GAMA 2009 4th Quarter Newsletter

The GAMA 2009 4th Quarter Newsletter is now posted on the
GAMA website and can be viewed through the following link:
http://gama.org/about-gama/gama-newsletters.

New Date for GAMA Trade Show 2010

SAVE THE DATE!

The GAMA Trade Show (GTS) has moved dates!  Mark your calendar for March 22-26^th, 2010 at Bally’s Las Vegas.  We have worked closely with Bally’s to not only move the date off of the Holiday weekend, but also to ensure that Bally’s will extend to our membership any room rate deals that the casino is offering.
NEW MEMBERS AT GTS!

In anticipation of GTS 2010, GAMA began calling individual retail store owners Friday the 25^th to tell them about the show!

Staff and volunteers will continue to call individual retail stores and companies through December to increase visibility on the programs, seminars and opportunities that we provide at GTS.  We want to make sure that every retail store in America knows about the dynamic and helpful programs our association runs for GAMA members at the annual association trade show.

Remember the trade show is YOUR event. Our goal is to ensure we do our part to make GTS 2010 a success. Help us make GTS the best it can be by making sure we get your retailer lists and also by telling us what you want to see at the upcoming show.

We want to thank those members that have already sent in their retailer lists to the GAMA office. We are anticipating contacting many stores this year so please send your lists to Trey Reilly programs@gama.org if you haven’t already.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Chair of the Academy Appointment

GAMA is pleased to announce Paul Tevis as the new Chair of the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design (AAGAD), which administers the Origins Awards on behalf of the Game Manufacturer’s Association (GAMA).  Paul Tevis is a game designer, writer, and podcaster living in Santa Barbara, CA, with his wife and their three cats. His podcast about tabletop games, ‘Have Games, Will Travel’, won the Gold ENnie for Best Podcast in 2007, the first year the category existed. His most recent
project, a storytelling game of improv and amnesia called ‘A Penny For My Thoughts’,  and was published this summer in cooperation with Evil Hat Productions.

“Former GAMA Executive Director Anthony Gallela and the GAMA board of Directors have built a solid foundation for the Origins Awards over the last few years. I’m excited to work with John and the Board to continue that tradition,” said Paul.  “For now, my focus is on making sure the existing process runs smoothly.”

Paul has a rich history with GAMA including serving as the Director-At-Large on the GAMA Board from 2008 to 2009, participating on the Origins Awards Card Game Jury in 2006, and contributing to the Origins Awards Task Force led by Matt Forbeck that developed the current awards process in 2005.

Paul holds a B.S. in Computer Science and a B.A. in Philosophy from Rice University.  He is currently employed as a software engineer at Kollmorgen Engineered Solutions.

Please join GAMA in welcoming Paul to his new role!

Andrea Kruse

GAMA Communications

pr@gama.org

GAMA TRADE SHOW (GTS) SEMINARS AVAILABLE BY PODCAST

Up to 30 new educational and informative seminars on running a business in the hobby games industry will soon be available for download at PulpGamer.com.  The seminars were all recorded at the 2009 GAMA Trade Show (GTS) in Las Vegas.  Subject matter discussed in the seminars includes how and what products to buy as a retailer, accounting basics, how to utilize community partnerships, and information on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). 

With the click of a button, the podcasts give seasoned business owners and those just starting out invaluable information from industry leaders, all for free.  “This collection of seminars is a resource every retailer in the business needs to listen to,” said Don Dehm, president of the Arizona-based PulpGamer.com and GAMA Director at Large.  “People are downloading and absorbing this ‘audio gold’ by the thousands to learn how to run a smarter business, and ultimately increase their bottom line.”

Approximately 60 GTS seminars from the past two years are also available for download on the website, with new seminars released on a weekly basis.  Over half a dozen of the 2009 seminars are available now, with those scheduled for release in next few weeks including topics like “Making Board Games Work for You” and a two-part series on buyer’s training. 

To access the podcasts, visit http://pulpgamer.com/gama/.

Andrea Kruse

GAMA Communications

pr@gama.org

ORIGINS 2009 RECAP

Thanks for another great Origins Game Fair in Columbus, Ohio!  If you had a chance to make it to the event, you were one of over 10 thousand gaming enthusiasts who enjoyed the show.  Although attendance numbers were down by approximately 18% from 2008, day-pass ticket sales increased by nearly 16% which means more people were introduced to the hobby this year than ever before.

This year also saw an increase in sponsors for Origins, more vendors in the exhibit hall, expanded open gaming, an impressive Art Show and Art College, and many other great events and seminars.  Special thanks to the 250 volunteers who offered their time and talent to this year’s event.  Without their assistance, the Origins Game Fair would not be possible. 

 2009 ORIGINS AWARD WINNERS

 The Game Manufacturers Association’s (GAMA) Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design, GAMA’s retail members, and the attendees of this year’s Origins Game Fair have chosen the best tabletop games in a number of categories.  Congratulations to all the nominees and winners. 
 
Here are the categories with the winners: 
 
BOARD GAMES
Pandemic
Published by Z-Man Games, Inc.
Designed by Matt Leacock
 
CHILDREN’S, FAMILY, AND PARTY GAMES
Say Anything
Published by North Star Games
Designed by Dominic Craphuchettes and Satish Pillalamarri
 
HISTORICAL BOARD GAMES
Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear
Published by Academy Games
Designed by Uwe Eickert
 
CARD GAMES
Dominion
Published by Rio Grande Games
Designed by Donald X Vaccarino
 
COLLECTIBLE CARD GAMES
Magic the Gathering: Shards of Alara 1
Published by Wizards of the Coast
Designed by Bill Rose and Devin Low
 
FICTION
Worlds of Dungeons & Dragons Volume 2
Published by Devil’s Due
Edited by James Lowder & Mike O’Sullivan
 
NON-FICTION
Tour de Lovecraft: The Tales
Published by Atomic Overmind Press
Written by Ken Hite
 
MINIATURE FIGURE GAME RULES
Classic Battletech: Tactical Operations
Published by Catalyst Game Labs
Designed by Randall N. Bills and Herbert A Beas II
 
MINIATURE FIGURE OR LINE OF MINIATURE FIGURES
Star Wars Miniatures: The Clone Wars
Published by Wizards of the Coast
 
HISTORICAL MINIATURE FIGURE GAME RULES
There was a tie in this category.
 
Field of Glory Miniature Rules
Published by Osprey Publishing / Slitherine Software
Designed by Richard Bodley-Scott
 
and
 
Song of Drums and Shakos
Published by Ganesha Games
Designed by Andrea Sfiligoi

HISTORICAL MINIATURE FIGURE GAME RULES SUPPLEMENTSRISE OF ROME (Field of Glory Supplement)

Published by Osprey Publishing
 
HISTORICAL MINIATURE FIGURE OR LINE OF MINIATURE FIGURES
SS-Panzerdivision ‘Das Reich’ Panzerkompanie (GEAB06) [15mm Line]

Published by Battlefront Games
 
PLAY BY POST
Hyborian War

Published by Reality Simulations Inc.

Designed by Paul W Brown III

ROLE-PLAYING GAMES
Mouseguard Role-Playing Game
Published by Archaia Studios Press
Designed by Luke Crane and David Petersen
 
ROLE-PLAYING GAME SUPPLEMENTS
Serenity Adventures
Published by Margaret Weis Productions
Designed by Alana Abbot, Billy Aguiar, James Davenport, Ted Reed, and James M. Ward
 
GAME ACCESSORIES
D-Total die
Published by Gamescience
Designed by Dr. A. F. Simkin, Frank Dutrain, and Louis Zocchi

Origins Game Fair Starts Next Week!

The 2009 Origins Game Fair is less than a week away!  Take a moment to check out this year’s sponsors:

• Adventure Retail (representing publishers and retailers like Atlas Games www.atlas-games.com, Steve Jackson Games www.sjgames.com, Fantasy Flight Games www.fantasyflightgames.com, Do Gooder Press www.dogooderpress.com, Green Ronin Publishing www.greenronin.com, Chaosium www.chaosium.com, Playroom Entertainment www.playrooment.com, and Source Comics & Games www.sourcecandg.com)

• Bandai – www.bandai.com

• Catalyst Game Labs – www.classicbattletech.com

• Chimera – www.chimerahobby.com

• Crystal Caste – www.crystalcaste.com

• Game Science – www.gamescience.com

• Geek Chic – www.geekchichq.com

• Mayfair Games – www.mayfairgames.com

• Rio Grande – www.riograndegames.com

• Wells Expeditions – www.arcanelegions.com

New to Origins is the Art College.  The Art College will offer lessons from experienced teachers in traditional painting, illustration, sculpting, miniatures painting, terrain building and more! There will be nearly one hundred classes brought to you by artists such as Sandra Garrity, Ed Beard, Jr., and Andy Hopp. Nothing like this has ever been assembled at any convention, and we’re proud to bring it to you this year.

Make sure to check out the Origins website, www.originsgamefair.com, for the newly posted artist and exhibitor listings.  Also, for those who may need assistance during the show we have complied a list of local mobility assistance vendors at http://www.originsgamefair.com/2009-origins/attend/mobility.

We hope to see you next week in Columbus, June 24 – 28, for the Origins Game Fair!

Andrea Kruse

GAMA Communications

pr@gama.org

614-255-4500

2009 Origins Game Fair Update

The GAMA 2009 Origins Game Fair is just a few weeks away, and the show promises to be one of the most memorable. Here’s a sneak peek at some of this year’s highlights:

• It’s the 25th anniversary of BattleTech, and that means the Battle Pods are coming!
• The Wookie Chewbacca, otherwise known as Peter Mayhew, will be attending this year along with a multitude of representatives from the 501st Legion.
• Open Gaming will be expanded to include more free gaming space than ever before.
• Wizards of the Coast will continue to grow their event numbers this year.
• The Art Show will exhibit an exceptional tribute to BattleTech’s anniversary as well as to Shadowrun.
• The World Diplomacy Tournament will also be held at this year’s Origins.
• Make your time at the Origins Game Fair into a “mini vacation” by checking out other local Columbus attractions on the Origins web site.
• And don’t forget all of Origin’s other familiar favorites including Play with the Creator and The Gathering!

Hope to see you in Columbus, June 24-28, for the 2009 Origins Game Fair!

Andrea Kruse
GAMA Communications
(614) 255-4500  pr@gama.org

STRONGER THAN EXPECTED BUYER ATTENDANCE MAKES 2009 GAMA TRADE SHOW A SUCCESS

STRONGER THAN EXPECTED BUYER ATTENDANCE MAKES 2009 GAMA TRADE SHOW A SUCCESS

Despite the nation’s current economic challenges, the 2009 GAMA Trade Show (GTS) showed impressive buyer attendance.  While the average trade show has seen a 30 – 40% drop in attendance for 2009, GTS dropped by only 18%.  Although turnout was down from last year, exhibitors reported good sales and contacts among show attendees.

“Given where the economy is right now and the effect it has on our members, we’re very pleased with the results of this year’s GTS,” said John Ward, executive director of GAMA. “We know it’s hard for people right now. The fact that so many buyers attended despite the economy’s challenges demonstrates the show’s value.”

Next year’s GAMA Trade Show is slated to take place in Bally’s Las Vegas on April 6-9 (Tuesday-Friday), 2010. For exhibitor information, please contact Steve Verdoliva at 614-255-4500 or sales@gama.org.

GAMA Announces Personnel Changes

The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announces the departure of John Kaufeld from GAMA. As GAMA moves in a new direction, John was able to step in and combine his expertise in marketing with his knowledge in gaming to help the organization. Throughout this transition, we would like to thank John for his continued support for the organization and its mission.

GAMA is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Verdoliva as the Acting Sales Director. Steve has been with GAMA for nearly 2 years as the Program Coordinator. Steve has been involved in many aspects of the game industry, from being a partner in conventions in Southern California, owning a retail game store for more than thirteen years, to being a founding member of the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society (HMGS), Pacific Southwest, where he has the distinction of having held every office in the chapter. Please welcome Steve in his new role. His email address is sales@gama.org.

Also joining the GAMA team on a part-time basis is Andrea Kruse. Andrea has years of experience in the fields of public relations, marketing, and video production and will be working closely with Steve to increase awareness of the gaming industry. To contact Andrea, please email pr@gama.org.

Nominees for 35th Origins Awards announced

Every year, publishers and creators submit their best products in a variety of categories to vie for the honor of an Origins Award, the hobby game industry’s premiere award for more than three decades. The massive lot of submissions is reviewed by a jury of experts drawn from the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design and the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA), and these expert juries select the top ten in each category as semi-finalists. Game store retailers attending the GAMA Trade Show (www.GAMATradeShow.com) vote upon the semi-finalists, creating the final list of nominees in each category.

Each nominee receives a silver award and a place on the final ballot, which is presented in June each year to the attendees of the Origins Game Fair (www.OriginsGameFair.com), GAMA’s consumer game convention. Attendance at Origins typically tops 14,000 thousand game fans, all of whom can cast their vote during the show. The ballots are then tallied and the winner in each category announced at a gala ceremony on the last night of the convention.