South Bend gaming conference inclusive and eying 501(c)(3) standing

• A South Bend gaming conference referred to as PopiCon was created to honor the late Thomas Crisovan, a passionate gamer.
• The occasion began as a small household gathering and has now grown right into a public conference.
• PopiCon options lots of of board video games, distributors, a dressing up contest and an escape room.
• Organizers and attendees worth the conference for its inclusive environment and skill to construct group.

SOUTH BEND — Wizards, witches and werewolves descended on Century Center on Saturday, Jan. 31, en masse for the primary day of the gaming convention PopiCon.

Dozens of board sport lovers of all types stuffed tables throughout the convention heart, boards unfold in entrance of them, inviting dialog between buddies new and outdated.

To the surface eye, it simply regarded South Bend attempting its hand at a board sport conference. But to the convention coordinator, Tama Crisovan, the occasion means far more. 

“Popi — that’s short for what our kids called my dad,” she mentioned. “He loved games. When I was tiny, I got in trouble for playing with his Napoleonic battle miniatures.”

Her father, Thomas Crisovan, was not solely a Marine however a person with a contagious ardour for gaming.

“He taught his nephew, nieces, and his three daughters to play lots of games,” Tama Crisovan said. “Fast forward, my mom and dad bought the house across the street from us in South Bend, and Popi just became an integral part of my own three children’s childhoods. Teaching games, going to all the sporting events, and being the game master for Dungeons and Dragons.”

When Crisovan died 5 years in the past, the household couldn’t instantly maintain a service due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, they simply did what he’d taught them.

“We pulled out games in his honor … because that’s what everyone knew from him, Crisovan said. “We jokingly called it PopiCon. It was just for friends and family five years ago … now we’re open to the public.”

This yr’s conference marked its third yr at Century Center and fourth yr general, working from late morning to late night Saturday and to early night Sunday.

The occasion included greater than 150 hosted board video games, 400 video games to be used within the “game library,” 35 game-based distributors, a dressing up contest, an escape room, and cubicles hosted by companion organizations just like the St. Joseph County Public Library, Indiana Pathfinder Society and Ultimate Werewolf Michiana.

“We don’t have the numbers yet, but so far, it seems better attended this year than last year,” Rich Wallace, Crisovan’s husband, mentioned. After months of planning, the couple hoped for 500 to 600 individuals throughout the 2 days.

An opportunity to make new buddies

Jeff Parker, a first-time vendor, was excited to hitch the enjoyable. As co-owner of the lately opened Victory Roll Board Game Café in Mishawaka, it served as a chance to seek out and join with the South Bend gaming group.

“Obviously, being a board game café, we’re in large part board game nerds ourselves,” he said. “This is a great place to get in touch with everyone from the community who loves the stuff that we do.”

Some got here from even farther however had been simply as happy. Christian Stokes got here from Chicago to promote cube, role-playing video games and equipment. 

“It’s awesome,” he said. “The community here is wonderful, very inviting. It’s always great when you get to be in one place with a bunch of nerds who just want to play a game together. It’s very clear there are people at every table who just want to teach a game to anyone who wants to learn.”

Elexis Davidson, a third-time attendee, introduced her pal Elaine Emerson for the primary time this yr. When requested their favourite half, they instantly agreed: Werewolf. They spent the vast majority of the day enjoying the favored role-playing card sport.

“It’s fun meeting new people, and it’s fun getting to see who’s the werewolf,” Emerson mentioned.

Samuel Homann, the top of Ultimate Werewolf Michiana, ran the Werewolf video games, viewing the occasion as a chance for various teams of avid gamers to combine. 

“Someone from PopiCon reached out to us, said we should sign up for it,” he mentioned. “We have a lot of our community come to PopiCon, but it’s great because there are some people we typically only see at PopiCon. It’s great to see them.”

For some, equivalent to Erica Gibson, who got here along with her husband, Cody Jackson, the occasion was an opportunity for them to satisfy new buddies.

“Usually we just play with each other, so we’re here to find a bigger group of people to play with,” she mentioned. “It’s good to see people passionate about something. It’s exciting.”

Crisovan said that the connection was the whole point of planning the event. Looking at the new friendships being formed, she was incredibly pleased.

“Looking around, no one is on their phones. People are talking to each other. They’re laughing. When somebody rolls terribly, the whole table explodes. We need more of that,” she mentioned. “I’ve been to gaming conventions that, if you didn’t already know all the rules, people would groan. It’s felt like a barrier. That’s not what PopiCon is. When you make space inclusive, you just have a better time.”

“This is a place where anyone can feel comfortable,” her husband added. “People come here, and they’re able to play the game and be social.”

Saturday night additionally featured a dressing up competitors that gave cosplayers the prospect to take to the stage and showcase their finest fantasy-inspired garb.

Gracie Lange of Granger served because the mistress of ceremonies and hostess of the costume competitors. As each a pal of the Crisovan household and a member of the Collection of Michigan-Indiana Cosplayers (COMIC), she was the pure option to emcee.

“They were always impressed by how much I knew about ‘nerd’ culture. So when it was time to start doing the costume competition, they were like, ‘Who knows about all this?’ Me. Gracie,” she said. “We attempt to get whoever’s acquired a cool costume to come back and exhibit on stage. You have little children in character onesies, after which you’ve got adults who’ve put a lot dedication into their costumes … and a few who’re so good with their characters.”

Popi can be proud

Looking forward, Crisovan and her household haven’t any plans of slowing down. They hope to file for 501(c)(3) nonprofit standing throughout the subsequent few years. Already having created their tagline, “Welcoming Everyone to the Table,” they hope to proceed fostering inclusive gaming occasions.

When requested how her father would react if he might see the occasion she’s in-built his honor and the connections which have come of it, she didn’t hesitate.

“He’d say, ‘Why didn’t you do this sooner? I could be playing those games!’ He’d be doing nothing but playing games from the time we opened to the time we closed,” she mentioned with a smile. “He would just be so proud.”