1st trip to GenCon-Looking for tips

[DonTadow]

I made a trip from Australia to atend GenCon a couple of years back, and the one thing that stuck out in my mind is that people should shower more often. The general stinkiness of the place was amazing.

With Gencon becoming more of a family oriented place, I find that the place, at least in INdy, smells alot better and people are more maintained. I think that has to do with the many more hotel rooms in INdy. IN Wisconsin, once the close hotels were gone, living or sleeping in your car became a viable option.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

So what is so Great about NASCRAG. They look kind of silly or is that the point?

That is the point. My group had our DM laughing so hard last year she had to stop the game and get her breath.

 

[Bront]

So what is so Great about NASCRAG. They look kind of silly or is that the point?

The point is to have fun, and it's amazing how much serious RP you can do in a game that doesn't treat itself in the most serious of manners.

That said, this year is the start of a new module with no connection to the previous one (The Consperasy Series ended last year), and this one is a bit less tongue in cheek than the other series IMHO. Still very fun, and plenty of humor oppertunities, but perhaps a bit less tongue in cheek humor.

Nascrag is going on their 26th year at Gencon, and they are still, to my knowledge, the second largest Roleplaying Tourny at Gen Con, and have been for at least 15 years. So they must be doing something right.

BTW, check out www.Nascrag.org. It is not Nascrag.com.

 

[Bront]

One other thing that came into mind. If anyone remembers the FEZ modules from Role Aids (you can still find them), those were some of the origional NASCRAG modules that Mayfair bought the rights too.

 

[Dominic]

Make time for the Dealer room on the first day - better shopping and fewer people. The dealer room is huge, so take your time.

The art show is not to be missed - dont just try and squeeze it in - make time. And talk to the artists - they're cool.

Play games you dont know - this is the best chance to Demo stuff you will ever have - until next year.

Bring food with you if possible. It costs a furtune to eat in the convention center, and you can use that cash better in the dealer room or art show.

If you aren't having fun - try something else. GenCon should be fun, dont let anyone get you down.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

This may have been posted, but I haven't seen it. I'm going to GenCon for the first time and would like whatever tips those of who have been can give me and others.

Watch out for people with fat bags who have no clue the duluth pack off their back is smacking people behind them in the aisle... and then get peeved at you for having been impeded by them.

Watch out for the people who bring their kids in strollers through the big hall and try to squeeze through the crowded aisles... or leave the stroller in the middle of the aisle to cause a traffic jamp, instead of sliding the stroller out of the way.

Learn to tolerate people who have no idea they are causing traffic jams as they stand in the middle of the aisles, oblivious to others, chatting about their favorite character's deeds in adventures many years past.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Of note: there was a UPS Packaging area so you can send your goods home too!

 

[greymist]

Sean Reynolds has a page on attending GenCon here. He hasn't updated them in a while, but other than a couple of references to Milwaukee they are still on the money.

The link to the Something Positive cartoon on bathing is extremely improtant. I attended GenCon 2002 and I could not believe the smell of some of the people there! Bathe people!