So, like it was foretold, I'm back, all safe and sound.
Here is what happened all day:
The weather was good and we started out trip early in the morning to be there when gates opened. Those ashes from that volcano in iceland prevents any air traffic right now, so it was a clear blue sky, no clouds, no planes no nothing.
The trip went easy and we were there almost in time and german thoroughness in posting signs for directions made it an easy place to find. Yeah, OK, that I am going there every year did help a little, too.
So we lined up for parking and finally... a shock!
€ 8,- ($ 10,60) for parking!
Well, what was the choice? So we went inside, gates already open, so we could buy tickets pretty fast, which gave us the next shock!
€ 15,- ($ 20,25) entry fee! Geez, Louise, let go off my arm, dammit!
4 guys, one car, that was already € 68,- ($ 91,81) spent, without even looking at stuff!
Finally in, we started out first, very quick tour, serving only one purpose:
Since I used to work on these conventions, there are a lot of people I know, so I ran around, patting shoulders, shaking hands, saying hellos.
Then we started our tour.
First thing I noticed: There used to be 3 halls with stands and one area outside with a medieval market.
This year, only two halls, not even propperly filled with stands, and the medieval market a little larger as it was a year before.
So, we were browsing the stands, looking at this, looking at that. Been there, done that, saw those.
Nothing new.
There used to be a stand for almost each MMO available. This time, only
Dragon Age Origins and
Mass Effect 2 were there, but closed to the open public. You had to ask for an appointment and we didn't want to do that, so screw you, guys!
Some board games seem to be coming back, mostly from
Games Workshop. Talisman seems to get a redesign and rerelease. I've seen the Horus Heresy, but I'm not sure if that is new or a rerelease too.
A lot of stands offered LARP (Live Action Role Play) goods but LARP isn't my interest at all.
But I saw a captains outfit that imediately caught my eye.
Rich, red brocade jacket, shirt with quillings, jackboots, rapier, tricorn hat and all...
Damn, even I could wear that as pirate captains could be fat, couldn't they?
When I started adding the prices, I turned very pale when I reached € 400,- ($ 540,-) and wasn't even closed to be done.
Byebye, pirate costume! Farewell and keep me in good memories...
That is one thing I so hate about this: They now you need to buy it and so they make you sell your soul for it.
Well, in short, it was a rather disappointing trip and the Role Playing convention will surely be scratched from my schedule next year.
Probably even less stands but higher fees nonetheless.
I'm done with that convention, seriously.
But hey, I've spent a cool day with a couple of friends, so what?
IT still was worth it!
