So, a few times I've mentioned I've been working on a soccer board game. This is a serious, stat-driven game that allows you to take real teams and have them meet on the pitch. If you like baseball games like Strat-o-Matic or Pursue the Pennant, then you'd probably like those, though it uses card-driven mechanics that should make the flow of the game feel more like the real thing.

Anyhoo, I'll be demoing the game for a public playtest at an upcoming game convention in town -- GAME ON! on February 17-19 at the Issaquah Holiday Inn. You can find more information about the convention at https://www.facebook.com/groups/242124702488209/ or ask me and I'll tell you what you need to know.

For the convention, I'll be bringing the 8 MLS playoff teams from 2009 plus DC United from that year, so you can play Seattle's first Open Cup win if you want. The final published game will likely come with the most recent 16 top UEFA Champions League teams, but the system will be "open source" to allow players to rate the teams of their choice.

Any advice for making the experience more enjoyable? What should I know and what should I expect while I'm there? Are there concession stands? What is there (beyond soccer) to keep six-year-olds with short attention spans entertained? Is there any sort of SaH Starfire Survival Guide that's been created to help the newbies and the uninitiated?

I've heard it can be taxing getting in and out of Starfire, but the Reserve games have had smaller crowds (~1,000) so maybe it won't be so bad.