The History Of Convergence
The Waikato Role-Playing Guild was formed in 2015 and were successfully connecting players to games. However, once people found a group, intermingling stalled and system discovery dwindled. Bryan Yuen, long-time member and moderator of the Facebook group, had noticed this and wanted to do something about it. Along with Sarah Byers, they came up with idea of a day of games where people could come together and try out different systems, a convergence if you will.
On a hot Saturday in November 2017, the TTRPG community of the Waikato did just that. Seven tables ran for three sessions hosted for free by Gaming DNA. It was hot. It was noisy. But it was fun and more importantly it showed that not only could it be done, but that people were keen to engage with it!
The first event had been so popular that Bryan and Sarah commenced with planning another. Eager to capitalise on the success of the last time it had been run, they decided on a six month intermission. They also figured that gaming in the winter might be a significantly less sweaty affair!
Gaming DNA were fantastic hosts, however due to the popularity of the initial convergence, an upgrade was required. Our new hosts were the Bridge Club, and thanks to sponsoring from Mark One and Game centre, this event remained free for attendees.
Bryan and Sarah enlisted the help of various members of the local TTRPG community, many of whom had attended the first Convergence. Although they didn’t know it at the time, this group would become the core of the incorporated society that would later be established.
