2013 WTC review: being social (and other oddities)

Speaking of oddities...

What's the #1 reason to go to international tournaments? To meet many nice people, both new and old. I started attending the international WM/H events in 2012 and it's amazing how easily you connect with people from all the globe. Unlike what the term "wargaming" implies, wargamers are about the friendliest crowd one can find. :-) If there is a #1 reason to go to international tournaments, then this is it.

Consider this:

Team Portugal receiving the Wooden Spoons.

As I hinted in my previous blog post on Team Switzerland's performance, Team Portugal ranked last in the final standings. However, they got wooden spoons (with a custom engraved Convergence logo) for their efforts - after all, preparing one year for this event, traveling all the way up from Portugal, and keeping up a positive attitude even in the face of defeat is quite something. :-) Not surprisingly, the applause for Team Portugal was about the same as for the top three teams receiving their trophies. :-)

Team Prime Sweden getting third place.

Team USA Blue getting the silver trophies.

Team Poland Red receiving the WTC trophy for the first time ever...

...but not after having been wholeheartedly congratulated and hugged by Team USA Blue.

If one can say one thing about wargaming, then it's about celebrating victories and defeats together. :-)

One of the best moments at the WTC for me was when I observed a member of Team Austria and Team Italy high-fiving each other simply because they were walking down the same aisle. :-)

Of course, whenever there is a group of people together, they also need a prime coordinator. ;-)

Norbert, the head judge, laying down the law.

The high quality of the games and the peaceful spirit of this event can also be seen in the fact that Norbert (head judge) and his team had no heavy rules issues to solve. Of course, the WM/H ruleset already has a high quality standard, but there still was not more than calling a judge quickly over for a short rule's clarification as far as I could observe.

Norbert observing the final game between Andrzej Kasiewicz and Brian White.

Even in the final games between Poland and the USA, where at other events (I am looking at you, 40K) minimally one judge would be constantly at every table, everything was relaxed and running smoothly. Norbert was casually patrolling the tables whereas the rest of his team of judges all attended the regular games as normal.

"My right War Wolf ran a hook screened by the Reeves when my eMorvahna threw a Hail Mary for a 42 yards touchdown." - Will explaining to Jason how he won his final game. :-D ;-) :-P

Me and Chad Shonkwiler, probably the best Trollbloods player in the world.

+Gergely Gati and +Sövényházi Loránd engaging in that secret language of theirs. :-)

One thing worth mentioning in terms of social activities are definitely the evenings, most notably Saturday evening. Once the dust cleared on the boards, people started to play card games and had a heck of a good time:

Botond in a round of "No, we didn't playtest this either!", a wicked card game where you can win or lose from one second to the next. :-D

The card game "Cards against humanity" is politically totally incorrect and therefore attracted even a larger crowd. :-D

Team Germany discussing tactics over beers...

...while Team USA huddled for a full 90 minutes, discussed all combinations through, and then went to bed early. If you want to win the world, you leave nothing to chance. :-D

Team Norway won the drinking contest, consequently won even more drinks,...

...and even found their shoes again. ;-)

Another reason why this community is awesome is this picture:

The gaming hall, one hour after the award ceremony.

Gamers staying for one more night before returning home helped the organization committee to put away tables, chairs, etc, so everything was cleaned up quite swiftly.

Speaking of the organization committee: they did a superb job! Really, this can't be said enough. Also, it was them who got the biggest applause as they really set the bar for all future WTC events to come. The Belgian crew was well organized, extremely friendly and hospitable, so if anyone deserves praise, then it's definitely them. :-)