Venue & Location
The 2018 High Level Games Conference took place at the Showboat Hotel, located at 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 08401. The Showboat's iconic boardwalk setting provided a fitting backdrop for three days of tabletop gaming, live-action role-playing, panels, and workshops.
Admission Hours
| Day | Date | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | October 12, 2018 | 10:00 am – 10:00 pm |
| Saturday | October 13, 2018 | 10:00 am – 10:00 pm |
| Sunday | October 14, 2018 | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm |
Featured Events
The 2018 conference showcased a packed lineup of marquee LARPs, tabletop sessions, and special activities:
- Blood & Betrayal — a Vampire: The Masquerade LARP
- Paradigm 2018: Pandaemonium — an immersive LARP experience
- Magischola Escape Room: Detention Breakout — immersive theatre and escape room
- The Speakeasy: A Prohibition LARP — ran 7:00 pm to 12:00 am on October 12–13
- Magic: The Gathering with Gamers Vault
- Huldufólk @ HLG Con
Panels, workshops, and game studio guests rounded out the schedule. For the full lineup, visit the Event and Game Schedule.
Special Guests
The 2018 conference welcomed creators and designers from across the tabletop industry, including:
- Chris Spivey (Darker Hue Studios)
- Ericka Skirpan
- Jason Andrew
- Contessa — guest speaker
Additional game studio guests and industry veterans also participated in panels and workshops throughout the weekend.
Exhibitors
The exhibitor hall featured a diverse range of participants across several categories:
- Artists and Writers
- Stores and Shops
- Publishers
- Vendors
All exhibitors were expected to follow the convention's Con Policies and Code of Conduct.
Registration for the 2018 conference included attendee badges, staff and helper applications, scholarship requests, and media credentials.
The High Level Games Convention was conceived as a gathering place for the tabletop gaming community, bringing together players of role-playing games, live-action role-playing, and board games under one roof. The event sought to celebrate the hobby in all its forms, from classic tabletop adventures to immersive LARP experiences. Attendees came from across the region to share in the spirit of collaborative storytelling and strategic gameplay. The convention aimed to foster an inclusive environment where both seasoned veterans and newcomers could find common ground, exchanging ideas and rolling dice together in a welcoming atmosphere that honored the rich traditions of the gaming world.
Set against the iconic backdrop of the Atlantic City boardwalk, the convention's location at the Showboat Hotel offered a memorable setting for three days of gaming activities. The seaside venue provided ample space for scheduled programming, including panels, workshops, and gaming sessions that ran throughout the weekend. The boardwalk setting added a distinctive character to the event, allowing attendees to step out between sessions and enjoy the coastal atmosphere. This unique combination of a classic gaming convention with a storied beachfront destination created an experience that stood apart from typical hotel conventions, blending leisure and gaming culture in a distinctive way.
The convention's programming featured a diverse array of activities designed to appeal to different facets of the gaming community. Live-action role-playing events invited participants to step into character and engage with rich narratives, while tabletop sessions offered more traditional gameplay experiences. Panels and workshops provided opportunities for learning and discussion, covering topics relevant to game masters, players, and designers alike. The schedule was carefully curated to allow attendees to craft their own experience, moving between different types of events throughout the day, from intensive LARPs to casual pickup games and educational seminars.
Central to the convention's mission was the cultivation of a respectful and inclusive community. A clear code of conduct was established to ensure that all participants could enjoy the event without fear of harassment or discrimination. The organizers emphasized that the convention was a space for everyone, regardless of experience level, background, or identity. This commitment to safety and respect was considered as important as the gaming itself, reflecting a broader understanding that the health of the hobby depends on the health of its community. Volunteers and staff were trained to uphold these standards, creating an environment where creativity and camaraderie could flourish.