What is Midwest GameFest Online?
Midwest GameFest Online is an annual four-day tabletop hobby game convention held online each Fall. It is the companion convention to our in-person event, Midwest GameFest, held each Spring in the Kansas City area. Midwest GameFest brings a number of long-standing midwestern game organizations under one roof. The Role-Players Guild of Kansas City (Shauncon), Heart of America Historical Miniatures Gaming Society (Borderwars), and Recruits (A Historical, Fantasy, and Sci-Fi Wargaming Convention) have banded together to bring you online role-playing games, historical miniatures, board games, card games, organized play, cosplay, artwork, workshops, game designers, exhibitors, benefit events, a used game sale and more! Midwest GameFest is organized and funded by The Role-Players Guild of Kansas City, LTD.
When is it?
Doors open to the public on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 12 p.m. and the event runs through Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 7 p.m. See our Schedule page for details.
Where is it?
While our Spring in-person event is hosted in Kansas City, our Fall online event is hosted via Discord, a free text, audio, and video service. Discord is a web-based service that also has great desktop and mobile apps. You don't need anything more than the cell phone, tablet, or web browser you're using right now. There's nothing to download or hook up, but a mic and headset would be great. We use a number of online virtual tabletops (VTTs) including Roll20, Foundry, Fantasy Grounds, Tabletop Simulator, and more (game hosts decide).
Does Midwest GameFest benefit a charity?
Midwest GameFest is not a charity itself, and neither is its parent organization the Role-players Guild of Kansas City. However, we have historically provided a charity raffle benefitting Harvesters Community Food Network, a large community food bank in the Kansas City region. You can learn more about this at our Benefit Raffle page.
Additionally, separate groups at Midwest GameFest have historically gathered donations for their own charity causes, such as Heroes of Rokugan's annual Toys for Tots drive.
We are also hosting a virtual Red Cross Blood Drive.
Exhibitors
We host a number of tabletop gaming and fantasy-related dealers, vendors, and small-press game companies. Check the Exhibitors page for details on this year's dealers.
Event Organizers
Event/game organizers should contact us soon so details can be worked out. We are looking for events ranging from a single board game or RPG round to miniatures tournaments or sanctioned trading card events. If you want to run a tournament, live-action, or large-scale event, please contact us directly. See our Events page for details.
Volunteers
Volunteers are always needed. See our Volunteers page for volunteer discounts and to sign up as a volunteer.
How does my group, store, or I get involved?
Essentially just This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your contact information and what you might want to do. See below for additional info:
- Gaming Groups: We have a Discord channel for flyers and other promotional information for area gaming clubs and conventions. Groups that are interested in greater participation should This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with details. Volunteer discounts are a great opportunity for your group or club. See our Volunteers page for details.
- Stores: We have a Discord channel for advertisements and other promotional items for the Kansas City area and other game stores. Stores can contact us directly to discuss attending as an exhibitor or sponsor to provide other support. See our Exhibitors and Sponsors pages for details.
- Individuals: Individuals can participate as players and event organizers, and need not be part of a larger group to do so. See our Volunteers and Events pages for details.
Who are the convention staff and organizers?
The convention is organized, staffed, and financed by a cadre of experienced volunteer conventioneers from The Role-players Guild of Kansas City with an advisory board made up of participating members/organizers from the Heart of America Historical Miniatures Gaming Society, Recruits Convention, ReRoll Tavern, and other interested folks. The convention is financed by RPGKC coffers, door proceeds, exhibitor fees, and sponsorships. The RPGKC is a 501(c)(7) non-profit group of role-playing game enthusiasts dedicated to bringing quality gaming to all and educating the public about that gaming.