Tucson, Az

[C_Zeree]

I am moving from one desert to another come August, for grad school at beautiful U of A. I was wondering if there were any games around. I know there are few in Phoenix from other posts, but that is a bit of a drive according to Mapquest.

I have not played anything for, counts fingers, 9 years. I have this bad habit of living in apparent gaming wastlands (stix NE Ohio, Terre Haute IN, Lancaster CA). Last played was D&D 2e, but I want to make the move to HERO. Well versed in the books, but I want to play.

[Law Dog]

Well, if you can't find anything down at U of A (and I'm sure that they have some sort of gaming down there), It's not to bad making it up Phoenix way. They plave that we play is fairly close to the freeway and you could make good time comeing north on Sunday.

Let us know if you want to come this way.

[Toadmaster]

I don't live in AZ anymore but I thought I'd pass along some helpful gaming in AZ advice, in Tucson you have a great source for gaming materials at the Bookmans chain of used book stores (I know there are two and I think they were opening a third) great used bookstore and I got lots of out of print RPG stuff so somebody plays or played in the area. There were also 1 or 2 game stores in town, Sierra Vista (about an hour south of Tucson) also has 1 or 2 decent game stores (Pyramid games on Fry Blvd and there was one other). Wouldn't be a bad drive once in a while, better than the trip to Phoenix anyway. BTW I moved from Sierra Vista to Lake Isabella, Tucson is a much nicer desert to live in than the Mojave area, not familiar with Lancaster but I know the area (Ridgecrest/ Bakersfield and in my opinion you're moving up in the world, Lake Isapuddle was far more of a gamers wasteland. Thankfully I have now escaped the desert entirely.

Good Luck

[Law Dog]

Originally posted by Toadmaster
Bookmans chain of used book stores (I know there are two and I think they were opening a third)

I know of 3. There is one in Flagstaff.

[Toadmaster]

Originally posted by Law Dog
I know of 3. There is one in Flagstaff.

Actually I meant a third in Tucson, they had two when I was there but on my last visit they were either opening a third or already had, I can't remember. There was also one in Sierra Vista but that closed, and I think they have some in Phoenix and Flagstaff. Bookmans is my greatest loss from leaving AZ, and I always make time for a stop when I visit relatives I know of no used bookstores in CA that even come close.

[Law Dog]

The Phoenix one is actually in Mesa. I'm a big time shopper there. Even got a $5 off coupon out of the papaer today.

[C_Zeree]

Thanks for the info. At least there will be a FLGS, not that FRP Games (Online) isn't the best, but the instant gratification of a bookstore is nice.

With a decently large college I'm hoping there are a few games. If not, you are right Law Dog, it would be worth it on a weekend.

Toadmaster-
If you know Mojave/Bakersfield/Ridgecrest ::shudder::, you know the "feeling."

I had fears I was moving to just another desert similar to the Mojave, but you have laid some of them to rest. I'm from NE Ohio, and I do miss the green.

[Toadmaster]

I actually liked the Tucson area, not something I could say about the desert of socal. It is a bit hot and dry though but Mt. Lemmon has pine trees within an hours drive and you've got Patagonia lake within an 1 1/2 to 2 hours drive south. There are many more attractions too, particularly if you are interested in the old west, Tombstone and Bisbee are fun day trips. If you like aircraft there is a nice air museum next to Davis Monthan airbase just south of Tucson. Glad to get out but I do enjoy my trips back from time to time. I never had the chance to do any gaming while there mostly doue to lack of time so I never looked but I'm pretty sure you will be able to find some from the amount of gaming stuff I was able to get.

Good Luck

[C_Zeree]

Originally posted by Toadmaster
I If you like aircraft there is a nice air museum next to Davis Monthan airbase just south of Tucson.
Good Luck

I work in the Aerospace industry centered in the Lancaster/Palmdale area. You could say I like aircraft.

[beauxdeigh]

OK, as a current resident of the Old Pueblo, I'll tell you what I know.

First of all, there are three FLGS in Tucson:
Things for Thinkers has been around since the late 70s. It's your standard gaming/comic store. It has an enclosed room in the back that can be freely used for RPG, CCG, etc., and and is the center of a fairly active RPGA community. They also have a tack board in the store to post personals, and a Yahoo group that has a player database, and can be used to find games. They're a little slow about getting new HERO stuff, but they do try to keep it in stock once it comes in. This is the store I grew up with, the one I came back to when I got back here, and the one I consider my FGLS, even though the other two are closer to me.
Hardcastle Games is a younger, smaller store, and my over thirty self generally feels uncomfortable around the teenage and younger crowd that hangs out there. They have an area set aside in the back of their store to play in. I have never seen a HERO product on their shelves, though it is possible that I just missed them between visits.
Game Daze is in Park Place Mall. Which means who knows how long it will last. Yet, the staff is friendly, and the stock is pretty good, HERO and otherwise. Whenever we go to the mall, I make sure to stop in there (and Borders, the Discovery Store, the toy store, Victori...er...well, you get the idea.)

As for Bookman's. There are, in fact, three locations in Tucson. I've only had the pleasure to visit one of them recently, and the rpg book selection has been kind of small at that location (and mostly 2nd Ed. AD&D). Perhaps the selection would be better at the one closer to the university.

And just so you know, no, you don't have to go to Phoenix to find HERO players.

[Law Dog]

Our Things For Thinkers had to close down in Tempe. The poor owner had to choose between Tuscon and up here and you guys won. It's a shame, too. A few years back we would play Friday night until 1 or 2 and often until 3 Saturday night (Sunday Morning). There was a connected, but separately locked area in the adjoining suite that had four separate rooms (That were often all in use) and a bathroom.

[Shadow Dancer]

you mean there's a hero game here in mesa/phoenix?? where??? who??? how often???

sheesh...