Local gamers enjoy some healthy competition

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

C2G2’s “Game Jam 6” went over just fine Saturday at the Zastrow Room in the Charles City Library.

Gamers came and went throughout the day, starting before noon and lasting into the night. Some gamers just stopped in for a while, others were in it for the long haul. Around 5 p.m., a stack of pizzas was brought in, and the self-proclaimed “nerds and geeks” seemed to be re-energized.

“It’s an excuse for people to come together as a community — a gaming, nerdy community — to basically have fun and play games,” said gamer Amy Chatfield. “Between the video games and board games, no matter what you play, you get a chance to build teamwork. You get some healthy competitiveness as well.”

C2G2 — an abbreviation for Charles City Geeks and Gamers — is a group of like-minded individuals, over 100 members strong, who enjoy getting together every couple of months to battle it out over various games.

Over the course of the last year, five such Game Jams have taken place — three in the Bethany Alliance Church’s social and recreational building called the BAC Shack. C2G2 has also held one of its events or “summits,” at the Charles City Senior Center. Saturday was the second time the event has been held at the public library.

Several tables were set up for board game play, and monitors and game consoles were set up. Snacks were available as well.

Chatfield said her favorite games are the “cooperative” games.

“The first time you play a particular game, it’s wonderful to learn together, and learn different strategies from each other,” she said. “Even in the competitiveness, when you’re helping each other play the game you have more fun.”