RPGA and Conventions

Conventions were the breeding grounds of all role playing and D&D
as we have come to know it. Conventions really owe its origin to wargaming
throughout the mid to late 60's. The convention was the preferred
method for gamers to gather en masse and play table top wargames for long
uninterrupted periods of time. These early
conventions were developed as ways to
meet new gamers and experience the latest game
developments. A ring of gaming groups between
Chicago and Minnesota were actively developing
a series of war games with miniatures focused on
Medieval and Ancient times. Gary Gygax,
Rob Kuntz and Dave Arneson are some the better
known members of these groups that eventually took
the miniatures off the battle field and down into the
dungeons where aspects of role playing were developed.

Conventions have always been opportunities for game
designers of small start up companies as well as the larger companies to
playtest their games or scenerios with the general public. Many a
legendary module or great game system were played at one convention
or another. This department will try to shed some light on each major
convention to highlight some of their happenings and place them
historically within the traces of D&D.

While not truly a convention, RPGA (Role Playing Gamers Association)
is located in this department because of their profile at conventions. The
RPGA was launched by TSR as a way to continue the spirit of
organised tournament gaming through a club. The RPGA gave
TSR even more visability at the tournaments then there
already staggering profile. RPGA was also a way to make contact
with other gamers in close proximity to yourself. The RPGA
produced lines of merchandise, games and newsletters available
only to members of which ToT will attempt to list all of these
items with scans/pictures and descriptions.

Please select from the index of Conventions for information, merchandise
and images of specific conventions and clubs. We have a
pretty decent library for this section but are still sorely looking for loads
of additional information and images. We have elected to limit
the scope of material to the 60's, 70's and early 80's because of
the enormous amounts of material associated with the many, many, many different game
conventions. We might even limit the scope to select conventions of historical significance.
We can always be persuaded otherwise if the material is simply too interested to pass up. Please do not hesitate
to make a submission of a convention or group not listed here. To contribute please contact us
at CONTACT.

Impressum (Imprint)