Warpcon

Warpcon is an annual wargaming and roleplaying convention held at University College Cork (UCC) in Cork, Ireland.^[1] As of 2010, the organisers reportedly described it as "Europe's largest student-run gaming convention".^[2] Beginning in 1990, it is run annually over a single weekend in January. Run by UCC's Wargaming And RolePlaying Society (WARPS), games played at Warpcon include role-playing games (RPGs) from several systems, collectible card games (CCGs), live action role-playing games (LARPs) and tabletop wargames.^[3] The 20th anniversary event, in 2010, reportedly hosted approximately 700 attendees.^[2]

Warpcon
Status	Active
Genre	Tabletop gaming, role-playing games
Frequency	Annual
Venue	UCC Student Centre
Location(s)	Cork
Country	Ireland
Inaugurated	1990
Organised by	WARPS

History

First held in 1990/1991, the inaugural event was attended by 40 people in a single-room venue, growing to approximately 650 people by the time of the 2009 convention.^[2]

In 2006, the Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming was awarded to "Irish Game Convention Charity Auctions", including Gaelcon and Warpcon.^[4]

In past years, Warpcon has invited writers, artists and other special guests to sign merchandise and occasionally run events such as games-making workshops.^{[citation needed]} Previous attendees and guests have included John Kovalic,^[2] Steve Jackson,^[2] Gareth Hanrahan,^[5] Games Workshop's Jervis Johnson,^[2] and actor David Nykl.^[2]

Events and features

At previous Warpcon conventions, a charity auction of collectibles and other items has been held on the Saturday night. Past auctions have included signed first-edition and pre-publication books, slots to appear as a character drawn by John Kovalic in card game, Jayne Cobb's hat (as worn in the TV show Firefly), and the first ever "My Little Cthulhu" plush toy.^{[citation needed]}

In previous years various CCGs, from Magic: The Gathering to Yu-Gi-Oh!, have been hosted at Warpcon.^[2] RPGs and LARPs from different systems are also run, with some based on the theme of that year's convention.^{[citation needed]}