In the heart of Kansas from July 14-16, the tabletop gaming community gathered at the Overland Park Convention Center for KantCon 2023, transforming the space into a haven for board game enthusiasts. As I stepped into this sea of creativity, I had two goals in mind: gain insights and knowledge from local & regional vendors about their board game design journey, and be a first-time gamemaster for my very own “Order of the Blade,” to gather invaluable beta testing feedback.
I purposely arrived several hours early on Friday to scope out the space and variety of vendor booths spread out in the convention space. Conversations with seasoned designers and creators revealed nuggets of wisdom and information about local communities I could reach out to for future feedback and direction. This exchange of ideas fueled my creative spirit, and offered a glimpse into the diverse approaches and innovations shaping the tabletop gaming landscape. Overall this early entry proved to be an enlightening experience and really got me excited to start my first gamemaster session later that afternoon.
Even though I was not able to attend all three days, I was able to sign up Adam Clement (co-founder) and myself for two hour-long slots on both Friday and Saturday as the gamemasters of my very own “Order of the Blade”. This allowed us to turn our table into a dynamic arena for some beta testing. Our first two sessions unfolded on Friday with only a mild turnout, but the response from players was overwhelmingly positive, with each session attracting more eager participants. By Saturday morning, we could tell the buzz for Order of the Blade was making its way around the floor. We had a great turn-out for the morning session followed by a packed last session. The enthusiasm for our final Saturday session had swelled to such an extent that we split our table into two, accommodating both a 4-player and a 6-player game. The energy at our table was palpable enough to draw the attention of many passersby as players delved into the world of darkness that is “Order of the Blade”. Our post-game surveys continued to return positive feedback and provided invaluable insights that will undoubtedly shape the game’s evolution.
To me, KantCon 2023 was not just a convention; it was a nexus of creativity, collaboration, and shared passion. The experience not only deepened my understanding of the board game industry but also reinforced the vibrant spirit that binds gamers together. As “Order of the Blade” continues its journey from concept to reality, the lessons learned and connections forged at KantCon will undoubtedly leave an undeniable mark on its development.
In the spirit of gaming camaraderie, I eagerly anticipate the next chapter for “Order of the Blade” and the continued exploration into the ever-evolving realm of tabletop board games and how Rogue Skull Games fits into that world.
See you all next year for KantCon 2024 where we hope to showcase Order of the Blade again along with potentially two other Rogue Skull original games.
