Easter is nearly here, and that means it’s also nearly Eastercon. This year, Eastercon is Follycon, being held in Harrogate (at the Majestic Hotel) for the first time in half a century. I’m lucky enough to be appearing on a few panels through the weekend, and I thought I’d list them here.
Games: Story Versus Mechanics
Boardgames (and RPGs) all have mechanics, and most of them have a story or theme. Which matters more to players’ enjoyment? When do they work well together? What happens when are they at cross purposes?
Esther MacCallum-Stewart (M), John Coxon, Kieron Gillen, David Tallerman, Adrian Tchaikovsky
Friday at 4pm
I suggested this panel after playing a few games with most excellent mechanics and a few games which dismally fail to capture the feel they’re going for. I’m excited by the bloody stellar panellists which are going to talk about it.
PhDs and How to Catch One
Work on a doctorate can vary widely depending on the discipline, the environment and the individual. Our panellists compare notes. Please do not ask if there’s a doctor in the house.
Edward James (M), John Coxon, Christina Lake, Rachael Livermore, Judith Mortimore
Saturday at noon
I got asked to be on this one, it sounds like an interesting topic and a good thing to discuss for members of the convention considering moving into academia.
The Revolution in Star Wars
The reinvigorated Star Wars franchise moves on with The Last Jedi, which reconsiders many of the traditions of Star Wars. Our panel compares the new direction with the old and tries to foresee the future. Midichlorians need not apply.
Fred Langridge (M), James Bacon, John Coxon, Fiona Moore, Jeannette Ng
Saturday at 4:30pm
I’ve been agitating for a Star Wars panel at Eastercon for ages now, so I’m very happy to see this on the programme! The Star Wars panel at Helsinki turned at least half the people queuing away, so there’s clearly demand for intelligent discussion on the topic.
GUFF and TAFF: Meet the Candidates
The Going Under / Get Up-and-over Fan Fund (GUFF) and Transatlantic Fan Fund (TAFF) fan travel funds both have races under way right now, to send delegates respectively to the Antipodes and North America. But who are the people competing (in the nicest possible way) to be those delegates, and what’s all this fan fundery about anyway? Find out who wants to go where, why, and how it all works in a combined candidate interview.
John Coxon (M), Johan Anglemark, Fia Karlsson, Marcin “Alqua” Klak, Alice and Steve Lawson, Helena
Saturday at 7pm
Fans of rhlstp will enjoy at least one of the questions I pose in this discussion.