Nuke-Con LIVES!

After weeks of feeling adrift in seas of uncertainty, the sun broke through and I can see clearly now. Nuke-Con 2020 is going ahead, but in an online format. Just an hour ago, the con coordinator posted the following announcement: 

Good morning, Fellow Gamers.

I have to announce today that Nuke-Con has decided not to hold a face-to-face convention in October 2020.

We also decided that we can’t let our 30th Annual Convention disappear with just a whimper, so we’re shifting gears to an online convention. It’ll be the same weekend you’ve been planning for: October 2, 3, and 4, 2020. We’re still working out details, but in the meantime we invite all GMs to talk with us about how to shift your game to one of the many available online platforms.

You can reach Erik Luken, Game Registration, at gmreg@nuke-con.com.

You can reach Josh Stortz for membership questions at reg@nuke-con.com.

You can reach Speedy Coveny to talk about pre-paid booths at vendors@nuke-con.com.

You can reach me for general questions and comments at main@nuke-con.com.

You can also send a message to https://www.facebook.com/nukecon/inbox/.

We’ll post updates as we finalize details.

Like you, we’ve been hoping for the best but planning for the worst. The staff talked about better spacing around tables, limiting the number of people at a given table, masks, and disinfectant. We discussed the financial impact to the organization, how much we’ll miss seeing our friends, and what the Nuke-Con community might think of us whichever decision we made. In the end, we decided that we can’t, in good conscience, open an arena for possible – maybe even likely – transmission of disease.

Thank you all for understanding.

Norajane McIntyre
Aka the GodMom
Nuke-Con 2020 Convention Coordinator

So there it is, and to quote Droopy Dog, "I'm happy."

"You know what, folks? I'm happy."

I know there are some folks who aren't happy with this situation, but it can't be helped. We're already seeing spikes in COVID-19 case numbers now that restrictions are being lifted in various states. While those spikes alone don't constitute a second wave of the virus, we can't let them grow to that stage. I'm so very glad that Nuke-Con isn't going away and that with hope there will be a Nuke-Con and a vaccine in 2021.

All that being said, keep an eye on this spot for more info on my convention events. I may also be running games at Gamehole Con's virtual convention in November if the stars align right.

On Adapting

Change is hard. Change is scary. But sometimes change is necessary for survival. That's something everybody is learning in this ongoing pandemic. One would think that gaming would be immune to this, but it's not. Groups normally accustomed to meeting in person are having to meet online in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our favorite gaming conventions and convention-related services have also felt the effects of all the uncertainty.

GenCon, GaryCon, PretzCon, Nuke-Con. All of these are institutions in our hobby, either locally or on a larger scale. While GenCon and GaryCon both canceled their physical events, they adapted quickly and went virtual. PretzCon, a smaller convention here in Omaha, sadly canceled for 2020 and now it looks like Nuke-Con is on equally uncertain footing.

I originally wasn't going to raise a fuss regarding the option of going virtual, but given possibility of Nuke-Con 2020's cancellation, I've decided to come out and say this: I would rather see a online Nuke-Con rather than no Nuke-Con at all this year.

While there are people who tout the efficacy of such things as social distancing, masks, gloves, and plastic shields, these measures aren't entirely foolproof. In a convention scene, they're pretty much counterproductive. Masks and gloves can tear or become otherwise contaminated; plastic shields are expensive. Also, I can't see myself sitting six feet away from my players, shouting over the din of an open convention hall through a mask. Living with multiple risk factors, the only way I'll truly feel safe in physically attending a convention is if a working COVID-19 vaccine is made readily available.

This might appear selfish to some people, but think about it. While we would all love to get together with our friends and love ones at Nuke-Con, we all have to act responsibly to prevent the spread of the virus. Meeting virtually is the only way around this, in my opinion. Yes, I know meeting online is not everyone's thing, but sacrifices have to be made in order to protect ourselves and others from this pandemic. I'd rather run my games online than not run them at all.

As such, I'm going to be registering my events – with the proviso that if Nuke-Con happens physically (with or without a virtual Nuke-Con), and a working vaccine is not available at the time, I will run my games on Roll20. I will be including info in my event descriptions for where players can go on Roll20 and Discord to find the games if I am not physically at the convention. I would only need communication from Nuke-Con as to who signed up for what game. No prize support, no con bucks, no physical support of any kind. Just communications from the event team regarding players.

So the long and short of it is this: if there's no vaccine, I won't be there physically at Nuke-Con; instead, I'll be more than happy to run my games online for anyone interested. If a vaccine is available, I'll take the jab and be there to run my games in person.

We're all in this together, folks, and I hope we're able to see each other for real in October.

Seeking Shelter

The COVID-19 pandemic has been taking a toll on everyone, even me. As such, I thought it a good idea to resurrect my blog as a creative outlet to distract myself and others within my hobby from the drudgery of sheltering in place or otherwise having a limited range of activities. I can't take credit for this idea, though. It was originally brought up by Uncle Atom on the Tabletop Minions podcast. You can watch the video in question here:

In the video, Uncle Atom talks about broadening his interest in the hobby by trying new things. And that's what I plan to do here. In the past, I've posted ideas for various RPGs.With the resources I have available, I'm going to post a number of articles, adventures, and other material for the enjoyment of my fellow gamers. The material I post is going to cover a wide range of games, both in and out of print (in the conventional sense) - there may even be some cross-pollenation, but don't hold your breath.

Stay well and stay safe folks. We're in this together - for the long haul.