Not every gaming convention is a vendor hall bo(h)nanza with massive queues and backpacks clogging up the aisles amid sensory overload. Some conventions focus on just one thing: playing board games. It sounds like a no-brainer, but actual gameplay can get lost when events, shows, merch, contests, and other distractions overwhelm a convention-goer.
Nestled just outside St. Louis, Missouri, is a small play con named Geekway to the West, a clever twist on “Gateway to the West,” a common nickname for the Mound City. The convention features a meeple under the St. Louis Arch, playing into the regional theme. This con strips away the flair and spectacle of Gen Con, Essen Spiel, and PAX Unplugged, and embraces a simple philosophy: play games with people, then play more games.
This year marked the first time Meeple Mountain had representation. Though attending solo, I had the chance to check out the convention and see how it stacks up on the con calendar. Spoiler alert: it left a big impression.
Every Day I’m Demoin’
I attended this year while working with Conhorde, representing Board & Dice, and demoing Windmill Valley and Reef Project. There wasn’t a formal booth, but plenty of tables were available to run demos of recent releases. The response from players was enthusiastic, and I enjoyed introducing these games to both newcomers and experienced players. One of the best parts was seeing players return later in the con to teach the same games to others—proof of a great teach and an even greater game.
This was also my first time using the Meeple Meet app, a simple but powerful tool that allows players to create and schedule games with filters like skill level, player count, and whether someone needs a rules teach. Signs with QR codes were posted all over to help attendees find games or like-minded players. The app made it much easier to jump into games without wandering around or struggling to find a group. I saw many tables where one person was buried in the rulebook while the rest sat idle. As someone who didn’t know anyone at the con, this app helped me play games I’d been wanting to try and meet new people. I hope it becomes the standard for organizing games at conventions. It truly leveled the playing field for solo attendees.
But Where Do I Shop?
I get it. We all feel the need to buy something at a convention. Pins, shirts, games, playmats, crokinole boards — you name it. My wallet practically leaps out on its own.
The vendor hall, if you can call it that, had maybe 12 booths total. You could walk through the whole thing in the time it takes to play Dutch Blitz. The mix included publishers like Allplay and Capstone Games, along with smaller outfits such as GameHead and Chris Couch Games.
BrownCastle Games had a really nice presence with a raffle for a gorgeous Lord of the Rings crokinole board. All you had to do was learn how to play a few turns of crokinole to receive an entry. It was a great way to attract new players to (in my opinion) an intimidating dexterity game craze. I’m seeing crokinole more and more on the convention circuit—or maybe I’m just becoming more aware of it?
There were book vendors, swag booths, and even a mini-store run by Miniature Market. The other MM has a brick-and-mortar location down the road and offers warehouse tours with shuttles included. Though small, there was a nice selection and it offered something for just about everyone. It was quality over quantity, and honestly, a relief for my backpack.
There was no fear of traffic jams or backpack collisions, but that was the point. This wasn’t meant to be a major marketplace, though there were still plenty of chances for impulse buys. And yes, I did buy a few games, as is tradition. But these were small titles like Tacta and Pixel Tactics, so my wallet thanked me.
Allplay All Day
I had the pleasure of running into Azkadalia, who handles Media Relations for Allplay. She’s hard to miss with her hip glasses and homemade dresses featuring art from Allplay’s latest game. If you see her, definitely say hi.
Allplay hosted a pizza party where attendees got to play upcoming titles while trying not to get grease on the cards. It was a great chance to connect with fellow content creators and industry pros to share our love of games.
I had serious analysis paralysis trying to pick one — I wanted to try them all. We started with Alibis, which one player described as “Guess Who meets Codenames.” It’s a cooperative party game where players use one-word clues to guess the odd card out.
We followed that with Slambo, one of Allplay’s new micro-sized games. It’s a fast card game inspired by sumo wrestling, with players trying to avoid going above ten or below zero. Some cards add special effects, like matching or reversing the turn order. If a player breaks the limit, they take a shame card called “Haji.” The first person to collect three loses, and everyone else wins. It’s silly, quick, and incredibly fun.
Sitdown with Jamey Stegmaier
Jamey Stegmaier is a major name in the board game world. If you don’t recognize the name, you’ll recognize his work: Rolling Realms, Viticulture, Scythe, Tapestry. He’s also the CEO of Stonemaier Games — yes, Wingspan.
I sat down to chat about his new project, Vantage, which is set to release later this year. It’s a cooperative, open-world sandbox game that features nearly 800 unique locations to explore—a scale that immediately grabbed my attention.
Even though he doesn’t play many video games, Jamey said Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a major inspiration. He was captivated by the way that game rewarded exploration without feeling repetitive or forced, and he wanted to bring that same spirit to the tabletop. I asked how he managed to keep a game of that scope from turning into a slog. He admitted it was one of the biggest concerns during development, but said the team spent a lot of time fine-tuning the game’s structure to maintain momentum. Players still have the freedom to roam, but the design helps nudge things forward so you never feel stuck or overwhelmed.
For now, Vantage is planned as a standalone experience, though I wouldn’t be surprised if the world invites expansions down the line. Jamey, as always, was incredibly kind and approachable. I even spotted him playing with random attendees throughout the convention — not in a promotional way, just enjoying games with people. It’s a refreshing reminder of how connected he stays to the community and the people who play his games. His passion for thoughtful design and meaningful player experiences really shines through.
Holiday Hijinks
I met with Chris from Chris Couch Games to check out some of his upcoming projects, and it was clear he has a strong passion for creating playful, memorable experiences. His big holiday release this year is Holiday Hills, which is expected to hit shelves just in time for Christmas.
The game has a fun, festive hook—players push dice around on tiny sleighs to decorate charming 3D wooden Christmas trees. It’s one of those games that immediately catches your eye on the table, thanks to its vibrant components and clever use of physical space. The tactile element adds a layer of joy that fits the holiday spirit perfectly.
Chris mentioned that capturing the feel of a cozy, family-friendly game was a top priority, and from what I saw, Holiday Hills looks like it could be a seasonal staple for game nights. It’s lighthearted, visually delightful, and easy to imagine playing with a cup of eggnog nearby. Definitely one to keep an eye on as the holidays roll around.
He also previewed Kraken Skulls, a party game with more than 25 quick-fire dice mini-games. It looks like a blast and promises tons of replayability. We also bonded over our mutual love of sneakers — sneakerheads recognize sneakerheads.
The Following Championship Match is Scheduled for One Fall
I also caught up with Steve from SRG Universe, the team behind The Supershow—a wrestling-themed dueling card game that’s celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. That kind of longevity in the indie game world is no small feat, and it speaks volumes about the dedicated fanbase they’ve built over the years.
The Supershow lets players step into the ring as over-the-top pro wrestling characters and go head-to-head in fast-paced, highly thematic battles. Every move, counter, and finisher feels pulled straight out of a primetime wrestling match, and the game absolutely leans into the drama and flair that makes wrestling so fun to watch. The community is massive and passionate, especially on Twitch, where matches are streamed weekly like actual wrestling events, complete with announcers and storylines.
Steve and the SRG team have clearly cultivated something special—not just a game, but a whole ecosystem of players, characters, and lore. I’ll be doing a deeper dive soon into the story behind The Supershow and how it’s grown into the phenomenon it is today.
In the meantime, I got to wear the Tri-State Championship belt, which was a personal highlight. For a brief, glorious moment…I was the champ. Then I had to give it back.
Eventing
For folks who like structure, Geekway still had scheduled events. Publishers demoed games, and regional tournaments were in full swing. Trophies were set up for games like Rebel Princess, Lost Cities, SHŌBU, and even Battle Tops, a dueling game with spinning tops.
Saturday night’s Fancy Gaming event featured Ren Faire outfits, a live folk band, and an open Saturday night’s Fancy Gaming event was one of the weekend’s highlights—a perfect blend of elegance and nerdy fun. Attendees showed up in their finest Renaissance Faire attire, from flowing cloaks and corsets to doublets and crowns. It felt like stepping into a medieval tavern, if that tavern happened to be filled with modern board games and enthusiastic gamers.
The vibe was festive and whimsical, with an open bar keeping the drinks flowing and light bites available to keep everyone fueled for late-night gaming. A live folk band added to the ambiance, playing medieval-inspired tunes that echoed through the hall and gave the whole evening a magical, immersive feel.
My favorite event, though, was the Flea Market. I helped a friend at his table, “Hazard’s House of Haggles,” (his last name being Hazard), where there were no prices — only deals. The room was packed with bargain-priced games. I had to stop walking around or I’d have gone broke. It felt like the trading floor on Wall Street, and I loved every second of it.
But What Did You Play?
I know — it’s a play-focused con, and I haven’t even said what I played. Fear not, I played plenty.
The Play-to-Win library was the star. Every game you play earns you an entry to win that game at the end of the con. I didn’t expect to win, but I walked away with Cabanga and Xylotar. Beginner’s luck?
The regular library had everything, including rare classics like Space Hulk and Shadows over Camelot. By the end of the weekend, I had logged 19 unique plays. It’s hard to narrow down from the long list. However, these are my top three games:
- Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game – A brilliant take on the series. Tight, satisfying, and always down to the wire. We played it several times back to back.
- Innovation Ultimate – Civilization-building card game chaos. Over 700 cards, wild abilities, and sudden endings. Absurd in the best way.
- Come Sail Away – A clever worker placement puzzle from Saashi & Saashi. Match meeples to cruise ship rooms, mancala-style. Beautiful art by Daryl Chow, and it plays in under 45 minutes.
Oh, and I finally tried Mage Knight for the first time. Yes, the Mage Knight. I had an absolute blast and somehow, miraculously, our play only took 4.5 hours. That’s basically a speed run, right?
I Geeked All the Way
Geekway was an unexpected delight—one of those rare conventions that manages to feel both exciting and intimate. Even while I was there working, the whole event had a small, welcoming vibe that made it feel more like a giant game night with friends than a traditional con. You’d play a game with someone in the morning, cross paths with them again that evening, and by the end of the weekend, you felt like part of a sprawling, friendly village.
Oh, and did I mention it was Lord of the Rings themed? Because it absolutely was. There were cloaks. So many cloaks. It was like wandering through the Shire—if the Shire had 24-hour board gaming and a well-stocked game library.
What really sets Geekway apart is how it strips the hobby down to its essentials: people, games, and shared joy. There were no convoluted ticket systems, no long lines to play the hotness, no overproduced distractions—just gaming, nonstop, all weekend long. The hall was open 24/7, and trust me, people took full advantage of that. I played more in one weekend than I usually do in two months… and I still wasn’t ready to stop.
Next year, I’m bringing my espresso machine and maybe a power nap plan. I hope to see you there!
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