by Mike Rosenberg

It has been an exciting weekend here at Gen Con! As the events wind down, players continue to stop by the Wabash Ballroom to get in that last-minute spin on Landro's Wheel, and new players are still showing up to learn the game. Plenty of players are still playing those last Cryptozoic League games for some Extended Art promos, and there's no doubt that players have enjoyed themselves. Especially the player who just won a Spectral Tiger during the Cryptozoic League!

One player in particular has been walking around with a big smile, obviously enjoying our events, and winning some great giveaways too! RosaLei Castaneda came here this weekend from San Pedro, California with her friend John Patchell. She has played in a number of events this weekend, including the Blast from the Past tournament and the Gen Con Sealed Championship. While not every event has been successful for her, she has enjoyed them all.

“I didn't do so well in the Sealed event yesterday, or the Blast from the Past event...” she said. However, she smiled and added, “But I had a great time playing in the Sealed Championship. I did better in the second half of the event, and I won a Thunderhead Hippogryph as a door-prize in the last round! I also went 2 – 1 in the Sunday Draft!”

RosaLei was a transplant from the World of Warcraft online game five years ago. It was a hobby that she started thanks mainly to her son, who was playing the online game. While she enjoyed that, she occasionally needed a break from the computer. “I enjoyed it, but I need something where I can see someone face to face, be social, and have fun,” she said. As a result, she found the World of Warcraft TCG and began playing that as well.

While playing the game, she has met many people in her area that she's remained friends with. She and John have traveled to many events over the past few years, whether to local tournaments in her area, or to bigger regional or national events.

“Since Cryptozoic began managing the World of Warcraft TCG, things have been more fun!” she said. “There are a lot more fun events, and a ton of giveaways.” She pulled out the loot cards she had won through Landro's Wheel, door prizes, and giveaways; The Red Bearon, Thunderhead Hippogryph, and a Papa Hummel's Old-Fashioned Pet Biscuit. “I got the Pet Biscuit from Landro's Wheel, and won the Thunderhead Hippogryph as a door prize during the Sealed Championship.”

She then pointed out her copy of The Red Bearon. “I got this one because Scott Gaeta told me to show my Cryptozoic buttons to Mike Girard. When I did, he gave me The Red Bearon!” To reward players for their support, Cryptozoic has been giving away a lot of loot cards this weekend, and having the Cryptozoic buttons on her Gen Con badge earned her a rare loot!

RosaLei is not the only person who has been enjoying herself at the Cryptozoic Public events this weekend. Many other players have enjoyed themselves as well, and plenty have earned their fair share of the free stuff that we’ve been giving away here!