Tell Me About GENCON...

GENCON Vets,

Time to help a (potential) GENCON virgin out !

I am talking about hitting GENCON this year with a couple of other ENWorlders on what would be the first trip for most of us. With the 2/12 Pre-Reg date right around the corner...I have a couple of questions:

1) How quickly do games fill up? I am not in the RPGA, so those games are out...but if we wait until April or May to register, how screwed are we?

2) Hotels. Where have you stayed and which one(s) did you like/dislike? Also, how quick do the rooms fill up (again, if we wait to register until April/May...will we have residency problems)? Room costs are not a huge issue for me...I would rather pay more for convenience and comfort if that helps narrow rooming choices down.

3) Informal Gaming. One of the driving factors behind hitting GENCON for several of us is the potential to get together with other ENWorlders for food, fun and dice throwing. Besides the "Get Together" and the Ennies, have you done open gaming with other ENWorlders or pretty much stuck to the program?

Any other tips and/or words of wisdom?

Thanks in advance,

~ Old One

Old One said:

GENCON Vets,

1) How quickly do games fill up? I am not in the RPGA, so those games are out...but if we wait until April or May to register, how screwed are we?

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Games fill up quickly once online registration for events opens up. Those games only include games that are registered only by GMs, though, so more games will be included in the Con book at the convention itself, but there are horribly long lines to stand in to sign up for games. Some people buy "generic" tickets which you can use to sit in on a game. I could write up a page on this entire process and what I think about it, but suffice it to say, my advice is to try to sign up for games early online if you can, otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it at all. There is plenty to do at GenCon without having to worry about signing up for games. Some people go to GenCon, have a blast, and don't even play the first game. There is also a pick-up games area which is an area devoted to people who just want to run and play games adhoc, without schedules, and without requiring payment or tickets (games you sign up for that are "official" cost money.) I would recommend this form of gaming.

2) Hotels. Where have you stayed and which one(s) did you like/dislike? Also, how quick do the rooms fill up (again, if we wait to register until April/May...will we have residency problems)? Room costs are not a huge issue for me...I would rather pay more for convenience and comfort if that helps narrow rooming choices down.

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There is a Embassy Suites nearby, and a few others (I can't remember all of them, a Hilton, a Ramada I think. Several have breezeways that lead right into the convention center. Hotel space is much, much better in Indy than it was in Milwaukee. I imagine that you could sign up by April/May and not have much difficulty.

3) Informal Gaming. One of the driving factors behind hitting GENCON for several of us is the potential to get together with other ENWorlders for food, fun and dice throwing. Besides the "Get Together" and the Ennies, have you done open gaming with other ENWorlders or pretty much stuck to the program?

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There isn't much of a program to speak of. Informal sign up sheets are usually available at the ENWorld booth for games. Being an ENWorlder gives you an advantage since you'll "know" so many more people there. When I started going in '98, I didn't know anyone, and it wasn't nearly as fun.

Any other tips and/or words of wisdom?

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Only carry books in your backpack that you absolutely need. Otherwise, it will get severely heavy.
Wear comfortable shoes.

Thanks in advance,

~ Old One

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Hope to see you there!

I have yet to attend GenCon Indy, but I've attended GenCon at Milwaukee numerous times, so hopefully some of these comments are nominally useful...

Some games fill up really, really fast, while others never fill up. I know this is a pretty generic comment of limited use, but the popularity of events is difficult to anticipate. In past, I have found it is always better to register sooner rather than later if you want to participate in specific games or events.

In regards to hotels, again, sooner is better than later for reservations. In past GenCons, I made the mistake of getting an inexpensive hotel some distance from the convention center. I saved in hotel expenses, but my enjoyment of the con suffered as a result. If you can afford it, I highly recommend a hotel as close to the convention center as possible. That way, you can drop off purchases at your room rather than lug heavy bags of books around all day. Also, if you need to rest your feet or enjoy some quiet, a nearby room is worth the added cost.

I have found GenCon tends to get pretty warm with so many people around in the middle of August...and you reach a point where you are thirsty enough to spend $3 for a small Coke. You might consider having a cooler for your room (or a room with a small fridge) to store snacks, soda, waters, etc. Con food prices are similar to those of ballgame parks.

When you first go to the dealers' room, consider taking a trip through it without buying anything. It helps to have an idea of what all is available before spending any money (unless you are loaded with cash)...the first visit to that room is pretty awe-inspiring and overwhelming because of the size, the crowds, the noise, and the options.

Old One said:

1) How quickly do games fill up? I am not in the RPGA, so those games are out...but if we wait until April or May to register, how screwed are we?

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VERY screwed. Attendance last couple of years was about 30,000, and games fill up darned quickly. Now, this only applies to the pre-registered events there - if you like walk-up demo games in the exhibit hall, or you like seminars by notable industry insiders, or you like just kit-bashing a game with strangers in the spare rooms and halls, you'll have no trouble finding some action. But the pre-reg stuff fills up quickly. In addition, cancellations in events are not uncommon, so if you buy some generic tickets, and check with a game you wanted that pre-filled up, you can sometimes get in at the last minute!

2) Hotels. Where have you stayed and which one(s) did you like/dislike? Also, how quick do the rooms fill up (again, if we wait to register until April/May...will we have residency problems)? Room costs are not a huge issue for me...I would rather pay more for convenience and comfort if that helps narrow rooming choices down.

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In Milwaukee, hotel space was at a premium, and you sometimes had to stay 10 or 20 miles out of town. Nowadays in Indy, you stand a good chance even into april or may getting a hotel inside the beltway. I can't speak for the ones directly attached to the COnvention center, because they were too pricey for my blood, but I think you could get into those if you are willing to pay the price. I myself wasn't willing to pay 150.00 or 200.00 PER NIGHT to stay there. I know in larger cities those prices arent out of line but not for me.

3) Informal Gaming. One of the driving factors behind hitting GENCON for several of us is the potential to get together with other ENWorlders for food, fun and dice throwing. Besides the "Get Together" and the Ennies, have you done open gaming with other ENWorlders or pretty much stuck to the program?

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See above. In years past in milwaukee, sometimes I never signed up for a single pre-reg, and just walked the vendor/exhibit hall and seminars, played impromptu games and had a BLAST. The pre-reg's are great for games that you've always wanted to try but never found a willing group or time.

Any other tips and/or words of wisdom?

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--Enjoy it and suck up the ambience of 30,000 gamers geeking out all at the same time over stuff you like.
--Don't miss the art galley, even if you're not a conniseur - there's a lot of chance to meet folks one-on-one whose work you've admired for years.
--Take time to meet any published author or industry person who will meet with you - it's a blast to chat with them, and it's always a thrill for these folks to know in person how much you enjoy their work.
--Take time to meet with as many ENWorlders as possible - it brings a whole new dimension to this board to meet the people you've been chatting with for years, and there's never a better place to do it. I know you're no stranger to this of course, but I can't emphasize meet-n-greets for those who haven't yet.
--If Alsih2o is going this year, and if his cousin is doing the Sunday After-gencon Bar get-together, Attend it if at all possible. The one year I did, I had a ball, got to shoot pool (horribly), got to play a new card game, and was genuinely sorry to leave.
--DO visit the website of the Keeper of Ancient Gencon Lore. Not only has he been going to Gencons for like 20 years, Indy is his hometown and he has a LOT to say.
--Never let Rel get within 50 feet of Booze and a Fire Truck simultaneously.

~ Old One

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If you and Rel and others get to go, spill one for the homies who couldn't attend this year.

Henry

The Keeper of Ancient Gencon Lore Web Site.

Henry said:

VERY screwed.

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Yeah, some don't fill up, but many do, I know Call of Cthulhu is always seeming to fill up quick. But game reg doesn't start Feb 12, it starts later in the year.

In Milwaukee, hotel space was at a premium, and you sometimes had to stay 10 or 20 miles out of town.

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Yeah, hotels are MUCH better in Indy. GET YOUR HOTEL ON THE 12TH of FEB (if you want to be near the con). If you don't mind walking, or using a cab, do it EARLY.

Try demo games in the dealers room, or the painting gigs. All fun.

--Enjoy it and suck up the ambience of 30,000 gamers geeking out all at the same time over stuff you like.
--Don't miss the art galley, even if you're not a conniseur - there's a lot of chance to meet folks one-on-one whose work you've admired for years.
--Take time to meet any published author or industry person who will meet with you - it's a blast to chat with them, and it's always a thrill for these folks to know in person how much you enjoy their work.
--Take time to meet with as many ENWorlders as possible - it brings a whole new dimension to this board to meet the people you've been chatting with for years, and there's never a better place to do it. I know you're no stranger to this of course, but I can't emphasize meet-n-greets for those who haven't yet.
--If Alsih2o is going this year, and if his cousin is doing the Sunday After-gencon Bar get-together, Attend it if at all possible. The one year I did, I had a ball, got to shoot pool (horribly), got to play a new card game, and was genuinely sorry to leave.
--DO visit the website of the Keeper of Ancient Gencon Lore. Not only has he been going to Gencons for like 20 years, Indy is his hometown and he has a LOT to say.

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All good info, for sure

Randy Porter's site is here! He has TONS of info there.

Hey Henry, how do I get in on the After GenCon gig? We'll be there till Monday. Email me with info (it's in the sig)

Henry said:

The Keeper of Ancient Gencon Lore Web Site.

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Damn you and your post-fu, Henry! Now my link just looks lame.

MrFilthyIke said:

Yeah, hotels are MUCH better in Indy. GET YOUR HOTEL ON THE 12TH of FEB (if you want to be near the con).

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I thought GenCon registration (and thus housing) opened up on the 14th...Did something change and it got moved forward to Saturday?

A couple of points...

Pre-registration opens on 2/14 (Monday), not 2/12. It allegedly opens at noon Pacific time, but don't be surprised if it isn't ready yet.

At pre-registration, all you're getting is your badge (for entry into the con in general), and your hotel reservations. Event registration doesn't start until May 16th.

There's a lot more hotels than in Milwaukee, 'tis true, but they do tend to fill up, esp. the ones that are connected to the convention center. If you don't mind walking a few blocks, you may still be OK by waiting. We stay at the Westin, which is very nice, and if you split it 4 ways, isn't *too* expensive (but still may be outside your tastes.)

2/14?

OK, I had it my overfull mellon that it was 2/12...no problem !

Thanks for the response thus far and for the clarification on the Pre-Reg vs. Game Sign-Up.

~ OO