Machinations Through Time - Running a Multiplayer Arkham Horror Event
Back in February, after reorganising our board game shelf, I got into the Arkham Horror Card Game. A cooperative adventure in a cosmic horror setting based largely on Lovecraft works.
This turned out to be incredibly fortuitous timing, as just several weeks later a board game shop happened to be organising an Arkham Nights event in Berlin. These are ~annual events meant to bring Arkham players together and create the opportunity for committed players to get some promotional game related gifts, from nicer tokens to decorative swag. The event was lots of fun, but I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't used as an opportunity to run a mass multiplayer event, involving either the scenarios that let groups compete for the highest score, or work together with a challenge scaled based on player count.
Having recently found myself with an excess of energy and motivation, I decided to try something I've never done before - organise a board game night to bring one such event to reality in Berlin. "Surely", I thought, "even with no experience I can manage an event where all the narrative parts are prewritten!"
I figured I can treat this as a trial - I invited a few friends, asked some strangers in board game groups if anyone was interested, and much to my surprise had all 12 seats filled a month before the planned date! This was a terrifying prospect, bearing the responsibility for all these people having fun.
I went ahead, purchased 3 copies of the Machinations Through Time scenario - what better setting to use for an epic multiplayer event than a time travel story that involves groups affecting each other - and spent far too much time planning and learning how the scenario worked so that I could answer any questions as the event organiser/narrator/announcer.
I had the daunting wait for the start time, and could do nothing but start setting up the game.
Thankfully everyone came! I had a mix of newer and more experienced players participate, all very keen to work together and help each other out at the game. I'm very excited to have brought lapsed players back to the game, and given new players something to try.
Our additional scenario goals were to redeem Edwin and stop the time anomalies.
We were off! The start was a bit slow, but when things started moving, the announcements usually came in pairs. Thomas and Mary met and near instantly got married (really felt too rushed). Edwin Bennet was swiftly redeemed over just 3 rounds.
In the end, we didn't end up completely succeeding, but we also didn't fail. While Edwin was redeemed, teleportation research didn't begin, and only the past table managed to stop the anomalies from forming. In the end, our hopes had to rest with Edwin for saving the timeline, but at least most of us made it out alive, and we even picked up some victory points along the way.
Many thanks to Fantasy Flight Games and the writers and artists they employed in making this board game and The Arkham Horrors for recording an incredible backing soundtrack that helped enhance the mood. A special thanks to my friend Seb for providing the space. And an especially big shoutout to everyone who came out and gave this a chance - it wouldn't have been possible without all of you!
It was a pleasure to run this event for all of you.
~m