SEQUIM — A small group of gamers looks to bring fans of all ages across the North Olympic Peninsula together for a new gaming experience this August.
OPTTACON, short for Olympic Peninsula Tabletop Association’s Convention, is the idea that grew from Jeff Tingelstad and Travis Britten as an all-inclusive gaming experience set for Friday through Sunday, Aug. 3-5, at the Guy Cole Event Center in Carrie Blake Community Park, 202 N. Blake Ave.
It’s the first of what Tingelstad, a real estate agent at JACE Real Estate in Sequim, hopes becomes an annual event bringing tabletop game fans together to play, encounter and share games, and connect with the gaming community.
Tingelstad launched a Kickstarter campaign online and exceeded his $1,009 goal to cover costs and purchase games for prizes.
Some of the advance ticket options include a one-day pass Aug. 4 or Aug. 5 that costs $11, or $17 for a two-day pass with various other packages available for families and an exclusive Friday night session with pizza.
Tickets can be purchased on the association’s website http://opttacon.org/ and will be available at the event’s doors, too.
“I think the trend for board games is growing and we’re seeing conventions growing for them,” he said. “Games are for everyone.”
Tingelstad said when most people think of board games, they think of Monopoly or Risk, but with Kickstarter and the Internet, “We’re in a real Golden Age for gaming.”
“A lot of new games have higher quality components and are more developed,” he said. “Some have sold millions of dollars in inventory.”
Tingelstad hopes at least 100 people will attend the convention.
The convention will feature a large selection of games in its free-to-play library, play-to-win section along with vendors, and games being led by volunteers to teach newcomers.
“Games range from short, 10-minute card games to really involved two- to three-hour board games,” Tingelstad said.
Major game companies have donated games for the event’s play-to-win section, too, he said.
OPTTACON’s Kickstarter campaign says organizers also are considering a board game auction, board game exchange and a cosplay contest.
For more information, visit http://optta con.org or https://www.kick starter.com/projects /2110566857/opttacon-2018.
