So, let's start from the beginning. Board game conventions are gatherings of board game enthusiasts where they come together to play games, learn about new games, and connect with other board game enthusiasts. These conventions have become increasingly popular over the past few years as the board game industry has grown and evolved. One of the biggest board game conventions in the world and the biggest in the United States is GenCon, which has been held annually in Indianapolis since 1968. GenCon is a four-day event that attracts tens of thousands of attendees from all over the world. It features a massive exhibit hall where publishers and designers showcase their latest games, as well as countless events and tournaments where attendees can play games and compete with others. The Spiel Convention in Essen, also known as Spiel Essen or simply Essen, is the largest board game convention in the world. It takes place annually in Essen, Germany, typically in late October or early November, and lasts for four days. The convention began in 1983 and has grown significantly over the years, attracting around 200,000 visitors and over a thousand exhibitors from all over the world. It is known for being the premier event for board game enthusiasts, with many new releases and hotly anticipated games being debuted there each year. The convention features a massive exhibition hall where companies and publishers showcase their latest board games and products. Attendees have the opportunity to play and purchase games, as well as meet game designers and publishers. In addition to the exhibition hall, there are also a variety of events, tournaments, and panels throughout the convention.
When I was just starting to understand how the board game industry works and wanted to be a part of it, I lived in Lublin, Poland - a small city located in the eastern part of the country, approximately 100km from the border of Ukraine. It was there that I had the pleasure of meeting some truly great people, including M. Szewczyk (NK, Rebel, and "Gradanie" podcast), A. Kwapinski (famous game designer, whose book I believe to be exceptional and highly beneficial for personal growth in game design), M. Sienko (a game designer and president of the biggest NGO promoting roleplaying and board games in Lublin), and hundreds of other like-minded individuals. We had almost monthly conventions, big or small, and practically every pub or cafe was a perfect spot for playing board games. Dozens of smaller organizations held their own board game events or meetings. In comparison, Ukraine had virtually nothing in terms of board game culture at that time. We didn't even have five publishers in a 48 million country. There were few board game shops, or any board game conventions to speak of. Occasionally, book exhibitions would provide a few tables for board game enthusiasts, but that was the extent of it. We had situation like this partially because of russia and how they do business in Ukraine. How this ends you may read in my article in CGI magazine. As the first independent board game reviewer in the Ukrainian language, I tried to find time between my main job, smaller initiatives, and volunteering to grow the geek community. One day, I decided to record a video proposing that we organize a special event for geeks by geeks. The video received just shy of 200 views, but to my surprise, nearly 50 people decided to come and take part in the event. It was challenging to organize this from Poland and to travel all the way to Ukraine for the event. Without the help of the guys from Igames, this would have been the first and last event of its kind. To make the event a success, we had to throw in some personal money to cover all expenses, but that is a story for another day. I definitely will write another article about what great job do guys before for the Ukrainian board game community.
Photo from the first GEEKosphere in Medzhybizh castle
Board game conventions have a long and storied history, with the Spiel convention in Essen, Germany, being the largest and most renowned. However, the trend is spreading globally, with board game conventions popping up all over the world. In Poland, the biggest convention is Pyrkon, which has grown to become one of the largest fan conventions in Europe, with over 50,000 attendees in recent years. In Lublin, we had Falkon. Falkon is an annual fantasy and science fiction convention. It's a three-day event that attracts enthusiasts of all ages who are passionate about everything related to fantasy and sci-fi. Falkon offers a wide range of activities and attractions such as board games, card games, video games, cosplay competitions, panel discussions, and workshops on topics like game design and writing. What's unique about Falkon is that it's organized entirely by volunteers who are passionate about fantasy and sci-fi. And it was a pleasure for me to be part of this team as a volunteer firstly, and as a board game zone manager a little bit lately. I tried to help in any events related to the board game industry: Warsaw Comic Con, Polcon, Arena Gier, Historykon, Board Mania, etc.
XXXII National Convention of Fantasy Lovers POLCON. Lublin, 2017
In Ukraine, GEEKosphere is a small convention that was started by a group of board game enthusiasts, including myself. Inspired by the vibrant board game community in Poland, we wanted to create a space where Ukrainian board game enthusiasts could come together to play games, learn about new games, and connect with other enthusiasts. Our first GEEKosphere convention was held at Medzhybizh castle and was attended by something between 50 and 60 people who brought their own games to create a library of games for everyone to play. For that three days, we played board games for hours on end, forming new connections and deepening existing ones. Since then, GEEKosphere has grown and evolved. We have held multiple conventions in different locations and different cities across the country. Each one is bigger and better than the last. What makes this story particularly interesting is the philosophy behind GEEKosphere - from the very beginning, I envisioned it as an event that could be organized by anyone, free of franchise fees or other bureaucratic obstacles. It was simply about bringing together like-minded individuals who shared a passion for board games and creating a sense of community. Now, on May 13-14, 2023, GEEKosphere is taking that philosophy one step further. With the help of a charitable festival, the organizers are raising funds to purchase 500 individual first-aid kits for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Every hryvnia (UA currency) earned at the festival will go towards this worthy cause. But don't let the charitable aspect of the festival overshadow the fun! Attendees will have the opportunity to play hundreds of games from around the world, try out prototypes from up-and-coming game designers, participate in RPG sessions, and even compete in wargaming tournaments. And to top it all off, there will be a charity lottery with prizes donated by the festival's sponsors. So come on out, have a blast, and support a great cause at the same time. Additionally, there's one more thing to mention. In case you're unable to attend the event but still want to contribute to our cause by making a monetary donation, you can do so by visiting the provided link. Every $5 (or 200 hryvnias) donated earns you a chance to win a prize from our sponsors. GEEKosphere is a testament to the power of community and the passion that board game enthusiasts have for their hobby. It is a space where people can come together to share their love of games and connect with like-minded individuals.