Origins 2022: A Smaller Convention Can Still Be a Blast

Origins Game Fair 2022 felt like Origins 2021.

- Josher Lumpkin

Having attended last year's con only this past October, it felt like we were just there. Even so, walking into Origins at the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC), in Ohio's lovely capital, always brings with it a rush of intense joy and excitement. And we're also making up for lost time, having no convention in 2020.

Of course, the first thing one notices when attending a gaming convention during the time of COVID is the stunning lack of people there. Every facet of con attendance is a shadow of its former self. Indeed, The Game Manufacturer's Association (GAMA, the trade organization responsible for putting on the show) reports unique attendance in 2022 was down by almost 9,000 gamers compared to Origins 2019.

Downsizing

Everything was a lot smaller. Instead of taking over the GCCC like it used to, Origins feels more like a sprawled-out affair, with vast empty hallways and dark, shadowy corners. There are plenty of spaces to hide away if you need some quiet or want to set up a game to play with your friends. I avoided such spaces (there might be kobolds) in favor of the hustle and bustle of the exhibit and gaming halls.

Despite it being another bite-sized show, some things remained the same. The bits in bins at The Game Crafter's "Board Game Candy" display still glistened appetizingly, as if they were edible. The gigantic Cool Stuff, Inc. four-sided banner installation still hung from the ceiling (even if they were only selling CCGs and no board games this year). Chicken 'n Eggs is still the yummiest breakfast available at GCCC.