'Itzacon' or 'ItzaconEire' as it is sometimes known, is Galway's annual Gaming convention. It has reached its Eighth year and shows no sign of slowing down. Itzacon VIII was held on the weekend of the 9th - 11th March 2012. General rejoicing was had by all who attended and much hilarity ensued.
Itzacon was the brainchild of Anita Murray, FanSci's then Auditor and the convention's founding director. Itzacon I [1] was brought forth to much cheering and a lot of happy and soon exhausted gamers in March 2005. This trend was continued by Itzacon II in 2006, that time with added Pirates. It has been claimed that Itzacon III had a Prisoner theme, but when asked, it denied it had a theme, it refused to be themed or filed or any of that kind of thing. Itzacon IV had a Victorian feel to it, but a gentleman never comments on these things. Itzacon V revolted against the previous regimes while still adhering to their remit of great games and fun for all. Itzacon VI seemed to embrace an Art Deco feel, or so they claim. Itzacon VII explored the Yucatan with the Itza people and those beyond. Itzacon VIII wandered through the Spindly Woods and fought the Fizzlers by the Heights. As for Itzacon IX? The future is unwritten.
Itzacon III saw the inauguration of the National Game Writer Award. For too long writers have slaved over creating games only to see players have fun for three or more hours and win a prize. Writers deserve recognition for the work they do and Itzacon seeks to reward this. Who will be next year's winner? Only time will tell. Rules for admission will be posted on the Itzacon IX [2] website. Itzacon is also one of the only conventions to run at least one RPG per convention through Irish, usually scheduled as "Eachtraí Gaeilge".
Itzacon VIII took place on the weekend of the 9th - 11th of March, 2012 in the Bailey Allen Hall, NUI, Galway.
