On Friday, Aug. 23, the Tabletop Gaming Club hosted their 2024 Fall welcome back party on the University of North Georgia Dahlonega Campus. The event was spearheaded by Maddox Newell, the current president of TCG Dahlonega, in order to kick the club into high gear for the semester.

The party brought out many gaming communities such as Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, Yu-Gi-Oh and many other players who enjoy a good tabletop experience. Everyone is welcome to join and participate in the festivities. For those worried about not having materials of their own, Newell was quick to point out the main purpose of the club. 

Newell said that alongside this event, the main point of the club “is to get that barrier entry down to zero”, so that people who want to get involved in the tabletop community have a place to belong. To support this, Newell shared the efforts that TCG Dahlonega went through so people can do what they love, including renting out sets for Warhammer that they can paint themselves if desired.

“We want people to do what they love without having to necessarily spend the money they don’t have on it.” – Maddox Newell, President of Tabletop Gaming Club (Dahlonega)

In regard to other events TCG Dahlonega may offer in the future, Newell gave a slew of recurring events such as their “weekly one-shot:” campaigns for Dungeons & Dragons for those who don’t have the time to do a full campaign and a convention they plan on holding in March.

Nighthawks Gaming Convention was first launched in March to bring the gaming community together. Multiple vendors and outside organizations such as Clockwork Gaming, Dice Goblin and Bricks and Boards provided a free convention for students to get together and have a good time. 

Newell described it as an “all-around gaming convention.” Tournaments are held for all sorts of trading card games alongside one-shots for Dungeons & Dragons. On the side is a gaming floor for video games and a giveaway that is held for all who attend. All together, it is described to be TCG Dahlonega’s “own little Dragon Con.”

Newell remarked how the club is growing at a rate that he is proud of.  He accredits a good portion of the growth to his members and officers. He wishes for the club to grow even larger to aim for greater heights.