Tom Filsinger and Filsinger Games will present GalactiCon 2017 at the Jamestown Community College student union Saturday from noon-6 p.m.

By Gavin Paterniti

After a three-year hiatus, the Champions of the Galaxy game convention is returning to Jamestown.

Filsinger Games and its founder, Jamestown native Tom Filsinger, are preparing to resurrect a one-time annual Jamestown area convention in the form of “GalactiCon 2017” at the Jamestown Community College student union Saturday from noon-6 p.m.

Champions of the Galaxy is a tabletop cards and dice game created in 1986 by Filsinger, former JCC psychology professor, who also established Filsinger Games later that same year. Champions of the Galaxy features futuristic wrestlers battling it out across the galaxy, with game cards drawn by DC comic book artist Darryl Banks.

The first Champions of the Galaxy game convention, nicknamed GalactiCon, took place at the Sheldon House in July 1990. There were annual conventions in Jamestown until 2014. Last year, GalactiCon was held in Philadelphia. GalactiCon regularly features game tournaments, prizes, a question-and-answer segment and an auction to benefit Infinity Visual and Performing Arts.

“We have always had an auction to promote creativity and the arts,” said Filsinger, who will be in attendance. “We are proud to play a role in stimulating and encouraging creativity in the Jamestown area. I can’t wait to be there. Jamestown is an amazing area with many great people.”

In recent years, Filsinger Games has expanded to include licensing agreements with professional wrestling organizations such as Ring of Honor and Evolve. There is also a screenplay in Hollywood for a Champions of the Galaxy movie written by “Power Rangers” TV writer, Mark Litton.

As such, GalactiCon 2017 is set to bring participants from far and wide to Jamestown to participate in a trend that has grown acutely over nearly three decades. Game fans from states such as California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington are planning to travel to Jamestown for Saturday’s convention.

“Jamestown has many fond memories for all of us,” said Todd Joerchel, a game fan who lives in New Jersey. “It is a charming and accessible city that has been very comfortable for our fans.”

Filsinger Games will exclusively release the new expansion pack for Champions of the Galaxy, called “Regime Change 2133,” at the convention.