Professional Adelaide game master Aaron Braegen on the rise of tabletop gaming and being human
Across dining tables and backrooms, gamers are coming together to swap screens for tabletops – with an impact we never saw coming.
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It’s no longer the “demonised” underground hobby of the 1980s – tabletop gaming is now a mainstream success following acclaimed triumphs by web series Critical Role and Netflix’ s Stranger Things.
But if you ask this game master, the real successes are found in conversation around the table.
Aaron Braegen, professional game master and proprietor of Adelaide’s Metal Phoenix Studio, said games played around the table were some of the world’s last vestige of being “human”.
“I think all of these tabletop games, they allow you to be human with a group of other humans in a safe, fun environment, and there is not much else that does that,” Mr Braegen said.
“We talk about the epidemic of male loneliness, well guess what? This is the solution, we talk about people not wanting to meet people in clubs … this is the best place to do that.
“Whether it's a board game, a TTRPGs, a card game, you get to experience people in a way that is genuine and safe.”
Mr Braegen, through Metal Phoenix Studio, offers curated tabletop role-playing game experiences ranging from single sessions to long campaigns across a range of game systems developed by a 20-year veteran game master.
Tabletop gaming, commonly referred to as TTG, is an umbrella term encapsulating a range of recreational games played at tables using boards, cards, miniatures, and dice.
Some of the most popular titles include tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, trading card games like Pokemon, Magic the Gathering and tabletop games like Warhammer 40,000.
So why don’t we connect without the need for dice and boards?
“Because humans, we need an excuse,” the 40-year-old said.
“If you just say, ‘hey, do you want to come around my place and then we are going to have deep and meaningful conversations?’ I don’t know about you, but that terrifies the hell out of me.
“However if you say, ‘do you want to come over and be a dwarf?’ Hell yes I do, and then when the deep and meaningfuls happen anyway? It’s great.”
The hobby isn’t exclusive – Mr Braegen said with the help of technology, some of his players with disabilities still enjoy the fun.
“I have an online game, which is crucial because a number of the players are disabled, one of them is permanently disabled, their ability to get out and do things is highly limited,” he said.
“The fact they are able to play with us thanks to technology is marvellous, it’s wonderful.”
Nor are ages an issue.
Local game store Shuffled founders Peter Meyer and Beth Penton said they often have parents coming in to learn how to share their children’s hobby and love seeing younger generations triumph.
“There’s nothing that replaces the heartwarming feeling of watching a youngster pull their first hit from a booster (card) pack or seeing someone that you’ve helped mentor to get a good result at a big tournament,” the couple said.
Adelaideans interested in joining in the fun can check out some of the local hot spots in our list here.
ADELAIDE’S BEST TABLETOP GAMING SPOTS
Whether you’re embarking on thrilling adventures in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) or becoming the world’s greatest Pokemon trainer, games offer an escape into worlds beyond our wildest dreams.
While once geeky, more people are embracing their “nerdy” side and diving head first into the world of table top gaming thanks to nostalgia and unwavering passion.
Here in Adelaide, the tabletop gaming community is thriving with a wide range of stores, clubs and community groups bringing together gamers of all ages, skills and tastes.
From Christies Beach to the Adelaide Hills, here are some of the local hot spots rolling the dice on fun.
Shuffled
Locations: Salisbury, Daw Park
Specialty: Trading card games (TCGs)
More than a games store, Shuffled is a space where expertise is optional, but fun is always on the table.
“When we started five years ago, the space was very much closed off to a lot of people that didn’t fit into the stereotypical gamer demographic,” co-owner Peter Meyers said.
“We wanted to create a space that absolutely anyone can walk in, feel at home, feel welcome and meet new people that they can share their love of games and collecting with.”
They host weekly sessions for games including Lorcana, Pokemon and Magic The Gathering (MTG), attracting up to 60 players per session.
“The most rewarding part is watching someone brand new to a game grow into a familiar face and become a part of the community,” he said.
Card Hub
Location: O’Sullivans Beach
Specialty: TCG – Pokemon, MTG, Lorcana and Universus
Much like the name suggests, The Card Hub Adelaide is the place-to-be for TCG enthusiasts.
Owner Dylan Compton, 40, opened the store in mid-2023 after selling MTG singles on Facebook for around three years.
“I loved the idea of creating a safe place for people to meet new players and create friendships,” he said.
While running a business isn’t without its challenges, seeing the connections made in-store make it all worth it.
“(The best part is) knowing that people come to play in our store because they know it’s safe and they can be the themselves,” he said.
The store runs events five nights a week for Pokemon, Magic the Gathering, Disney Lorcana and Universus where “everyone is welcome.”
Adelaide Hills Table Top Gaming Club
Location: Adelaide Hills
Specialty: Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Age of Sigmar
*pics pending*
From leading armies to victory in Warhammer to saving the world from deadly diseases in Pandemic, the Adelaide Hills Table Top Gaming Club offers games for every taste.
With members ranging in age from early teens to mid 50s, the club’s motto ‘no gamer left behind’ means there’s always room at the table.
“We pride ourselves on welcoming and accepting players from all parts of the community (including regulars) from the rainbow community and neurodivergent community,” member Jonas Dawson said.
Meeting multiple times a week at Game Lobby in Mount Barker, the club hosts regular game nights alongside various events and workshops throughout the year.
“Teaching new hobbyists is one of my favourite things to do too. When the light bulb goes on, when they are either playing or painting, you see that they get it, they get the buzz, and that’s really rewarding,” he said.
Adelaide Board Game Group (ABGG)
Location: Adelaide
Specialty: Any game that fits on a table!
The Adelaide Board Game Group (ABGG) is a volunteer-run community hosting regular game nights around Adelaide.
“It’s more like a big group of friendly geeks who want to make it easy for people to connect over board games,” the committee said.
Formed in 2005, ABGG hosts multiple weekly sessions that bring in up 120 attendees along with various events throughout the year.
“There aren’t many spaces where you can form these slow-burn connections with people you might never have met otherwise,” the committee said.
“We’ve seen people rebuild confidence, find joy after tough times, or simply discover their people when they didn’t know where to look.”
Southern Games
Location: Morphett Vale
Specialty: TCGs
Described by many as a hidden gem, Southern Games is a favourite among geeks and gamers in the southern suburbs.
The family-owned business has been selling games, consoles and geeky collectibles since 2004.
Open six days a week, it’s a haven for TCG collectors and players looking to get their fix on a range of TCG series, including MTG and One Piece Card Game.
They host regular tournaments, including a weekly Pokemon tournament, encouraging anyone to come down, even if they don’t play to meet new people and make friends.
For those wanting to learn, the staff have plenty of decks to lend out and knowledge to share.
The Lost Dice
Location: Adelaide CBD
Specialty: Tabletop games (TTGs)
A CBD haven for gamers, The Lost Dice is all about bringing people together over good food and board games.
It was founded in 2021 by chef and long-time gamer Jonathan Holmes-Ross as a place where people can meet up and play, especially those who don’t have anyone to play with at home.
Located on King William St, The Lost Dice has more than 500 unique board games in its collection to play, while the restaurant features a dedicated play area and games shop.
The Lost Dice also hosts a range of events including dice-making, D&D lessons, magic shows and weekly gaming sessions for Blood on the Clocktower, MTG, and D&D.
Table Top Warfare
Locations: Adelaide, Gawler, and Prospect
Specialty: Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs)
Table Top Warfare (TTW) was born out of a shared love for tabletop gaming between two brothers in 2017.
Since then, TTW has become a safe space for anyone looking to roll the dice on fun and make friends, offering daily events and special sessions for all ages and skill levels.
TTW incorporates cutting-edge technology to enhance gameplay, including electric war gaming tables and digital Dungeons & Dragons setups.
They also offer earn-to-play experiences, including an Adventurers League for newbies to learn D&D with the help of experienced players.
Outside of their three bricks-and-mortar stores, TTW works alongside local organisations and councils to host gaming events around Adelaide.
Dragons Lair St Marys
Location: Edwardstown
Specialty: TTRPGs and TCGs
While there aren’t *actual* dragons inside Dragon’s Lair St Marys, there are plenty of games, cards and accessories to satisfy your nerdy needs.
Dubbed Adelaide’s home of Warhammer, the Edwardstown business hosts daily events in-store, seven days a week for games including Warhammer, Yu-Gi-Oh, and MTG.
Last month, Dragon’s Lair was passed the baton to run Adelaide’s annual GT Level Warhammer 40,000 tournament, Roll for Damage GT, this August.
“We are taking over Roll for Damage GT,” the business posted on Facebook.
“Big thanks to Simon (Vickers) for making it what it is today. We are really excited to bring you the biggest and best GT we can!”
The Hobby Cave
Location: Christies Beach
Specialty: TTRPGs and TCGs
The Hobby Cave is a haven for all hobbyists, regardless of whether you’re a Pokemon trainer, Warhammer strategist or casual board game player.
Alongside providing all your hobby needs, the family-run business is fuelled by a desire to “build a community where imagination knows no bounds and where every hobbyist feels welcomed and inspired.”
“Our goal is simple: to foster a vibrant community where enthusiasts of all ages can come together to share ideas, showcase creative work, and connect over shared interests,” the business posted on Instagram.
Since opening last year, The Hobby Cave has become a melting pot for hobbyists of all ages in the southern suburbs, hosting regular game sessions, workshops and competitions.
Their recent events include a model-painting competition, Star Wars Unlimited showdown and a MTG: Final Fantasy midnight launch lock-in-style event.
Good Games Adelaide (GGA)
Location: CBD
Specialty: TTGs and TCGs
Located in the heart of the CBD on Grenfell St, Good Games Adelaide (GGA) is the ultimate destination for your tabletop needs.
With events and games held in store every day, there’s always room for one more person at the table and rarely, if ever, a dull moment.
GGA Adelaide hosts tournaments for a wide range of TCG and TTRPG games including Digimon, Flesh and Blood, Cardfight!! Vanguard, and MTG.
You can also catch the team from GGA at AVCon: Adelaide’s Anime & Gaming Festival this July, where they will be sharing their top gaming tips and tricks.
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