GameStorm (convention)
GameStorm is a fan-run not-for-profit annual gaming convention held in the spring in the Portland, Oregon metro area.
History
GameStorm started in 1998 as a fan-run event at the Clackamas, Oregon Denney's Convention Center. The GameStorm group often provides gaming programming at OryCon and other conventions in the Pacific Northwest as well, and has an extensive game library. GameStorm also hosts panel discussions about games and gaming-related topics, provides space for designers to play-test new products, and cross-promotes for other area conventions.
GameStorm provides a number of different activities for gaming fandom:
- Panel discussion topics, often with gaming industry professionals
- Role-playing games (RPG)
- Live action role-playing games (LARP)
- Miniature figure (gaming)
- Collectible card games (CGG)
- Board games
- Video console gaming
GameStorm, like OryCon, is run entirely by fans, with no paid staff, and is sponsored by Oregon Science Fiction Conventions, Inc. (OSFCI), a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation.
| Iteration | Dates | Location | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GameStorm 10 | March 2008 | Red Lion at the Quay - Vancouver, WA | 750 | Guests of Honor: Robin Laws and Jay Tummelson |
| GameStorm 11 | March 26–29, 2009 | Hilton - Vancouver, WA | 736 | Guests of Honor: Rob Alexander (first-ever Artist GoH), Andy Collins, Rob Heinsoo, Andy and Kristen Looney; debut of Video games |
| GameStorm 12 | March 25–28, 2010 | Hilton - Vancouver, WA | 802 | Guest of Honor: Vincent Baker, Tom Lehmann |
| GameStorm 13 | March 24–27, 2011 | Hilton - Vancouver, WA | 984 | Guests of Honor: Lisa Steenson, Michael A. Stackpole |
| GameStorm 14 | March 22–25, 2012 | Hilton - Vancouver, WA | 1072 | Guests of Honor: Andrew Hackard and Sam Mitschke of Steve Jackson Games, and Jason Bulmahn |
| GameStorm 15 | March 21–24, 2013 | Hilton - Vancouver, WA | 1188 | Guests of Honor: James Ernest, Henry Lopez (Paradigm Concepts) |
| GameStorm 16 | March 20–23, 2014 | Hilton - Vancouver, WA | 1346 | Guests of Honor: Mike Selinker, Shane Lacy Hensley, Lisa Steenson, Zev Shlasinger, Theatre Arcanos (David Coronado, Michelle McNeill, and Matt Branstad) |
| GameStorm 17 | March 19–22, 2015 | Hilton - Vancouver, WA | 1547 | Guests of Honor: Michael Mindes, Creator of Fiasco, Jason Morningstar, and Special Media Guest JR Ralls |
| GameStorm 18 | March 17–20, 2016 | Hilton - Vancouver, WA | 1550 | Guests of Honor: Mike Mulvihill, Shadowrun developer, and Brian Poel |
| GameStorm 19 | March 30 – April 2, 2017 | Red Lion Jantzen Beach - Portland, OR | 1520 | Guests of Honor: Paul Peterson and Jeremy Crawford |
| GameStorm 20 | April 5–8, 2018 | Red Lion Jantzen Beach - Portland, OR | 1700 | |
| GameStorm 21 | March 28–31, 2019 | Red Lion Jantzen Beach - Portland, OR | 1950 | Guests of Honor: Mike Mulvihill, Shadowrun developer, and Brian Poel |
| GameStorm 22 | March 24–27, 2022 | Jantzen Beach Columbia River -Portland, OR | 900 | No Guests of Honor |
Upcoming GameStorm Convention
GameStorm 23 will be March 23–26, at the Red Lion Jantzen Beach.
Past Guests of Honor
- Peter Adkison
- Vincent Baker
- Matt Branstad
- Jason Bulmahn
- Andy Collins
- Monte Cook
- David Coronado
- James Ernest
- Richard Garfield
- Andrew Hackard
- Rob Heinsoo
- Reiner Knizia
- Robin Laws
- Tom Lehmann
- Steve Long
- Rick Loomis
- Andy and Kristen Looney
- Michelle McNeill
- Sam Mitschke
- Mike Mulvihill
- Brian Poel
- Michael Stackpole
- Lisa Steenson
- Jay Tummelson