Origins 2007 was a huge success. The three screenings went very well. We ran out of business cards. We went through 10 press kits. We had 5 interviews with press outlets and met some really great people, like up and coming game designers, the filmmakers of "Geekin'" and "The Gamers: Dorkness Rising" and even some bonified superfans of "Fellowship" like
Josh.
There were some great highs and some annoyances, like a jag-off rolling his eyes when he came by the booth, saying "Ugh! Another gaming movie?!"
Whatever, dude.
But let's take things one and a time.
First and foremost, a big thank you to Doug Howard, who ran the screening room. He managed to get us those three screenings, even though we were extremely late in getting "Fellowship" to him. We owe you a few drinks, Doug, no doubt about it.
We also play tested a new RPG by designers Andrew Kozak and Vito Pandolfo called
Metal, Magic and Lore. Origins was there debut. They spent 5 years perfecting this game and it shows. The artwork alone is off the hook and the game engine is streamlined and incredibly deadly. It's all based on percentage dice and hit locations, which at first may sound a bit clunky, but trust me, the combat and magic systems are fast, simple and vicious. I can't wait to test it out with some of my gaming buddies back home. This game is going to be huge and I feel very lucky to say I was there at the beginning. I can't wait to see what they roll out next and I can't wait to play it some more at
Gen Con.
As for the interviews, one of the podcasts is already up and running at
Columbus Alive! It can be found at the GameOn! Podcast link which is part of the Multimedia grouping on the center-left part of the page. As other podcasts and articles appear, we'll be sure to link them up.
We also got to see a screening of "Geekin'" and "Gamers: Dorkness Rising." Both movie represent what I believe to be the beginning of a whole new sub-genre of film, the Gamer Movie. Over the past couple of years, movies about gamers and gaming have been popping up everywhere. "Gamers" "Gamerz" "Uber-Goober" "Gamemaster, Gamemaster, What Have You Done?" "Darkon" -- just to name a few... and it was wonderful to finally meet some of the other filmmakers who share our passion and belief that what happens around a gaming table makes for great cinema. I hope this trend just grows and grows.
By the way,
"Dorkness Rising" was really fun and well worth the wait. A thank you to Executive Producer
Ben Dobyns for his support and for making "The Gamers" in the first place. It was great meeting you!
I'll end this post by saying this convention inspired me to come up with an organization to encourage more gaming movies to be made. I want to turn that "Ugh!" to "Awesome!" I want eye-rolls to turn into wide-eyed, wet-lipped, hand-trembling excitement. There are countless stories to be told and countless ways to tell them.
But more on that later.
Thanks to all for their support.
Stay tuned for more of the recap from Origins.