Gamers prepare to gorge.
The 27th edition of BASHCon kicks off Friday as 1,000 gaming enthusiasts convene at the University of Toledo for three days worth of dice rolling, role playing, video gaming, networking, and a little full-contact medieval combat.
In other words, something for everyone.
Representatives and vendors from dozens of gaming companies will be on hand to meet fans, unveil new stuff, and market their wares.
"All your gaming needs can be satisfied this weekend," said Qusai Al Shidi, a UT physics senior from Oman who is the event coordinator. "It's a gaming culture thing, we have people coming from out of state."
The event Friday through Sunday takes over the Student Union on the campus as gamers set up and go at it. And if you think it sounds intriguing, but you're not sure you would fit in, don't fret because gamers are always ready to welcome new folks to the fold, Al Shidi said.
"If you're not a game hobbyist, if you don't know how to play a game, everyone's willing to teach," he said "Usually the event hosts spend time teaching people how to play before it starts."
Among this year's highlights:
●Battletech Pods where Al Shidi said you can enter a cockpit and maneuver a robot that battles other gamer-controlled robots.
●Organized role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons.
●Dagorhir Battle Games that combine fast-paced full-contact combat simulation with elements of live action role-playing. It's a medieval combat game played with padded weapons and you have to be 18 or older to participate.
●Eaten Alive, a live-fire zombie NERF game for people 16 and older.
●Video game tournaments featuring Smash Brothers Melee and Brawl, Call of Duty, and Halo: Reach.
Additionally there will be numerous other activities taking place throughout the weekend.
BASHCon will be Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight with registration at 4 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The cost is $15, but all UT students, staff, and faculty get in free. Information: bashcon.com/index.php.
Contact Rod Lockwood at rlockwood@theblade.com or 419-724-6159.
First Published February 16, 2012, 5:30 a.m.
