Tell Me About GENCON...

[Hand of Evil]

A note on Henry's and Woodelf's post - be sure to look at alternate time for when events take place, many games will run at different slots times and you CAN find that Thursday and Friday slots go fast but not a Saturday one. Popular events like TRUE DUNGEON go fast, all slots.

Basicly, choose well and plan well to get the most out of your time.

 

[woodelf]

Here's the problem - games start on a regular basis, like 8am, noon, 4 o'clock, etc. So, let's say you're wanting to play some game and you've got your generic tickets in hand. You find the location of the game, go and stand around, and sit at the table. The GM shows up, and then asks who has tickets to the event. Those that actually registered for that specific event are given precedence, while those with generics are taken on a first come, first serve basis if there are openings. Sometimes you can get into a game this way, but sometimes you can not. So, if you're standing there at 4:00 (or whenever) and the GM says, sorry, the game is full, I'm not taking any more generics, you're left standing there in the cold. And, furthermore, it's now about 4:15 and not only did you not get into that game, every other game that was scheduled to start at 4:00 has already started, and you're screwed out of being able to play in those as well, so you have to wait until the next time slot, which is probably 4 hours away.

Well, used to be that way. Hasn't been for, what, 5 years? About the only upside to eliminating the "slots" system, is that there are now games starting just about every hour, on the hour. So if you do get skunked with generics, there's usually something in another 45min--just long enough to grab a bite to eat.

Also, you can talk to the GM. They tell us how many people are pre-registered for an event, so we can tell you right away "i know i've got at least two openings" or "it's full", so you can gauge your odds a bit (keeping in mind that, even with a "full" game, you may get in--we've had to cancel games that were "full" because nobody showed up). My experience, as a player, is about 50/50 on getting into games with generics. Not awesome odds, but given all the other things i want to do at the convention, there's always something to do.

 

[woodelf]

If you must, at some times, carry a heavy load then use a two-wheel luggage cart. Invaluable and you won't be running anyway if you make sure you plan well (or simply can't ). Scope out the layouts of the hotels and convention center for elevators and escalators. It's very rare that you won't be able to find one along any route due to modern building codes.

I find that a really funny comment--"scope out" indeed. How could you miss them? The primary problem in modern buildings is finding the stairs! I never did figure out how *not* to use the elevator or escalator to get to several parts of the convention center, last year. Very frustrating. [Elevators and escalators are a waste of energy for those who don't need them, and slow, to boot.]

 

[francisca]

i missed last year.

but i went to Gen Con Indy the year before (the first year it was held there).

had a blast. almost. all of my events cancelled on me.

every single one. st00pid DMs bailed. didn't let any of us know. so i got up and went to all of those sessions only to be told i could get a refund after sitting there for a while.

plus i toted around a backpack full of lead minis and dice, so i could run an OD&D game for ENWurlders... it was like being hazed all over again in college... except back then i didn't pledge a frat.

You gonna be there this year? I'm down for an OD&D game with you. Save your back and leave the lead, I'll bring a bunch of Firery Dragon Counters. Seriously. When May rolls around, and we get signed up for events, let's find a time.

 

[Teflon Billy]

...plus i toted around a backpack full of lead minis and dice, so i could run an OD&D game for ENWurlders... it was like being hazed all over again in college... except back then i didn't pledge a frat.

I'd have played.

 

[diaglo]

You gonna be there this year? I'm down for an OD&D game with you. Save your back and leave the lead, I'll bring a bunch of Firery Dragon Counters. Seriously. When May rolls around, and we get signed up for events, let's find a time.

i'm not sure yet. part of the reason i didn't go last year was having work done on my house. i think this year, i've got a few more things to finish up. so i may or may not be going depending on vacation time.

 

[francisca]

i'm not sure yet. part of the reason i didn't go last year was having work done on my house. i think this year, i've got a few more things to finish up. so i may or may not be going depending on vacation time.

St00pit L1f3!!1!!!

Just burn the place down and take the insurance money.....just get all your gaming crap out first.....or leave the d02 stuff....

I'd have played.

See. there's 2 of us. TB and I can handle, what, 10 or 11 characters each?

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

See. there's 2 of us. TB and I can handle, what, 10 or 11 characters each?

I'd play too. Hell, I was going to play in 03, but I never found out where/when the game was supposed to happen. But I did see the backpack Diaglo was lugging around.

 

[Old One]

Bummer...

Hey Gang,

Thanks for all the words of wisdom in this thread...

Unfortunately, it will have to wait until next year ! After long (and painful) deliberation, I have concluded that 2005 will not be the year of my first GENCON. My travel schedule the second half of the year is such that my wife is going to be alone with our 2 young kids (ages 2 years old and 10 weeks old) for almost 6 full weeks. Adding GENCON to the mix would mean nearly another full week, so I have decided that discretion is the better part of valor !

I hope that everyone has fun...that Rel will forgive my last minute waffling...and that I will see everyone there next year!

~ OO

 

[Xath]

Old One, you're not allowed to miss both Terpcon AND Gencon. Where are you going to get your game on?