April 15, 2015:  Year 5; Edition 8 
2015 NOVA Open Registration

Haven't registered, yet?  Just remember the NOVA Open swag bags are reserved for the First Four Hundred and that opportunity is closing fast. The bags are reserved based on the date of registration. At the convention, unclaimed bags (for no-shows) are passed on to the next person on the timeline.

These swag bags are always top notch and more valuable than the convention pass itself - if fun giveaways appeal to you, register now!

In This Issue:

2015 NOVA Open Marketing Poster 
Created by Alice Johnson
  
We often hear people say they're learning about the NOVA Open for the first time. We're okay with that - but we'd like to do our best to make sure we reach as many players as possible every year. To that end . . . 

One of the NOVA Open's new graphic design interns, Alice Johnson, has created this awesome "movie poster" for our 2015 campaign. It features the NOVA Open Narrative's Virtue amid the war torn landscape of Planet Earth. 

Would you help us spread the word that the NOVA Open continues to grow bigger and better each year?

The next time you visit your local gaming store, or pass by a university lounge, or stop in a Starbucks or hobby store, please check with the managers and ask permission to hang our poster. Simply write to us today ([email protected]) and we'll drop a few in the mail to you right away.
NOVA Open Internships
An Intern's Perspective, Joanna Chung

I joined the NOVA Open community last spring while pursuing my degree in Communications at George Mason University. The internship is a lot of fun, but also a great learning experience. While there may have been stressful days where deadlines were glaring at us, those days were well spent and went by quickly. Lunchtime at the NOVA Open headquarters was always a blast with Laurie Brandt and Shawnte� Birrer ~ nothing like 8 people sharing stories over lunch around one large dining table! It is very important to have a strong teamwork atmosphere in this internship because the job is highly dependent on the interns for Convention Management, Business Development, Social Media, and Graphic Design working together. The team had great overall chemistry and worked efficiently.

 

"Work Hard, Play Hard" was the workplace culture meaning we worked diligently to keep up with our tasks and we enjoyed the downtime we got when we were on schedule. The convention itself was even more exciting, especially the interactions I had with the attendees and the dozens of volunteer staffers who work there. The community surrounding tabletop wargaming and the NOVA Open are all very warm and welcoming. Though things at the NOVA Open are fast paced and occasionally demanding, it's an incredible experience any student would be pleased to have on their resume. I am back this year focusing on the non-profit NOVA Open Charitable Foundation (for school credit), and looking forward to the enormous amount of fun that comes with the job as we bring the 2015 NOVA Open and NOVA Open Charitable Foundation home.

 

INTERNSHIPS

NOVA Open 2015 Seminars
Best Instructors/Best Classes
  
The roster of 2015 Seminar instructors is more impressive than ever. With these great industry leaders and talent offering over 40 classes, it is not surprise they are beginning to fill up. 

Return to your cart soon, study your schedule and plan to add a few seminars to your weekend.

Please note the new class synopsis below regarding Seminar 16, Build & Light a Model, presented by Chris Michaels of Powered Play:

"Have a model you've always wanted to light? Bring it to this class presented by PoweredPlay Gaming, for a hand's on tutorial to lighting your models. We'll be installing LED lights into your kit, display boards and terrain that you bring. Un/partly assembled models work best, but we'll try retrofits as needed. The course will cover the basics of color selections, fiber optics, mounting, painting with light, and using custom diffusion materials."

NEW 40K GT PATHWAYS
Forging Narrative for Thematic Competitors
  
So, one of the things that makes the NOVA's 40K GT format unique is its refusal to cater to only one player type.

To expound, most formats choose to sacrifice their preference for one personality or player type in favor of another, seeking the most popular compromise. NOVA's GT format does the opposite - it expands and adds parallels within the format to address a broader range of players instead of what we deem to be the broadest single type of likely attendees.

W/L Track - Battle Point Track - Overall Track - and the One Not Named

Read the whole story at Mike's Whiskey&40K Blogspot.
Pre-Purchases Available for 2015
Watch for Closing Dates
  • T-Shirts:
    • NOVA Open 2015 Convention T-Shirts
      • Original Custom Art Design Sneak Peak (at right) by intern Alice Johnson 
      • Hard to Fit? Order to guarantee size
      • Online Sales End:  JULY 1, 2015
  • Beer Mugs:
    • The NOVA Open Charitable Foundation Lounge discounts draft beers $1 when you use your new 2015 Mug
      • 2014 mugs sold out in 20 minutes
      • 5th Year / 5th Style
      • Limited Editions
      • Limited onsite stock in NOVA Open store
      • Online Sales End next month: MAY 1, 2015 
  • Frontline Gaming / Tablewar Mats:
    • These Gaming Mats are beautiful, durable mats, perfect for tabletop games. NOVA Open Convention Special saves nearly $20 in shipping fees. Extremely durable, printed on a water resistant surface affixed to a neoprene backing all means the mat won't slide around on the table, lays flat, resists water and looks amazing. They now come with a sturdy, nylon zip-up F.A.T. Bag for storing and transporting your F.A.T. Mat, and full color F.A.T. Tag so that you can see which mat is in the bag without having to open it, and to write your name on to show which mat is yours.
    • New Designs, More Styles (Check Them Out Here)
    • New Pricing
    • Pick Up at NOVA Open - No Shipping Costs!
    • Online Sales End next month: AUGUST 1, 2015
       
40K INVITATIONAL: NOVA Open 2015
Fun, Amazing, Rewarding

 

The NOVA Open's 40K Invitational is entering its most exciting year yet! 32 of the world's best players will square off in a tournament seeded by a community "selections committee" in a tournament of champions styled on NCAA March Madness! 

Mike Brandt, Reece Robbins, and other key community members will team up to seed the field, while the 40K global community will be able to participate in our very own Bracket Challenge to pick who they think will be end up on top [based on factors such as army list, seeding, and - of course - fantastic good looks!] What's more, our Bracket Challenge component will even benefit charitable causes! Click HERE for more info on the most exciting and community-engaging NOVA Invitational yet!"

Questions? Contact [email protected]
NOVA Open Terrain Builds 
 
The 2015 terrain build season is underway - but far from over!
You can follow all builds at the Road to NOVA blogspot which is managed by our Minister of Terrain, Bob Likins. Better yet, you can join the team and become part of the magic.

The NOVA Open and its amazing volunteer builders arguably make the highest caliber terrain of any convention on the planet.  The terrain build days bring together players of all types for hours of social and community fun.  Contact us if you'd like to be on the invitation list for these events: [email protected].


 

Terrain builds take place in Vienna, VA - mark your calendars:  
  • 4/18 (THIS WEEKEND - WRITE TODAY!)
  • 5/23
  • 6/27
  • 7/18
NOVA Open Lead Corner
News Updates from All Event Leads

The NOVA Open now has ten separate game systems running. The Leads of each will be using this "Corner" of the newsletter for Minute Updates.  


 

  • 40K Invitational
    See new promo HERE
     
  • 40K Trios
  • 40K Narrative
  • 40K Highlander CMEs
  • Blood Bowl
    Have you been wanting to play Blood Bowl, but just didn't have a team? Did you come to the NoVA Open and just couldn't fit one more tiny thing into your travel-stash? Have you just recently discovered the glorious mayhem that is Bloodbowl or have you grown tired of playing the same team over and over? We can get you onto a brand new pitch today!
    Most of us have all the teams we can possibly handle, but inclusion and variety are part of what makes Blood Bowl so much fun. At NOVA Open, we will have multiple teams (choose from different races) painted and ready for use on-site as loaners for newbies, or for those whose teams are lost in transit. Contact us ahead of time or step up the day of - we'll make sure you have everything you need. Latest BLOOD BOWL PRIMER HERE.
     
  • Warhammer Fantasy
    Everyone continues to wait for the shoe (er, edition) to drop.
  • Dropzone Commander
    The Dropzone Commander tournament is already about 1/3 full, and we are still 5 months out! Be sure to sign up soon to reserve your spot - famous NOVA Open swag bags only available to First 500 who register. Simon from Hawk Wargames will be at the tournament and will be available to chat about game design and the future of Dropzone Commander and Dropfleet Commander. Details will be coming soon about paint judging.

    There novaopencart prevents you from registering for both Saturday and Sunday events as there is a time conflict. This is being considered; more info in next newsletter.
  • Warmachine/Hordes
  • Infinity
  • Malifaux
  • X-Wing
  • CMON (Dark Age & Wrath of Kings) 

REGISTER NOW! 

First 400 to Register Receive Swag Bags

NOVA Open 40K NARRATIVE
Major List Construction Changes for Warlords & Nightfighters!


 

We heard you! Based on player feedback, the current state of 40k, and our diabolical top secret plans, the Narrative Team has several important changes that affect both Warlords and Nightfighters:
  1. List Construction - All players are to bring a 2,000 point battle-forged army list AND a 1,000 point battle-forged army list. The 1,000 point list may only draw from Factions used to craft the 2,000 point list. Previously only Warlords had the 1k requirement, but we've decided to bring everyone into the fun! You should expect to play in at least one team-based encounter during the course of the nightfight and warlords tracks. More details on the nature of this fight are classified for now.
     
  2. Supplements NO LONGER Mandatory - While almost all players used the narrative codex supplements last year, we've decided to keep them optional again in light of the many different new detachments that players may wish to use. We still plan to have updated codex supplements for the majority of the major armies by end of April, so stay tuned for the May 1st Newsletter!
     
  3. No super heavy or gargantuan lords of war - We have decided this year not to allow these units in either the Nightfighters or Warlords army lists. You are still free to bring Imperial Knights and other super heavies and gargantuans that are NOT lords of war.
Stay tuned to the Newsletter for more exciting Narrative updates! The team has finally come out of winter hibernation and we just finished outlining this year's missions and major plot decision points. All we can say is that this year the players have the opportunity to permanently alter the course of the Human and Virtue factions.

REGISTER NOW - Waitlist Expected
Swag bags reserved for First 400 Registered Attendees Only 
2015 Hotel Block Open: Book Early - No Risk!
 
The rates for NOVA Open 2015 are at $91 per night, up just $2 from the previous four years.
 
Reserve room at Hyatt now ~ last year nearly sold out. Remember that reservations can be cancelled up to 48 hours before the NOVA Open.  

 
The NOVA Open is your "End of Summer" convention, and with its proximity to Washington, D.C. (with its free museums, memorials and monuments). With the lowest hotel costs available in the D.C. area, think about taking advantage of the room rate to turn your trip into a family vacation!
 
Room rates are available from the Friday before NOVA Open through the Tuesday following the convention. If you'd like to extend those dates, please contact us:  [email protected]
Schedule: Tournaments - Seminars - Foundation Lounge
 
Spend some time with this important resource so you can plan your best trip to the NOVA Open!
 
The schedule lists all game tournaments and any new Critical Mass Events (CMEs), over 45 art-paint-hobby seminars taught by some of the best talent in the industry, Foundation Lounge hours/presentations, and much, much more. 
 
New Schedule Formatting provides attention boxes with news items for each day:
 
primers
2015 NOVA Open Draft Primers
 

Thanks to the heroic efforts of the NOVA Open event leads and staff, draft primers for game systems and events at the 2015 NOVA Open are now available!
 

Non-Game Primers:
All questions for all games, events and leads may be sent to [email protected].