Pizza Night at Ludophilia

As my suggestion for me being treated to a full Swedish Massage or given two or three bottles of 30 year old Tawny Port went COMPLETELY UNHEEDED it appears consenus is that we have a pizza night this year - using the funds our Founder has scrupulously saved from last year.  Therefore we need two things decided;

1. What night shall it be? Thursday, Friday or Saturday? [right now Friday appears a leading contender];

2. From whence shall we procure this pizza? Schaumburg has many delightful pizza places - larger names such as Lou Malnati's Pizzeria or Rosati's Pizza, area favorites such as Moretti's Ristorante and Pizzeria or Papa Saverio's. If stuffed pizza is called for, there is always Giordano's. Note I have not referred to industrial places such as Little Ceasar's, Dominio's or Pizza Hut. But they are, obviously, omnipresent.
Please make your preferences known in the comments

Game Library Plannning and More!

We're down to only about 2 months before Ludophilia III is upon us!  Can you believe it?  Where is this year going?  I'm getting really excited for it, and I hope you all are too.  Everyone is welcome, whether it's just for 1 day or for all 4.  It's just meant to be a nice long weekend of gaming in a casual, open-house environment, free from distractions.  If you're sitting on the fence trying to decide whether to drop in or not, I sincerely hope you will make up your mind to come by.  It's a fun, friendly group who are definitely not afraid to teach and be taught all sorts of games, playing everything from the lightest Euros to some rather heavy wargamey choices, and lots of stuff in-between.  We love to meet friends-of-friends, so feel free to extend the invitation to other gamers and potential gamers you know.  If you'd like to bring your posse or your family with you, that's fine!

Just a few reminders and updates:

ADMISSION AND EARLY REGISTRATION

We're collecting $10 per day per person at the door to cover the costs of the room.  But don't forget that if you register with me by April 30th and pay for 3 days, you get the 4th day free!  Just send a check for $30 (or $10 per day if you just want 1 or 2 days) to me at:

Brad Johnson

1517 Driftwood Ln.

Crystal Lake, IL  60014

LOCATION AND DATES

The festivities will be running from 8:00am Thursday, May 30th, through 6:00pm, Sunday, Jun 2nd.  Remember that we're at the Comfort Suites Schaumburg (http://tinyurl.com/ludo3css, 847-330-0133).  If you're staying overnight, be sure to ask for the Ludophilia group rate (only $79/night).  You should make your reservations as soon as possible to be sure of getting that great rate!

GAME LIBRARY

We've updated the game library planning spreadsheet for this year at http://tinyurl.com/ludo3lib.  As a starting point, I've seeded it with most of my list from last year plus some new acquisitions since then.  Please go take a look!

* First, please update the "Attendees" tab to indicate your planned attendance.

* Then, if you are bringing some games to share, please add them to the list on the "Bringing" tab.  (The "Library" tab will automatically update.)

* If there is a game you really would like to play that you don't see on the list already, please add it to the "Requests" tab, no matter what it is.  Hopefully I or someone else will have it and can add it to the list to bring.

PIZZA

We're currently planning on using our modest excess funds from last year to provide pizza for dinner Friday night!  If you have a really good recommendation for pizza to order near the hotel, please let me know.

Hope to see you (plus a friend or two?) the weekend after Memorial Day, May 30 - Jun 2!!

March Update

Game Requests so far: 
Twilight Imperium, Dune, Diplomacy and Republic of Rome. One whimsical request for Empires in Arms, full campaign game...

Early Registration has been good so far - keep spreading the word!

One thing I would like to solicit in the comments to this update is something our organizer mentioned back when announcing this year's date. We have a modest amount left in the treasury from last year - should we apply it to general snacks/drinks/refreshments or pick a night and order a bunch of pizzas, complementary to the participants?  I regret to say that my original suggestion of sending me for a hour long Swedish Massage was rejected outright.

Any ideas for sponsorship or promotions is also welcome!

Februrary Update!

Just a reminder that Ludophilia III is only about 3 months away now!  I hope you have May 30 - June 2 marked on your calendar!

EARLY REGISTRATION

There are now 7 people (including myself) who have registered early for the whole weekend.  Don't worry, there's still plenty of time to take advantage of the "pay for 3 days get the 4th day free" discount.  Just send a check to me for $30 any time before the end of April, and you're in!  After that, it's still just $10 per person per day and you can pay at the door if you prefer to do that, no problem.

If you want to send a check, mail it to:

Brad Johnson

1517 Driftwood Ln.

Crystal Lake, IL  60014

NEW BLOG

Thanks to John Tammes, we now have a blog set up at http://ludophilia3.blogspot.com/ where I will post these announcements, as well as other information.  John has started a discussion of what games people want to see brought to the convention.  Please join the discussion and post your thoughts!  (We'll accumulate the inputs and create an organized library list as the date gets closer.)

HOTEL INFORMATION

If you're staying overnight (and who wouldn't want to for maximum convenience and minimum gaming downtime??), be sure to make your reservation at the Comfort Suites Schaumburg, http://tinyurl.com/ludo3css, 847-330-0133.  Don't forget we have a small block of rooms held for us at a great rate -- only $79/night.  Be sure to ask for the Ludophilia group rate.

See you in May!

Brad.

Game Requests? Sure, we'll take them.

As promised, we will take requests - if there is a game you want to see at Ludophilia, post it in the comments.  We also welcome those who are planning to attend to use the comments to drum up interest in anything they wish to bring themselves.

Have at it!

Ludophilia III - what is this?

Ludophilia - the "love of play".

In this instance, it happens to be the name of a small (but growing!) boardgaming convention hosted by the As Yet Unnamed Gaming Club of Crystal Lake, IL. The third annual instance at that.  Informally, it is being known as Ludophilia III - Bazinga!  (Ludophilia II was "Ludophilia II - This Time its Personal!" just beating out "Ludophilia II - Boadrgame Bugaloo" and "Ludophilia II - The Revenge"

The format is similar to the venerable boardgamegeek.com annual convention/gathering/mass gaming assembly.  Request someone bring something, bring it yourself, or just show up and have at anything that can gather enough players.  We have no set format, no tournaments, no set rules other than try not to get too loud in your boasting of victory, wailing in defeat, or laughter at some of the odd things you will see and hear.

Where and when is this highly desirable event being held you may ask?  May 30th - June 2nd at the Comfort Suites in Schaumburg, Illinois (5 blocks or so from Woodfield Mall).

I can expect to pay a King's ransom to be allowed in, right? Nay, you will not!  A mere $10 per day will get you in for all the gaming you can handle.  In fact, until the end of April, if you pre-register for all four days, you will get them for the price of three. You are always welcome to pay at the door. You can even request the Ludophilia group rate at the Comfort Suites (hurry, a limited number of rooms are set aside).

For those wishing a break from gaming (or as I do, to lick my wounds from a sound beating) for an hour or so, there is a Tilted Kilt location just across the parking lot.  There are numerous restaurants nearby, including several near Woodfield Mall.

This page will feature updates on the game library currently requested and more information as we get closer to the glorious 4 days of gaming.

If you wish more information or to be contacted - leave a comment.