Gamers unite as tabletop gaming gains popularity

by Bobby-Jo Keats

The Windsor Gaming Resource is teaming up with the Green Bean Café Feb. 28 in an effort to unite gaming enthusiasts within the community.

The Games and Grub event is open to people of any age and runs from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m at the Wyandotte Street West location. The event embraces tabletop gaming, which was inspired by the success of a podcast called TableTop and a YouTube gaming show of the same name hosted by actor Wil Wheaton.  People get together on the program to discuss, learn and play board or card games together

“We are always looking to accommodate events that are good for our community and good for the arts,” said Ben Davidson, owner of the Green Bean Café.  “We are very focused at the Green Bean about building a stronger neighbourhood.  It’s important to us because the majority of us here live in this neighbourhood.”

Moe Tousignant runs the Windsor Gaming Resource and he said aside from organizing events such as this one, he says he is also responsible for organizing Windsor’s first Magic: The Gathering tournament.

Magic is a trading card game which has gained widespread popularity since it was introduced in 1993.  He says he organizes events around the city almost every week and has teamed up with the Green Bean Café for more than two years.

“I started Windsor Gaming Resource so that there would be an easy way for people to get in touch with each other and set up games and set up events so that nobody finds themselves without a group of people to play with,” said Tousignant. “Everyone is willing to teach the games they bring and it’s a great atmosphere.”

Among the most popular card games played are Thunderstone, Dominion, Magic and Munchkin. Also popular are board games such as Smash Up, Firefly, Zombie Dice, Settlers of Catan and Gloom.

“The most joy I receive from the events in seeing new people show up.  It’s a welcoming bunch of people and we love seeing more people getting involved.  My hopes are to get more people gaming,” said Tousignant.

Tyler Head, a local gaming enthusiast who co-hosts The Indecisive Video Gamers Podcast, said he thinks it’s a great idea.

“I collect figures and play the tabletop game Heroclix,” said Head.  “I think it is especially great that there are places that can host these tabletop gaming events because setting up games takes up a lot of room and space and the more places that are willing to help the tabletop gaming community is a good thing.”

The next event held by WGR will be hosted by local gaming store Hugin & Munin for a Cards and Coffee themed night on March 8.