This week’s mugging may not need as much coffee to get through the day as they do magic.
OMG Games at 130 Bell Farm Rd. is the place to be for those who crave the many different types of card and board games that have become hugely popular over the last little while. Years ago, it was mainly Dungeons and Dragons as the game of choice for those looking to escape into a fantasy world; now however there are hundreds of different adventures for fans to choose from. OMG Games owner Richard Bates says that if you think that the 'nerd' culture is just for kids, count him in.
“I'm on my 34th year of being 15, so technically that makes me 48 but really I'm just a big kid,” said Bates. “However, my kids think I'm the coolest dad ever; they like to brag to their friends that their dad owns the Pokémon, Yugioh, and D&D store.”
OMG opened in 2007 at its current location and Bates took over in 2010. Born in Hamilton, the Bates family moved to Barrie when he was young and he was able to grow with the city and with the passion he has for the gaming life.
“I grew up in Minet's point when it wasn't even part of Barrie,” said Bates. “I've been going to these types of stores since my early teens when I grew a fondness for Dungeons' and Dragons. Around 1993 at a comic book store I discovered Magic the Gathering with some friends and we've been playing ever since.”
Magic The Gathering was created 1993 and was the first trading card game produced. Magic has 20 million players worldwide battling as wizards who employ spells, artifacts and creatures that are represented on the actual cards with the goal to defeat their opponents. It sounds like a close relative to the Dungeons and Dragons game, but is more closely comparable to pencil-to-paper adventure games with a very high amount of rules that are complex. Though Magic continues to be the leader in worldwide participation games, the new theme at the movie theatres and pop culture is creating more buzz at shops like OMG.
“The increase in Superhero and fantasy movies have helped a lot in making ‘nerd’ culture much more mainstream,” said Bates. “It's spawned many new games for people to play based on these movies and characters.”
When Bates isn’t in the store, his trusted and knowledgeable manager is. Matty Lelievre has been with OMG for six years and says it is a dream job in that he has met so many great people and gets to be around the culture that he loves.
“A lot of fun people come through the doors and I’ve met many of them who continue to be friends,” said Lelievre. “I met Richard a few years back and struck up a friendship with him. When he took over OMG he asked me to come along and be a part of the team. We both have such a vast knowledge of the products here and I think that’s what people enjoy about us.”
Not just a store to pick up what one might need for playing at home, OMG has 10 tables for the many events throughout the week for gamers and those who like to watch. The 36-year-old Lelievre loves that there’s never a dull night for him and those like him.
“We have events throughout the week, though Saturday’s are likely the busiest day,” said Lelievre. “Its the place to be for sure as far as wanting to play, but it’s also a great social hub for those who love the culture and want to enjoy it among others who feel the same. I’m the biggest Geek there is, and I’m good with that.”
For more information on OMG Games and all the events they have, check out the website.
