Conventions still worth it?

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

This is a whole new concept to me -- I'm heading to my first con in May, and it really had not occurred to me that I might play a whole new RPG system that I'm not necessarily familiar with -- I'd have thought the people running said game would frown upon that ...

--DP

If they're well-organized, they'll let you know whether they are expecting experienced players for a particular session. But for the most part, you assume that some or all of the players will have little to no experience with the game, because it's expected that people will want to try out new things. I typically build my games around that; I'll make up custom cheat-sheets to hand out, will do a quick rules explanation before hand, and often start the scenario with a minor no-risk skirmish just to get the players' feet wet before it gets serious.

 

[Nikosandros]

This is a whole new concept to me -- I'm heading to my first con in May, and it really had not occurred to me that I might play a whole new RPG system that I'm not necessarily familiar with -- I'd have thought the people running said game would frown upon that ...

There might be some games like that, for example a game with an heavy metaplot might have some scenarios being run that require the players to be conversant with it, but the majority of Con games are typically newbie friendly and, as others have mentioned, they represent a great chance to try new games and different play styles. The last time I went to GenCon UK (which sadly doesn't exist anymore), I didn't participate in a single D&D game, because that's what I play almost all the time at home.

 

[wingsandsword]

Well as I recall, when you discount games sponsored by WotC, 3.5 had more games than anything else at last year's GenCon (followed by Pathfinder) for people on their own volition setting them up and running them. First time AFAIK that the latest "official" edition wasn't dominating the games being run, let alone being behind by the margin it was when I looked last year.

This warms my heart, especially as a 3.5 gamer who is sick and tired of edition wars, especially the ones where the 4e adherents claim that 3.5 is dead as a doornail and we're just a vocal tiny minority to the huge 4e crowd.

Edition War flashbacks aside, I haven't been able to make it to a Gen Con since 2005, between financial issues and scheduling issues (had the money last year, the US Army said I had to be somewhere else at the time though), it's good to know that if I can make it for a day this fall I may be able to find a game and pull up a chair.

 

[Piratecat]

This is a whole new concept to me -- I'm heading to my first con in May, and it really had not occurred to me that I might play a whole new RPG system that I'm not necessarily familiar with -- I'd have thought the people running said game would frown upon that ...

--DP

Nope, not at all. Usually they love their system and are happy to teach it to someone. I've probably been to 60+ cons, and it's a rare one where I don't meet awesome people or play a game that I'd never otherwise expect to play. I love 'em.

 

[SuperJebba]

Thanks for the responses, guys. It definitely sounds like I need to make this happen. I'm sorry if it sounded like I was completely opposed to anything but 3.5. I would love to try new things, but I wasn't sure how sessions at conventions worked with regards to a complete noob trying out something new. It sounds like there is a place for a guy who hasn't even heard of most of the games you've all mentioned.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

It sounds like there is a place for a guy who hasn't even heard of most of the games you've all mentioned.

Believe it or not, you'd be one of many. Especially since a lot of times people are running brand-new games that *no one* is really familiar with.

And for any noobs going to GenCon, keep an eye on the GenCon forum here at ENWorld. A few of us ran games specifically for 1st-time attendees last year.

 

[BriarMonkey]

I'll echo similar sentiments - if you only ever go to a single convention just to see what it's all about - go to GenCon.

While local and smaller conventions can sometimes focus on a small sub-set of games, or even be rather particular in what they host (due to local resources), GenCon is the "big one" and as such covers ground you may never have thought of.

For instance, did you know that often at GenCon there is a game of "Evil Stevie's Pirate Game"? 'Tis a pirate game based on using Lego pirate ships and running around fighting your fellow pirates for fame and gold.

Too, there is a huge boardgame hall, a miniatures hall, and of course, RPGs out the wazoo (many of which are for people to learn the game and require no prior knowledge), of every shape and type (and version). And the dealer's hall has more stuff to buy than you can shake a stick at - not to mention companies are often running demos of their new games, right there at their booths.

Aside from gaming, there are panels and seminars too! You can find panels covering what's new from a company, as well as sometimes covering a general topic that is opened up to the public (like a public forum for, say, D&D). The seminars can cover everything from improv DMing to creating memorable challenges in game, to how to write for gaming companies - really the topics can cover the gamut.

And GenCon has special events as well. There is the charity auction, the normal auction, a special breakfast, costume contest, Paint N Take (miniature painting), and the ENies.

And all that are just the official bits. There are tons of pick-up games. It's not uncommon to see gamers getting their game on in hotel lobbies, breezeways, and anywhere else.

As I mentioned, many local cons can be constrained by their resources. However, of the ones I've seen they often have similar offerings as GenCon, though in much lesser degrees - and sometimes boardgames may heavily outweigh RPGs - or special events may not be present at all.

I guess all of that was simply to say that yes, a convention is what you make of it. Try new things and keep an open mind to new games that may interest you.

 

[DumbPaladin]

Thanks for the super useful info, everyone. I learned a lot, even though I didn't start the thread.

+1 XP to SuperJebba for starting it. And maybe someone else will join me in fronting him a point or two, so we can get him out of Level 1 status?