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Message: <blockquote data-quote="maddman75" data-source="post: 4920724" data-attributes="member: 2673">Your budget looks about right on, though I'd not bother trying to stay outside the convention center.  I've done it once, and it really isn't worth the extra hassle.  Either you've got to drive in to park every day, which can take over an hour to find a spot, or you're taking a cab.  Done it both ways, and having a room right downtown is SO worth it.Room with people from the boards if at all possible.  It will really cut down on your expenses.Are there the, well *those* people there?  Yes, but they make up about 1% of the population.  The other 99% are just regular gamers.GenCon is kind of like bizzaro world.  Everybody games, or is interested in nerdy things.  The people of Indianapolis are great, and really make you feel welcome.  The Ram, a local brewpub, covers their walls with huge banners from gaming companies, and renames their beers with a fantasy theme.  We ate at the sushi bar, who had drawn a ninja on their menu chalkboard.  And I recall a friend going to the bank to get some money and the teller, after seeing her badge, gave her the vulcan 'Live long and prosper', admitting that she'd been practicing in preparation.  I've even seen the homeless get into the act, one a couple years ago had a sign that read "I am a paladin with only 3 hit points left.  Need $$$ for healing."Gencon games can be fun, but more fun is gaming with people you know on the boards.  Give both a try, and yes campaigns are fun but GenCon lets you play games you don't usually get to, with people that you don't usually get to.  Ever wanted to try Call of Cthulhu or Exalted?  Here's your chance.  Or try out some of those new indie games the kids are going on about like Dread or MouseGuard.And then there's the dealer hall itself.  Practically every company in the industry has a booth set up.  You can check out their latest books, talk with the game designers who wrote it, maybe play a demo even.  If Your Favorite Game has a new book out, you can bet it will be at GenCon.  Not to mention the used book vendors that have rows and rows of books.  Protip - wait until Sunday to go bargain hunting.  Many of the places will sell everything in the store for $5 or something like that.  And then there's the tshirts, dice, cosplay gear, artwork, weapons, and everything else that makes a nerd's heart go pitter-patter.Beyond THAT, there's a ton of stuff to do.  True Dungeon is a blast if you can get tickets, where you explore a real-life dungeon and collect magic items.  There's mini painting contest, vidoe game setups, and different stuff every year.Gen Con is the one vacation we take every year, no questions asked.  I know I'll be there.</blockquote>

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