I did swear to myself after the inaugural Swords & Wizardry Appreciation Day I'd never do it again - and I'm thrilled every year to see that +R.J. Thompson has picked up the reins and run with them. He does a fine job and should be applauded for all he does.
As most of you know, I am effectively retired (although actual retirement won't occur until July). Time for once is on my side of the equation. So, I was thinking, why not a week long OSR celebration this summer? Wait, make that a Week Long OSR Celebration - Monday through Friday, blog posts from the hundred plus blogs that touch upon Old School Gaming and sales and giveaways from publishers, small and (hopefully) large (I have about three months to cash in my chips with various publishers and shake hands at NTRPG Con in June to put together a prize closet) and maybe Friday Night through Sunday Night a virtual OSR con, with games hosted on Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds and the like. An informal con, with scheduling done via a forum or such.
With the potential pool of blogs, spreading the posts over five days keeps things from being overwhelming to the readers as well as giving various publishers five days to spread out deals and swag. Two and a half days of gaming probably covers what we need (the tables are virtual and potentially limitless and if the disorganized gaming is popular enough, it could be organized twice a year or more ;)
Three months is about the minimum amount of lead time to get this organized, assuming there is an interest in it.
So, is there an interest in it?
If so, state so here. I know the silent majority composes over 90% of most communities (I made that up, but I have a soapbox, so just go with it for now) but I'd like to hear from as many as possible, pro or con.
If you are a publisher and you are interested in participating (running a sale during the time in question, free PDFs or print products or whatnot) email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing. Put OSR Celebration-P in the subject and let me know your level of interest. If you are blogger, podcaster or other online creator of content relevant to Old School Gaming and have ideas or comments, use the above email with the subject OSR Celebration-C
We have a strong community, but only a small percentage actually get to go to cons like Gary Con and NTRPG Con. Getting the Old School Gaming Community together for a week of gaming related goodness, even if it's only through a virtual setting like this, allows so many more to participate. Isn't that what community is all about?
Again, tell me your thoughts...
River of Cradles (1992)
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The complete and essential player and gamemaster reference for RuneQuest
adventures and campaigns in civilized Prax. Revising and updating...
1 hour ago
This is a wonderful idea. That said, I organize SWAD and the OSR Track at U-Con, so more organization isn't quite where I want to go with this. But definitely posts and I might run a hangout game or two.
ReplyDeleteWith three months for me to bring organized chaos to this potential event, you should be the one sitting back in a lounge chair with a frilly drink ;)
DeleteI may be doing just that.
DeleteI like it.
ReplyDeleteI'd be into it. Life got in the way of making a blog entry/item/adventure for this year's fete, so flexibility is good!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, great idea
ReplyDeleteI dig it.
ReplyDeleteOh hells yes!
ReplyDeleteI'm in favor of it.
ReplyDeleteI like it too
ReplyDeleteCount me in!
ReplyDeleteI didn't have my act together to participate in S&W day this year, but a week long OSR fest? Yeah I am good for that!
Long live Independence Week!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see this happen.
ReplyDelete\m/
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good week to read the internet.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas!
ReplyDelete