I threw this together this afternoon on a lark.
ORIGINS FOOD TOUR!
ORIGINS FOOD TOUR!
After months of gathering reviews and doing the hard work of bending my elbow and stuffing my face, I present you with the Origins Food Tour! This map will guide you to a select list of some of my (and my friends’) favorite restaurants, bars, cafes, and sweet shops in Columbus!
Link For Computers: https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=ziymYmcnPjlw.kih_P9Xzhdg0
Link For Phones: https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=201537212975151054922.0004deaebf396b1da5bf6&msa=0&ll=39.977482,-83.001891&spn=0.004193,0.010568
Here is the legend to help find your way around:
Stars (Blue or White) = Travis’ Top Picks (If you can get to these places, do so!)
Knife & Fork = Restaurants
Dollar Bill = Upscale (Expect entrees in the $22-40 range, and many have sandwiches in the $10-$15 range.)
Martini Glass = Bars
Coffee Mug = Cafes
Green Marker = Vegetarian/Vegan (Indicates either primarily veg or a good selection.)
White Diamond = Sweets
Red Triangle = Avoid this place!
I concentrated on stuff that’s within a ~20 minute walk. There a few places that are a 10-20 minute drive, both because they shouldn’t be missed and because – believe it or not – some folks like to get away from the convention center.
I tried to include upscale places, because I know people sometimes have business dinners or nice dates with their SOs at Origins.
I added the places to avoid, because some of them look appealing when you walk by, but for one reason or another they just aren’t worth the trouble.
I included a bunch of bars, because a) Columbus has lots of bars (many of whicih also serve food) and b) lots of people like to get their drink on at Origins.
If anything is unclear, not showing up properly, or needs adjusting, just let me know!
If you find a place that you think should be added, please let me know!
PLEASE RESHARE WIDELY!
LARPS On Demand
LARPS On Demand
Throughout the year, post GoD success, I’ve been talking with various folks I know who are interested in how to host LARPs via GoD. Hopefully in the next few weeks I’ll be able to elaborate on this fully, but here are my thoughts on the process:
The Games:
-3 minimum and up to 12-15 players per game
-2 1/2 to 4 hours in length
-no previous LARP experience required, all rules taught at game
-hosted by 1 GM or more
-genre: parlor, Jeepform, Nordic, homebrew, American Freefrom, etc.
1 day (or more) before the game
-GM contacts Gen Con staff (via the info tables located throughout the convention) to reserve a room, which likely could be at a hotel
-at GoD, I’m thinking we can have a whiteboard or poster area only for pimping your LARP. You leave the basic info (name, time, very short description of game). Players interested in larps then can see what/when/how and plan accordingly. GoD staff only need to know that if a player is interested, they need to show up at little before that time, say 10 minutes. GMs should be earlier, say 20 minutes prior to gather players, first come first serve.
-come time for the game, GMs come back to GoD and pitch the game again and/or find players…then go and game!
Thoughts
-last year it was fairly easy to find rooms. This year with Gen Con seeming so full, this might be harder to do
-GMs should budget about 30 minutes into the game time for gathering players and getting to their gaming space
-GMs need to be proactive pitching their game! I’m thinking they should have a pre-printed summary of their game to leave at the LARP board, but any time they’re at GoD they should suggest players take a look at the LARP offerings
Game Directory at Origins Indie Games on Demand
The Game Directory for Origins
Is here! This is a list, although not exhaustive, of games we’ll be featuring at Indie Games on Demand at Origins. Take a look see!
Most certainly there’s games not on this list that our GMs would be interested in running. If you’re curious about something you’ve heard of but it’s not on this list, just ask. Also, not all GMs can run all games. Although that would be an amazing feat, we are limited by the games we enjoy and know how to run.
IGoDOriginsDemandGameDirectory
Origins 2013 is Coming!
Games on Demand for #Origins 2013 is building up steam. three sessions a day Thursday through Saturday, with a bonus on Sunday morning in case you didn’t get enough. You can find listings for the event in the Master Event Grid and everything!
Get ready to roll at Origins 2013
We’re starting to get excited about Origins! We’ve got an A list of GMs ready to run all of the games, at your demand. We’re up on the Master Event Grid as Indie Games on Demand, and pre-registration for games should be up any day now on the Origins site.
The event will take place in the Hyatt-Fairfield room and will run in three sessions each day, from 9am-1pm, 2pm-6pm, and 8pm-midnight on Thursday through Saturday and 9am-1pm on Sunday.
For more information, join our Facebook group to meet the community of GMs and players: Indie Games on Demand – Origins.
This year we’ve got pretty banners, new game menus to easily find new exciting games, nanogames, new playtests, Marvel Heroic and Monsterhearts which are both up for Origins Awards, and an exciting Jeepform larp schedule running in addition to the main event.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for a PDF game menu to appear on this site. We’re making your demanding even more accessible!
We look forward to seeing you all in Columbus Ohio, rolling dice and playing games!
The Origins Indie Games on Demand Organizers,
PAX East 2013 – Games We Played
Somewhat belatedly, here are the stats we gathered during the Games on Demand event at PAX East 2013. Overall it was a very popular event and we stayed busy most of the time. We started each day a little later than last year (around 2pm) and ran until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
In that time, we ran roughly 99 games for 443 players over the 26 hours or so that we were open. We had 21 official volunteers, but we were joined on the ground by other great, enthusiastic friends who helped us hold down the host table and fill in the gaps in our schedule.
Here are the games run over the whole event, ordered by frequency:
Continue reading
PAX East 2013 – Pictures from Games on Demand
Games on Demand at PAX East was a blast this year. Our awesome volunteer GMs kept 8-10 tables running almost constantly and there were many great games. The event was located in an excellent spot across from the Indie Bazaar, Burning Wheel/Memento Mori/Dungeon World, and Modern Myths booths which created an exciting atmosphere.
Games on Demand – Gen Con 2013
Indie Games Explosion will be a premier event group for Gen Con 2013 this August 15th-18th!
This means that our Games On Demand (GoD) event will have the opportunity to be highlighted in Gen Con’s 2013 program guide. As well as priority placement, premium event chart listings, email blast advertising, and mentions on Gen Con’s website.
GoD this year is going to be an amazing opportunity. In 2012 we reached almost 1,400 player tickets and this year is only going to be bigger. But bigger isn’t always better, we also have many improvements on the way as we collected a ton of feedback last year.
Gen Con?
The biggest Gaming Con in the US with an attendance of around 40,000 people! More here:Â https://www.gencon.com/
Games on Demand?
Games on Demand is an open-gaming event put on at conventions where we run a variety of independent and cutting edge games.
Why?
Gaming conventions typically focus on scheduled games- you buy a ticket for an event, you find your seat, you play that game.  But sometimes slots fill up, you can’t find the games you want, or you don’t want to have to plan your schedule months in advance. Games on Demand gives you the opportunity to drop by and play!
Which games?
Games on Demand focuses on small press and independent games but we’re pretty open. If there isn’t a place for your RPG at Gen Con, bring it to Games On Demand! We especially love different, new, and old gems that feel new again. And we love supporting indie and new small press publishers and game designers.
Who’s in charge?
Games on Demand is organized and run by friendly volunteers. We’re not in it for money or fame. We just love games and want to share the love. Different people lead Games on Demand at different conventions. At Gen Con, our leader is +Steve Segedy.
How do I play?
If you want to play, just show up before the slot begins (typically starting every even hour of the event), bring a generic ticket, talk with the hosts to find a game, and then sit down and play!
How do I volunteer to GM or Host?
We’re still planning things out, but you can sign up to volunteer right now! When you’re ready, drop us a line using the Contact Us form.
Do I get anything for GMing or Hosting?
Yes! If you volunteer to GM or Host at specific times for 16 hours (which can be as simple as 1 game a day, or 4 hours a day), you get a free badge to Gen Con! Your badge will be waiting for you at Gen Con.
If you volunteer for 22-24 hours (we’re working on the specific hours now) you get a free badge AND 1/4th a nearby hotel paid for! We will try our best to work with you to help you find roommates that you’re comfortable with.
What if I already have a badge?
If you want to buy a badge before Gen Con so you can signup for other events, Gen Con will reimburse you.
Want more?
For the latest information, follow Games_On_Demand on Twitter:Â https://twitter.com/Games_On_Demand
(originally posted by John Stavropoulos)
(originally posted by John Stavropoulos)
#GenConGamesOnDemand
It’s coming!
Games On Demand (GoD) will be a premier event group for Gen Con 2013 this August 15th-18th!
Meaning, GoD will have the opportunity to be highlighted in Gen Con’s 2013 program guide. As well as priority placement, premium event chart listings, email blast advertising, and mentions on Gen Con’s website.
GoD this year is going to be an amazing opportunity. In 2012 we reached almost 1,400 player tickets and this year is only going to be bigger. But bigger isn’t always better, we also have many improvements on the way as we collected a ton of feedback last year.
Please feel free to share!
—————————————————————————————-
Gen Con?
This biggest Gaming Con in the US with an attendance of around 40,000 people! More here: https://www.gencon.com/
Games on Demand?
Games on Demand is an open-gaming event put on at conventions where we run a variety of independent and cutting edge games.
Why?
Gaming conventions typically focus on scheduled games- you buy a ticket for an event, you find your seat, you play that game. But sometimes slots fill up, you can’t find the games you want, or you don’t want to have to plan your schedule months in advance. Games on Demand gives you the opportunity to drop by and play!
Which games?
Games on Demand focuses on small press and independent games but we’re pretty open. If there isn’t a place for your RPG at Gen Con, bring it to Games On Demand! We especially love different, new, and old gems that feel new again. And we love supporting indie and new small press publishers and game designers.
Who’s in charge?
Games on Demand is organized and run by friendly volunteers. We’re not in it for money or fame. We just love games and want to share the love. Different people lead Games on Demand at different conventions. At Gen Con, our leader is +Steve Segedy.
How do I play?
If you want to play, just show up before the slot begins (typically starting every even hour of the event), bring a generic ticket, talk with the hosts to find a game, and then sit down and play!
How do I volunteer to GM or Host?
We’re setting this up now but you can email me at john@nerdnyc.com and I will answer your questions and forward your info to Steve.
Do I get anything for GMing or Hosting?
Yes! If you volunteer to GM or Host at specific times for 16 hours (which can be as simple as 1 game a day, or 4 hours a day), you get a free badge to Gen Con! Your badge will be waiting for you at Gen Con.
If you volunteer for 22-24 hours (we’re working on the specific hours now) you get a free badge AND 1/4th a nearby hotel paid for! We will try our best to work with you to help you find roommates that you’re comfortable with.
What if I already have a badge?
If you want to buy a badge before Gen Con so you can signup for other events, Gen Con will reimburse you.
Want more?
For the latest information, follow Games_On_Demand on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Games_On_Demand
When you’re ready to sign up to volunteer (for Gen Con, or even for PAX East or Origins) drop us a line using this form: https://www.indiegamesexplosion.org/contact-us/
We are ridiculously excited!