Darkness). Although Eugene has worked as head game designer for a couple start-ups, Eugene has not broken into the elusive gaming world from a professional standpoint.

On Saturday February 7th from 9:00AM to 11:00AM Eugene will be discussing Gaming Communities Past, Present, Future.

On Saturday February 7th from 11:00AM to 1:00PM Eugene will be discussing convention RPGing, why its better at a con and comedy and role-playing, where do we draw the line?

Please stay tuned for the final announcement regarding our remaining guests.

Carson Upton
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Electronic Gaming at GottaCon

Post by Carson Upton »

Today we announce our electronic gaming line-up planned for GottaCon 2009 and although it is a little later then I would have liked it is so awesome that it overshadows the lateness. Linked below please find a list of game systems, games and tournaments planned for GottaCon 2009, which will be held February 6th to 8th, 2009 at Pearkes recreation centre in Victoria BC ( www.gottacon.com ).

For more information please go here:
http://forums.gottacon.com/cgi-bin/ikon ... ;f=9;t=783
Last edited by Carson Upton on Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:19 am, edited 1 time in total.

Carson Upton
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GottaCon 2009 Gamers Silent Auction

Post by Carson Upton »

That is right, we will be hosting a huge silent auction at our convention on Saturday. All attendees are welcome to submit items for sale and to buy items up for sale. for complete details please see below. A special area on our message board has been created for the auction where people can ask questions, find out details, post items that will be for sale at the auction as well as ask sellers questions. Here is the link to the new board area: http://forums.gottacon.com/cgi-bin/ikon ... ct=SF;f=66

Details:
On Saturday February 7th only between 9:00am and 6:30pm come out and take part in the GottaCon gamers silent auction brought to you by GottaCon Conventions (www.gottacon.com). Convention goers are welcome to bring out their own items for sale as well as bid on the wide variety of items that will be available.

What is a silent auction:
In this type of auction, items are displayed. Bidders can write a bid on a piece of paper located near the item. The bidder will be able to see the bids made already. The ability to bid ends after a pre-set period of time. The highest bidder at the end of the auction wins the item and pays the price submitted.

The GottaCon silent auction will run from 9:00am until 6:30pm. At 6:30pm all bidding will stop and winners may pay for the items they won. If you can not be present at 6:30pm winners may purchase their item any time between 6:30pm and 8:00pm. If you can not pick up your items by 8:00pm Saturday night and you have not made arrangements with the GottaCon Conventions staff for an alternate time the item in question will then go to the next highest bidder.

Cash is the only form of payment accepted. There are numerous banks within a 5 minute or less walk of the convention location. GottaCon Conventions is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.

Submitting an item for sale:
Please bring your item to the GottaCon event registration table and be prepared to fill out a quick info sheet on your item. This info sheet will help others identify and understand your sale items as well as allow us to keep track of whose item is whose. All items will be put on display with a bid sheet. We recommend assigning a minimum bid to each item you submit. There is a small non-refundable charge of $1.00 for each item submitted for sale. Items for sale may be submitted at the GottaCon event registration Booth between 9:00am and 5:30pm Saturday February 7th.

Please check in with the GottaCon booth between 6:45pm and 9:00pm Saturday evening to find out if your item(s) sold or not. If your item sold you will be reimbursed the amount it sold for. If you are not able to be present during the time indicated above please make arrangements with the GottaCon Conventions staff.

If your item does not sell your item will be returned to you. Please check in with the GottaCon event registration booth between 6:45pm and 9:00pm to find out if your item sold or not. Any items that do not sell and are not collected by 7:00pm Sunday February 8th will become the property of GottaCon Conventions. If you are not able to collect your items during the time indicated above please make arrangements with the GottaCon Conventions staff.

During the auction all items will be monitored.

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Guest Announcement Three

Post by Carson Upton »

In week three of our guest announcements we are please to announce the following guests:

Steve Erikson
Steven Erikson is the acclaimed author of the best-selling fantasy series, The Malazan Book of the Fallen, a sprawling epic of conflict spanning several continents and thousands of years. Number eight in the series, Toll of the Hounds, was published in 2008. Critics have compared Erikson’s complex plots with Glen Cook’s “Black Company” series and his style with another great American fantasy writer, George R R Martin.

Steven Erikson is the pseudonym of Steven Lundin, born in Toronto and brought up in Winnipeg. Lundin studied both anthropology and archaeology, and following the dictum to “write what you know”, the subject of his first book of short stories was an archaeologist in Central America, his graduate thesis from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. The cover of that book, A Ruin of Feathers, also had a painting by Lundin on its cover. After some years in England, Lundin moved back to Canada, and now lives and writes here in Victoria.

Like other novelists, especially genre writers, He has faced rejection many times, and is still criticised frequently. Erikson commented in an interview that he takes such criticism now with greater equanimity, as he has gained experience and confidence as a published writer. Experience, he has said, also makes the writing easier, since he can as a result retain a larger volume of the complex plot twists and characters of his stories in memory.

In addition to the eight volumes of the Malazan series in print, along with a couple of novellas, Erikson has published other non Malazan novellas, along with books and short stories under his given name. Those who attend GottaCon 2009 will have the good fortune of being able to meet Steven Erikson in a reading and Q&A session of his works which will be followed by an autograph session on Saturday February 7th, 2009 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.


LoadingReadyRun (LRR)
LoadingReadyRun.com launched in 2003 to wild critical acclaim-that is, the acclaim was wildly critical. Started as an outlet for co-creators Graham and Paul to fulfill their desire of making funny videos, LRR has grown into an internet comedy destination.

Inspired in name and appearance by the Commodore 64 Home Computer System, LRR is a site run by-and for-geeks. You have to be at least a bit of a geek to think writing, shooting and producing a new, original short sketch every week is feasible. But you have to be a giant geek to actually do it. Since LoadingReadyRun's start in 2003, it has consistently updated with a new video, every week. Often more!

LRR videos have been featured in film festivals such as the Comic Con International Film Festival in San Diego, and shown on major TV networks, including G4 TechTV, The CW and even CNN.

In 2007, LRR organized the First Annual "Desert Bus for Hope" charitable fundraiser, in support of Child's Play. The event, which saw members of the crew play the worst video game ever made for 4 days solid, raised over $22,000 for the children's charity. In 2008 they punished themselves again but this time more then tripled their previous record, bringing in $70,423.79.

The LRR Crew fear actual work and have no transferable skills, so expect the silliness to continue for a great while.

Come meet this amazing cast of characters and see their videos at GottaCon 2009. LRR will be hosting a two hour question and answer session on Saturday February 7th, 2009 from 5pm to 7pm and show casing their videos on Saturday February 7th, 2009 from 7pm to 10pm.


Tony Humphrey, Sirius Greenall, Aaron Hilton
Toney Humphrey, Sirius Greenall and Aaron Hilton are all gaming enthusiasts that also work or have worked in the gaming industry, specifically with video game development. All three worked for Electronic Arts (EA) at one point and Tony and Sirius still do. Aaron also worked for Disney but now runs his own business.

This trio will be presenting two one hour panels at GottaCon 2009. The first is; Breaking into the industry; the importance of demos and passion on Sunday at 11:00AM. The second panel is; Game design from start to finish on Sunday at Noon.

Tony Humphrey, Sirius Greenall, and Aaron Hilton are all experience in the video game industry and they are here to share the experience and expertise with you.


This concludes our line-up of guests for GottaCon 2009.

Carson Upton
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Pokemon Platinum Pre-Release

Post by Carson Upton »

GottaCon is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Pokémon Platinum Pre-Release at our convention!! Here are the details:

Pokémon Platinum Pre-Releases
Brought to you by: Steve Ricker
Date: Saturday February 7th, 2009
Registration Time: 10:30AM
Start time: 11:15AM
Format: Sealed
Cost: $30 per sealed event

All Ages Welcome! You will receive 8 boosters of the new Pokemon set Platinum, a promo card and 60 limited edition card sleeves for you to keep. This event is at GottaCon so Pokémon players will have to pay a reduced convention entrance fee of $10 per player or $5 for each family member (if parents want to supervise their children). This convention entrance fee is not included in your $30 pre release price and only gains players and family members access to the Pokemon tournament. Their will be a second pre release held after the first event is finished if their is enough players.

We want to state that any Pokémon players are welcome to buy a fullweekend pass to the convention or a Saturday only pass which will grant them access to all the other GottaCon 2009 events.

Carson Upton
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RPG Line-Up

Post by Carson Upton »

The RPG line-up is nearly complete, we have a few events still to come but I thought we should showcase what we have so far so here it is:

http://forums.gottacon.com/cgi-bin/ikon ... ;f=9;t=807

Well that is 35 different RPG events that will take place over the entire weekend. I know there are more coming too. So much to choose from!! I hope everyone enjoys the line-up we have been able to put together.

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