Being the new kid
As a new game creator, the world of tabletop gaming is intimidating. It reminds me of the feelings I had starting at a new school as a kid. Everyone has their friend groups, they know what they like and have strong opinions about what they don’t. Luckily, our good friend Bonnie was like the chipper kid that comes right up and asks “will you be my friend?”. Her and her French husband, Julien, guided us into the world of gaming, taught us the lingo, and showed us the games they considered cool. We agreed, these games are pretty cool.
As Kate entertained the idea of creating a game I figured I’d tag along to learn more and attended my first game convention at PAX Unplugged in our home town of Philadelphia in November 2019. I was overwhelmed with the scale and amount of people passionate about tabletop games. Little did I know it at the time, but the seminars I went to and conversations with Longpack and Panda game manufacturers were providing me with a valuable crash course in game creation.
Rock climbing can also be an intimidating sport to break into. Many people, like myself, start at a local climbing gym and walk in with no clue of how the whole thing works, gazing up at the 50 ft overhanging walls dotted with multicolor plastic holds. In the climbing world, a new climber, or someone uninformed is called a “Gumby”. A slightly perjorative term but also one of endearment as Luke Mehall writes in his blog post “A Tribute To The Gumby”. As in the gaming world, it's nice to have a welcoming face ease you into it. For me it was a co-worker’s invitation to the local gym, she showed me the ropes and I was hooked immediately. I got a membership and started going all the time, luckily finding some of my new acquaintances in Philadelphia also climbed thus strengthening our friendship.
Although both scenarios were intimidating at first and I didn’t feel like I belonged, it only took one friendly face inviting me in to open the door to these new passions I now have in life. I hope and try to be that for others, when I see an unfamiliar face climbing alone at the gym I make some small talk, introduce myself, and hopefully make them feel welcome. I’ve sparked up conversations with other people who are already into games and look forward to inviting others into the tabletop gaming world as well. So, next time you see someone new at a local game tournament looking lost, or with an overwhelmed dumbfounded look in front of a game shelf, say “hi” and let them know gaming is for everyone!
-Garrett Gibbons