What, indeed?
There are only two kinds of people we care about distinguishing between at BOYL:
But how do I know which one I am?
Simple: If you want to organise a game - and secure the table on which that game you organised needs to be played on, then you need to book a table!
Now, everyone else involved in the game that someone has organised doesn't need to book. As long as someone involved in the game you think you're involved in has booked a table, you don't need to do anything. If no one in your party can authoritatively declare they've booked a table, then no one has done it and clearly, then, you should do it. Now. Right now.
If, however, you just want to come and take a look, or talk, or enter the painting contest, or just sit and paint, or come in and ask for directions to somewhere with fewer nerds, or get a sandwich ... you don't need to book.
YOU are organising a game for yourself or others to play in: BOOK
YOU have been invited to participate in game by someone who has organised one: DON'T BOOK
YOU just want to come in and look around, soak in the atmosphere and maybe accept an on-the-spot casual invitation to a scheduled game: DON'T BOOK
Did we mention that BOYL is a bit woolly? Well The booking system will tell you what games are running and when. Some will be games being run privatly that you might want to watch, some might be being run specifically as show games inviting an audience and finally there are some looking for players.
In any case it's down to you to contact whoever is organising the game and make enquiries about joining in! Hopefully whoever has booked a table for a game that looks interesting has included a link to somewhere with some more information such as the Oldhammer forum or Facebook group and you'll be able to contact them using that platform.
The BOYL website itself is more just for providing the address, any last minute updates and vaguly ensuring that what tables we have have some games on them. The actual who is playing in what and when we leave up to indivudals.
Good question.
In the first instance, it is chiefly because they offer us the use of their venue for free. So, because they don’t charge us, we don’t charge you. Which completely changes the tone of the whole event – because you’re a guest with passion, not a customer with an entitlement.
Further to that, they have all the facilities we need. We don’t need to move tables, scenery or food – they’ve got it all there. And parking. And operational toilets.
But there is more to the story. You may not know it, but the Ansells, and indeed Foundry, have a long history with Games Workshop and Citadel, and as such, have a deep connection with Oldhammer and what it means. Ask one of them when you see them – they’d love to tell you all about it.
Finally, they’re really (really!) central in the UK. So, it seems… fair. We suppose.
It’s worth noting that although Foundry don’t charge us for the venue (or tables, or parking), they do charge for the food they offer. We think that’s pretty fair, especially as the prices are quite reasonable and they happen to be a licensed premises 🙂
BOYL is woolly!
Downright chaotic, even.
And that’s the way we love it!
BOYL is the result of the curious collaborative spirit of oldhammerers that all just want to make it the best gaming experience they can have. Those same gamers also have kids, jobs, families, painting schedules and assassins* to avoid. That means they, whilst they’re doing their best, they may or may not be able to do something they proposed for BOYL.
Equally, because there is no money involved in BOYL, there is no money with which to formally arrange anything, or otherwise secure a commitment from anyone that goes beyond their best endeavour. Everything we have is as a result of personal effort put in by a gamer or five, or the Ansells and the people of Foundry.
We’ve found that the attendees are comfortable with just this level of ‘control’, and no more. So that’s how it stays.
Anarchy at its best, really.
Foundry put on a superb catering offering at very reasonable prices.
In the mornings, they will cook Bacon, Sausages and Eggs for the purposes of your perfect breakfast butty†.
In the evenings, they will normally cook a few curries (one being vegetarian) and chilli con-carne.
Throughout the day, they offer sandwiches, salads, chocolates and snacks and have a well stocked bar, which includes all common soft drinks and a sound selection of beer, cider and wine. Of course, there is tea and coffee on hand as well.
All meals are served on real, actual plates, with real, actual metal cutlery to go with it.
Also, Foundry are flexible with catering, so if you do have special catering needs or allergies, they are super-happy to accommodate you. Please do give them a warning, though, by giving them a call or sending an email at least a week before BOYL.
You are quite correct - BOYL is NOT A TOURNAMENT. Simply put, you can't win BOYL.
That said, there are some games (e.g. Bloodbowl) that obviously thrive in a tournament setting and so they exist as such.
Essentially, a tournament is just a game format at BOYL. You can't win anything except bragging rights and here at BOYL, we expect you to win with grace, humility and probably a round of conciliatory drinks for all the Grade-A losers you just bent over the table... ;)
Email us! We regularly respond within one calendar year of your query!
admin@bringoutyourlead.co.uk
Bring Out Your Lead is not connected with Foundry in any way. We do not represent each other, nor are there commercial or other binding agreements between us. Our relationship with them is entirely informal.
We cannot stop people from taking photographs. If you do not want to be photographed, we think it entirely reasonable that you ask the photographer in question to stop, but we won’t be enforcing this on your behalf. Of course, most people will be taking photographs of the miniatures, most of which are just high enough to feature your crotch in any given picture, so you’ll probably be okay.
It is worth noting that most of the photographs taken at BOYL will be published on a plethora of blogs and social media sites. Simply, if you don’t want to be photographed, you’re safer to avoid the event.
The data collected from you during the booking process (chiefly name and email address) will NOT be shared with Foundry or anyone else. It is simply used to manage the table and game bookings and for contact from the event organiser in the event such contact is required. We will send you emails: to facilitate your login; if we delete one of your bookings; if we delete your account; if we need to contact you about a booking. We may telephone you (if you've provided a number) if we need to contact you about your booking (maybe to ask where you are when the table is sitting empty for instance). Only BOYL organisers and our hosting partner have access to the data.
Finally, the organisers of Bring Out Your Lead are private individuals, acting only to advance the interests of their hobby. We are not professional events organisers. We apologise if this disappoints. We accept no liability for, well, anything, really.
From time to time we get questions about being able to film, or interview, or otherwise use BOYL or its resources as a means to a commercial end, like a book or clothing.
Whilst each request will be considered on its own merit, please note that BOYL is NOT a commercial venture, and so therefore should not be used to further any commercial activity. The single, obvious exception to this would be Foundry themselves, with the catering and store front they quire rightly have on their site.
BOYL is intentionally free, and can only be so because of the generosity of those involved. Commercial activity threatens the very core of what BOYL is, so it should go without saying that we expect attendees to honour the spirit of the event by leaving any of their commercial dealings at the door.
People organise different types of game at BOYL.
Public games are those where the organiser is activly looking for people to play in the game, they might do this via the Oldhammer Forum or via the Facebook Group or just through word of mouth. They may also just hope there are interested people around on the day who are looking for a game. So if the game looks interesting to you get in touch with the organiser and let them know!
Show games are those where the organiser and their friends have arranged a game. They already have all the players lined up for the game, but they thought everyone else might be interested in the game so the information is published here for everyone to see and you'll be more than welcome to watch the game unfold.
Private games are those where the organiser is playing a game with their friends and they don't want the information published here. Of course there is nothing stopping you going and having a look at their game on the day!