Help Me Pick A Convention Game To Run

[Reynard]

I need to get my events in for a convention coming up in April, and I am having a heck of a time settling on a thing. So I thought I would ask the hivemind and see if inspiration boils up from the depths.

For anyone interested, the con is Rising Phoenix Game Con in Marlborough MA, April 23-26 2026. The con draws both older gamers and many younger ones, and is progressive and LGBTQ+, BIPOC and elsewise friendly.

Note that my "reserve" games are Shadowdark and Daggerheart, both of which I have run very successfully at cons. BUT, since I am running both of those as home campaigns, I kind of what to do something different.

Another important thing is that I will be running 3 episodic, linked sessions of whatever the game ends up being. I have been very successful with this "con campaign" format and do it every year and 3 different cons. So that means that the game in question needs to work both episodically, but with shifting players on the same overarching "quest" (whatever that means in the game in particular).

I am kind of feeling like maybe some supers, or maybe some post apocalyptic, or maybe some space opera. In other words: I have no clue. I have successfully ran everything from high level 5E to Star Wars d6 to Mutants and Masterminds to a lot of Savage Worlds (SWADE is my go-to when I have an idea and no game built for it). But like I said, I am at a loss.

So, knowing all that, suggest a game to me. Something you personally think fits the criteria and is fun to both run and play in the con format. It should be easy to get ahold of, and probably veer away from Old School games.

Oh, and Draw Steel is a possibility but I legit do not know if I can learn it well enough to run by then.

Thanks!

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Post-apocalyptic and spaceship stuff both lend themselves to the structure you want to do, with the first one being yet another expedition into the ruins from the main settlement, and the second being a crew coming out of cryosleep with possibly some familiar faces.

In each case, you can have standalone adventures featuring similar adversaries moving further along with their evil plans, so that anyone who is there for multiple games gets the satisfaction of seeing the rising threat and a chance to get revenge for previous adventures.

Obviously, lots of systems would work for this, although I'd go with something lightweight, myself, so people can just sit down and play.

 

[Koloth]

Might consider some variation of Traveller for a space game.

Had a lot of fun at a Kansas City con at a Original D&D game. GM provided all the materials and had pre gen characters. Didn't take long to begin play.

For a non RPG game, one go to for my gaming group is Red Dragon Inn. Handy if the regularly scheduled RPG game doesn't make due to missing folks. Each set is a 4 player game but sets can be merged to handle more players. Plays fairly fast.

 

[aco175]

I keep looking at that convention, but have not gone.

I know my brother was looking to try Daggerheart since we tend to only play 5e. He also plays some sort of warband d6 game with his son and I'm guessing he would like to play one at a convention.

Most people I noticed like to play dnd at conventions and not try a lot of other games. Unless you go for the whole weekend and then some do not mind trying a new game.

 

[Reynard]

I keep looking at that convention, but have not gone.

I know my brother was looking to try Daggerheart since we tend to only play 5e. He also plays some sort of warband d6 game with his son and I'm guessing he would like to play one at a convention.

Most people I noticed like to play dnd at conventions and not try a lot of other games. Unless you go for the whole weekend and then some do not mind trying a new game.

Ironically, I think bigger cons tend to cater more to the D&D only crowd. In my experience with the three mid sized regional cons I do, there are always LOTS of choices. Not to say that there is not D&D, but it is hardly dominant.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Hmm... hadn't heard about Rising Phoenix in Marlborough. Know of TotalCon that goes up in February and am hoping to get over there finally. But I will need to look at Rising now too! Thank you! (Have gone to PAX East so many times now, I'd like to try some things different).

(To answer your question... I am always a fan of convention Paranoia games, myself.)

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Ironically, I think bigger cons tend to cater more to the D&D only crowd. In my experience with the three mid sized regional cons I do, there are always LOTS of choices. Not to say that there is not D&D, but it is hardly dominant.

Yeah, there's a shocking amount of Shadowdark and Pirate Borg in particular at smaller cons, speaking as someone who watches enviously from the wings.

 

[Deset Gled]

In other words: I have no clue. I have successfully ran everything from high level 5E to Star Wars d6 to Mutants and Masterminds to a lot of Savage Worlds (SWADE is my go-to when I have an idea and no game built for it). But like I said, I am at a loss.

PAGE 3 was last weekend. I can tell you that the Star Wars d6 games were limited, but also extremely popular. Popular enough that I didn't manage to get into any of them. It's possible that interest was higher than usual because Bill Slaviczeck was a guest, but it wasn't just his game that filled up fast

So I'd be tempted to start there. I think it's a good system for cons. It's got nostalgia for those that remember it, and the Star Wars name to tempt people unfamiliar to try it. It can get tactical, but it also lends itself to teaching the basics very easily and hitting the ground running. I'd only do pregen characters, though. With skills designed to match the planned game, obviously.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Mothership is a pretty good con game in my experience.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Mothership is a pretty good con game in my experience.

Yeah, that would be my choice for a space adventure. Lots of great adventures that can be run in three hours and no one is shocked if their character doesn't survive the session.