What's Gencon

[kolikeos]

i know that for most of you this is a very stupid quistion, but i have to ask: what the ----- is gencon?
i keep hearing... no- seeing this name (on the net) and i figured it has something to do with D&D (duh).
i've been playing D&D for the past 3 (more? don't remember) years and have no idea what gencon is.
thank for any info.

 

[fba827]

it's a convention for rpg/games. This particular one is Gen Con - there are others that are other "Cons" (Con and games? something suddenly seems very fishy ). But a bunch of d20 publishers and stuff get together in a big hall and people come and get to try out new releases or play games together or check out products that they would not otherwise get to see (or meet people they wouldn't otherwise get to meet).. etc. Also, since Gen Con seems to be the major d20 Convention (I say "seems to be" since I have never been to one myself) it also has the distinction of being the Con at which the Ennies are awarded (awards for d20 products that are originated from a panel on these very ENWorld boards). They're held in the middle-US area.. but there is also one in UK and one in Western US other times of the year.

anyway, that's as best as i know -- again, I never have been to one (though might be fun out of curiosity).

Edit: oh yeah http://www.gencon.com

 

[Wycen]

Gencon is similar to a Star Trek convention, but not, (some people wont like that comparison, I'm not sure I do).

Basically gamers and game makers travel from all across the United States and some from other countries to meet in one place and play games, buy new games, and generally socialize with like minded people.

These conventions have rooms setup where people can play games with other people. The fee allows you to sign up for these games or access to the big room with all the vendors. You can also find or run your own game in free gaming areas.

They can also have contests. Some are game contests, like who's the last battlemech standing, some are contests for painting figures and others are for people who like to wear costumes.

There are seminars you can list to, ususally talking about games/gamers/game makers, but sometimes just they are just general babbling by famous people.

Any specific questions?

 

[Turanil]

"Gencon" is also a contraption for "Geneva Convention", since in early ages it was held near Lake Geneva where used to thrive a certain TSR of old.

 

[kolikeos]

thank you for the info, but since i'm not from the usa nor europe, chances are i won't be at gencon in the near (maybe far, or not at all) future.
well, at least now i know what it means.

 

[jeffers]

But if you do make it...

... Indy would love to have you.

We're like the friendliest city in the world.

 

[Mark]

Find out more from the Keeper of Ancient Gen Con Lore

 

[BOZ]

"Gencon" is also a contraption for "Geneva Convention"

LOL! i did not know that! makes sense though...

 

[diaglo]

LOL! i did not know that! makes sense though...

contraction not contraption. tho...

it is older than D&D.

 

[Desdichado]

Of course, someone could just point him to www.gencon.com