Anyone Thinking about Gen Con UK?

[CharlesRyan]

I was just wondering if any of the UK EN worlders (or non-UK EN worlders with large travel budgets) were thinking ahead toward Gen Con UK?

I had the good fortune of attending a site visit at the new location in Reading a couple weeks ago. It seemed like a really good site (and that's not even in comparison to what I've heard about past years) and like the show was coming together very nicely.

Anyone going? Any tips for a first-time Gen Con UKer?

 

[Morrus]

I've been to a couple and always came away pretty underwhelmed - the London ones were better than the Minehead ones, though. Reading's not too far from me, so I may pop by for a day and see what it's like.

I guess I was spoiled by my visits to GenCon Indy and Mineapolis.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey Charles!

I was just wondering if any of the UK EN worlders (or non-UK EN worlders with large travel budgets) were thinking ahead toward Gen Con UK?

Well at the moment no, but if things brighten up for me financially in the next few months I would definately consider it.

I had the good fortune of attending a site visit at the new location in Reading a couple weeks ago. It seemed like a really good site (and that's not even in comparison to what I've heard about past years) and like the show was coming together very nicely.

I haven't been to Gen Con UK since they moved it out of London. I have friends in London I can stay with and thus I was ony having to worry about the cost of the flight. When its outside London you have the flight, train and accomodation to consider.

Anyone going? Any tips for a first-time Gen Con UKer?

Not knowing the Reading area personally I can't relate the location of the nearest pubs.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey Russ!

I've been to a couple and always came away pretty underwhelmed - the London ones were better than the Minehead ones, though. Reading's not too far from me, so I may pop by for a day and see what it's like.

I guess I was spoiled by my visits to GenCon Indy and Mineapolis.

You had the problem of showing up on the last year it was held in London when it was on Easter/Bank Holiday weekend and the turn out was dire. The year before (held in August) the place was totally buzzing and every day was packed, much better atmosphere.

Although I seem to remember you saying the difference in scale between the US and UK Gencons was pronounced.

 

[CharlesRyan]

I'm totally expecting a radical difference in scale--Indy is 30,000 people, vs. a few thousand here in the UK. Nonetheless, there's no reason it couldn't be a terrific show, if they get a few things right. I think the site is definitely looking good, so we'll see how the rest of it goes!

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey Charles!

I'm totally expecting a radical difference in scale--Indy is 30,000 people, vs. a few thousand here in the UK.

If the site is 'tight' enough it could still have a great atmosphere.

The last two years I have went to the local convention here in Belfast (Q-Con). In 2005 they had virtually everything done within the one 'largish' hall. It was pretty packed but it had a great atmosphere even though you are only talking 300-400 people. In 2006 they spread everything out over the University campus and it just destroyed the atmosphere completely.

Similar thing happened the last two years it was held in London. This time they kept the same location but didn't get the crowds (because it was on Easter weekend) and it just murdered the atmosphere. On the Sunday I could swear I saw a tumbleweed blowing across the trade hall.

Nonetheless, there's no reason it couldn't be a terrific show, if they get a few things right. I think the site is definitely looking good, so we'll see how the rest of it goes!

Fingers crossed I'll get over.

 

[Huw]

I might go. I've never been to GenCon, but I know Reading quite well and its quite close to me. Don't know any pubs but I know lots restaurants

 

[MonsterMash]

I went to the last one in London and it was pretty empty compared to Dragonmeet which suffers in numbers from its December date. I'll probably go to Reading as it's not a big trip from London and I've got gaming friends that live there.

 

[RichGreen]

Hi,

I went to the one in Olympia held over the Easter weekend a few years ago. Although it was pretty quiet, I enjoyed myself. Reading isn't too far from London so I might go. When is it?

Cheers


Richard

 

[pedr]

It's August 30th to September 2nd. Website here: http://www.consupport.com/index.asp?Con=61 though not a great deal announced yet!