BLOG: 11th anniversary or how to step up the game nevertheless

Read about our Essen plans from Ignacy’s perspective…

11th anniversary or how to step up the game nevertheless

If I knew my shit and did the math right, we’d celebrate 10th Essen last year. Our first Essen was 2007 (the release of Neuroshima Hex) and last year I had this awesome plan, that we will celebrate 10th anniversary in 2017.

Then somebody explained me the math. You would not believe but 2007-2017 doesn’t make 10. I am serious.

1. 2007
2. 2008
3. 2009
4. 2010
5. 2011
6. 2012
7. 2013
8. 2014
9. 2015
10. 2016
11. 2017

Magic, huh?

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Having 10th or 11th anniversary, we wanted to present Portal Games at our best nevertheless. Instead of having just a booth with a demo of new games, we decided to focus on additional events and provide our fans unique experience and memories.

We have three main tracks, three ideas to offer you something more, than just a demo.

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We will run seminars in a special conference room. We booked Mainland conference room in Hall 3 for whole Thursday and prepared 3 unique events for media and our fans.

We start at 10:00 am with the official release of Alien Artifacts. We invited Viola Kijowska and Marcin Ropka as our special guests. They will talk about designing the game, some anecdotes from the work, how the game evolved and all kind of different great stories. They will teach the game, they will give interviews for all media and press people interested. This is a perfect way to start the fair – instead of rushing into crowded halls, start the show in a comfortable conference room with a cup of coffee and great designers.

3 hours later, 1 pm we’ll have Portal Games Keynotes. I will talk about some of our new releases for 2018. We will for the very first time officially announce few new products and we hope to have few awesome surprises for our fans and for press and media people. It’s a perfect way to get the info right from the source, from Portal Games and be the first person to see what’s coming from Portal in 2018!

2 hours later, 2:30 pm we will hold the first European tournament for Neuroshima Hex. For years all hardcore fans of Neuroshima Hex asked us to run an event and let them compete – and here we are. With a special guest, Michał Oracz onboard and with suuuuuuuper unique prizes for winners we have a chance to make Neuroshima Hex addicts happy and smiled. It’s a perfect way to celebrate 11th anniversary For us, everything began exactly 11 years ago, with the release of Neuroshima Hex. Back then, I would not believe, that in 2017 we will run official European tournament of the game.

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Meanwhile, for all 4 days, we’ll use some of our booth space for a special Guest corner. Each day you will have a chance to visit Portal Games booth and meet our guest, chat with them, take a selfie, or autograph. We are honored to have onboard:

Rodney Smith from Watch It Played, who promised us to help you with Star Wars Rebellion rules…
Michał Oracz, designer of Neuroshima Hex and This War of Mine. Please, bring boxes, he will sign them!
Tomasz Jędruszek, illustrator for Imperial Settlers, Stronghold, Game of Thrones, Magic the Gathering… Bring boxes…
Mariusz Gandzel, illustrator of 51st State, Stronghold first edition, Star Wars LCG, X-Wing miniatures game… Bring boxes…
Grzegorz Bobrowski, illustrator of Imperial Settlers, 51st State, Star Wars LCG…
and of course, Viola Kijowska and Marcin Ropka, designers of Alien Artifacts!

We hope that Guest corner will be crowded by happy fans, and you will meet people whose work you appreciate and love!

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The last event, the last but definitely not least is The Cookies Delivery Center. It will be run by Ignacy Trzewiczek himself. Every day, 10:00 am till 6:00 pm you can bring cookies to our booth and Ignacy will smile and take a photo with you.

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I cannot express how excited I am about upcoming Essen. How proud I am of these 11 years. How happy I am that we grew, that each year we did our best to surprise you and to offer you more. How amazing it is to look behind and see the history of my company, with important steps being made each Essen.

We are stepping up the game again. I know that young Ignacy back then in 2007 would be mind blown seeing Portal Games in Essen 2017.

I am happy for him.

Link to the detailed schedule of all events and floor plans to booth and conference room is here.

Originally posted on BTTS blog on BGG site: https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/69953/11th-anniversary-or-how-step-game-nevertheless