While students passed through Wilder Bowl headed to their typical Saturday gatherings, a symbolic battle between mankind and alien-like robots was being waged in Wilder 112.

The game was “Mech Warrior: Dark Age,” and it was just one of the variety of games happening that night as a part of OberCon, the College’s second annual gaming convention.

The three day event, hosted by the Oberlin Gaming and Role Playing Establishment (O.G.R.E.), included Live Action Role Playing, collectible card games, board games, and other games. In addition to the large variety of games and anime films offered, attendees could visit vendors selling magic cards, books and videos. The popular writer of the comic strip “Something Positive,” R.K. Milholland, showed up to sign shirts and talk to enthusiastic fans.

Certified GM’s, or game masters, came to play and arbitrate the often complex rules of the games. Participants could immerse themselves in a variety of intriguing games, fantastic stories, and extraordinary characters. Choices included the “Magic: the Gathering,” “The Everlasting,” a two-day live action game of “Feast of Ashes,” and “Dragon’s Blood.” In this game, Oberlin students combined their strength to investigate what had gone awry with a new night club.

OberCon drew an assortment of participants to Wilder. According to organizer Hillary Brannon. College students only made up a portion of the game loving, imaginative crowd. Children, students and adults from the town of Oberlin also came to participate. Students drove from as far as Kent State, and one girl from Iowa. The event drew some Oberlin alumni as well.

In the “Mech Warrior: Dark Age” room, Creig Tom, who had driven from Cleveland, expressed his excitement to be at Obercon. Enthusiastically, he explained the rules of the game, and then pointed at a space ship in the corner of one of the tables.

“This is the grand prize,” he said.

Brannon described one of her favorite games.

“ShadowRun is a tabletop R.P.G. set 50 years in a dystopian cyber-punk future,” Brannon said. “There are criminals who live in the cracks of society. There are elves with guns!”

“OberCon was a much bigger success than I thought it would be,” organizer Alex Vickery said. “Although it was much more stressful than last year, it was better. We had a better turnout and we also had a visiting speaker.”

The College will fully reimburse O.G.R.E. for the cost of the event.