Though I’ve worked at Lock & Load GameFest before, this was my first year as an attendee, and I’ll admit I was a little nervous about the thought of throwing down with some of the most diehard WARMACHINE and HORDES players in the gaming community. Would I do Privateer proud?  As soon as I started playing my first opponent, I knew the theme of the weekend was set . . . to awesome. The camaraderie within the community was nothing like I had experienced before. People just wanted to play and have a good time. Every opponent was a great sport, and many offered very good advice. Everyone was just so friendly, and the energy was incredible.

Lock & Load is the convention to get your Privateer Press fix, and it’s the one time each year that I get to meet members of our gaming community face-to-face. As the Quartermaster’s Assistant, I do a lot of work with the Press Gangers, but I rarely get to meet them. Lock & Load is my opportunity to finally put faces to the PG names I see every day on a computer screen. It’s our community that has made Lock & Load GameFest as large as it is today, and Lock & Load is my opportunity to meet the people who make it all possible.

Everyone here at Privateer works hard to prepare for Lock & Load and to make it the best experience possible for the community. But being able to interact personally, and to see the level of excitement emanating from everyone in the community, is truly incredible. I am so grateful to be a part of something that makes so many people happy. To every one of our community members, thank you. Thank you for making Lock & Load Game Fest 2014 such an awesome experience.

Here’s to 2015—hope to see you all next year!