Throwback Thursday - D&D, Frazetta, & the d100

Over on geek.com, learn "Why Dungeons & Dragons video games miss the point" here.

Also, on invaluable.com, marvel at Dave Winiewicz's Frazetta Collection here.

Finally, on ultanya.com, last month the Grand DM had a look at the d100 here.

Throwback Thursday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

A look back at early tabletop hobby gaming

 or gaming-adjacent topics of the past.

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Events & Play Wednesday - GameHole Con, Vasel Auction, & 2015 World Fantasy Awards

In case you haven't seen them yet, I have the pictures I snapped at the 2015 GameHole Con on Friday (Facebook and Google Pics), Saturday (Facebook and Google Pics), and Sunday (Facebook and Google Pics).  Enjoy!

Also, before it ends, check out The Jack Vasel Memorial Fund Auction - 2015 on Board Game Geek here.

Finally, the winners of the World Fantasy Awards have been announced on their website here.

Events & Play Wednesday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

News of Conventions and Gamedays as well as pictures

from those I have attended and games I have played.

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Events & Play Wednesday - The Draconic Awards, Capricon 35, & the Games Plus Spring Auction

Regarding the Draconic Awards, "The purpose [. . .] is to promote miniature painting in the tabletop gaming hobby and to encourage and inspire hobbyist worldwide to become a better artist. The Draconic Awards is situated to try and create not just an atmosphere of friendly competition, but also an interactive community in which everyone can learn and share with each other."  Furthermore, their "Las Vegas Open is two weeks Away!" and you can find out more here.

Also, though I don't generally include comic conventions in the regular "Conventions, Gamedays, and Misc Gaming" roundup each month, some warrant pointing out like Capricon 35, taking place from Feb 12 - 15 and taking place at the Westin Chicago North Shore in Wheeling, IL.  I haven't been but hear good reports about how well run and how much gaming there is, if only a sideline.  If you go, let me know of your own experience.  See more here.

Finally, twice a year Games Plus on Mount Prospect, IL, has a huge game auction.  The spring version is swiftly coming upon us with it taking place in early March and submission deadlines until pretty close to that start, so see more here.

Events & Play Wednesday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

News of Conventions and Gamedays as well as pictures

from those I have attended and games I have played.

Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

The Friday Grab Bag - Games Plus Auction Fall 2014

The excellent game store Games Plus in Mount Prospect, IL, has their Fall 2014 auction underway.  While the collectible minis went on Wednesday evening, tonight, Friday, Oct 3rd, is for Historical & Family Games (with books & magazines but no minis), Saturday, Oct 4th is for Fantasy and Sci-Fi  Roleplaying, Boardgames, Magazines, etc. (no minis), and Sunday, Oct 5th, is for Miniatures (all non-collectible genres, magazines, terrain, etc).  See more here.

The Friday Grab Bag on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics not covered
elsewhere or needing a particular focus.

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Games Plus Spring Auction Revisited

Earlier this month, and just before attending the Games Plus Spring Auction this year, John O'Neill (on his Black Gate blog) took a look back at last year's Spring Auction to remind all of us how fun it can be and what treasures can be had.  Read more here!

Games Plus Spring Auction in Mount Prospect, IL

For those in the upper Midwest of the USA, the Games Plus Spring Auction takes place Wednesday, March 5 and Friday, March 7, through Sunday, March 9, 2014. Details for which items and games go up on which days can be found here!

Games Plus 2013 Fall Auction

At the Games Plus game store in Mount Prospect, they are holding the 2013 Fall Auction this weekend,  Read more here!

Set Phasers to a Quarter Million

It's been recently report on MSNBC News that a prop phaser rifle from the original Star Trek series has sold at auction for $231,000 which was quite a bit more than expected by anyone.  Read more here!

Ernie Gygax Fire Relief Trust Fund

I recently mentioned the tragic situation that has befallen Ernie Gygax in Lake Geneva, his apartment fire leaving him homeless and the many irreplaceable heirlooms and collectibles lost forever.  Well now a way to help has been set up by his brother Luke and other concerned friends in the form of the Ernie Fire Relief Trust Fund.  Read more here on the Gygax Magazine website.

Games Plus 2013 Spring Auction

If you happen to be in the Chicago area, or will be for the first weekend in March, don't forget about the Games Plus 2013 Spring Auction.  Paperwork is available now if you have some items you'd like to offload. Read more here!

Games Plus Fall Auction 2012

If you have some old or unused games taking up space on your shelves or in your closets, you can turn those games into store credit by participating in the Games Plus (Mount Prospect, IL) Fall auction 2012.  Read more here!

Ptolus eBay Auction

EN Worlder DM4Hire has a very complete Ptolus auction just up that includes the super huge vinyl map, the gigantic book, three players guides, and a couple of adventures.  Check it out here!

David Arneson Gaming Estate Auction

The late Dave Arneson's gaming collection was nearly lost to the void since his passing but has resurfaced and is now being auctioned.  Read more here!

The 55th Games Plus Auction - Fall 2011

They might just have to expand the Games Plus auction to a fifth day to accomodate all of the buyers, sellers and games that wind up on the block.  Wednesday, the collectibles day, was rocking and bigger than any other Wednesday they have had in the past.  Friday (they skip Thursday, which is likely what they would expand into) was also huge.  I took some pics of the Friday box games crowd and all that was on offer.  I was outbid for a couple of games in very nice chape, including a Peloponnesian War, ancient naval battles wargame, and a classic Kingmaker game in the long box from Ariel Games before selling the right to Avalon Hill.  Saturday is traditionally the RPG day and if you are a minis fan and in the area today, Sunday, then non-collectible minis are in the offing, as well as miniatures games rules.

Games Plus in Mount Prospect, IL - Fall 2011 Auction

If you haven't been to a Games Plus auction then you haven't heard of them.  I know of no gamers who haven't found at least a handful of great deals there but, be warned, the prices are reasonable but you won't likely wind up picking up too much for next to nothing.  Many savvy gamers and eBayers make sure to keep the bottom feeding to a minimum.  Even the Troll and Toad folk show up regularly to replenish their warehouses.  So, there are good deals but sellers can be near-assured that if they put something into the auction and it s in good condition, they will see god value for it.  Remember, too, that you receive your "winings" in the form of a store credit.  That's how Games Plus manages to get their due without charging anyone for running the auction or placing items in it.  Think of it as recycling your old games for new gaming materials.