Gencon n00b suggestions thread

[romp]

This year will be my first GenCon, I picked a some good advice from surfing (yes, I plan to shower and use deodorant while there ) Does anyone have a few sugestions on demo's and other fun things to get involved that might not require standing in long registration lines (which I hate with a passion) or lots of cash? I was planning on dropping some big moolah in the exhibit hall on hard to find games.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

If the con has a way to do it, pre-reg for the events you want to attend. And lines are commonplace at a large con, so you'll have to learn patience in that regard. Definitely take along alot of cash as there's usually lots to be found in the dealer's room!

 

[Crothian]

Does anyone have a few sugestions on demo's .

In the dealer room just walk around from booth to booth and talk to the dealers and ask if they are running any demos or will they show you their products. If there is one thing I have learned about many of the smaller companies, they love talking about their books to people with cash. I've been to Gen Con twice and have gamed there once. I literally will spend the con in the dealer room talking to people and demoing their games, its cheap and can be lots of fun.

 

[IronWolf]

Pre-reg is still open for GenCon so you still have time to pre-reg for some games if you wanted to. The demos in the Dealer Room are great also. Lot's of opportunities to try out a large number of different games there.

 

[Teflon Billy]

If you order a Martini, but prefer a pearl onion in it to an olive...that's called a Gibson.

 

[romp]

If you order a Martini, but prefer a pearl onion in it to an olive...that's called a Gibson.

ohhh kaaaayyy, that made me laugh Thanks TB!

 

[Buttercup]

I've always enjoyed the demos in the exhibit hall and games with people from here far more than the stuff I preregistered for. My advice is to not bother signing up for too many pre-reg games. Even if the DM is good, your fellow players may not be the sort you want to sit next to for 4 hours.:\

 

[JediSoth]

If at all possible, avoid eating the food in the convention center. You can get a lot more for your money by taking the skywalk over to Circle Center mall...much better variety too. Bring portable munchies and a bottled drink or two...but don't overload your pack.

JediSoth

 

[devilbat]

Make sure you're well rested leading up to the Con. Early morning games, combined with late night gaming or adult type late night entertainment, makes for a looong convention.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

August will mark my 21st GenCon. (I've been attending since 1984, and missed only GenCon 2000.) Honestly, the advice I would give you depends on several factors, the most important of which is your age.

The first few years attending, I got maybe two hours of sleep a night (in a tent, 30 miles from the convention center), gamed at least 10 to 12 hours a day, and felt fresh as a daisy. Now I stay in the hotel across from the convention center, get at least six hours of sleep a night, have cut my gaming to one (maybe two) events a day, and often can't make it through Thursday without wanting a nap. I've actually stopped scheduling events for 8:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday, because I know from experience that I'll blow them off for a couple extra hours of sleep.

Christ, I'm old.