A model of the infamous Rancor (Courtesy Fred Beels)
Whether you’re an experienced Game Master or just someone looking to try something new, there’s something for everyone at the annual COMUNICON Games Festival, taking place at the UNB SUB Ballroom Jan. 30-31.
At the cost of $3 or a donation to the food bank, the two-day event offers both gamers and those interested in learning more about gaming to come out and play old favourites, learn new ones and win prizes.
Fred Beels has been involved with COMUNICON for the last few years, promoting it on campus and running games at the event. Last year’s event brought out close to 75 people from across the region.
“It’s usually a pretty good mix [of people].” he said. “There’s some kids who play the Pokemon type games, there’s a couple 50 year olds. I know there’s some profs from UNB who come. I was surprised last year with that.”
And as gaming continues to move online, events like COMUNICON are important. While online gaming makes it easy to connect with people from all over the world, it can reinforce the stereotype of gamers as being antisocial people who sit in front of a computer all day.
Instead, COMUNICON aims to show that gaming can be a social activity.
“People don’t understand that we’re not just nerds and geeks who don’t get out much,” Beels said.
