Real Women of Gaming

Hi friends, Hulyen here! I had a chance to attend the recent MagicCon: Chicago with friends, and wanted to share my experiences as someone with chronic illness! I’ve also included a list of considerations and advice for anyone in a similar situation considering attending a convention or event at the end of the article.

A bit of background: I have Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) caused by Long Covid that I’ve been dealing with for a few years now. The main implication of it is that I have to carefully pace and monitor my energy usage as my body does not recover it properly and in a timely manner. This has affected my ability to safely attend conventions, concerts and even things like art fairs without careful considerations and sometimes additional support. This was not my first convention ever, but it was both my first MagicCon and my first convention post ME/CFS. Had I not been attending with a group of amazing friends that I trusted to help out as needed and provide support I likely would not have gone at all. With this in mind, I decided that I would use my position as a writer for Real Women of Gaming to document my MagicCon experience and help provide some guidance to anyone in a similar position considering attending an event like this. I got a chance to ask some questions one on one with Wizards of the Coast staff, share my feedback about how event accommodations worked for me, and offer suggestions directly.

Before the event, I checked into the event and venue’s posted ADA accessibility and procedures, and also touched base with my media contact about it to make sure I wouldn’t have any issues with getting to the press lounge. Everything was clearly posted, and there was contact info in case I had more questions, which was excellent! I decided to bring along a rollator (walker with a seat essentially) to both provide a constant option for sitting as well as to be able to put any weight on the seat as I was pushing it so I wouldn’t tire myself too much carrying anything around. I credit using this throughout the entire weekend as the main reason I kept from crashing during or after the event. I planned lightly for each day to provide ample time to rest and checked in with my group frequently. Having a bag along that I didn’t have to worry about the weight of also meant I could pack snacks and water easily for between meals.

When we got to the venue, it was quick and easy to find the ADA registration line to get my badge and the ADA sticker for it. This proved immensely helpful throughout the weekend, as it kept me out of long lines (the rollator seat helps, but doesn’t have much back support for a long sit) and also got me into the couple panels I attended ahead of the crowd in a marked aisle seat- I definitely didn’t want to either separate from my rollator or have it be a trip hazard for anyone else!

The event weekend itself was an absolute blast! MagicCons provide a ton of different activities, events and panels, many of which are free once you’ve gotten your badge. The paid events were in the ticketed play area, which was massive. There were scheduled events, including some exclusive to Magic Con events as well as plenty of on the fly events that fired as soon as enough people entered into them. Free play tables were all over the place for people to grab a pickup Commander game, or draft with packs from the marketplace.

We definitely got in a few games of Commander during some downtime, and I had a chance to play in one of the biggest ticketed events of the weekend: Gavin Verhey’s Unknown Event! This event changes slightly each year, but this one was sealed Mystery Booster 2 Brawl with an added pack of Gavin’s playtest cards that are flavorful, silly, and an absolute blast to play. Ticketed play this year was in the basement where they had space for an absurd number of tables, but be warned that it can get loud and hot with that many concurrent events. (For anyone wondering, I opened a Minsc & Boo, Timeless Heroes to play as my commander- in white border, so I could tilt out opponents on multiple levels!) The Unknown Event entry fee also directly benefitted the Trevor Project, who were the official charity partner of the event. The Trevor Project also had their own booth in the vendor area providing information about what they do, and were giving away an exclusive Ketramos pin for any donation amount.

I also got to attend Loading Ready Run’s Friday Nights preview panel and attend a meet and greet with them! I’ve been following their content for years, and it was delightful to get to say hi, get some things signed, and express my appreciation for their positivity and fun content. Content creators of all types were at the con, many with meet and greet events, some with panels or special play events, and often some could been seen hanging out around the Creator Central area available to say hi and pick up some games of Magic.

MagicCon: Chicago also had a massive Artist’s Alley with artists who have illustrated Magic cards across the history of the game. Art prints, playmats, tokens, signatures, and more abounded and were available for sale. Portfolio reviews were also available by appointment for aspiring Magic artists, and this year there was even a row of tattoo artists where people could get a permanent memento of their weekend!

There was also a large area of vendors with sealed product, boosters, and more from all over. Some were buying cards at their booth as well, which was a boon to anyone who wanted to play in sealed events but not have to haul a pile of cards back home with them. (We drove and had space so I ended up taking my pile of cards back home with me to sort and put into decks.)

I didn’t have as much of an opportunity to check them out, but there was also a Pro Tour ongoing that was open for people to spectate, and a Family Magic area with special events for kids including deckbox decoration, friendship bracelets, and different times to draw with Magic artists! We intended on making friendship bracelets for each other, but the timing on it never quite worked out. Next year for sure!

One of the benefits of getting a press badge was having a chance to talk to a few people at Wizards of the Coast directly about accessibility for their events, and attend a few general press Q&A sessions. From my conversations, I learned that one of the big factors in choosing a venue for a MagicCon is accessibility, as well as venue staff that are flexible and helpful for those that need it. I found this true in practice. Pretty much everyone I encountered from Wizards–event staff, venue staff and security–were very approachable and helpful! This year’s MagicCon: Chicago was at the same location as last year’s; I did not attend last year, but was told that direct feedback had been taken into account and changes were made to improve the event for this year. The two big ones I heard were that they rented an additional floor to provide more free play space, and worked with the venue to make sure there was ample water stations throughout. I don’t recall seeing a completely empty one at any point over the weekend, which I feel strongly indicates the focus of event staff on making sure everything on their end was taken care of as well as possible. I was also pleased to see that the bathrooms were clean, well-stocked, and each had a large accessibility stall. (Plus every gendered restroom I noticed had a sign indicating where the closest all-gender restroom was located!)

In a Mark Rosewater Q&A event I was able to attend, he made a point several times that a big, top-down statement for everything related to Magic: The Gathering is that “Magic is for EVERYONE.” He went on to explain that a big part of that is representation- everyone should be able to express themselves and see themselves in it. He believes that people should be able to use Magic to express who they are, and wants it to be representative to all. This also factors into some of the crossovers they’ve had with Universes Beyond and Secret Lair products (he called out Spider-Man and Avatar: the Last Airbender specifically here.) He also stated that “A big part of Magic is ‘The Gathering’ and the pool is just getting bigger of people to meet and play games with.” On a personal note, I’m glad to see that Wizards of the Coast is putting just as much weight behind their Pride Commander event this year as they did last year despite current political climates in some of their major markets. I hope they continue to vocally support their more vulnerable fans and continue to be inclusive while holding events that are safe for everyone to attend.

The whole weekend was so much fun! A couple of days I had to cut short to get extra rest as I could feel myself getting dangerously low on energy, but with careful planning and an open schedule the whole group was able to attend the events and panels they were the most excited for, and everyone ended the weekend healthy–if tired–and we’re all ready to go back again next year!

Based on my experience at MagicCon: Chicago (and previous events, cons and concerts over the years) I’ve compiled a quick list of some considerations that I hope will help if you’re in a similar situation and trying to determine if you can safely attend a similar event.

• Contact the venue ahead of time to find out about parking and the requirements for accessible spaces or plan ahead for rideshare/public transit and make sure there’s an option that will work for you if you are not staying in an adjoining hotel.
  
• Travel with friends or family who are aware of your needs and limitations. Keeping in close communication leading up to and during the event can be extremely helpful!
  
• Keep hydrated and fed! If you’re bringing a refillable water bottle, check into refill stations at the venue. Consider electrolyte packets for bottled water and easy to pack snacks if the venue allows. Plan for meals–it’s super easy to get caught up in events and not realize how long it’s been since the last one!
  
• Find out if there’s a quiet room and where it’s located if you need a quick rest or get overwhelmed.
  
• Try not to plan for too many specific events or panels in a day and make sure to take rests! If you need to leave earlier than expected, communicate with your travel companions so they know what’s going on. If someone else is also feeling like they’re done for the day it may be convenient to head back together and split rideshare costs if applicable.
  
• Don’t feel bad about missing any panels or events if you need to rest instead! YOU are important and your health comes first!
  
• Keep track of your health and energy levels and check in with yourself periodically. It’s easy to ignore discomfort to keep doing events, but don’t ignore any important signs your body may be trying to convey!
  
• Don’t be afraid to ask event staff, venue staff or security if you need assistance or directions. They’re best going to know where the accessible restrooms, elevators and backup elevators are.
  
• Find out if the event or convention you’re going to be attending has any special badge or sticker to indicate that you may need ADA considerations. If you have a companion, sometimes they can get it as well to be better able to assist you. Panels often have an early window for ADA seating and specially marked chairs–check with the event’s website and also staff at the event to make sure you know where and when to be to get proper seating. Some events may also have a special line for ADA to help those with mobility issues and people who can’t stand for long periods of time.
  
• Make a plan for swag and purchased items! It can be cumbersome and sometimes health detrimental to carry weight for a long period of time. Figure out if you can drop items off in a vehicle or hotel room shortly after acquisition, or consider bringing along wheeled storage if you’re not going to have a mobility device with enough built-in storage.
  
• If you have dietary restrictions or concerns, check ahead of time to make sure any on-site food or nearby restaurants can accommodate you. Don’t be afraid to contact a restaurant ahead of time to find out if you can safely eat there! If need be, plan to bring a cooler and enough safe food to make it through the event.
  
• If you have sound sensitivity, consider looking into ear protection that can lower volume or help eliminate background noise while still allowing you to hear important announcements and people talking to you directly. I personally carry a set of ear plugs that are designed for concerts, as they also work well for me at conventions, but there are over-ear options as well if that’s more comfortable for you.
  
• If you don’t need a mobility aid full-time, plan for bringing it for the duration of the event if it’s not too unwieldy. Events, conventions, and concerts can be a LONG day and being preventative is just as important as responding to health concerns. This can also alleviate anxiety around being taken seriously with an otherwise invisible illness.
  
• Make a packing and daily checklist for prep and needed items. Carry meds in their original packaging in case security needs to verify what anything is. A power brick and charging cable are useful, especially if you’re going to be using your phone for camera and video.
  
• Don’t be afraid to only go for a day of a multi-day event to get a feel for it and see how you’ll do!

Did I miss any considerations or tips? Please respond in the comments! This is by no means exhaustive and is based on just my personal experiences!