Origins 2026 ~ AAR

Armchair Dragoons PAO, 10 July 2026

Wrapping up all of our Origins experience in 2026.

As before, we’re going to reference specific things we called out in last year’s Origins AAR, especially those we want to improve. We’re also going to show you some trends over time as we track the growth of the Wargame HQ at Origins.

Prep & Planning

We started with the same footprint as last year, but made some notable changes to the layout. The starting point was this callout from last year’s AAR:
To be improved for 2026: reposition the admin & raffle tables into the middle of a “long side” of the space for better coverage of the area and more central “welcome” spot.
Once that was in place, we built the rest of the layout around the admin area, sticking a bunch of our usual principles:

Visually attractive games to the corners to maximize walk-by traffic exposure
Kriegsspiel table(s) and other multi-table events in the middle
5×8 tables for events where we might need 2 simultaneous copies of games
Several tables set aside for specific companies to run their own schedule / control their own events (grouped by company, but not necessarily the companies together)
Short edges of tables along the aisles—especially the skinny tables—to maximize the number of tables people can see while walking by

What we ended up with was largely the following:

most images can click to enlarge

Note that this drawing is to scale within the space, so the tables are all correctly-scaled relative to the overall floorspace. Based on our positioning in the main gaming hall, the FRONT of the hall was actually the BOTTOM of this layout, and the central aisle through the hall passed on the LEFT side of this diagram, which took them right past our admin space. We did flip the admin & raffle tables, so that the raffle prizes (and the gumball machine!) were facing the passers-by.

As to the “key” for the table numbers:

A = Armchair Dragoons tables, mostly with our GMs, or other events that were not one of our main planning partners that commanded an entire table for the duration of the conventions
C = Catastrophe Games, programmed and staffed by them
CG = Started out as shorthand for “games run by the folks associated with CGSC¹” and kind of stuck for lack of a better label; probably should’ve had an “A” label slapped on it
D = Decision Games, programmed and staffed by them
F = Fort Circle Games, programmed and staffed by them but in reality they only used #1, and we repurposed #2 for other folks
G = GMT Games, who brought 4 of their own GMs with them, and we staffed the 5th one that was exclusively games from GMT
K = Kriegsspiel tables, which were also used for the multi-table Modern Space Force Operations game, as well as some others that were late-arriving and we needed to put somewhere
R = Ares Games, which really meant “Oversized Quartermaster General” and a couple of other things

Other prep & planning notes:

Our existing “model” for our events is largely stable, even with the expansion of our program: multiple iterations of each game to give players scheduling flexibility; GMs largely stick to the same tables; raffle prizes for our participants; maximize table usage during peak attendance hours (9am-9pm); companies that can fill tables with their own games/GMs stay in one place
Our challenge is in the administrative area of our space, as that has now expanded beyond our current staffing model and we’re going to need to find at least one more person to help with the admin area
To be improved for 2027: add at least one more “battle captain” to assist in the operations of the Wargame HQ
We were able to get our table numbers assigned by GAMA loaded into the event guide. There were still a few errors, but they were ones made by us, not them. The table signs were workable, but we need to find a more flexible, permanent solution to table signs rather than making & assembling new ones every year.
To be improved for 2027: A better signage solution that includes both the game on the table as well as the weekend schedule
The War College was more challenging this year because we lost the CPX events with precious little to backfill them. We did pull the plug on the experiment with the company update sessions for the smaller publishers as folks like Catastrophe Games and Fort Circle Games prefer to stick to their game tables. The GMT Company update continues to attract attendees interested in the dialogue with the GMT staff that’s there, so we’re likely to keep that on the schedule.
To be improved for 2027: better integration of our GMs into the War College talks, and better use of the designers beyond just the Wargame Designer’s Panels
We found ourselves occasionally collapsing half of the 5x8s and 5x6s to make skinnier tables for smaller-footprint games.
To be improved for 2027: scale down the number of 5×8 tables and get a better mix of 5x6s and skinny tables for smaller-footprint games

Our Events

Our GM team² grew yet again this year, with at least 4 new folks joining us even if only for 2 game sessions. Note that this increase in the Armchair Dragoons team does not include the new faces that our publisher partners brought along.

The Stalwarts

Kriegsspiel!
One of GMT’s ’40-x series games (this year was Ardennes ’44)
Publisher partners with their dedicated tables (Catastrophe, Fort Circle, Ares, Decision, GMT) or cameo appearances (Wharf Rat)
Overlap with the professional wargaming world (Littoral Commander games, student projects from military officers)
Late night Star Fleet Battles
The raffle!

The New Stuff

Cameo appearances from some other publishers (Flying Pig)
Saturday raffle for folks that had to leave early Sunday
Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit sessions
Oversized Twilight Struggle, on a standing, magnetic map
There was a plan for a ‘drop-in’ table on Thursday for a couple of simpler “learn to play a wargame” events, but then Brant went and left those games at home, like a dork . . .

Our overall floorspace was the same as last year, but with better Tetris skills we were able to add 3 additional tables into our space and increased our overall game count by almost 20.

From last years “to be improved” items on Events, we also had:

To be improved for 2026: start even earlier with blocking off game time slots on tables, and tentative names against them, to get the schedule draft started even earlier.
We got our floorplan sorted almost as soon as we got home last year, and that made the planning much, much easier as we started blocking off games
To be improved for 2026: nail down necessary space with GAMA/Origins, as it’s entirely probable we expand again.
This one is still in flux, as we’re unlikely to increase the space needed for game tables, but there is a chance we get some vendor booths co-located with use, which will change the geometry of our space.

Origins really gacked up the attendance tracking of the events this year. In past years, we collected tickets, and wrote down names & badge numbers for walk-ups. Apparently we were only supposed to be turning in the tickets, but that failed to capture the walk-up players. In any event, we continued to turn in our pre-printed our attendance slips like always.
And of course, we also kept our own record of attendance again. In the past, this was so we wouldn’t have to wait until October for our attendance numbers. This year? It’s so we have literally any record of our attendance, since there’s zero chance that whatever Origins sends us (if anything) will in any way reflect reality given the shambolic way in which they tried to track event attendance.

Wargame HQ event count over time, including Origins War College

This was just a straight count of the events in the Origins program.

Wargame HQ player count over time, not including War College

We did not receive any fill rate / player count info from Origins for 2023, which is why we started counting ourselves in 2024

Wargame HQ fill rate over time, not including Origins War College

Again, no fill rate / player count info from Origins 2023

Note that in 2025, there were 14 events that we did not capture before those slips were turned in, so the true player count was definitely higher, but not sure how that might have impacted the fill rate.

This is the latest article in our series of articles covering Origins 2026 and you can find a carousel linking all of them across the bottom

Player Feedback

This year, we had the QR code for player feedback on all the table signs, and the GMs also pushed it as a part of their events. We made announcements at both raffles, and then followed up with emails to the players through TTE, also. As a result, we ended up with over 170 responses. Would’ve been nice to be over 200, but we’ll take whatever we can get.

We continue to repeat some questions from previous years and track those responses over time.
We always ask players to rate both the specific event in which they played, and the overall Wargame HQ³
We always pass the feedback on to the GMs, as well.

Individual event feedback

Distribution of individual ratings of events at the Wargame HQ

Mean value for all events this year was 5.36

Mean of ratings of individual events over time

Wargame HQ feedback

Distribution of individual ratings of the overall Wargame HQ

Mean value for all events this year was 5.17

Mean of ratings of Wargame HQ over time

We use a 1-6 scale⁴, which gives players some decent granularity for how much they liked it, but also doesn’t give them a “true neutral” data point where they can be non-committal.

Our top-rated events⁵ that averaged at least a “5”

- Kriegsspiel – 6 from 3 votes
- Twilight Struggle (w/ the Designer!) – 5.75 from 4 votes
- Baltic Empires – 5.71 from 7 votes
- Weimar Republic – 5.71 from 7 votes
- China’s War – 5.6 from 10 votes
- Star Fleet Battles – 5.6 from 5 votes
- The Guerrilla Generation – 5.5 from 8 votes
- Front Toward Enemy – 5.5 from 4 votes
- Fighting Formations – 29th ID – 5.44 from 9 votes
- Dominant Species Marine – 5.38 from 8 votes
- Commands & Colors Medieval – 5.25 from 4 votes
- Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East – 5.11 from 9 votes
- Plum Island Horror – 5 from 7 votes

Some player comments from those events?

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East

The organizer was very clear on teaching the game and was quick with answers to questions I had, which was great since I have never played before.

Baltic Empires

Baltic Empires was great, and I’m super glad I got a chance to play it. Liked it so much, I when I got home I ordered myself a copy, so good job GMT! 🙂

China’s War

Jason Carr did a nice job getting the game up and running. All the players knew how to play COIN, so Jason merely needed to act as a rules reference for the most part. I had a great time. I’m very glad to see GMT Games increasing their presence here. I hope the my continue to expand their footprint at Origins.

Twilight Struggle

The person running it was super good at doing that. Gave enough explanation and tips to get you really started on a good path for the first round or so then let you free to do what you wanted.

Star Fleet Battles

Loved the show event. It was great to play SFB again

Fighting Formations – 29th ID

Enjoyable with good participants and great GM

Kriegsspiel

Absolutely excellent start to finish. The folks GMing did a great job, and I loved the AAR and comparison to the actual battle. Wonderful group of players as well

Phenomenal game, facilitators were both helpful and kind. Really enjoyed this game, and it was one of the highlights of the Con for me. Bravo!

Front Toward Enemy

Well run event. Really have no negative statements to offer. Person running the event was fully engaged and was willing to go a little overtime with us. The game itself I found very interesting. My opponent complained about excessive die rolling, but it doesn’t bother me. I liked the level of complexity. My only complaint would be there is not a good way to play it solitaire.

Overall player comments on the Wargame HQ?

Here are some positives

Everything I needed and more. Raffles for games was nice. Well organized. Great variety. Excellent publisher choices. Good attendees.	My first-time being at the event. Thought your section to be very well organized with a large number of different settings. I’m definitely interested in trying some more.
They seem super enthusiastic about the games they’re displaying. Some booths feel like people trying to sell you stuff, but Armchair Dragoons feels like people who are just super excited to share good games with people.	I really enjoy having this aggregation for wargaming at Origins. Will always attend several games each year that I come.
I think the key point, though, is that your group does an awesome job creating a positive friendly and well-organized space at Origins! Probably the best at the convention. The only reason I don’t give it a 6 for “overall enjoyment” is that I am mostly not a wargame player (I like scifi and fantasy wargames, but not historical wargames), so most of the games you run don’t interest me, but there are always a few I really enjoy.	I love the sense of community in your area — it always feels friendly and relaxed. The GMs are always well-prepared and good at running convention games. I like that an Armchair Dragoons game is a near-guarantee that an event will be a good, likely great, convention experience.
Good location, with a decent number of tables. All the tables are well marked. The raffle is a nice perk. It’s nice to see the Armchair Dragoons’ presence growing each year, with more and more events being added. I hope that trend continues.	Always welcoming to experienced and newbie players. ALWAYS well taught

There are always suggestions for improvement. Some we can address, like schedule times, and some we can’t, like sales in our space.

I like it. Only thing I would change is the ability to win in the raffle even if not there. Some of us cannot stay to Saturday night and Sunday.

Annnnnd . . . there it is. We already made a raffle adjustment for people that couldn’t be there Sunday, and it still wasn’t enough. Sorry, you gotta be there because we don’t have the time or manpower to chase people across the convention, mail things to them, or take them home with us, especially if there’s someone who wanted that prize enough to show up.

In the past, I have not appreciated being in a two-player game with four players (two sharing each side). I avoided two-player games this year for that reason.

This is a fair comment as some people don’t like the way we split a 2-player game to get double the players around the table, but it’s a process we’ve learned from some people who literally teach non-wargamers for a living to help new players discuss what they’re doing and verbalize their thought processes.

I would offer, that some of us brought wargames for a possible pickup game. (example, Imperial Elegy, Bretwalda, etc) You folks were packed and ran a very busy schedule, which is awesome. However, I think if you maybe had 2-4 tables set aside for ‘free play wargaming’ that would have been awesome. I know there is a public gaming space at Origins, but those are not wargaming folk.

Needs to be a larger area w/ space for open-wargaming

In the organized play spaces, leaving table time open is a big ‘no-go’ with Origins. They want those tables in use as much as possible, since they’re giving us that chunk of concrete so close to the front of the hall.
We don’t have a problem with people using an open table, especially at the end of the day when scheduled events are done for the day, but we can’t set aside tables just ‘in case’ someone sits down with something to play

It’s hard to hear because the space echoes – perhaps something could be hung to knock the noise down. Many of these games require moving around the tables and the tables are usually pretty close together requiring bumping. A little more spacing would be great.

We’re not going to be able to hang any sound-damping devices. We’ve made about as much realistic space between the tables as we can and a lot of people remarked that the tables were pretty well-spaced this year.

Very friendly and enthusiastic environment. The folks teaching the games are great. That’s really why I keep signing up for events in spite of being barely a wargamer at all. Given that, it would be helpful to me if more events had a link to something I could read before hand to prepare myself for the game. I’d rather show up with a few fundamentals under my belt so I don’t slow down the table.

Huh. Interesting idea that we can explore about read-aheads for players who are signed up (and we can contact through TTE)

Would benefit from better signage, a rope around the area, table mats, cup holders, better chairs, and some sort of soft floor covering like a large rug.

Yeah, but who is paying for all that?! 😆

Need more advertising so there’s more participation

Hey, if you’ve got ideas of who to target and how to get the word out, let us know!

To be improved for 2026: If we have multiple copies of a game in the raffle, we’ll hold a Saturday drawing in the late afternoon for one of each of those, to give people driving on Sunday a chance to win something. We will work out the specific process for that mini-raffle, but we don’t want to penalize people for having to drive home before work on Monday.
We tried a ‘split raffle’ this year, and while it largely worked, we did have some trouble articulating the difference between “Saturday and Sunday” prizes, and “Sunday only” prizes. We’ll see if there’s a better what to verbalize the process next year.

Booth Operations

We need to improve some things for ourselves, too.

2025’s “Some things to improve for next year”

Integration with the Origins War College was ID’ed as an issue for the past 2 years, but didn’t get any better this year largely because of time pressures, but also because of how light our War College program ended up being.
Walk-up-and-play wargame table with something very light for quick pick-up play was supposed to happen, had Brant not left the damn games at home. Note that this is not the same as an ‘open gaming’ table as this was designed to be an intro table to get people interested in wargaming, with some very quick turns and minimal rules overhead, with one of our GM’s leading it.
Better match of game-to-table-size; more efficient use of the tables rather than leave unplayed games set up, which we made some progress on (time efficiency) but not others (table size)
“Players wanted” signs; events listed on table signs; publisher/non-Dragoons signage standards, addressed to limited extent in different ways, but need to focus on this
“bring back the GM expectations/pre-flight cards” – these fell by the wayside bc we had so many of the same GM’s back that we didn’t need them but we’ve now picked up more GM’s

This year’s “things to improve” from our GM survey

I like having my demos back-to-back. Once I am in a groove, I like to just stay in it. And then I have maximum personal free time. Also, for those of us travelling as a group, would be nice if our start and end times were fairly close together.
Maybe better notification of panel/seminar talks. (ties in w/ War College comments in the other column)
We could have table tents that show the game name, start time and length of expected play. That way “new players welcome, 10am start, play is 2 hours” would be good information so people would understand how a trial would fit into their schedule. I think people are hesitant to sit down because they do not know the time commitment. If they knew they could sit for 1 hour or 2 hours they might be more willing to try games. In my own games I would invite people to join and they would ask “how long is it?” because they had other commitments.

The gumball machine was back and people got a kick out of it again, although it wasn’t quite as crazy as last year. That said, ours costs 25¢ and the ones we saw in the exhibit hall started at $2.

Wargamers, listen up:

We’ve gone from 39 events in 2022 (first ‘real’ show post-COVID) all the way up to almost 200 this year. We’re putting more butts in seats than any board wargame-specific convention out there, and we’re averaging over 110 hours of wargaming/day.

If all you do is look at the total event count, then yes, it doesn’t look like there’s as much wargaming at Origins, and that’s been true since RPG’s were in the ascendency starting around 1981. But you know what? Of all the suggestions people made on this thread, they’re either minis conventions (Adepticon, Historicon), publisher-specific (Compass Expo, GMT Weekend at the Warehouse), or 9 days long (WBC, CSW Expo). None of the weekend convention suggestions pack as much wargaming into 4-1/2 days as we do, averaging over 45 events each day. Heck, it would be interesting to know how many wargames/day something like WBC averages, even with a whole week of gaming there.

As we said last year to the publishers:

We’ve got tables. We’ve got some GMs. We’ve got a friendly rally point and an experienced booth staff to run the HQ. We’ve got guaranteed tie-ins to the War College and an opportunity to not just play and teach games, but talk about the company and your plans and what’s next. And yeah, you can do some of that online, too, but it’s so much easier when you’ve got players, fans, GMs, tables, and (lots and lots of) dice all in one place for a full weekend hex-and-counter-palooza just waiting for you to make your next crop of fans.

Frankly, the excuse of “there’s no wargaming at Origins” is bullshit.

If you’re looking for company seminars with a Q&A that discusses upcoming releases and designer discussions and a sneak peek at what’s on the way, well Compass does a love town hall 2x/month and GMT’s monthly newsletter is longer than a CVS receipt. You get more info, more frequently, from those kinds of outlets than you would from an annual update at a convention. But there’s no one doing these kinds of sessions for the general public in any part of the gaming world⁶.

If you want to argue that “there’s no board wargame vendors at Origins” then we’ll stipulate. It’s rare to hit double-digits of total number of wargame vendors there, and it’s been forever since there was someone selling out-of-print wargames. But those folks are only going to show up if there’s someone to sell games to, and . . . huh, look at that, there’s a whole wargame support system in place for them! Now we just need you to come play, too.

All of the Origins 2026 Articles
Origins Details ~ Wargame HQ Events ~ War College Events ~ Wargaming at Origins ~ Exhibitor Spotlights ~ Origins History ~ Q&A ~ Final Countdown
Opening Day ~ The Game Hall ~ More Gameplay ~ Above the Convention ~ Minis Wargaming ~ Wargame HQ Partners ~ Wargame HQ Spotlights
Exhibit Hall ~ Cosplay ~ Everything Else ~ AAR ~ Forum Thread

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Footnotes

Command & General Staff College, which was in absolutely NO WAY affiliated with us; it just so happened that a handful of people from the area were all attending this year
who never get enough credit for what they do
this does mean that we’re going to have some repeat responses about the Wargame HQ, but there’s not a great way to work around that
higher is better
minimum 3 votes
note that we are not counting the more confidential ones between publishers and retailers at places like GAMA Expo, that the public is never allowed into anyway