Departments

Total Confusion has many departments to help give you a well rounded full 4 day weekend of gaming fun. We feature role-playing, board games, miniature games, young player games, video games, a few card games, panels, movie screenings, live shadow cast performances,workshops, regional championships, national qualifiers, and several special events like IRON GM and Cube of Death each year. To learn more about these departments, please visit the links below:


Role Playing Department

Total Confusion hosts the largest role-playing event in New England with a huge selection of events each year brought to you by some of the best GMs in the area. TotalCon is a host site for the Adventurers League and Pathfinder Society organized play featuring the latest mods and special events. In addition, TotalCon features a dedicated Old School RPG area as well as single table events hosted by Industry Guests, Game Company Reps, and local Game Masters. Questions about submitting an RPG event can be sent to Steven Parenteau.

Questions about submitting an RPG event can be sent to Steven Parenteau.

The Adventurers League and Pathfinder Society have grown from a few tables to one of the largest events in the region featuring the latest interactives and special events for each group. Each year, events are updated and available to view on the Warhorn website. Players are encouraged to use Warhorn for GM needs and on-site mustering. You must register with the convention FIRST to secure your seat at the table. Registration on Warhorn does not guarantee your seat until you have registered with the convention and selected your events through the TC registration system. WARHORN WEBSITE

Single table events are role-playing games that are specially designed for convention play, usually hosted in 2 to 4 hour time slots. Pre-generated characters are usually given. TotalCon has several Game Masters who offer these events featuring some of the latest and some of the greatest role-playing systems like GURPS, Call of Cthulhu, AD&D, 7th Sea, Cyberpunk, Star Wars, Modern D20, StarShip Troopers and more. TotalCon now features a dedicated Old School area for Industry Guests and Dungeon Masters who want to offer original and early versions of D&D which has been growing for the last few years.

Independent Games and Special Guest of Honor hosted events have been growing over the past few years and are now exciting and rewarding parts of the convention. We have been extremely proud to have companies like, TSR, Inc, Dark Phoenix Events, Carnivore Games, Grey Ghost Press, and Dilly Green Bean Games in our hall offering their fantastic events for you. Past Guests of Honor include Frank Mentzer (former TSR, Inc employee and founder of the RPGA), Tim Kask, (1st employee at TSR, editor of Dragon Magazine), Mike Pondsmith ( R Talsorian Games), John Wick (John Wick Presents), Mark Edwards (writer, Catalyst GameLabs), Andre Kruppa (theatrical style CoC GM with mods published by Chaosioum), Jay Libby (DillyGreenBean Games and Cyberpunk V3 artist), Brad Younie (president, Carnivore Games) and more. If you would like to share a role-playing game you created with the TotalCon attendees, please let us know. It would be our honor to welcome you to this event Please contact Steven Parenteau for more information.


Board Game Department

Total Confusion is proud to host one of the largest board game events in the New England area. Over the past few years, the board game area has grown to be an yearly favorite for both competitive players and casual gamers. From classic favorites to the latest games to hit the market, chances are, you can find it at TotalCon. So stop by to grab a quick game between other events or stay to compete in the many tournaments offered. All are welcomed to have fun.

B-17 Event:

The US Army is looking for new recruits to join the 8th Air Force as we continue the daylight bombing missions over the Reich. We have new B-17s looking for pilots. Can you navigate your bomber and bring your crew home? No experience needed. We have flight training available Friday at noon in the Amphitheater. If you cannot make the training we can pair you up with an experienced pilot to help you along with your mission. Wheels up on the B-17 tournament is Friday at 1pm. Points for this event counts toward Chairman of the Board.

Read the results of last year's tournament HERE.

Open Gaming Interest List

If you want to find other gamers to schedule play in the open gaming areas or to request or offer teaching a game, check out the Totalcon 32 open gaming requests list on Boardgamegeek.

New England Regionals

Each year we select 10 games to be included in our tournament series. These games are chosen from the most played events from the previous Total Con plus 2 slots reserved for new games which prove themselves from Origins, WBC, GenCon or Essen.

Advancement in New England Regional Tournaments

Advancement To Semi-Finals

New this Year: After 2/3 heats each tournament will have a scheduled semi final round. Everyone who wins a heat game will advance to the semi finals. We will take enough runners up to round up to the next multiple of 4. The winners will play in the finals. If there were less than 4 winners, we will take the next best finish based on percentage of winner’s score to make the finals 4 player games.

Downloads:

New England Regionals 2018 schedule

Totalcon is also a sponsor of the Meeple League, which is dedicated to advancing competitive boardgame play. Seven of the NER tournaments are also Meeple League Sponsored events, where players earn points toward Meeple League annual ratings: Catan, Splendor, Puerto Rico, Stone Age, Terraforming Mars, Ticket to Ride, and St Petersburg.

NE Regional Tournament Rules

Settlers of Catan - Catan North American Championships (Friday & Saturday)

Catan Tournament: Settlers of Catan CWC (Friday & Saturday)

There will be two 3 game qualifying sessions. In each game, identical boards will be used by all tables. Up to the top 16 qualifying scores will advance depending on the number of players (ranked by wins/total points). You have 2 chances to qualify. First session Friday night at 7pm and second session Saturday 10am. The semi-finals start Saturday at 7pm. The final will be played immediately after that. The winner of the tournament receives air fare and hotel to Origins 2018 to play in the next round of the national championship. Players must be 18 or older to win. 4th edition rules are being used (no house rules). 7's are live from the beginning. Players may build and trade in any order during their turn. Players may use ports on the same turn they are built. Robber may be moved back to the desert. There will be a special ticket price required because of the prize offered

Gaming Library

We have a library of board games that any badge-holder is allowed to sign out for play. We do require that we hold a photo id. The library is open from 8am until midnight. Download a complete list of games in the board game library.

Chairman of the Board

Chairman of the Board Award goes to the best boardgamer during the convention. You score points for placing 1st-3rd (4,2,1 points) in up to 10 different board games played during scheduled tournament rounds in the board game room plus bonus points for placing in any board game tournaments:

  • 1-10 players: 1st (2), 2nd (1)
  • 11-20 players: 1st (3), 2nd (2), 3rd (1)
  • 21-30 players: 1st (4), 2nd (3), 3rd (2), 4th (1)
  • 31-40 players: 1st (5), 2nd (4), 3rd (3), 4th (2)
  • 41+ players: 1st (6), 2nd (5), 3rd (4), 4th (3)

Only your best finish per title is used and you can score in up to 10 different games for a maximum of 40 points before adding any bonus points. The qualifying games are the 10 NER events, Catan, Diplomacy, 1830, 18XX and Empire Builder.

Puffing Billy

The tournament is named after the first patented locomotive. The goal of the tournament is to encourage the play of train games. To qualify for the PBT, you must score in 4 different categories of train games. Your best score in each category will count toward your total Puffing Billy® score. Download the full tournament rules. Download the full tournament schedule. The game categories are:

  • Ticket to Ride - all ticket variants
  • Empire Builder - all variants
  • 18XX - all variants
  • Express, Union Pacific, Santa Fe, Freight Train, Ticket to Ride Card Game, Station Master, Hell Rails, On the Underground, Trans America / Trans Europe
  • Settlers of America, Metro, Streetcar, Chicago Express, Steel Driver, Trainsport, Railway Rivals / Dampfross, Stephenson's Rocket, Days of Steam, and all other 2 hour games
  • Railways of the World - all variants, Railroad Tycoon
  • Express, Brass / Age of Industry, and all other 3 hour games
  • Silverton, Steam / Age of Steam
  • Rail Baron, Baltimore and Ohio, and all other 4 hour or longer games

Gaming Totes

We encourage players to bring copies of games to make sure we have enough. However we cannot hold totes at the board game HQ. Please use tables along the wall on the right side of the ballroom. Do not leave totes on a table, they will be moved to the stage. We expect all tables to be in use on Saturday.

In addition, Total Confusion offers special events like Wits and Wagers and Independent Games hosted by the game designers, teaching games and "play to win" games in the board game area.

If you have any questions, comments, or want to help host events in the board game area, please contact the board game director Rob Kircher.

Click here for GM information.


Miniatures Department

Miniature gaming is a form of gaming which incorporates miniature figures, armor, ships, mecha, and modeled terrain as the main components of play. Like other types of games, they can be generally considered to be a type of simulation game, generally about tactical combat, as opposed to computer and board wargames which have greater variety in scale.

Total Confusion has a diverse miniature department that hosts events covering wargaming, fantasy & science fiction miniatures games. If you would like to connect with local miniature groups, face challenges from new opponents, or defeat old foes in epic battles...stop by the miniatures room and take a look at the games being played. New players are always welcome to watch observe and if there’s room drop in and play.

Some of the annual favorite events in the miniature area are:

  • TC Circvs Maximvs (circvs maximus on lego scale)
  • Classic BattleTech Tournament
  • NE Championship Car Wars

Other favorite past events have been: Axis and Allies War at Sea, Battletech, Formula De, Dog Fights, Car Wars, Necromunda, Ogre, Space Hulk, Battleground Fantasy Warfare, Axis and Allies miniatures and much more! The selections change over the years but the quality of events is always high!

You are also invited to bring your favorite miniatures to enter into our painting contest or create new works of art during one of our paint and take sessions. Each year Total Confusion supplies miniatures and paints for people to stop in when they have some down time and paint something they find interesting.

Total Confusion has also hosted special events like terrain building seminars to make your miniature gaming experience complete. So come try something new this year! We are always in need of groups, stores, and GMs willing to bring in great terrain and offer events and tournaments to miniature fans at Total Confusion. It is a great way to help promote your group while keeping the hobby strong. If you are interested, please email the events director Steven Parenteau,

Click here for GM information.


Young Players Department

Total Confusion hosts a special area for young players aged 6-16 year old to let families enjoy the convention together and to bring the joy of face-to-face gaming to the next generation of players. The area is under the direction of Bruce Heroux, who is not only an active member in the local gaming community, but is a middle school teacher, too. He has the patience, sense of humor, and skills needed to create a wonderful learning experience for young players while making the games a lot of fun as well.

The young player area is now located in the Board Game area so parents can be near by and join in the fun. Games are age appropriate and special tournaments have been created. An annual favorite is the Clay Wars Tournament. Mr. Heroux has also taught many young players various Steve Jackson games (Munchkin Burger, Battle Cattle, Dino Hunt), Lord of the Flies, Kung Fu Fighting, Settlers of Catan, Ubongo, Apples to Apples, Hero Quest, and more.

Young Players are also welcomed in other areas as long as the event has been rated for young players and they have the required experience.

The Young Player area is designed to bring the joy of gaming to children and teens with age appropriate events. We do not offer babysitting services. Children 5 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. If you would like to help host games in this area, please contact Bruce Heroux.

Click here for GM information.


Panels, Movies, Special Events, and More!

The fun does not end with our main events. TotalCon also hosts a variety of other events to fill your days with fun and excitement. We now offer panel discussions, indie movies, some collectible card events, demonstrations, and workshops, . Past events included dinner theaters, live action zombie/mazes, face painting, art shows, and more. Attendees are always welcomed to come in costumes to show off their best and add to the fun atmosphere. Be sure to check back often to see the other great gaming and non-gaming options that will be offered at the next Total Confusion.

As always, these events need the support of dedicated GMs like you. Total Confusion is currently looking for Industry Guests for panel discussions and judges to bring more card games and tournaments to the convention. If you are interested, please contact Steven Parenteau,


Award Information

In the past, TotalCon had an award ceremony to recognize the gamers who gave their all and stood out among the crowd. Two years ago we re-instated the award ceremony to give credit where it is due. We bestow several trophies in all areas of the con. We also have created two special award programs, the Ken Pendelton Lifetime Achievement Award and the Carpentier Awards (Northeast Gamers Choice Award).

The Ken Pendelton LifeTime Achievement Award

In 2004, the Total Confusion Staff decided to formally recognize the dedicated people who have supported our convention by maintaining a standard of excellence for entertaining our attendees over the years. Our first recipient for this award was Ken Pendelton, who was a well-known author and gamer, infamous for his epic adventures. We felt he more than earned it, he deserved to be given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Sadly enough, Ken passed before we had a chance to present this award to him. Therefore, in his honor, we have named it the Ken Pendelton Award. The recipient of this award receives permanent V.I.P. status at Total Confusion.

The Carpentier Awards

In 2008, Total Confusion created an award to recognize excellence by the people who bring their best to conventions: The GMs, Exhibitors, and the exceptional events they offer. Nominees were selected and the winners were chosen by votes cast by area gamers and TotalCon attendees. At the convention last year, attendees were asked to cast votes for the best of the best. Their votes will help determine next year's winners. The NorthEast Gamers Choice award is also known as the Carpentier Award in honor of Wes Carpentier, one of the original founders of Total Confusion. Be sure to submit your votes next year!

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