Gamehole Con 2025 Thread

[MNblockhead]

Thought I I would start a thread here in the hopes other ENworlders attend Gamehole Con to discuss the con.

Since the housing portal opens soon, I thought I would start this thread by recommending that everyone take it easy, sleep in late on Sunday, and be ready to book your rooms Sunday evening.

I have no alternative motives in sharing this tip.

 

[MNblockhead]

For a serious post.

Regarding housing, the hotels are all an easy walk to the con, some however require crossing very busy streets (very very busy during rush hours). If you have mobility issues, you can still drive and park and they are opening up a whole new parking lot this years, so finding a spot even later in the day should not be too difficult.

Any ENworlders running games this year? I go to cons mainly to play games I've never played before. Interested if anyone is running anything more niche that would be hard to play otherwise.

Finally, last year was pretty cool in terms of premium games, book signings, and panel discussions due to it being D&D's 50th anniversary. And it was still a small convention compared to, say, Gen Con. It was kind of cool to have Ed Greenwood, Chris Perkins, Mike Mearles, and other authors and designers just mingling with the crowd. I regretted not paying up for the VIP badge, because all the special events run by Perkins and Mearles were much harder to get and I wasn't able to get into any of those games, though I still got into special event games that I really enjoyed.

 

[billd91]

I have volunteered to GM four sessions of Alex’s new organized play program for 5e. It’s currently sounding a bit like they’re adding some factions like Pathfinder Society has. I’m interested to see how the scenarios play out.

 

[MNblockhead]

I should know better than to use the word "finally" in a post. Another thing I am wondering about are the recorded live plays. I attended a couple sessions last year. Some of them were very entertaining, but almost nobody attended them. I realize that most of their audience will be those listening to them on podcasts or youtube, but it was a bit of a bummer not to have the energy of a live audience. Is that pretty normal for most conventions? Is live play performances just too new to Gamehole Con or is it because it is primarily a con heavily focused on playing in games and not the other stuff? I'm not expecting anything like Acquisitions Incorporated or a Critical Role show at a convention like Gamehole Con, but was still disappointed that there was almost no attendance at any of these events.

 

[darjr]

I'm going this year.

 

[MNblockhead]

Anyone else hate the name "Gamehole" for a convention?

 

[MNblockhead]

I have volunteered to GM four sessions of Alex’s new organized play program for 5e. It’s currently sounding a bit like they’re adding some factions like Pathfinder Society has. I’m interested to see how the scenarios play out.

Sorry, but who is Alex?

I generally don't attend 5e games, but I've not played with the new rules, so I might sign up for at least one. My main problem with adventurer's league has been that I'm always playing a 1st-level character because I don't regularly play in AL games. I love the AL Epics, however, even if I'm playing a first-level character.

Are the organized play sessions you running part of AL or is this something different?

 

[darjr]

Sorry, but who is Alex?

I generally don't attend 5e games, but I've not played with the new rules, so I might sign up for at least one. My main problem with adventurer's league has been that I'm always playing a 1st-level character because I don't regularly play in AL games. I love the AL Epics, however, even if I'm playing a first-level character.

Are the organized play sessions you running part of AL or is this something different?

Alex Kammer, he started the convention and owns the Gamehole and all the glorious treasures within.

 

[billd91]

Anyone else hate the name "Gamehole" for a convention?

It may sound… questionable. But once you know the Gamehole is Alex Kammer’s massive game collection, it’s a lot less weird. In previous years, I know there have been charity games that are actually hosted in the famed Gamehole, itself.

 

[billd91]

Alex Kammer, he started the convention and owns the Gamehole and all the glorious treasures within.

Yeah, he’s got a lot of things going on. He’s a lawyer who also owns a stake in True Dungeon and a couple of restaurants, last I knew.