What is a Megagame?
A megagame is a bit like a boardgame, but it is much more fun. Megagames have their origin in Major Incident exercises and military planning, where different teams would 'workshop' elements of their plans on a tabletop to try to figure out the real world consequences. An example would be a hospital, where different teams are managing the emergency department, the theatres, and the mangement suite, and there is competition for resources and constant developments in the scenario.
In this particular game, there are 6 gameboards, each of which represents a Welsh Kingdom. Each Kingdom is run by three players, and you try to make your kingdom the best in Wales. You do this by winning battles and gaining prestige. In addition to the Kingdoms, there are 2 other player types: Heroes and Gods. The heroes are competing to the be the best Hero - you do this by helping Kingdoms out, and by other Heroic activities. Gods are mysterious - but they clearly have a huge effect in this world, and each God is represented by 3 players.
The game is turn-based, and each turn lasts half an hour or so. Each turn is divided in two: first you plot and plan and decide what to do: then you go ahead and do it. Trade, invading other kingdoms, battles against Roman invaders, building prestigious monuments, fortifying your Kingdom against invaders, and fighting them off. See player types to get more info on what sort of things you can get up to!
The game itself is going to be played in an old church in Llandudno (The Tabernacle). The setting is amazing and atmospheric, and you don't get to see buildings like this from the inside very often. See link below for photos.
On Saturday afternoon after the first day's play, there will be an Eisteddfod: this will take place in the Heroes' Tavern, which will be licensed for the occasion. There will be games and other activities, some of which will have an impact on gameplay on Sunday.