Brandon Twp.-The world of war and fantasy was found in the Brandon Township Library on a recent Saturday as about 50 people participated in the library’s ‘Gaming Day.?
This is the third Gaming Day the library has hosted, said Ben Peterson, the assistant librarian in charge of running the program, in which kids and adults alike play card games such as Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic the Gathering, board games like Risk and Zombies, and games using pewter-cast miniatures that involve role-playing or war.
‘I want to show the kids that there is more to gaming than sitting in front of a TV or computer with no social interaction with another human being,? Peterson said.
He added that another benefit is parents often get involved and play with their kids.
Most games can be learned in five to ten minutes and can be played anywhere from one to three hours. Peterson encourages gamers to rotate and play different games so they can learn about all of them, during a six-hour Gaming Day.
Peterson had several friends come from as far away as Monroe or Charlotte Mich. to teach participants as many as ten different games. Some of the games can have as many as 20 players.
The library makes a good location for Gaming Day, because it is fairly quiet and gaming tends to draw more studious people, Peterson said.
‘Most of the games involve a lot of tactics, strategy and thinking ahead? like chess, which was probably the first war game,? said Peterson.
The response has been very good, says Peterson. At the most recent Gaming Day players were given lessons on how to paint pewter miniatures, which they were also able to take home. Additionally, there was a raffle with gaming equipment prizes given away, totalling $200.
Peterson said all who are interested in Gaming Day are welcome to come and play. The next Library Gaming Day is being planned for summer.