WHAT'S IN THE NAME?

WHAT'S WITH THE NAME, ClineCON? Cline means "a gradient morphological or physiological change in a species or group of organisms along environmental or geographical lines." (Merrim Webster) A cline is also a slope.

YEAH, SO? ClineCON endeavors to develop a brand of unique convention gaming events that move slightly away from normal wargaming. "Cline gaming" events may be inspired by academic sources, and seek to engage the intellect of convention attendees and/or shift normal gaming perspectives. One possible example of a Cline-gaming event might be a "Nomic" style game Event.

WHAT IS A "Nomic"? "Nomic" is a game invented by Professor Peter Suber of Earlham College, demonstrating the principles of "self-amending systems," such as our form of Constitutional Government. As Professor Suber has stated it:

"Nomic is a game in which changing the rules is a move. In that respect it differs from almost every other game. The primary activity of Nomic is proposing changes in the rules, debating the wisdom of changing them in that way, voting on the changes, deciding what can and cannot be done afterwards, and doing it. Even this core of the game, of course, can be changed."

Fluxx, a popular card game by Looney Labs, has a very "nomic-like" appeal in that the rules change as cards are played. Many variations of the Nomic and "nomic-style" games have run across the internet since its inception, but ClineCON may be the first convention ever to run "nomic" games as convention events.

Any Other Unusual Events at ClineCON? Not yet, but you never know, until you come in and see for yourself.