To Any Games director Lai Chung Sen, this is a bit of a shame, as the world of tabletop gaming is vast and diverse, with a huge variety of titles and play concepts available on the global market.
This is why he’s inviting anyone and everyone to Any Games Con, the biggest tabletop games convention in the country, to be held at the Jaya Shopping Centre here this weekend.
This exciting two-day event, which returns for its second year, will showcase a wide variety of tabletop games from all around the world, with fun activities planned for gaming newbies and veterans alike.
“I hope this event lets the Malaysian public understand that there are a lot of choices and options for tabletop games, and they are not just toys for kids. There are many interesting games to suit different age ranges, and all kinds of different tastes,” said Lai, 21.
About 70 exhibitor booths are to be set up for the convention. Besides being able to try various games, enthusiasts can buy all their gaming needs, with everything from custom dice and card sleeves to 3D-printed miniatures and popular media merchandise available.
Certain publishers are offering 20% discounts on bestselling items, so keep a sharp eye out to discover great bargains!
“We will also be hosting a tabletop ‘lelong’ market where people can buy, sell or put up their games for auction on site,” Lai added.
Those who enjoy their games with a dose of Malaysian flavour are in luck, as Any Games Con will be hosting over 20 local game designers.
These include Alchymy Creative (“HR: The Toxic Workplace Card Game”), Classroom Adventures (“Kantin Wars”) and Meja Belakang (“Drama Pukul 7, Nak Makan Apa”).
This is a golden opportunity for anyone interested in joining the local industry: do stop by and engage in a chat, or maybe even a games session with them!
If you’re in a competitive mood, Any Games Con will be hosting several tournaments including “Magic: The Gathering”, “Grand Archive TCG”, and “WoW Mini War”.
Put your skills to the test and you could walk home with exclusive prizes including a PS5, Nintendo Switch, Huawei Band 7, and many other exciting surprises.
Lai said Any Games Con would be emceed by Singaporean board games community organiser Benjamin Leow.
Many cosplayers are also expected to attend, including Xuan Zii, (portraying the valiant Elspheth Tirel from “Magic: The Gathering”), Tokyo Games Show 2015 Malaysian representative Shine, and others.
One of the convention’s biggest highlights is “Lost Girl”, the first immersive and interactive detective story game set in a Malaysian mall. According to Lai, this game has been specially designed so players can explore the case on site, collect clues, and apply their deduction skills, all to unravel a confounding mystery.
This thrilling experience will delight crime-fiction fans, or anyone who believes themselves the next Sherlock Holmes!
For those seeking to spend quality time with their loved ones, the Any Games Con Family Game Zone is right up their alley.
A wide variety of family games from publishers such as Taiwan’s Swan Panasia and Germany’s HABA will be available for anyone to try out.
Visitors who wish to try role-playing games (RPGs) such as “Dungeons and Dragons” can visit the RPG Zone. There, they can join adventures hosted by game masters from local groups such as Here Be Dragons, The Horders Lair, and Nightshade Tavern.
Those who prefer their games with a bit more “bite” can watch a stage performance of the game “Werewolf”, conducted by the MW Club. This popular social game sees the people of a town trying to discover who the werewolves are among them.
Lai added that the event is a fantastic place to gain knowledge about the ins and outs of the tabletop game industry.
He recommended sharing sessions such as “How to Sell 1,000s of Your Game on the Retail Mass Market”, to be conducted by Imagine Games owner Edwin Wong; and “Changing Minds and Instituting Reforms Through Games”, by Build MyTown creator Pushpan Murugiah.
Another highlight would be the “Business of Fun: Surviving Your First Boardgame” panel.
He hoped that visitors would be encouraged to explore the wide and wondrous world of tabletop games, and that experienced players could perhaps discover a new favourite game or two.
Event: Any Games Con
Date: Saturday & Sunday (July 29-30)
Time: 11am-9pm
Tickets:
- RM35 for a one-day pass can be purchased here.
- FREE for those under 12 years old
Venue:
Jaya Shopping Centre
Jalan 14/17, Seksyen 14
46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor