SDHistCon 2021 - Spring Deployment

Tickets for all Events now available. To join us at SDHistCon 2021, first buy a badge, then browse our Events Schedule and obtain tickets for any events you wish to attend. A badge gets you into the Con; a ticket reserves a seat at a particular event.

NOTE: In most cases, there is a 50-ticket limit for all scheduled SDHistCon events. This limit applies both to observing as well as playing attendees. If you would like to play, we highly recommend arriving in the game channel a bit earlier than event-time to inform the GameMaster (GM). The GM will then determine who plays any roles/positions by a method of their choosing.

Welcome to SDHistCon 2021: 'Spring Deployment'!

The San Diego Historical Games Convention (SDHistCon) is an annual event hosted and coordinated by a dedicated cadre of local gamers and friends. At its inception, our intent was to create a viable gaming space dedicated to the playing and exploration of historically-based conflict simulations (often referred to as "wargames"), but our mission has since evolved and expanded to one where we seek to create a diverse and supportive gaming community dedicated to historically-based simulations more broadly.

Once again, SDHistCon will be held virtually; that is to say, all convention events will take place online. We strive to create as seamless of an online experience as possible and hope that -- with a minimum of effort on your part -- you can join us for a scheduled series of incredible online historical gaming sessions and demos, seminars, live streams and other wargame community events (including product giveaways!), all from the safety of your own home. Most of our events will be coordinated using the popular Discord app (available free to all users).

A Designer-rich Convention Environment

As at last year's convention, SDHistCon 2021 features a virtual panoply of major game designers and gaming industry professionals who will be offering a host of individual events including popular game tutorials and demos. Many of the designers attending SDHistCon will be showcasing their designs, providing insight into the history behind the game as well as effective playing strategies.

This is a great opportunity to interact with some of the giants in our hobby, and one you won't want to miss out on!

Here are some of the outstanding designers, artists and industry professionals hosting events during SDHistCon 2021: 'Spring Deployment':

And there are still more to come! Check back on this page for updates or view our full Events Schedule.

Play Historical Boardgames

Are you hoping to play the latest CoIN game from GMT Games? Want to try your hand in a classic hex-and-counter wargame? Are you a serious tournament player, wishing to pit your skills against another platoon commander on the Western Front?

Whether you're looking to play Advanced Squad Leader or Empire Of The Sun, you'll get your chance at this year's SDHistCon. Many gamemasters (GMs) will be attending and hosting their own historical gaming sessions and -- in many cases -- providing instruction for players unfamiliar with their chosen game. Be prepared to engage in historical military and political battles at all levels: tactical, grand-tactical, operational or strategic.

Want to run your own game and invite other attendees? It's easy and fun, and we can help you get up and running in minutes. Or are you looking for an afternoon pick-up game? The SDHistCon Discord server features a system which broadcasts any game events that are looking for players. It's as easy as checking a box and you'll be on your way to your seat at the table.

How Does an Online Convention work?

SDHistConutilizes a few easy-to-use technologies such as Discord, the famed Vassal Gaming Engine, the innovative Tabletop Simulator on Steam, Tabletopia, as well as official gaming apps which enable you to engage your friends (and enemies!) across several continents in realtime. We want to make your SDHistCon 2021 convention experience a memorable one and hope -- as we do at all our conventions -- that you'll make new gaming friends you can engage and play with in the future.

Are you completely new to online gaming? We want to make SDHistCon 2021 as "newbie-friendly" as possible. To help us out in our efforts, we have enlisted the crack teaching team of Karl Kreder and Tim Porter from the Wargame Bootcamp to help get you on your way to the online gaming experience. Both Karl and Tim bring decades of experience teaching wargames to the uninitiated as well as the experienced wargame hobbyist. There are plenty of scheduled Wargame Bootcamp events to get you started on your way. If you've been waiting for a chance to take advantage of some of the incredible apps and utilities available to extend your gaming time outside the solitary wargaming experience, don't miss this opportunity. Registration opens on April 21st, 2021!

Official SDHistCon 2021 Swag

...And while your browsing the ever-expanding series of events we have scheduled, don't pass up the opportunity to grab some official SDHistCon 2021 official swag. Attend SDHistCon 2021 with one of our fashionable t-shirts or sip a preferred beverage from an inspired water bottle, stainless steel tumbler or coffee-mug (the latter can also be used for chit-pulling in your favorite wargames). Click here to order now!

SDHistCon's Official Sponsors

SDHistCon 2021 would not have come into being without the help from all of our great sponsors. Each of these organizations is dedicated to continually growing the historical gaming hobby as well as helping players connect with each other.

We are proud to be supported by these outstanding sponsors:

• Academy Games
• Aegir Games
• Blue Panther Games
• GMT Games
• ION Game Design
• Lock 'n Load Publishing
• Multi-Man Publishing
• RBM Studio
• Revolution Games

Many of these sponsors have games featured at SDHistCon 2021, so be sure and join in their events!

Check back often as we update our events schedule as well as provide you with more information to get you online and engaged in what we hope will be a fantastic virtual historical gaming experience! See you at the Con!