Beginner’s Guide: Arriving at Your First Megagame
Your first Megagame can be an intimidating experience. Here are a few things you can do when you arrive at the venue to start your first day of Megagaming off on the right foot.
Check-In
The first thing you'll see at most in-person games is a check-in table of some kind. This is where you'll pickup your badge and name tag, these will help everyone else know who you are and what your job is for the day.
Even better, this is usually your first chance to interact with someone from the Control team.
Control is the Megagame term for the officiants of the game. They're the group that helps make sure the game runs smoothly and are there to help answer any questions you may have. They'll even point you to the next item on this list.
Finding Your Spot
This was the game board for the Aegis near the end of Den of Wolves.
In most Megagames, you'll be organized into a team of some kind. Your briefing likely included some kind of imagery and that imagery will help guide you to your team's table. This table will be your home base for the day. You'll keep your belongings here and have most of you team conversations at this table. If you are playing with new people, this is also a great time for introductions.
It's a great idea to take inventory of the tables located close to yours, as well. It's likely the teams at these tables will be some of your first interactions during a game. If you remember your briefing, see if any of the names on the tables ring a bell.
The Essentials
You have your badge. You stored your belongings at your table. Now, where's the bathroom?
If nature calls in the middle of a heated discussion, you don't want to waste valuable time searching for the restroom. Having an idea of where it is before the game starts is, if nothing else, reassuring. You should also keep an eye out for somewhere to refill your water bottle, if you brought one.
The Lay of the Land
Throughout the day, you’ll likely be running around the venue to accomplish your goals. You’re going to want to know where it is you’re going. Below are some key landmarks to be on the lookout for as you walk the venue before the game starts.
Where are the other teams?
Were any of them mentioned in your briefing?
Where are they? You might be visiting those tables first.
Is there a battle map?
Where is it?
What does it look like?
Are there separate meeting spaces for any of the roles?
Where are those at?
Is there a resource table?
Where is it?
What do the components look like?
Where does Control hang out?
Is there a projector screen anywhere in the room?
Where is it?
The Hard Part
Now, it’s the last and, arguably, most difficult step. Meeting other people.
As you meander around the room, you’ll likely run into other players doing the same thing. This is a great opportunity to not only meet your fellow players but to also get some insight on the other teams. Those first interactions can be huge later on in the game. Personally, I like to use that time to identify some of the big personalities in the room. That information usually becomes useful later on in the day.
Don’t worry about keeping names and faces straight, though. Just like you, everyone else is wearing a badge and name tag too. This part is just about getting familiar with who it is you’ll be spending the day with.
And if you don’t want to spend the pregame talking to people, that’s ok! If you need to conserve your social energy, do it.
At first glance, this might feel like an intimidating list of To-Dos to run through before a game starts. I assure you that it will go fast. You’re in for a memorable day and I hope this list can help you feel comfortable before the game even starts.
