We have a dedicated gaming area again this year, so games can run all convention!

W00t! :alco:

Glad to hear it, since it's likely the place I'll spend most time when I haven't planned something else to do.

That probably where Ill spend most of my time, even when I have something planned to do

I really enjoyed the game rooms, and I've mentioned it before.

Everyone that worked on it, did a really good job.

You know this is about table top gaming and not video gaming right.

Hmm... one of my biggest concerns about having full time table top gaming area is that it would distract people from the anime. This might be a problem after all!

While the video gaming room, the non anime related panels, concerts, the stuff done in the lobby, game shows, and all the other events if you really look at them you would realize they aren't really about anime either don't distract from anime?

I like the gaming rooms...especially the "retrogaming" room. =P

I don't see much wrong with it, even if it is "non-anime" related. It's something else fun to do while enjoying the anime-part of the convention too.

(Again, this is a discussion of tabletop games, not video games)

There were a total of 7 non anime-specific panels/events:
Origami, Cosplay panel, coning 101, 4chan, kimono (a guest panel), video gaming panel, and video game round table.

All the gameshows tested anime knowledge, the concert was about Megaman (a popular anime/videogame), the lobby events were all anime oriented, and I can't really think of much besides the video game room that wasn't directly focused on anime.

So, if you consider that at least 3 of those panels are totally justifyable at an anime convention, that means there were a total of 4 hours non-anime programming in the 54 hours of the convention. To but that in better perspective, of the roughly 143 hours of live events programming, 5% was not used directly on anime.

Not to mention, that videogames are VERY MUCH a part of anime fandom, and that many of the games featured at anime punch have anime counterparts, or are at least from Japan. Table top gaming has traditionally had a much smaller place in the anime community.

I've already committed to having the table top gaming area, so don't get so defensive about it. I am however saying that I don't want to see anime fanboys waste the convention by playing Magic the entire time (something they can do any day), when we in programming bust our asses to bring so many things that can't be found ANYWHERE else at ANY time!

See this I agree with and if you had said that I wouldn't have gotten upset. Ofcourse part of the reason I agree is a I don't like Magic that much.