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All fun and Games with MGK Vice President Jackson O’Connor

Master’s Gaming Konnection’s Vice President Jackson O’Connor previews the weekend-long gaming spectacle known as “Magikon”

Marlon Pitter

Connector Editor

The upcoming semi-annual weekend of fun and games known as Magikon is set to take place Friday March 28 through Sunday March 30, featuring a horde of card and board games, and even more excitement for everyone from the hardcore gamer to the casual player.

You can read about it through the eyes of Master’s Gaming Konnection’s Vice President Jackson O’Connor, below.

Q: Why are you in Master’s Gaming Konnection?

I am a gamer at heart, and I found a place to be myself, play games and unwind after a long day. I’ve made some great friends along the way.

Q: What games do you usually play as a group?

We play everything from board games to video games, and I also play and facilitate some tabletop RPG games like Dungeons and Dragons.

Q: What is Magikon? How will it differ from normal MGK activities?

Magikon is more than just our regular day-to-day game playing. It’s when we open up to the entire school, invite everyone to come try games and teach people the fun of gaming in all shapes and kinds.

Q: What does it mean to put on an event such as this? In other words, how do you feel about it?

It’s a lot of work to put on an event as big as Magikon, but I give it my all every semester to make sure it runs as well as it can.

Q: How often does Magikon occur? How long has this event been running here at UMass Lowell?

Magikon is a three-day event every semester. It’s always on a Friday and [runs until] Sunday night. It’s been going on since the inception of the Master’s Gaming Konnection. Indeed, Magikon is part of our history.

Q: What games will you feature at Magikon?

We will be featuring a lot of [games]. We’ll be demoing lots of board games, there will be a Magic the Gathering draft, a Pokémon tournament (OU Tier), a Warhammer 40,000 Apocalypse game, fighting games like Skullgirls and Marvel v. Capcom 2, tabletop RPGs and more!

Q: Why should students come to this event?

Students should come and relax after a long week of midterms and unwind with the Master’s Gaming Konnection. Also, we’ll be handing out raffle tickets that people who come can turn in at the end to win some prizes (some board/card games).

Q: How will this event integrate those who are not familiar with your club or games?

We’ll be demoing board games for new players, and anyone who wants to play should always feel free to ask us! We’d love to teach new players!

Q: How can interested participants join MGK?

Anyone who comes to Magikon is free to show up to our meetings, which alternate between Wednesdays and Thursdays every week. Those who come to two meetings and sign up on Collegiatelink for our club are eligible to be voting members. Anyone who comes to play games with MGK is a member, though. Drop by and come play!

Marlon Pitter is a former editor-in-chief of the UMass Lowell Connector. Hailing from Hartford, Conn., he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in journalism and professional writing and a digital media minor in 2017. Follow him on Twitter @marlonpresents.