Last February, Privateer Press staff had the unique pleasure of flying across the pond and making our first major convention appearance in the UK at SmogCon 2015.

Will Shick, Ed Bourelle, Ron Kruzie, and Doug Seacat all came back from that trip with a slew of great stories and memories. As planning for 2015 wraps up, we are starting to turn our attention to the awesome times yet to come, in particular SmogCon 2016. I had a chance to sit and chat with the lead organizer of SmogCon, Jon Webb, to find out a little more about this awesome show.

MP: What is SmogCon all about? Tell me what players can expect attending this event.

SmogCon is the best three days of all things Privateer Press this side of the Atlantic!

JW: We host a series of competitive WARMACHINE and HORDES tournaments, covering the gamut of organized play, Masters, Iron Gauntlet, Steamroller, and Hardcore as well as some of the more unusual formats such as Spell Draft or Commander’s Crucible. This is backed up by the Iron Arena, open tables for players to grab pick-up games against opponents new and old, and the chance to earn points that can be spent toward exclusive Privateer Press swag.

We also host numerous IKRPG, High Command, LEVEL 7, Bodgers Games, and even Monsterpocalypse events, as well as demos and pick-up play. For painters, we have the P3 Grandmaster Painting Competition, which lets brushheads show off their stuff under the stern gaze of the highly skilled painters from the P3 Studio and get feedback and tips on their work. Members of the Privateer Press development team, artists, writers, and assorted superstars also are invited over to hang out and talk shop, to play games with fans, and maybe even to show off a few sneak peeks of future releases.

We are also lucky enough to have Cerberus Entertainment selling all the miniatures you might need (because you always forget that one key solo!), as well as a chance to get Privateer Pins and pre-release models in the UK. Basically, if it says Privateer Press on the tin, we showcase it and let you meet like-minded individuals who love the IK and all things Privateer. Running 24 hours a day for three full days, it’s the closest thing to an American convention you can find without leaving European waters.

MP: What does SmogCon offer to competitive tournament players? How about to the more casual community members or new players?

JW: As previously mentioned, the competitive scene is the solid foundation around which the event is built. No matter what format or army size you favor, we have the schedule for you. Friday and Saturday see four heats, all of which seed into Sunday finals for the Masters, Steamroller, and Iron Gauntlet. These are supported by four smaller events: Hardcore; Spell Draft; Blood, Sweat, and Tiers; and Commander’s Crucible.

Even if you don’t make the Sunday cut, we will be starting team and individual eight-person scrambles throughout Sunday, so you really can play ’til you drop. Each of these events is supported with unique prizes, pins, and all manner of crazy giveaways, so no matter how well you play, you’ll have a chance to walk away with a prize. We see some of the best players from across Europe battling for the coveted SmogCon Masters trophy and for a chance to get the ball rolling on their Iron Gauntlet campaign, so if you like your WARMACHINE and HORDES competitive play, we have you covered.

Casual players have a huge space in which to play games in a friendly and relaxed manner. We have seen everything from Battle Box games to 150+ point marathons, as well special one-off games and player-created variants (Colossal Mania is something that I neither control nor understand, but it seems like crazy wrestling action-packed fun). Every game you play gets you Skulls, and we all know what Skulls mean: PRIZES!

MP: It sounds like you’ve got something for everyone and everything for someone! How did this all come about? Tell me a little bit about the history of SmogCon.

JW: After my first visit to America, which involved attending Gen Con and spending far more time than might have been healthy trying to steal all of Matt DiPietro’s secrets, I was challenged by a friend to put on an American-style event in the UK. Five years later, we have grown from humble beginnings with 80 players hosted at Firestorm Games in Cardiff to Europe’s largest WARMACHINE and HORDES event with attendance last year just shy of 400 players.

MP: What do you think makes SmogCon unique?

JW: We pioneered the American convention model in the UK. The chance to play in multiple events, scrambles, and casual play is something that wasn’t part of the UK scene. We are also the first event to bring over several members of the Privateer staff, which really brings something special to the show. The unexpected HORDES Gargantuans teaser being launched in 2015 was a real high point!

More than anything, it’s the size and scope. No other UK event sees this many Press Gangers working together to put on something so special for the community. There are so many things to do, and it’s awesome to see players from the UK, Europe, and even beyond come together for this event.

MP: What are the date and location of SmogCon 2016?

JW: February 19–21 At the Radisson Blu Edwardian, Heathrow, United Kingdom.

MP: Is there anything potential attendees should know or do as far as getting ready to travel to/attend this convention?

JW: Check out our website SmogCon.org for more details, as well as links to Tiebreak for tickets and the Radisson room-booking portal to get discounted room rates for that weekend.

It’s our fifth anniversary and a huge landmark in the evolution and history of the show, so we want to welcome as many players as possible and offer them the biggest and best Privateer Press celebration we can. Tickets are moving fast, but we still have some available!

MP: Thanks for the information, Jon. I know our crew is really excited to join you again at SmogCon 2016, and I’m sure it will be an even bigger hit than 2015!