401 Games Downtown
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Wednesday evenings at 401 Games is our longest running event and has steadily grown since Sept 2009, allowing for a variety of games to be played and the opportunity to always meet new people.
The current series started back up in February 2022 after our second pandemic related hiatus and features a new game selection system. Check out the details below! |
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In addition to the details on this page, check out our Meetup Information and Code of Conduct.
Location
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Address: 401 Games, 750 Yonge Street, store.401games.ca
Transit: Walk south from Bloor-Yonge subway station. Reference: TTC alerts Bike Share: 3 docks within a block: east side of Yonge to the north, in the Green P garage to the east, and west of Yonge on Charles. Parking: Green P garage east of Yonge, between Hayden and Charles. Accessibility: The play space is on the main floor, with no stairs or curbs. Find Us: We're at the very back of the main floor. |
Attendance
The majority of attendees will follow these steps:
Event Start: Arrive between 5:45 and 6:00 pm and provide the event host with your proof of vaccination. Arriving earlier allows time to settle in at your game table, browse the store, chat with other members, or play something quick before your scheduled game. Arriving later is not permitted.
Event End: All games must be fully packed up and all players out of the store no later than 9 pm. The store closes at 8 pm, so be sure to make any purchases or pick up any orders before then.
Guests: Each attendee requires their own meetup account.
- Join the waitlist on Meetup for the event you would like to attend
- Complete the Game Selection Survey on Friday or Saturday before the event
- Check the schedule on Sunday morning to see what you'll be playing when moved off the waitlist
Event Start: Arrive between 5:45 and 6:00 pm and provide the event host with your proof of vaccination. Arriving earlier allows time to settle in at your game table, browse the store, chat with other members, or play something quick before your scheduled game. Arriving later is not permitted.
Event End: All games must be fully packed up and all players out of the store no later than 9 pm. The store closes at 8 pm, so be sure to make any purchases or pick up any orders before then.
Guests: Each attendee requires their own meetup account.
Covid-19 Protocols
Vaccinations: We are choosing to continue requiring everyone to show proof of vaccination status via QR code and photo ID upon arrival.
Masks are required, covering your nose, mouth and chin.
Screening: Do not attend if you feel unwell or suspect exposure to COVID-19.
Hands: Wash or sanitize your hands upon arrival and between games.
Distancing: Do your best to maintain appropriate physical distances.
Contact Tracing: If you develop COVID symptoms after attending, please message me so that we can notify all attendees by meetup message of any symptoms or cases reported.
Masks are required, covering your nose, mouth and chin.
Screening: Do not attend if you feel unwell or suspect exposure to COVID-19.
Hands: Wash or sanitize your hands upon arrival and between games.
Distancing: Do your best to maintain appropriate physical distances.
Contact Tracing: If you develop COVID symptoms after attending, please message me so that we can notify all attendees by meetup message of any symptoms or cases reported.
Food and Drinks
Food: Meals, with prolonged or repeated removal of your mask, are not permitted. If you need a snack, please choose something that is quick and keeps your fingers clean.
Drinks: You may bring or purchase drinks, and it is permitted to briefly lower your mask for a quick drink, but please do not leave open drinks on the table.
Drinks: You may bring or purchase drinks, and it is permitted to briefly lower your mask for a quick drink, but please do not leave open drinks on the table.
Games
The game schedule is coordinated in advance, allowing everyone the chance to research the offered games and allowing games to start promptly at 6pm. We usually have a great selection of games available with different mechanics, themes and complexities within the scope of our group.
Survey: Complete the Game Selection Survey on Friday or Saturday to let us know which games you are interested in for the upcoming event. If you submit the survey after Saturday, you may be contacted to fill any remaining seats or cancellations.
Schedule: The schedule below will be updated on Sunday morning and confirmed attendees will be moved off the waitlist. If you are interested in the survey results, they will be updated here.
Teaching: Most games will be taught before the game begins and attendees are not expected to know the game to join. Some games may require the players to learn the game in advance, especially if they have longer playtimes or more complex rules, and this will be clearly specified in the game description.
Game Start: All games start by 6 pm. Some games may specify an earlier start.
Game End: If your game is running long, you may need to find an alternate way to wrap up the game and do final scoring since everyone has to leave the store before 9 pm.
Table Space: Each game with 4 or more players will use 2 tables to allow appropriate distances between players. If multiple games are offered with less than 4 players, they may be reduced to one table each.
Requests: If there is a particular game you've been looking to try, feel free to post on our BGG forum to hopefully make arrangements for a future event.
Survey: Complete the Game Selection Survey on Friday or Saturday to let us know which games you are interested in for the upcoming event. If you submit the survey after Saturday, you may be contacted to fill any remaining seats or cancellations.
Schedule: The schedule below will be updated on Sunday morning and confirmed attendees will be moved off the waitlist. If you are interested in the survey results, they will be updated here.
Teaching: Most games will be taught before the game begins and attendees are not expected to know the game to join. Some games may require the players to learn the game in advance, especially if they have longer playtimes or more complex rules, and this will be clearly specified in the game description.
Game Start: All games start by 6 pm. Some games may specify an earlier start.
Game End: If your game is running long, you may need to find an alternate way to wrap up the game and do final scoring since everyone has to leave the store before 9 pm.
Table Space: Each game with 4 or more players will use 2 tables to allow appropriate distances between players. If multiple games are offered with less than 4 players, they may be reduced to one table each.
Requests: If there is a particular game you've been looking to try, feel free to post on our BGG forum to hopefully make arrangements for a future event.
Hosting a Game
This event, and this group, wouldn't be possible without members who are willing to volunteer their collection and time to host games. As a community group, everyone is encouraged to host occasionally.
Offers: Post the following information on the meetup discussion after joining that event's waitlist:
Timing: Post offers anytime on or before Thursday prior to the event. Late offers, made on Friday or Saturday, will be added to the survey only if there are fewer than 10 hosts/games already included.
Selection: If there are more games offered than supportable because of table space, event capacity or demand, games will be selected based on complexity, willingness to teach, and popularity.
Survey: Please complete the Game Selection Survey even if you have offered to host so that you can be scheduled into another game if yours isn't selected.
Saving Spots is discouraged. If you are offering a game because of a specific request, message me to request an exception or let me know in the comment field of your survey.
Borrowing games from our collection is an option if we have a game that you'd like to host.
- the name of the game(s)
- the acceptable player count range, and your ideal number if relevant
- whether you can teach, considering the 3 hour event limit
- the start time if earlier than 6:00 pm
- information about the theme, mechanics, expansions or links to learning videos or rules
Timing: Post offers anytime on or before Thursday prior to the event. Late offers, made on Friday or Saturday, will be added to the survey only if there are fewer than 10 hosts/games already included.
Selection: If there are more games offered than supportable because of table space, event capacity or demand, games will be selected based on complexity, willingness to teach, and popularity.
Survey: Please complete the Game Selection Survey even if you have offered to host so that you can be scheduled into another game if yours isn't selected.
Saving Spots is discouraged. If you are offering a game because of a specific request, message me to request an exception or let me know in the comment field of your survey.
Borrowing games from our collection is an option if we have a game that you'd like to host.
Event Hosts
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Sara VanderWal
I've been the host of this weekly event at 401 Games since its creation in Sept 2009. I handle all the administration for it and you can message me with any questions or comments. |
This 2010 photo may be old, but it will still help you recognize us!
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Duncan McGregor
Duncan helps with the on site logistics for this event every week. He started attending in Jan 2010, and has become my primary proofreader and sounding board. |
