tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342928539214422457.post3040932027453615207..comments2024-03-27T04:42:08.504+13:00Comments on Fields of Blood: NatCon - A Tired Old Lady?Pete Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352990006052067650noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342928539214422457.post-47110493407768959772012-04-20T00:33:39.981+12:002012-04-20T00:33:39.981+12:00Interesting so many people have complained about t...Interesting so many people have complained about the lighting. I was at OTT and found the same thing, even losing out on my painting score because the judges couldn't see details on my models (asked Haydn afterwards why I'd scored so low, and he said they hadn't seen details like eyes etc. done). I really enjoyed OTT and I'll be back next year if at all possible, but the venue wasn't a great playing environment (did appreciate the free accomodation though).Jestar Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10195755910443784275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342928539214422457.post-82506869176985626252012-04-13T10:06:03.264+12:002012-04-13T10:06:03.264+12:00I kept catching the wheel of my mobility scooter o...I kept catching the wheel of my mobility scooter on the joins between the sheetsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13835921145774599372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342928539214422457.post-29344974837176301872012-04-12T22:39:18.283+12:002012-04-12T22:39:18.283+12:00I watched Pete trip on it no less than seven times...I watched Pete trip on it no less than seven times, but I was genuinely disappointed to see that nobody tripped while carrying an entire army.<br /><br />If anyone other than Haydn Korach were to run the 40k, with their existing set up, I would not go simply put.Charlie St Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16454506130621489366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342928539214422457.post-67748784707840289332012-04-11T22:50:29.326+12:002012-04-11T22:50:29.326+12:00The amusement generated by the blue plastic sheeti...The amusement generated by the blue plastic sheeting got very old, very quickly. I'm not most nimble of players but I tripped over the damn thing 3-4 times. I'm surprised Pete didn't break a hip.<br /><br />The venue is awful due to the draconian food restrictions, lack of nearby eating option and the lighting. I went to a tournament there last year (NiCon?) and don't recall the giant blue floor nappy but otherwise had a similarly poor experience.<br /><br />Highlights for me were the company of gamers and the games themselves (and seeing Vod and Philfy play Fantasy again). I took a one-day (Friday) option offered by the Warmachine system which was a self-contained tournament - drove down in the morning with Josh and Damian, played 5 games, finished by 4pm, dropped off the guys and home by 7pm so it worked out ok.<br /><br />I've played the 3-day Fantasy even before and I will NEVER do it again.<br /><br /><br />I believe long weekend tournaments are under serious threat of extinction. NatCon and NiCon both failed to achieve leave pass velocity for me this year. Labour Weekend has been pre-emptively written off.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12537919105443188734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342928539214422457.post-82247630465854116172012-04-11T22:28:22.130+12:002012-04-11T22:28:22.130+12:00I think that's the last event that I'll be...I think that's the last event that I'll be going to at that venue for a while (ever). By the end of the weekend the blue plastic on the floor was more of a hazard than anything else, if you tried to make people work in those conditions you'd get an OSH complaint being lodged.<br /><br />No drink and food facilities is just ridiculous, certainly not value for money when you compare it to events held in Auckland/Wellington/Christchurh...Vodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00923106451208627878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342928539214422457.post-50609729218779426782012-04-11T18:15:40.608+12:002012-04-11T18:15:40.608+12:00I think by the time the venue requires you to tape...I think by the time the venue requires you to tape plastic to the floor it's time to get a new venue. I'm assuming it's at the high school gym that Over the Top was at and I completely agree, no food or drink in the venue sucks. I don't mind going to Hamilton for tournies but the venue is starting to get old. The organizers tend to do a great job of it but there's not much else around there for a wargamer. <br /><br />The only store in the area (mark 1 i believe) does support it but with out much of a bring and buy table or other sponsors it's definitely not got much else going on. <br /><br />I have to say, I was quite impressed last time i went to Christchurch for a tourney. The workingman's club, the HUGE bring and buy table and the variety of games was pretty impressive. <br /><br />with my current job I simply can't commit to most out of town tournaments more than 6 weeks out (hence not being at Equinox) and 100$ is definitely too much, especially if the facilities are not up to snuff.Blaisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17663126929339161025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342928539214422457.post-59413189108146735422012-04-11T17:52:13.363+12:002012-04-11T17:52:13.363+12:00As far as I was concerned it was primariy the loca...As far as I was concerned it was primariy the location that put me off. (plus my brother in law was out from the UK this year). Hamilton is an awkward destination to get to from outside the main centres and basically comes down to a 6 hour drive for me.<br />Peter and I did attend once and took our wife/partner. We stayed overnight in Taupo and drove in in the morning. Our spouses were bored silly because nothing was open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Sorry to the Hamiltonians - lovely gardens but we didn't find much else.<br />The three day event once is year is nice to have and doesn't put me off.<br />It is a shame that the other systems are not getting the numbers and you are not quite right Pete in that I just regard it as another tournament. Winning (OK coming 4th for me)the "nationals" has a nice ring to it.<br />Nicon has suffered from the same low numbers once it is held outside Auckland and Wellington. Napier - only 8, Palmerston North - about 10 over the last few years.<br />The $100 fee would have also put me off if I suddenly had a late opportunity to go, but the early bird rate was quite reasonable.<br />I would be very disappointed with the lack of catering on site, the restrictions on food and beverages (what no cup of tea)and find the thought of plastic sheets on the floor both weird and uncomfortable.<br />In summary though I think it is location and the Easter timing that are probably the main problems.<br /><br />NeilAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342928539214422457.post-63778956951641887002012-04-11T16:56:02.357+12:002012-04-11T16:56:02.357+12:00Pete, I personally think that location makes a hug...Pete, I personally think that location makes a huge difference. You get this sort of event in, for example, a Workingmens Club (like they have in Chch), or similar, then it will attract many more people. Likewise a central location close to alternative eateries/entertainment/transport (so unlike NatCon 2012) will also increase numbers. Cost is, as you identify, also a huge issue.hagennznoreply@blogger.com