Warpact Games: Building a Tabletop Haven in Lancaster
- Brian Lawrence
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
LANCASTER, CA – When you walk into Warpact Games on 10th Street in Lancaster, you’re greeted not just by shelves of colorful board games, card decks, and miniatures, but by a sense of community. The shop, which officially opened its doors on December 7, 2024, is quickly becoming a hub for gamers across the Antelope Valley.
Owners Patrick Daugherty and Justin Clouter shared their journey, their passion for gaming, and their hopes for the store’s future.
The idea for Warpact Games came from a simple observation: the Antelope Valley needed a positive, welcoming space for gamers.
Patrick explained, “The Antelope Valley had kind of a shortage of gaming and play spaces for people, as well as good positive environments for the community as a whole to actually learn about these games, be welcomed into these games, and become part of a broader community.”
For Justin, opening the store was also a personal milestone. “It’s probably a bucket list item for me. I’ve been a gamer for about 30 years… I’ve got four children, and I wanted a place for them to be able to enjoy similar hobbies. Gaming provided something for me as a youth and even as an adult—a way to de-stress, to meet good people. I wanted that positive environment for them too.”
From day one, Warpact has been about creating connections. Customers often remark on the welcoming atmosphere.
“Every time somebody new comes into the store, they’re blown away by the amount of stuff we offer, the variety, and the fact that they’re greeted, spoken to—and if they don’t know how to play something, I’ll offer to teach them,” Patrick said. “Teaching people how to play games is one of the coolest ways to show them they’re welcome.”
Justin added, “It’s interesting when someone comes in and they’re unsure about a game, and we say, ‘Yeah, we have it, or at least we know what it is.’ You see the lights come on in their eyes. That connection—that’s what it’s about.”
Warpact already hosts Dungeons & Dragons Adventurers League, trading card nights, and tournaments, with a monthly calendar available through Discord linked on their Instagram.
Patrick recalled one moment in particular: “There’s a father-daughter duo that almost never miss their sessions. Seeing her dive into her character, create backstories, and embrace it fully—that’s one of the most positive things I’ve seen.”
The store’s first Magic: The Gathering store championship is coming up in early September, along with other events like the Spider-Man prerelease.
Like many small businesses, supply chain struggles have been a hurdle. “Supply, supply, supply,” Patrick admitted. “Getting the supply to match the demand has been exceedingly difficult. Sometimes we’re placing orders six or seven months in advance.”
Justin added, “ You take a gamble because by the time it arrives, the game could either be huge or forgotten.”
Even so, they see challenges as signs of growth: “As much as it’s bad for us, it’s also a good sign—the nerd community is growing.”
Naming the store wasn’t over-complicated. Patrick laughed, “We were spitballing ideas, and I just fired from the hip. I said, ‘What about Warpact?’ He liked it, I liked it, and when I asked 50 or 60 people, they all said, ‘That’s awesome.’ So we just went for it.”
For the owners, Warpact is about more than profit. It’s about building something lasting.
“I’d like to see this business perpetuate and become like an institution in the Antelope Valley,” Patrick said. “Something people know is going to be here no matter what.”
Justin shared a similar vision: “I can’t say I started this just to make money. It was a bucket list thing, but also about bringing something positive to the AV. We’ve been reaching out to schools, working with teachers and eSports teams. Even if kids aren’t our customers, their coaches are, we want to give them a place to play and a positive push.”
At its heart, Warpact Games is more than shelves of products. It’s about community, family, and belonging.
As Patrick summed it up: “Treating people like they’re people—that’s what makes this place special. Finding out what they like, encouraging them, and creating those bonding moments is what it’s all about.”
And for Justin, the advice is simple: “Take your time. It’s supposed to be fun.”
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