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Message: <blockquote data-quote="woodelf" data-source="post: 723112" data-attributes="member: 10201">Re: Questions from a GenCon newbieI didn't see anybody answer all of these, so here's a bit more:Your badge gets you into all areas of the site, including the dealer room, the art show, and teh auction.  The vast majority of events are games of one sort or another (RPGs, board games, CCG tournaments, etc.), and almost all of those cost something--generally ~$1.50/2hrs.  Most RPGs are 4hrs, most other games are 2, so if you're there to actually game, expect anothor $5+/day in event fees.RPGA membership doesn't mean squat at GenCon, in terms of getting into a game. I compiled statistics for RPG events at GenCon 2002, according to the prereg info (didn't factor in the onsite changes--which in this context primarily means more non-RPGA events than i'm about to list), so here you go:-- 96 RPGA events.  Some of those are later rounds of multiple-round events.-- approx. 1050 RPG events., of which 258 are D&D and 116 listed as "D20" (most of which are D&D).And, it used to be that a fair number of the RPGA events were open to anyone (though rapidly filled).  In any case, i wouldn't worry about it--from talking to lots of people, the RPGA games are some of the least-enjoyable to play in, anyway, because so many of the players are more concerned with winning the round than with getting into character. For any event, games included, you just show up at the appointed location, hopefully a few minutes early, and (usually) the other players and GM magically appear.As for you and your friends getting into games together: mostly you just need luck.  If they're not preregistering, you may have a tough time.  One solution is generic tickets: you can buy tickets that aren't for any particular event.  GMs will then allow those with generics to play, if there are open spaces (those specifically registered get first dibs, of course).  So you just show up (early is even more important now) tell the GM that the 3 of you want to play but only have generics, and wait and see.  With one person, you can often get in, especially if you have a couple of choices and can thus run off to your 2nd choice if the 1st turns out to be full (and try and get in despite getting there a couple minutes late).  We've done it a few times with 2 (requires two open spaces, obviously), but about equally often there was only one spot, so only one of us got to play. With 3, it'll be tricky, but not impossible.  I know that at least thrice we have had enough spaces to let a group of 3 with generics into one of our games--i've never been part of the group of players trying to get in.You could also, of course, register for a game and have your friends get generics and show up if they can't register. This cuts down on the number of open slots needed, but it's rather impolite of you to then bail on the GM if she can't let your friends in, so it'd end up with one gaming and 2 not when it failed, rather than all 3 not gaming (and thus not split).Finally, you may just want to re-evaluate your priorities on this matter.  Think of it like this: you can game together year-round.  This is your only chance to game at a game convention, and thus perhaps to try new games.  It might be more important to get to game, specifically with people you *haven't* gamed with in the past, than to stick together.  Just set up meeting times/places, and each of you go play what you want to play, or what you can get into. Try stuff out, play a game you've never even heard of.  You'll probably have just as much fun, and some of the people you game with might even be more fun (to game with) than your friends (no offense). And you might discover a whole new game that you fall in love with.</blockquote>

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