GenCon vs. DragonCon

[tennyson]

Last year was the first time my group went to GenCon and we had a great time. This year, we're making our trip further south to DragonCon. Not ever having attended, how is it different from it's Indy counterpart?

As a bit of info, the conventions themselves are entertainment enough for us (as we typically don't game much (read: at all) while we're there). Mainly, our trips focus having a great time, seeing the sights, and having a few beers along the way. Our draws are usually the vendor hall, movies, atmosphere, things like that.....so we figured, based on the description that DragonCon would be more up our alley. Any thoughts, suggestions, experiences that you can share?

Thanks in advance!

 

[lrsach01]

I've never been to Dragoncon, so this will be from hearsay. Drragoncon is a more mature con that has a little gaming in it. Gencon is mostly gaming. If you are more into the sights and sounds and not so much into gaming, Dragoncon will be fun. Just don't get too freaked out by the costumes.

 

[boerngrim]

Hi
I used to live in Atlanta and attended Dragoncon a few times. What lrsach01 said was pretty much on the mark. Dragoncon is a mixed scifi, fantasy, comic book con. They usually have a ton of events and fun things to do. Some of the viewing rooms run all day and night. The years I attended there was a pretty decent gaming area set up for RPGA games and other organized games. There are a couple of LARPS that go on during the convention. There is a good sized dealer space. There are always a lot of people in colorful costumes. One year I saw Gwar at the con, and another there was a pro wrestling exibition. The whole thing takes place in the heart of downtown Atlanta surrounded by great bars and restaraunts. I hope that's some help to you.
Thanks.

 

[Stoat]

Howdy!

I've never made it to Gencon, but I've hit Dragon*Con every year for the last five years. I'll reiterate what the others have said. You can game at Dragon*Con, but gaming isn't the first priority there. For the most part, it's about costumes, panel discussions, costumes, movies, costumes, beer and costumes. There is ample space for pick-up gaming, and a nice collection of board games.

The vendor halls are pretty extensive, but are not particularly focused on gaming. Expect more to see comics, videos, action figures, costume supplies and doodads.

Movies are a mixture of anime and cheesy sci-fi. Many of the movie rooms are devoted to deliberately awful sci-fi flicks.

Atmosphere is probably best summed up as "all-geek roman orgy."

Based on your post, I think you'd dig it.

 

[ronin]

Atmosphere is probably best summed up as "all-geek roman orgy."

Thanks for the good laugh, I needed it!

 

[Baron Opal]

You can game at Dragon*Con, but gaming isn't the first priority there. For the most part, it's about costumes, panel discussions, costumes, movies, costumes, beer and costumes. There is ample space for pick-up gaming, and a nice collection of board games.

The vendor halls are pretty extensive, but are not particularly focused on gaming. Expect more to see comics, videos, action figures, costume supplies and doodads.

Movies are a mixture of anime and cheesy sci-fi. Many of the movie rooms are devoted to deliberately awful sci-fi flicks.

I second this endorsement. I've had a great time at all of the Dragon*Cons I have been to save one, and that one was due to some interpersonal issues. I've attended many Dragon*Cons but only one Gen-Con. It has been about 6-8 years since I last attended a major game convention.

If I could afford it, I would attend every year.

The atmosphere is probably best summed up as "all-geek roman orgy."

And if you know where to look and are remotely fit, you can find those too. Friday night is party night!

 

[DonTadow]

We had this decision and this was our thing.

If you go to a con to game, gencon is going to be your best best. It's 24 hours of gaming. It's nothing like it. A lot of great structured games, gamer type people. There are movies running all the time, anime, scifi and cheesy stuff. But this is secondary to the gaming. Any type of game you can think of larp, rpg, minis cards, board its all hear.

Dragoncon is a geek con, with things to go and see 24 hours aday. There are gaming areas but its small and not the focus ofthe con. It gets more media hype, but doesnt compare in scope. I can't play an 1800x game for cash at home, but i can go to blockbusters anytime. I can't sit in on a game run by monte cook at home, but i can go to any local con and see a costume contest.

 

[Rechan]

I can't help, except for this:

1) If your wife comes with you, bring a blindfold. The place is Jam Packed with scantily-clad customed ladies. You almost cannot open your eyes without running across one.

2) If you are claustrophobic or fear very big clouds, don't go. I made this mistake. I'd been to small cons with 2,000 people tops. DragonCon, the year I went, had 22,000. A bit of a shock.

 

[Clueless]

Agreed - Gencon is all about the gaming, DragonCon is all about the socializing. It is a more grown-ups con, but in that "weird side of the family that still loves you" kind of way. Smaller, and warmer in feel. Which is to say - if you get in trouble, don't be surprised if a klingon and a stormtrooper wearing a browncoat pop up to a) help you, and b) turn out to be registered EMS. The LARPs at DragonCon tend to be really fascinatingly fun. And by fun I mean - the year I got to play one, we had GWAR show *up* in the Star Wars LARP in costume and the Empire ceded the sector. There's a number of excellent artists who just get punch drunk silly the longer the con runs. Wear a kilt - I guarantee you'll meet one of them... Hang out in the lounge late night, chances are decent you'll get closeup time with con guests. There's also some pretty nice LAN games running as well usually.

 

[Twowolves]

Go to Flickr.com and do a search for "Dragon*Con" (or "Dragoncon" or "Dragon Con") and you'll get an idea of what the (non-gaming) hubub is about.

About 10 years ago, it WAS a big gaming con, but it's gotten less and less gaming (save for what was an excellent open gaming hall) and more and more "other".