I found this at http://jaegamer.livejournal.com/30529.html
I’ve got another hobby horse… I know that there are gamers and industry folk reading my LJ, and this is for you. A group of soldiers in Iraq are putting together a RPG convention, and they are desperately in need of materials. Let’s bury these men and women in so much gaming material they won’t run out till they’re old enough to retire!
Selectively quoted from Gamegrene.com. Additional material from SPC Amberson.
Our Gamers in Iraq When President Bush ordered troops to Iraq, he probably never imagined that he would be ultimately be responsible for what very well could be the very first D&D convention/game day ever held in a war zone. Ziggurat Con, being held June 9 from 1200 to 2100 hours at Camp Adder/Tallil Airbase, is open to all allied military personnel and civilian contractors in Iraq.
KBR and MWR (the army’s Morale Welfare & Recreation Department) have graciously allowed service members to use part of the Community Activity Center to hold the Game Day. The Ping Pong room will be set up for RPGs (Role-Playing Games, not to be confused with the rocket propelled grenades which share the same acronym), and the DVD Movie room will be playing Anime Movies all day in support of the event.
The largest problem with running a Con in Iraq, of course, is that there are no local stores or game publishers, and few game books on the post. Even dice are in short supply, with many soldiers breaking the unwritten taboo held by many gamers and sharing dice. Thankfully, many game publishers have also lent their support, and have agreed to supply game products to help the Con along. aethereal FORGE, Sovereign Press, Final Redoubt Press, Goodman Games, Paizo Publishing and Steve Jackson Games are among those that have thrown in their support for the convention. But Amberson indicated that the soldiers could definitely use more.
”This convention is currently in drastic need of prizes and giveaways for the troops,” he said. “Everything donated will go directly to the troops, or to MWR to use as loaner books for the soldiers.”
For more information, contact SPC David Amberson at the following address: david.amberson (at) iraq.centcom.mil
Donations can also be sent to SPC Amberson directly at the following address:
SPC David Amberson
A Co 86th Sig Bn
APO, AE 09331
They’re planning to run the following games (and will be happy to get additional games).
Babylon 5 RPG, Cyberpunk 2020, D&D, D&D RPGA, GURPS, Historic Miniatures Battles, Magic Tournament, MechWarrior Miniatures, Rifts, Shadowrun, Starship Troopers, White Wolf System-Vampire, White Wolf System-Werewolf, XCrawl
Let’s get those games out there!
Update: SPC Amberson says they’re expecting around 300 people. Not bad for a war zone! Martin Rayla of Treasure Tables reminds me that Amazon will ship to military addresses, in case you’d like to use them.
Update: muskrat_john aka John Kovalic (he of Dork Tower fame) is not only spreading the word via his LJ, he also says:
I’m making damn sure everyone at the con gets a comic book or two. I’m also sending a ton of trade paperbacks for door prizes, as well as Out of the Box games, Munchkin, Chez Geek, Mag*Blast and, of course, Chez Grunt.
Update: Additional places to send gaming stuff – Games for GI’s. They send stuff to all forward deployed troops.
We are currently at an address where we can ship all care packages through military means free of charge. If you’d like to find out more making a contribution or volunteering, or if you’d like a copy of our needs list, I may be contacted at zacharythefirst@hotmail.com. Additionally, if you have a friend or loved one you’d like added to our care package list, contact us, and we’d be happy to do so.The address and central distribution point to send your contributions is:
Games For G.I.s
c/o Zachary Houghton
PSC 62 Box 6902
APO AE 09643
Update: from Dave Amberson – they would be delighted to get PDF products as well. They have laptops and access to printers…
