Author Archives: Matt Prowse

  1. Other Events: RavenCon

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    RavenCon Review – A Hidden Gem for Serious (and Sociable) Gamers

    I’ve just come back from RavenCon, a Thursday-to-Saturday board gaming event held at the Raven Hotel in Hook, Hampshire, and it’s one of those quietly brilliant conventions that deserves a bigger audience.

    The setup is spot on. The Raven Hotel itself has around 38 comfortable rooms, with a further 20+ available just up the road at the White Hart Inn. If you’re after something a bit more upmarket, Basingstoke is only five minutes away by train. The venue couldn’t be easier to reach either, sitting right next to Hook station with plenty of parking on hand. The games room is spacious and in easy reach of the bar. Breakfast was included with my room, the Raven runs a full restaurant service and there are other eateries nearby.

    Gaming takes place from early Thursday until closing time on Saturday evening. It felt a bit unusual to go home after breakfast on a Sunday, but it made sense instead of trying to cram in one more game against a trickle of leavers across the day.

    RavenCon also carries a bit of gaming history with it. Its roots stretch back to the 1970s and the Intercontinental Kriegspiel Society, and you can still feel that legacy in the types of games that are played and the depth of experience in the room. There’s a strong tradition of heavier gaming here, with Avalon Hill and GMT titles very much at home, alongside weightier Euros like Speakeasy.

    That said, it’s far from exclusive or intimidating. I saw plenty of accessible favourites on the tables too, from Dune Imperium to Terraforming Mars, my favourite Concordia, and even Magical Athlete making an appearance.

    The standout feature for me, though, was the people. There’s a genuine willingness to teach, explain, and bring others into games. That openness makes it a fantastic environment whether you’re a seasoned grognard or just looking to step into something a bit deeper than your usual table fare.

    RavenCon runs twice a year, in March and October, and day tickets are available if you can’t commit to the full stay [Access to games rooms: £20 whole event, £10 day ticker]. It’s a con that feels like it’s grown organically from a deep love of gaming and a lot of experience, and it shows.

    If there’s one takeaway: it deserves more attendees. There’s space, there’s appetite for new games, and there’s a welcoming community ready to share decades (centuries!) of gaming experience.

    I’ll definitely be back.

    **I’ll update with the next dates ASAP and will help raise the social media presence**

  2. Leveling Up Student Talent: Full Board Gaming Sponsors the Radiant Rumble

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    A Valorant Tournament!

    At Full Board Gaming, supporting the next generation of creatives, strategists, and digital pioneers is part of who we are. That’s why we’re thrilled to be sponsoring the Radiant Rumble, an exciting Valorant tournament organised entirely by the talented students of South Devon College.

    This event isn’t just about competition, though we know the gameplay will be fierce and full of energy! It’s about celebrating collaboration, creativity, and community. From event planning and shoutcasting to team coordination and jersey design, the Radiant Rumble is a brilliant example of how students can take ownership of their ideas and turn them into something unforgettable.

    We’re continually impressed by the passion and professionalism shown by the students at South Devon College. Whether it’s through esports, digital media, or game design, they’re gaining real-world experience that will serve them well in whatever path they choose. We’re proud to play a small part in helping them bring their vision to life.

    This sponsorship is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting student-led initiatives and building stronger links between education and the gaming industry. It’s not just about playing games – it’s about empowering people to create, compete, and most of all connect.

    To everyone taking part in the Radiant Rumble today: good luck, have fun, and keep pushing boundaries!

    Game on! 🎮

  3. Celebrating Talent and Supporting Futures: Full Board Gaming Sponsors South Devon College’s Apprenticeship Awards

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    At Full Board Gaming, we’re passionate about creativity, community, and championing future talent. So, we’re incredibly proud to be sponsoring the Digital Media Apprentice of the Year award at South Devon College’s Apprenticeship Awards tonight.

    Apprenticeships are a powerful pathway into industry, providing students with real-world experience, hands-on learning, and the opportunity to grow into confident, skilled professionals. By supporting events like this, we celebrate not only the outstanding apprentices themselves but also the dedicated educators and employers who help guide them.

    Digital media is a vibrant, ever-evolving field, and one that sits at the heart of both education and entertainment. From game design and content creation to social media and digital storytelling, these skills are shaping the future. Recognising the talent behind that innovation is a privilege, and we’re excited to shine a light on the individuals who are already making an impact.

    Our commitment to supporting students and colleges is rooted in our belief that everyone deserves the chance to discover their strengths and pursue their passions. Whether it’s through gaming, digital media, or community collaboration, we want to help unlock opportunities and inspire the next generation.

    To all the nominees: your dedication, creativity, and drive are a real inspiration. We’re honoured to celebrate your achievements and can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next.

    Good luck to all the finalists! Keep creating, learning, and pushing the boundaries.

  4. OTHER EVENTS WE ATTEND: AIRECON

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    Wow

    Branded as ‘The Place to Play’ Airecon fills larger and larger sections of the Harrogate Convention Centre every year, three full halls and more this year. There’s so much going on, but playing board games is the focus – you won’t find more open gaming space anywhere else.

    Held in March every year the event has grown from strength to strength and attracts players from all over. Harrogate is a bit of a trek for me from Newton Abbot, but it’s worth braving the rubbish Cross Country train services to get here.

    There’s a trade hall, demo areas and a family zone. And there are tournaments and events running every day. And you can browse and borrow from the best games library I have ever seen.

    As a town, Harrogate is Posh Yorkshire. It’s beautiful and although the restraunt and entertainment scene is fantastic, it is a little pricey. Book your accomodation early to find a cozy guesthouse or more value hotel.

    Charity raffles and events raised over £7000 in 2023, a huge achievemnt. And although 4000 people is a lot, Airecon retains the friendly feel of a smaller convention. Volunteering opportunities are available, you can check the website.

    http://airecon.co.uk

  5. PLAY ONLINE: TABLETOP SIMULATOR

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    Steam Logo

    I use Tabletop Simulator on the Steam PC platform to play epic games with more complicated rules. For example War of the Ring, Twilight Imperium IV or Dune Imperium with all the expansions (pictured below). There is a lot of stuff scripted to automate turns, but you also have to move components and understand the rules yourself, just as you would if playing at a real table. Loads of games are available as workshop created content, many free, some of suspect legitimacy, plus loads of approved DLC at a fraction of the physical copy price.

    Setting up and putting away games is also a whole lot faster!

    Matt’s opinion here! TTS is a board game simulator aimed at existing online gamers. If you’re happy playing The Witcher III or Call of Duty with a mouse and keyboard then you’ll have no issues here. But the interface and manipulation of your viewing camera, components and functions may be a bit much for those not used to online gaming.

    I also use TTS to host a Dungeons and Dragons table, and play in several campaigns using all virtual maps and miniatures. It’s a fantastic resource and a regular feature in the Steam Sales, or as a bundle of 4 to share with your friends.

    Steam Platform install from: https://store.steampowered.com/

    My username: Mattprowse

  6. Patreon Support

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    We joined Patreon! And the Meeple Tier at £1 a month is available as an opportunity to support our goal of establishing more residential gaming holiday locations across the UK.

    A crack team of Elves have just become available after completing seasonal work at the North Pole. They will be applying glitter to meeples in readiness for subscriber rewards at our events. Full sets of the meeples will also be available to buy.

    Please consider supporting us. And get involved in our social media to give your opinions.

    https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9705872

  7. PLAY ONLINE: BOARD GAME ARENA

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    Board gaming is a really social hobby, and (I think) it’s best enjoyed with a group of friends around a table with an interval for a shared meal. But life can get in the way and it’s not always easy to get together in person. Thankfully there are many ways to game online, and Board Game Arena is a contender for the top spot.

    With a very solid claim to be the world’s #1 platform for playing online, you can play hundreds of board games from your browser for free. And you can host many more premium games for a small subscription.

    There is a wide selection of games, and you can search and filter by complexity, player count, and many other options. The platform uses a simple point and click interface, and is extremely user friendly via PC.

    With friends around the world that I’ve met at Conventions, BGA is a great way to stay in touch and keep gaming.

    Matt’s opinion here! BGA has a mission to keep things nice and simple. Point and click functionality across the whole design, and all games, clear instructions, plus many linked teaching videos from the best providers available all combine to make it really accessible.

    If you’re on BGA please add me as a friend and lets play some games!

    Website: boardgamearena.com

    My BGA username: Venomstryke

  8. OTHER EVENTS WE ATTEND: GRIDCON

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    Originally conceived as ‘Gaming Rules In Devon Convention’, Gridcon is organized by the wonderful Paul and Vicky of Gaming Rules. After organized gaming events outgrew Castle Grogan, things moved to a convention hotel, and Gridcon’s current home is the Holiday Inn at Taunton.

    There’s lots of space to game, a well-stocked library to borrow from, there are opportunities to hob-nob with various games designers and industry professionals, and inspiring charity raffles have raised thousands for great causes. Gameslore have been retailer in residence at past events and take orders for collection at the Con.

    This will be a sell-out event and tickets first go on sale to Gaming Rules Patreon supporters. Residential and day ticket types are available. Book early.

    Location: Holiday Inn, Deane Gate Ave, Taunton. TA1 2UA. (M5 JCT.25)

    Dates: Gridcon 4, November 17th – 19th 2023

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/264434241137085

    Website: https://gridcon.co.uk/

  9. OTHER EVENTS WE ATTEND: Baycon

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    Baycon is a fantastic convention totally focused on gaming space, spread across two convention halls. Hotel rooms usually get booked a year (or more!) in advance, but you can attend any day as a guest for a small fee (Usually £5 a day, or £15 for the whole event). The Con has been happening for more than 30 years, and the well-established player base bring hundreds of games to play. Because the player base is so well established very little advertising is done, but new players have always been welcome.

    The Con is starting earlier and earlier each year and there will always be players around from Wednesday night in the Bar. Sign-up sheets are posted for longer games and there are awards and prizes announced around 3pm on Sunday.

    My favorite gaming event, Baycon’s no-frills gaming space + friendly playerbase format are definitely a huge part of the inspiration for Full Board Gaming Events.

    Location: The Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford, Exeter. EX6 7UX.

    Dates: Wednesday to Sunday immediately after Easter Monday.

    Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/baycon