Never been to a convention...(should I go to Gen Con?)

[Holy Bovine]

Ari's rule 4 listed in his blog is enough for me to NEVER, EVER set foot in Gencon.

I'd thought about going to GenCon several years, if I budget well enough I could go with no problem. And while i'd like to experience it just the once I have a love / hate relationship with the hobby. I love RPG's, but I HATE the fandom. I hate the obnoxious / hygiene & socially challenged fan, of which I'm sure there are a lot of at said convention. Also RPGers aren't necessarily the most diverse group out there so then there's that.

No, I think GenCon is one of those things I'll have to enjoy vicariously through other people.

That's a damned shame. GenCon (I've been twice) was a total blast for me & my friends. We met lots of weird and wonderful people there and made some fast friends. We went super cheap (borrowed a van, stayed at the local college's unused dorms & cooked a lot of our own meals) but I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything. I met exactly 1, out of the hundreds of people I met, socially challenged cat-pee man. He was distasteful but easily ignored.

Go.

You will have as good a time as you bring with you.

 

[scourger]

I went once. It was fun, but it has its downsides (which have been discussed). Your budget is just about what I spent, too. I haven't been back, but it was great the time I went. I think you should experience it at least once.

I also like the little, local cons. There is no comparison, though.

You should do both. In a few years, the money you spent won't matter.