Tell Me About GENCON...

[Hand of Evil]

Isn't it the truth!? We nearly had to rent a U-Haul to get home last year!

Actually, this is the reason I tell the husband over and over that we *have* to drive to GenCon (it's only 9-10 hours)... trying to be preped for all the stuff you will buy by bring extra suitcases is just a pain, and nearly impossible. Need the spacious back of our Ford Escape to provide us with enough room to store all the glorious things we will inevitably purchase.

Please note; there is a UPS packing and shipping area outside of the dealer's room.

 

[Rel]

Well folks, it looks like I'm goin'!

Thanks to the generosity of Cthulhu's Librarian I'm going to be able to share a suite with him and his cohorts. CL, it looks like I'm buying you ANOTHER free round at the April Game Day!

So now that that's official, I need somebody to 'splain me about the badges and such. Where I'm at right now is that I don't think I'm going to sign up for any "official" games right now. It isn't so much that I don't want to game with "strangers" but that if there is a fairly steady supply of ENWorld games that those are the ones I'd rather play in. If I later hear of any Con games being run by an ENWorld GM that I've always wanted to play with then perhaps I'll see if I can sign up for a slot.

Where that leaves me is that I need to figure out what exactly I need to purchase in terms of a badge to let me into the exhibit hall and so forth. Do I need any other sort of hall pass/tickets to get into the open gaming area to participate in ENWorld games? Where have you folks put together these sorts of games in the past? I got the impression that some if not most of them just took place in various hotel rooms. So, anyway, that's the sort of info I'm looking for. And remember that I'm a virgin, so be gentle (and maybe provide me a link or two if you don't mind).

Oh, and in case it needs saying, I'm planning to run at least a game or two while I'm there too!

Now I'm getting excited! I'd better pace myself, huh?

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Old One - why not bring the kids along?! Hire a sitter to come along with you - she and the kids can chill by the pool and explore Indy while you get your game on!

Give the wife 4 whole days to herself! Tell her to book a weekend at a spa and you'll "take care of the kids" - in Indy! It will be bonding experience! Get the kids hooked early.

I know several couples that did this last year... and, when the time comes for The_Universe and I to produce offspring, it's probably what we'll do.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Well folks, it looks like I'm goin'!

Thanks to the generosity of Cthulhu's Librarian I'm going to be able to share a suite with him and his cohorts. CL, it looks like I'm buying you ANOTHER free round at the April Game Day!

So now that that's official, I need somebody to 'splain me about the badges and such. Where I'm at right now is that I don't think I'm going to sign up for any "official" games right now. It isn't so much that I don't want to game with "strangers" but that if there is a fairly steady supply of ENWorld games that those are the ones I'd rather play in. If I later hear of any Con games being run by an ENWorld GM that I've always wanted to play with then perhaps I'll see if I can sign up for a slot.

Where that leaves me is that I need to figure out what exactly I need to purchase in terms of a badge to let me into the exhibit hall and so forth. Do I need any other sort of hall pass/tickets to get into the open gaming area to participate in ENWorld games? Where have you folks put together these sorts of games in the past? I got the impression that some if not most of them just took place in various hotel rooms. So, anyway, that's the sort of info I'm looking for. And remember that I'm a virgin, so be gentle (and maybe provide me a link or two if you don't mind).

Oh, and in case it needs saying, I'm planning to run at least a game or two while I'm there too!

Now I'm getting excited! I'd better pace myself, huh?

A 4 day badge is $60 - will allow you into the Dealer's Hall every day. Can purchase it at the GenCon website...

Though you don't generally need tickets to attend seminars, there are LOTS of very cool lectures and gatherings that are incredibly entertaining... I had so much fun at the seminars I attended last year... so, I would suggest taking a look at that stuff (when it's posted on the GenCon site) after you buy your badge to check out the schedule for Seminars.

So far as games go, there's no shortage of ENWorlders to round up to play... and there will be plenty of posts searching for players here to game pretty much all 4 fabulous days.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

Even if you don't register for games, like QD said...lectures are fun.

 

[francisca]

Even if you don't register for games, like QD said...lectures are fun.

I'll second that. My first GenCon was 2003. I waited until the day *after* pre-reg ended, so had to get my badge on-site on wednsday night (was a living hell, but that is an old, dead thread). Anyway, I obviously missed out on registration for events, so I spent the whole con going playing in pickup games and attending seminars. Some were good, some weren't so good. But overall, I still had a great time.

Last year, I booked myself up pretty solid with events. This year I plan on signing up for a lot less, and leaving time open for more pickup games and maybe even volunteering for the ENW booth, if there is one this year.

 

[dogoftheunderworld]

Bring the kids!

... my wife is going to be alone with our 2 young kids (ages 2 years old and 10 weeks old) ...

Have the wife and kids come along. Indy has an awesome Children's Museum (even for a two year old), plus a nearby Zoo, State Museum, Native American Museum, etc. Not a bad destination for a weekend vacation. It sounded like several other people brought young ones last year, I'm sure there could be some co-op babysitting arranged between ENWorlders alone.

Best of luck and good gaming,

Brian
<><

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Thanks to the generosity of Cthulhu's Librarian I'm going to be able to share a suite with him and his cohorts. CL, it looks like I'm buying you ANOTHER free round at the April Game Day!

Glad to be able to have you on board! BTW, I never did thank you for the last round you bought! So thanks for the last one, and thanks in advance for the next one!

As for games and badges, we'll break you in nice and easy.

I plan on booking 2-3 games, and playing the rest pickup with EN Worlders. The nice thing about the regestration for games is that one person can buy multiple tix for an event. That way, if you want to play in a group with someone, you can have 1 person buy the tix to be sure you get into the same event. I enjoy playing in the scheduled games for things I'll never play at home, and to get in on some of the company sponsored tournaments. This year I'm hoping to get in on Goodman Games Dungeon Crawl tournament, and playing in the Apples to Apples tournament again.

Also, I'd highly recommend getting in on the True Dungeon. Last year I had a blast, and plan on going through it again this year. Want to be in my True Dungeon party? Last year Stone Angel and my friend Tim were in my party, maybe this year I can get an entire EN World party together.

Make sure to plan for plenty of time to just wander the dealers hall buying stuff, gawking, and playing demos. Thats where I spent most of my time the past two years. And you can't miss the ENnies.

 

[Rel]

Glad to be able to have you on board! BTW, I never did thank you for the last round you bought! So thanks for the last one, and thanks in advance for the next one!

No thanks are necessary, CL. I wanted to express my gratitude for the good deed you did with regard to putting together the memorial display for the ENWorld booth, particularly the part in memory of my friend, The Lone Corndog. That meant a lot and a free beer is the least I can do.

So do I just pop over to the GenCon site and find wherever there's a button that says, "I want a 4-day badge"? Do I have to pick it up at the Con or do they send it to me in advance?

And what is True Dungeon?

 

[Hand of Evil]

Where that leaves me is that I need to figure out what exactly I need to purchase in terms of a badge to let me into the exhibit hall and so forth. Do I need any other sort of hall pass/tickets to get into the open gaming area to participate in ENWorld games? Where have you folks put together these sorts of games in the past? I got the impression that some if not most of them just took place in various hotel rooms. So, anyway, that's the sort of info I'm looking for. And remember that I'm a virgin, so be gentle (and maybe provide me a link or two if you don't mind).

Oh, and in case it needs saying, I'm planning to run at least a game or two while I'm there too!

Now I'm getting excited! I'd better pace myself, huh?

The only badge you need is the GENCON one, as far as games go, you will find find them everywhere and many just pick up games that people just start but lets talk about the free stuff:

The Art Show: some of the best art in gaming, sci-fi and fantasy and some very friendly artist
The Anmie Rooms: Last year there were three (or was it four) - door prizes drawn
The Costume Show: Always a hoot
The Street Party: Better than you would think
The GENCON Forum Stink: Wednesday party for members of the GC Forums - last year was SWAG and door prices!
The Auction: To buy or not but enjoyable place to hang
The Gaming Hall: Just walking and taking in the action