GEN CON being sold?

[Scott_Rouse]

Every time I've planned to go to GenCon, just like every time I've planned to buy my first modern Mac, I get laid off, or suffer some other, unforeseen and sudden economic change, thus my inability to go this year, which was my best potential since 2002-2003.

Anyhow, I hope whatever the outcome, that whomever buys the convention, focuses on GenCon, as opposed to the other add-ons, which seemed to cause the issues that GenCon is now suffering, and this tradition in gaming keeps going on.

Given that this this rumor is reporting that the sale will be for several million dollars I would suspect that if the deal happens that the buyer is not going to suddenly abandon the hobby game audience.

GenCon has been a stable or thriving show over the past few years and can continue to grow. Even last year, with high gas prices at $4.30 a gallon keeping many at home, the show was pretty packed and reported significant attendance. Even under new ownership I don't see it changing to far from it's current programing.

 

[PaulofCthulhu]

I guess we'll know more in the New Year. Here's hoping they don't chnage too much and that things like the ENnies keep on trucking!

I'd love to go back to Gen Con, but like most, we're watching the pennies at the moment.

Paul

 

[Charwoman Gene]

Given that this this rumor is reporting that the sale will be for several million dollars I would suspect that if the deal happens that the buyer is not going to suddenly abandon the hobby game audience.

Summary: (Through my awesome filter)
WotC is buying GenCon in a partnership with Paizo and other industry leaders.

 

[SteveC]

I'd say that Gen Con's woes are entirely related to the fiasco with Star Wars Experience. Last year's Con was the biggest I have ever seen, and that's been since it was at Parkside.

The convention is still thriving, so I hope that whoever does buy it doesn't make any radical changes. The surest way to kill something like this is to fundamentally change the formula for success. With that said, as someone who has been going for a looooooong time, there is significant room for improvement: showing you which events still have slots open on the big board, for example would cut down on the number of people waiting in line significantly, for example.

--Steve

 

[Ranger REG]

Hey, if the attorney involved in the group buying GenCon is from KY, I wonder if this means GenCon will move to Louisville after any contracts with Indianapolis expire.

I could actually commute to GenCon and spend all that room money on "Stuff"!

Kentucky? Meh.

 

[CPT_KIRSTOV]

Summary: (Through my awesome filter)
WotC is buying GenCon in a partnership with Paizo and other industry leaders.

paizo has said that they are not involved on their boards

 

[Zaruthustran]

It's not PAX. We've got PAX Seattle in 2009, and then PAX East Coast (and PAX Seattle) in 2010. We figure those in the center of the country can pick a coast, and go to one show or the other.

-z

 

[Lhorgrim]

Kentucky? Meh.

I tend to agree with you, but if we landed GenCon we'd finally be cooler than Vermont!

 

[joethelawyer]

I tend to agree with you, but if we landed GenCon we'd finally be cooler than Vermont!

rather than going to kentucky, land of i-dont-know-what-because-i-only-drove thru-there-once, fast, i wouldn't mind it being out here on the east coast. preferably in the nyc metro area though, as opposed to the arctic tundra of vermont. you know, non-flyover-state land. AKA civilization.

*joethelawyer ducks the bricks

 

[darjr]

i wouldn't mind it being out here on the east coast, in the nyc metro area. you know, non-flyover-state land. AKA civilization.

Did you just say Kentucky is part of the NYC metro area? Or Vermont?