Warpcon
From Irish Roleplaying and Gaming Wiki
Warpcon is run every year, during the last weekend of January. Now entering its 21st year Warpcon is Cork's biggest Gaming convention, and Ireland's largest student run gaming convention.
WARPS (the UCC Wargaming And Roleplaying Society) are the organizers of the event and have grown it from a small student event into one of the biggest conventions in the country.
Each year, there are dozens of RPGs from a plethora of systems, CCGs, Heroclix, tabletop wargaming, LARPS and more run each day of the weekend.
Warpcon was born from the WARPS Games Open Day of 1990, organised under the auspices of the Societies' Guild and run by Greg Scully, Des Garret, Tom O'Neill and Paul O’Sullivan.
Warpcon also has a world renowned charity auction where all manner of things are sold. Signed first edition pre-official launch books have been sold, three slots to appear drawn by John Kovalic for a Steve Jackson Games card game, rare collectible cards, Jayne's Hat (as worn by 'Adam Baldwin' from the hit tv show 'Firefly'), and even the first ever 'My Little Cthulhu' toy and more are among the things sold in previous auctions. Warpcon XVI was a joint winner, along with Gaelcon, of the 'Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming' for the charity auctions run each year.
Warpcon is also famous for its Saturday night Club Warpcon event where the convention sells tickets to a private night club in Cork city. During Warpcon weekend, on the grounds of UCC, the UCC Medieval Renaissance society runs Creative Anachronism and historical re-enactments during the weekend, including it's Battle of the Flags event. From mock battles, to sword fighting lessons, to displays of life in times gone by this recent addition is becoming popular.
Each year there are a variety of special guests from a range of different backgrounds. Warpcon XVII saw the return of John Kovalic as one of Warpcon's esteemed guests, and also saw Gar Hanrahan, a Cork native GM and scenario writer extraordinaire who worked for Mongoose Publishing as a dedicated writer but is currently freelance. Warpcon XVIII saw a new guest, Games Workshop's Jervis Johnson, and Warpcon XIX brought a visit from Stargate's David Nykl. Warpcon XX saw Games Workshop's Alessio Cavatore as a guest to promote his new company Riverhorse LLC and the game Shuuro. Artist Eva Widermann and writers Diane Duane and Peter Morwood were also VIPs at Warpcon XX
Each year the Committee are delighted to present to a deserving group or individual the Contribution to Irish Gaming Award for their efforts and achievements in Irish Gaming.
As of Warpcon XVIII in 2008, the convention has awarded the Best Scenario Award to the finest scenario submitted to the convention for that year.
Table of contents |
Convention Directors
| Con Director | Warpcon | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Greg Scully | Warpcon I | 1991 |
| Mick B Cosgrave | Warpcon II | 1992 |
| Rob Cosgrave | Warpcon III | 1993 |
| Pete Shanahan | Warpcon IV | 1994 |
| Gordon O'Keeffe | Warpcon V | 1995 |
| Greg Scully | Warpcon VI | 1996 |
| Donal Cahalane | Warpcon VII | 1997 |
| Maria McSweeney | Warpcon VIII | 1998 |
| Donal Cahalane | Warpcon IX | 1999 |
| Cat Tobin | Warpcon X | 2000 |
| Gar Hanrahan | Warpcon XI | 2001 |
| Ed Heffernan | Warpcon XII | 2002 |
| Sadhbh Warren | Warpcon XIII | 2003 |
| Cillian Doyle | Warpcon XIV | 2004 |
| Neil Kelly | Warpcon XV | 2005 |
| Sarah Hallinan | Warpcon XVI | 2006 |
| Mark Keaveny | Warpcon XVII | 2007 |
| Noirin Curran | Warpcon XVIII | 2008 |
| Karen Murphy | Warpcon XIX | 2009 |
| Eoin Murphy | Warpcon XX | 2010 |
| ????? | Warpcon XXI | 2011 |
Contribution to Irish Gaming
Sometimes (mistakenly) referred to as the "Spirit of Warpcon" award.
Best Scenario Award winners
| Award Winner | Warpcon | Year | Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anita Murray | Warpcon XVIII | 2008 | Puppetland: "The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Puppetland" |
| Ray O'Mahony | Warpcon XIX | 2009 | Serenity: "For a Fistful of Credits" |
| Ciaran O'Brien | Warpcon XX | 2010 | Corporation: "The Raven Incident" |
| ???? | Warpcon XXI | 2011 | ???? |
Intervarsity Award
| Winner | Warpcon | Year |
|---|---|---|
| CIT | Warpcon I | 1991 |
| WIT | Warpcon II | 1992 |
| WIT | Warpcon III | 1993 |
| WARPS | Warpcon IV | 1994 |
| STOCS | Warpcon V | 1995 |
| ????? | Warpcon VI | 1996 |
| ????? | Warpcon VII | 1997 |
| NUI Galway Fansci Society | Warpcon VIII | 1998 |
| NUI Galway Fansci Society | Warpcon IX | 1999 |
| NUI Galway Fansci Society | Warpcon X | 2000 |
| NUI Galway Fansci Society | Warpcon XI | 2001 |
| NUI Galway Fansci Society | Warpcon XII | 2002 |
| Not Held | Warpcon XIII | 2003 |
| Not Held | Warpcon XIV | 2004 |
| Not Held | Warpcon XV | 2005 |
| Not Held | Warpcon XVI | 2006 |
| Not Held | Warpcon XVII | 2007 |
| Not Held | Warpcon XVIII | 2008 |
| Not Held | Warpcon XIX | 2009 |
| NUI Galway Fansci Society | Warpcon XX | 2010 |
| ????? | Warpcon XXI | 2011 |
