As the sounds of dice and chatter fill the Student Union Building's second floor, attendees at this year's Dalhousie Games Expo discover more than just new amusements they find a vibrant community that welcomes all.
Tables fill the McInnes Room, stacked with board games, cards, chess boards, and computers loaded with e-sports. As students begin to pour into the expo, crowds gather, peering over the shoulders of concentrated players. Students engage in battles of both strategy and wit, while society presidents welcome new patrons.
Hundreds of students attended the two-day (Sept. 21-22) expo this year, which was organized by some of Dal's biggest gaming societies in partnership with community sponsors and Dal After Dark an initiative from Student Health & Wellness that provides students with grants for substance-free events.
An open door
Expo organizer Nick Andrychuk, found representing the Soviet Union in a Cold War strategy game on centre floor, remarked on how the idea for the event first emerged.
He said he noticed an issue in the games community at Dalhousie a few years ago as people were concerned with joining pre-established groups.
"How can I break that tension?" said Nick, looking back to his thought process when first organizing the now-annual games expo.
Dal Games Expo organizer Nick Andrychuck, left, plays a board game with Will Creaghan, a fellow organizer.
Today, evidence of the expo's success in growing gaming societies proves it has become a vital part of this now thriving community on campus.
"I won't let it not happen next year." Nick Andrychuck
Checking on your mates
With a wide diversity of games on offer, the event encourages attendees to explore and expand their gaming horizons.
Luca Graham, a third-year philosophy student, came to see his hobby's community in action.
"I just wanted to know if the chess club was right for me," he said. "This event seems like a great way to see what it's about, without making any commitment."
Daniel Cabral, vice president of the Dalhousie Chess Club, sits alongside a row of chess boards. Hosting both seminars and workshops throughout the school year, the club prides itself in accommodating players of all skill levels. With more than 500 students on their mailing list, he knows "it's no secret that chess has experienced a huge surge of popularity."
Of the 10 tournaments Dal chess players participate in, their top four students get selected to represent the school at the Canadian University Chess Championships.
Daniel admits he learned the game relatively late in life, yet his success on the board cannot be underestimated. Representing Bermuda at the 2018 Chess Olympiad, his professionalism and skill have proven to be assets to the Dalhousie chess community.
For students interested in joining this society, he suggests reaching out over social media or keeping an eye out for their upcoming website launch.
Attendees are encouraged to refer the expo to friends and participate in photo challenges.
A different kind of DM
Revamps are commonplace in student-led communities, and Dalhousie's Dungeons & Dragons Society is no exception. In just over two years, President James Gaultois has grown his community to more than 300 members. A record 10 games were played on day one of the expo.
The society was inactive when James came to Dalhousie in September 2021. After discovering that the previous society heads had long since graduated, a change was due.
"Can I be in charge?" asked James in an email to the DSU in the summer of 2022, jump-starting a new and now thriving table-top role-playing society.
To join upcoming campaigns and monthly events and try your hand as Dungeon Master (DM), students are encouraged to search Dalhousie groups on Discord or on the DalU digital app.
As the games expo came to an end Sunday evening, students rejoiced in the success of a growing community. For those who missed it, all contacts and additional information can be found at dalgamesexpo.ca.
