The Nelson Exhibit in Norwich

[Naharaht]

Last Monday and Friday (11th & 15th August) I went to demonstrate 'Sails of Glory' at the Nelson Exhibit in The Forum of The Millennium Library in Norwich. The Forum had contacted Ares Games and asked for a demonstration. Roberto Di Meglio from Ares contacted me because I live near Norwich and I had taken part in the Kickstarter campaign. Ares promised to send a banner, some demonstration materials and some prizes.

The second photograph is of a sculpture produced using some actual wood from H.M.S. Victory. The third shows a computer game, the fourth the Battle of the Nile, the fifth posters advertising the Nelson Museum in Great Yarmouth. On the previous Saturday that table was staffed and a group of Napoleonic re-enactors dressed as infantry soldiers in red uniforms and their ladies were present. There was also a video wall in an adjoining room showing videos about Nelson and some lunchtime talks were arranged.

The remaining pictures are of the Sails of Glory display. The cardboard 'coffee cups' had counters in them. What we did not have were dozens of interested people wanting to play. People came in small numbers, who looked at it and I outlined the game mechanics to some. They were generally impressed and they liked the quality of the models. Some thought that I had invented it, so I had to correct that idea. A few sounded interested in buying the game but the disappointing thing is that no shops in Norwich currently have any stock, so I had to cautiously refer them to the internet. On the Monday I was able to play a 'Breakout scenario' against one of the Forum staff, who had helped me to set up. The French took more damage but they managed to slip past the British and escape off the top end of the mat. Then he had to go do other work. Later in the day a young boy came and played for a while whilst his mother had a cup of coffee. We has a 1 v 1 ship encounter and he was winning until he sailed off the mat into entrance of the French port.

The last photograph shows the beginning of an encounter I started by myself. The British were attacking some French ships at anchor. Then two young boys came along and I let them take over the British ships. One was very young and his grandma took him to the cafe for a drink. The older one sailed his three-decker along the line of French ships exchanging fire and eventually collide with the French three-decker. He had the good sense not to try to board it because of crew losses and eventually had to surrender it because of crew casualties. He also managed to run his frigate aground on an island. Afterwards his grandmother came over and thanked me because he had enjoyed himself.

I was glad that Ares had sent some materials because I was wary of losing any of my equipment, if I had to put on the whole display by myself. I was also a little disappointed with what they sent because they apparently had not thought it out. They sent the banner and a starter set, which was good. They sent four more ships - two three-deckers with broken masts and two French frigates - not an even split. They sent an extra counters pack, a coastal fort pack and a shoals pack, which were good but they did not send any extra ship boards, so I had to photocopy some. I did take some ships of my own to balance out the frigates and in case more people wanted to play but they were not needed because people did not have the time to stay. The rubber 'Sails of Glory' mats were mine.

Was it worth doing? Yes, because some more people were introduced to the game; there may be some sales in the long run and we have gained some 'good will' with the Forum staff in Norwich. Also I enjoyed it although there were times when I was just standing around. There may be an opportunity to put on another display around next Easter when the Forum is holding a 'Games Week'.