GenCon vs. Origins

[Macbeth]

I'm looking for people's opinions on Origins and GenCon, especially how they compare to each other. I've been given the oportunity to travel anywhere in the world I want next summer, so I'm going to Europe, but I'm interested in hitting one of the big conventions either at the begining or end of my trip. It's possible for my itenerary to fit either con, but Origins seems more likely, so I want to hear what people have to say about both.

Thanks in advance for any opinions/advice/etc. you can give me.

 

[Mouseferatu]

I find GenCon the superior con. More companies, more events, more people to hang out/game with, a better location...

(Also more opportunities for networking, but that only applies to people in the industry.)

Honestly, I can't think of a single thing I liked better about Origins. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed both, but if I can only do one, and all else being equal, it'll be GenCon every time.

 

[Crothian]

I've been to both both this year and last. Gen Con is bigger. Probably about 10 or 15 thousand more people I'd say but I don't know official numbers of either. The dealer room is more gaming oriented as RPG companies perfer to make it to Gen Con if they can only make one.

Size is really the biggest difference even though Origins is very big as well. I think the open gaming areas are better at Origins.

 

[HiLiphNY]

I find that Origins is a bit more Ohioish of the two, whereas Gencon seems to me a bit more Indianaish.


Glad I could help.

 

[Paka]

I went to Gen Con this year, after not being there since '94 and went to Origins the year before this one.

Origins somehow still managed to feel like a small con to me. IT felt like a freakin' huge small con but it maintained a small con atmosphere.

Gen Con is an 800 pound gorilla. If you want to meet game designers, they are all at Gen Con. If you want to see a big game debut, they big ones mostly debut at Gen Con.

I found it was easier to just jump into a game at Origins without pre-registering. The way Origins' gaming is all consolidated into one area is nifty as hell.

Hope that helped.

 

[IronWolf]

I made it to both Origins and GenCon this year. Both were great fun! I will definitely be going to both again next year also. But, if I had to choose only one, I would choose GenCon. Mainly for the sheer size of it and that it seemed to draw the best of the RPG crowd.