I must be crazy! This last fall, I held a game convention in Bloomington, IN. It got 68 attendees and was very fun, and didn't lose too much money. So, I've decided to do it again next year. I must be crazy! Still, there you have it. Anyway, next year I want to do a better job. This means getting your help. Tentatively, Hamster Con will happen on the weekend of Oct. 24 at Eigenman Hall on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington. My first goal is to avoid conflicting with any other gaming event in the region (and to not do it on a football game weekend). My next goal is to increase attendance to at least 100.

So, here is what I need help with: I want to form a committee of people who can help spread the word about this convention to their friends and people around them. If I can get 50 people on this committee, who tell 3 other people about the con, and half of them actually come, then I will reach my attendance goal!

I'll also need people who are willing to come and run games at the con. I'm planning for it to be a two day affair -- Saturday and Sunday, three game slots a day. Which means I'll need a good thirty games or so. If anyone is willing to run Matrix Games, I'll provide them with the terrain, miniatures and game scenario to do (obviously I want to see more Matrix Games run)!

I plan on organizing my committee via e-mail. So, anyone interested in lending me a hand can contact me at matrixgamer@juno.com. This way it is easy and inexpensive for me to keep you up to date on the con arrangements and the schedule of games.

Another thing I'd like to do at Hamster Con is give an award for innovative game design. I've been involved in experimental games for 10 years now and notice that there is no forum for honoring good design (while also helping people copyright their work and learn how to take it to market). To this end, I want to give the "EGG" award (Experimental Game Group) for the best game presented. If I get three entries, I'll hold the contest.

Central Indiana has never had a strictly focused game convention. Which is odd given that we are so centrally located. My hope is for Hamster Con to fill this niche. With your help I think we can make it fly!

Chris Engle, 313 Hickory Dr., Ellettsvilie, IN 4 7429. Home: (812) 876-3540, work: (317) 831-0203, or e-mail: Matrixgamer@juno.com or Hamster@io.com.