They're not quite like Monopoly or Candy Land.
In fact, people might not recognize most of the nearly 80 games -- including cards, board, strategy tabletop and video games -- that will be featured Friday through Sunday at ErieCon 2010, the area's game convention held at the Avalon Hotel.
Instead of Battleship, Life and poker, there will be Pieces of Eight, Vampire, Ninja vs. Ninja and other games that are most commonly found online or at special hobby shops.
But fun is fun -- no matter what game it is.
"We're trying to find a way to bring all the generations together," said K. Reed, co-organizer of ErieCon 2010.
"Erie is full of gamers; you just don't know about it. A ton of people play, but not a lot of people tell others that they play."
Along with a packed game-play schedule, the convention will have a costume contest, workshops, about six vendors and national qualifying tournaments for certain games.
The event -- with about 25 sponsors, including NBC Universal -- is expected to draw in at least 300 people, according to ErieCon organizers.
But you don't have to be a hard-core gamer to enjoy ErieCon. The convention is meant to be a fun way to learn about new games -- no matter your age, skill level or what type of game you usually play.
Gaming proves quite a draw
A. Martin, B. Malone and C. Reitz are Yu Gi Oh masters.
Or at least they boast impressive Yu Gi Oh card game skills. All three have played in various Yu Gi Oh card playing competitions, where talented card players can win hundreds of dollars in cash or prizes.
On a weekend morning at Above & Beyond Comics, 1126 W. 26th St., the three take up a gaming table with their cards. Each player commands a deck containing creatures, warriors, magicians and more that are played in an effort to lower an opponent's "life points."
Some games could take only a matter of minutes, while others might last an hour or more, said Reitz, 20.
Although the game is based on a Japanese anime of the same name, Martin, 18, explained there's nothing simple or childish about it. Like many other card games, strategy and planning are essential components of the game.
And a little luck.
"It's all chance on the first call, then you have to play your way out of it," said Malone, 19. "You never know what your next card will be."
While all three will be going to ErieCon to try their hand at unfamiliar games, Reitz and Martin will be judges for the Yu Gi Oh tournament. Malone has signed up as a competitor.
They could focus their skills and concentration on any game or activity -- and they admit to spending time with sports and community activities -- but Yu Gi Oh has never been simply about flipping through cards.
"Sure, it's a card game," Martin said.
"But it's more to us," Malone finished. While rifling through their hands and laying down cards, the three talked, joked around and laughed. It's only natural that gamers bond during the hours they spend playing, when anything from school to work to personal issues could come up between hands, they said.
Sure, they've been teased for playing a game based on what's considered a children's cartoon, but it hasn't fazed the three, nor the many other Yu Gi Oh players around the world.
"We don't take it to heart," Malone said. "We really don't care what people think because, at the end of the day, this makes us happy."
They've also attended larger game conventions around the region. But a gaming event closer to home will be exciting, they said, even if it's not as grand as other established conventions.
"This is the biggest gaming thing Erie has ever had," Reitz said.
"At first, we were expecting it to be small," Martin added. "But we expect it to grow."
Right move for Erie
"Erie used to do a lot more of those conventions when I was younger," said S. Howard, 33. "It's nice to see that we're using some hotels in our city."
Games seem like a good start, appealing to people of any age and background. Analysts also predict the multi-billion-dollar industry will grow in the next few years, despite a recent dip in video game industry sales in the United States, which were $1.17 billion in January -- 13 percent less than January 2009 -- according to a February report by NPD Group, a consumer and retail research organization.
Although Howard's game of choice, HeroClix, isn't among the scheduled game events at ErieCon, he said he plans to attend.
HeroClix, a turn-based game, pits DC Comics and Marvel superheroes against one another on a tabletop map.
"It's almost like playing chess with superheroes," said the Erie resident. "I like it because it's mentally stimulating."
Storytelling with button clicks
Every video gamer is different. Some like the action, shoot 'em up games, while others prefer puzzle or adventure themes.
C. Payne, 32, goes for the role-playing games with elaborate stories, including the "Final Fantasy" series and "Dragon Age: Origins." Sometimes it doesn't feel like a game at all.
"The thing with video games is that you're not just reading the story, you're participating in it. You're making the story," she said.
But the Erie resident plans to try out several games during the convention, including the non-video games. Although she's never played it before, Payne plans to play "Rock Band," which will be one of the featured tournaments that weekend.
But that's OK. A place like ErieCon is a good way for people to get a taste of certain games and learn from local pros. Even if they don't consider themselves "gamers," she said.
"ErieCon is for gameplay, not just for gamers," she said. "Some games can be a little overwhelming when you first look at them, but if you're willing to try them out and play with someone... it can be a real good introduction."
Two-in-one hobby
J. Preston commands an army of orcs (or "orks") in Warhammer 40,000, a popular tabletop war game.
That's why he's called "Orky" John.
But in a game that requires dozens or hundreds of little figurines, there are also ways to be creative. Preston paints the pewter figurines, which are unpainted when purchased, and builds the terrains they're played on using different materials, including papier-mâché.
"That's what attracted me to this game," said the 27-year-old. "The level of creativity that you can put into this game all around is amazing."
A stickler for detail, Preston said he easily spends 4 hours to an entire day painting the clothing, skin and weaponry on the little 1- to 2-inch-tall figurines. After about six months, he's almost done with his army of 80 orcs.
By project's end, there are games to play. The technical aspects include using a ruler to measure out the movement of army units across a terrain and rolling dice to determine damage in combat.
But creatively, it's a whole entire world that's come to life.
"With a painting, people see it and they have an emotional reaction. But with this, you can actually play with it and it takes you to a whole different place," he said.
"With the terrain, the way the table is set up, just the way the atmosphere is, you're totally immersed in the game."
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