We are back! Wokingham Town Council is again inviting Eclectic Games of Reading to join us in a day of tabletop board gaming. The adventure takes place on Saturday 1st March 2025. It doesn’t matter if you are already a fan of tabletop gaming or just curious, there will be something for all.
A great social occasion to meet like-minded people, we will have a selection of easy to pick up but very re-playable modern board games, with demonstrators to help you learn during the day, courtesy of Eclectic Games and Thames and Kosmos.
In addition taster sessions of Dungeons & Dragons proved very popular earlier in the year so we are bringing them back. Our local Dungeon Master Will will be guiding adventurers on a very short taster of how the game is played. Please note due to the open nature of the game and the ability and encouragement for players to shape the narrative, players for this session must be 14 years or over.
We are planning a beginners game of Blood on the Clocktower. This is an introduction to this social deduction game. Due to the nature of the material and mechanics that include lying, cheating and betrayal we are restricting this to players are 16 years or over. It is also being designed with new players in mind.
Tickets are on sale, available from our TicketSource page.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/wokingham
Tickets are usually £4 a person for a half day (discounted group rates available)
For a limited period, Early bird bookings are £3 per person.
Once booked you will have access to a game sign up sheet. If there is a particular game you want to play, sign up in advance of the event. Sign ups are on a first come first served basis. We cannot guarantee you will always get your pick of game.
Games
Nunatak – Build a 3D ice temple together by collecting cards and placing ice pillars. Not co-operative even though you’re all working towards the same goal. Many different ways to score points so even if you’re not the top-tier builder you can still get rewarded for collecting sets of tools or being the best architect. Ages 10+
Catch the Moon – A dexterity game where you stack ladders precariously on one another and try not to make the moon cry. Ages 6+
Ingenious – Tile laying game with hexagonal domino shapes
where you create blocks and lines of colour, but the twist is your worst scoring colour at the end of the game is the score. Ages 8+
Andor: The Family Fantasy Game – The junior/family edition of the original Legends of Andor, where players co-operate to go on a series of fantasy quests to rescue the wolf cubs before the dragon reaches the town. As this is a series of linked stories and games we’ll only be showing/playing the first adventure, which will hopefully encourage people to want to dive in for more. Ages 7+
Cities – Build and redevelop new neighbourhoods in some of the world’s greatest cities. Each turn collect a goal scoring card, a city tile, some feature tiles and buildings to go into your city. Different objectives depending on which city is being redesigned. Ages 10+
Dodo – Co-operative family/children’s game where players work together against the clock to save a dodo’s last egg before it crashes out of the nest and into the sea! Ages 6+
Dragonkeepers – What do wizards do once they’ve mastered herding cats? Herd dragons, of course. A card game where manipulating the common spellbook determines how much each dragon group can score. Ages 8+
The Gang – A co-operative card game where players work together to try and rob a series of bank vaults without setting off alarms and getting caught. Based on Texas Hold-em, but no gambling! – just assessing the relative values of players’ poker hands. Ages 10+
(Limited games stock in the in house shop)
Marbelous – You choose cards and send colourful balls on a journey through the playing field. Your goal: match the same colours because when three or more balls are adjacent to each other, they pop — and the points go to you. Ages 8+
Dungeons & Dragons – Taster sessions of the table top role playing game Dungeons & Dragons. Learn the basics using 5th edition mechanics, dice and your imagination to become a hero. This might only be the start of your journey.
Players must be 14+
Blood on the Clocktower – Blood on the Clocktower is a bluffing game with players on opposing teams of Good and Evil, overseen by a Storyteller player who conducts the action and makes crucial decisions.
Players must be 16+
FAQs
Who can attend?
This event is open to anyone as long as they are respectful of their other gamers and the games they are borrowing. We anticipate a mixed group of all ages and as such please do not use foul language. Children under 14 years old must have a parent or guardian in attendance.
We will not tolerate any discrimination to anyone because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
We welcome visitors with disabilities and/or SEN needs. Wokingham Town Hall has a lift and step free access and we would be happy to talk in advance to try to support other needs. We welcome feedback from residents particularly those that might improve inclusivity and access to our events.
If you are unwell, please do not attend and get in touch with the event organisers.
What do the age ratings mean?
Age recommendations are commonly an indicator of at what age would a child understand the mechanics enough to enjoy the game. Sometimes it can reflect on the themes or how they are presented to be either appealing or suitable for a particular age group.
For D&D we are limiting this to over 14 years old as it is possible to have a mixed group of adults and teens playing, and one of D&D’s strengths is how open it can be as a game and how much the players influence the narrative. Players will be reminded to work with the Dungeon Master to ensure content is suitable for all at the table. D&D mechanics can also be complex and this allows the Dungeon Master to craft a scenario that touches on a selection of mechanics suitable for the understanding at the table in the time available. Parents are welcome to play alongside their teens. If the parents aren’t interested in playing, they are also welcome to observe.
Blood on the Clocktower can be an intense game with adult themes. It actively encourages lying, betrayal, cheating and other challenging behaviour. As such we are limiting it to 16+. If you find it or any game uncomfortable or too much there is no shame in leaving that game or highlighting to the game runner or another member of staff your discomfort.
I really want to play this particular game. Can I?
We can’t guarantee that everyone will be able to play every game they wish to. All the demo games will have sessions available for advance sign up so please do consider that if one of those is on your must play list.
Eclectic Games also run their own gaming events so do have a chat to them if you would like to find out more.
Please bear in mind that the closing time listed for the events is the time we need to close the doors and not the time to finish playing your game. Games staff are sometimes working the next day (or are volunteering to help) and need to get home so please make sure that you have finished playing and tidied up well before your session time ends. Please also be mindful of this when starting games towards the end of the session, staff will be happy to advise on options for games that will fit how much time is left.
We love board games but none of these demo games are appealing to us. What can we do?
Eclectic Games will have staff and knowledgeable volunteers at the even who can offer advice. They also do other events and open play from the shop in Reading all through the year and are very happy if you pop into the shop to offer advice on games your might enjoy.
Are refreshments available?
Water is always available, please bring reusable bottles if you can. We are looking into having on site simple refreshments.
There are a number of local outlets in town where you can purchase snacks and lunch.
Please do not bring into the Town Hall:
Alcohol
Food with nuts in it
Very messy and smelly food
Please be considerate of your food and drink choices while playing and do make use of the facilities in the building for washing hands.
We would very much appreciate it if you clear up rubbish. It doesn’t matter if it is yours or not, it is part of the community effort to keep the environment pleasant for everyone, staff included. If you are throwing away an unfinished drink, please pour the liquid down the sink before putting the container in the bin. We also have recycling facilities so please do take advantage of these.
Where is the Town Hall?
The Town Hall can be found in the centre of Wokingham. It is the large triangular Gothic building with a clock tower and on a Saturday is surrounded by Wokingham Market. The main entrance can be found on the side opposite WHSmith.
How can I get there?
There is no dedicated parking for the Event, however public car parks are available around the town centre. Details on parking options are available on Wokingham Borough Council’s website. www.wokingham.gov.uk/parking-and-transport/parking-and-permits/find-a-car-park/
The nearest car parks are Cockpit Path which is located off Denton Road RG40 2HD and Denmark Street which is located off Denmark Street (RG40 2BB). Wokingham Railway Station (RG40 2AP) is a short walk away and local buses serve Broad Street. Other car parks are available.
There is limited disabled parking in certain car parks and in signposted bays around the Town Hall.
I played this great game and I’d like to get my own copy. What do I do?
Eclectic Games in Reading are our games partners for this event. There will be copies of the demonstration games for sale on the day. For other games and game advice please visit them at: www.eclecticgames.co.uk or at the shop (5 Union Street, Reading, RG1 1EU)
I need more information about the event!
For info about the venue, ticketing or the event in general please contact Wokingham Town Council on 0118 974 0889 or artsandculture@wokingham-tc.gov.uk
If you have a specific query about a specific game you might do best to get in touch with Eclectic Games directly. https://www.eclecticgames.co.uk/