The Orc’s Head Virtual Seat

Play. Create. Belong. From Anywhere.

Being unable to travel should never mean being excluded from the table.

The Orc’s Head Virtual Seat is our planned hybrid gaming, art and community service, created for people who would love to take part in our events but cannot always visit the shop in person.

Whether you are disabled, housebound, recovering from illness, medically vulnerable, living further away or simply unable to travel on the day, the Virtual Seat will help you remain part of the action.

This is more than a livestream.

It is a way to participate.

Take Your Place at the Table

Our dedicated Virtual Seat will connect remote participants directly to events taking place inside The Orc’s Head.

Using tabletop cameras, live video, clear audio and accessible communication options, remote participants will be able to see the game, speak to other players, ask questions and take part from home.

Depending on the activity, participation may include:

• Playing trading card games remotely

• Joining tabletop role-playing campaigns

• Taking part in painting and art workshops

• Watching live demonstrations

• Speaking to tutors, players and event hosts

• Joining community discussions and special events

• Participating through voice, text or compatible assistive technology

Our aim is simple:

You should feel like a participant, not just a viewer.

Remote Trading Card Games

Selected Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon and other trading card game sessions may be available for remote participation.

Players can use their own deck at home while an overhead camera shows their play area. A screen at the in-store table will allow remote and in-person players to see and communicate with one another.

Remote formats may include:

• Casual games

• Learn-to-play sessions

• Friendly leagues

• Community events

• Selected organised-play activities

• One-to-one games

• Remote-versus-store challenges

Availability will depend on the game, event format and relevant organised-play rules.

Tabletop Role-Playing From Home

Role-playing games are naturally suited to hybrid participation.

Remote players may be able to join selected campaigns and one-shot adventures through live video, voice or text communication.

You could take part using:

• A digital or printed character sheet

• Physical or digital dice

• Voice communication

• Text chat

• Eye-gaze, switch access or other compatible assistive technology

• Support from a carer, friend or family member where helpful

Our Dungeon Masters and event hosts will work to make sessions as welcoming and accessible as reasonably possible.

Art and Miniature-Painting Workshops

Selected art, craft and miniature-painting workshops will also be available online.

Close-up cameras will allow remote participants to follow the tutor’s techniques, see fine details and ask questions throughout the session.

Remote workshop options may include:

• Miniature painting

• Acrylic painting

• Watercolour

• Drawing and illustration

• Terrain building

• Model making

• Hobby techniques

• Artist demonstrations

• Product tutorials

Where appropriate, workshop materials may be available to collect from the shop or order for delivery in advance.

Watch Live Events

Some tournaments, demonstrations, interviews, product previews and community events may be livestreamed through The Orc’s Head website and social channels.

Livestream viewers may be able to:

• Watch featured games

• Follow tournament finals

• Ask questions

• Join moderated live chat

• Vote in community polls

• See new products and demonstrations

• Meet artists, hobbyists and special guests

Not every area of the shop will be filmed. Livestreaming will take place only in clearly identified filming zones.

Designed With Accessibility in Mind

The Virtual Seat is being developed with disabled and housebound participants at the centre of the concept.

We understand that accessibility needs are different for every person.

Where reasonably possible, participation may be supported through:

• Voice communication

• Live text chat

• Automatic captions

• Larger on-screen text

• Extra response time

• Carer or support-worker assistance

• Eye-gaze systems

• Switch controls

• Alternative communication methods

• Brain-computer interface-compatible computer access

• Flexible session lengths and breaks

Please tell us what would help you take part. We will work with you to identify suitable adjustments wherever reasonably possible.

A Safe and Respectful Environment

The Orc’s Head is committed to creating a welcoming community for both in-store and remote participants.

Virtual sessions will be moderated, and participants will be expected to follow the same standards of behaviour as everyone attending in person.

We will not tolerate:

• Bullying

• Harassment

• Discrimination

• Abusive language

• Deliberate disruption

• Unauthorised recording or sharing of other participants

Our priority is to create a place where people can enjoy their hobby, meet others and feel that they belong.

Privacy and Filming

Filming and livestreaming will only take place in designated areas.

Participants will be informed when an event is being streamed or recorded. Where appropriate, permission will be obtained before individuals are featured.

Customers who do not wish to appear on camera will still be able to use non-filmed areas of the shop.

Children and young people will only be included in recorded or streamed content where the appropriate permissions and safeguarding arrangements are in place.

Coming Soon

The Orc’s Head Virtual Seat is currently being developed and tested.

Our first pilot sessions are expected to include:

• Remote trading card games

• Hybrid role-playing sessions

• Live painting demonstrations

• Accessible online workshops

• Streamed tournament finals

• Community question-and-answer events

Places will initially be limited while we test the technology and gather feedback from participants.

Register Your Interest

Would you like to take part from home?

Register your interest and tell us:

• Which games or hobbies you enjoy

• Which events you would like to join

• Whether you are interested in gaming, workshops or livestreams

• What technology you currently use

• What accessibility support may help you participate

• Which days and times are most suitable

Your feedback will help us build the Virtual Seat around the people who will actually use it.

Register Your Interest

Join the Virtual Seat Mailing List

Contact The Orc’s Head

No One Should Be Left Outside the Adventure

The Orc’s Head is being built as more than a shop.

It is a place to play, create, learn, meet people and become part of a community.

Our physical doors may be in Potters Bar, but our community should be able to reach much further.

The Orc’s Head

Play. Create. Belong. From Anywhere.