Springtime gaming in Israel

May 2, 9:14 PMSeattle Hobby Games ExaminerEd Healy

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Hamis'hakia

Source: Itamar Weisberg, Hamis'hakia

Holon, Israel: As April blew into Israel, pronouncing the end for the rain and the beginning of spring’s hot, dry spells, it also marked the beginning of convention season. Passover holiday means that kids get a three week break from school and working adults enjoy a few days of rest and recreation. What better time, then, to play games with like-minded people?

Israel's largest roleplaying convention, Bigor, celebrated its 9th annual event in early April (3rd to 5th), its second year in a Tel Aviv high school. Because of the holiday, each group session was given a class room of all its own. Games ranged in theme and subject matter, and while Dungeons & Dragons dominated sessions based on published rules systems, most sessions were system-less, as is the norm in the Israeli RP community.

In addition to tabletop role playing, one could find an arena where mighty warriors clashed wielding rubber weapons, activities for young kids, a dissection of the newly-translated Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition Player's Handbook, and a big sleepover party. From talking to the event’s manager, Maya Esh'har, it’s clear the attendees were both well-behaved and enjoyed themselves.

The following week (April 11th to 13th) was Olamot 2009. Literally meaning “worlds”, this is a mid- holiday annual festival for sci-fi and fantasy fans, with this year's theme being “The End of the World.” Unlike Bigor, it was mostly comprised of panels, lectures and movie screenings, but game selling stands were there in force and games were seen being played on the sidelines. Luckily, the world did not end as the third day closed with a musical based on the show Angel.

Listen to Episode 56 of Hamis'hakia, the Hebrew gaming podcast, for more information about Bigor and Olamot (audio is in Hebrew):

The National Monopoly Championship was held as April came to an end (30th). Not only did I learn that there was, in fact, such a thing as tournament Monopoly, but also that the game played is a speedy variant of the original rules, which also allows for more strategic thinking. The championship winner won a paid trip to the World Championship, which will take place in Las Vegas on October 20th to 22nd.