Would You Go to GenCon Solo?

[Retreater]

Last year something like 10 of us went to GenCon together. As a result, I think it was overcrowded, overstressed, and some people didn't have fun. This year, I would like to go to be able to experience more organized play (which isn't very supported locally).

I don't know about going on my own. Certainly, I'd have to float the entire lodging cost, not to mention spending all of my time outside of the game on my own (such as having post-game beers, etc.)

Has anyone done this successfully? Or is it better to sit one out and hope my friends make up their minds to go next year?

Retreater

 

[Lalato]

My first GenCon was overcrowded like you describe. Since then I've made it a point to only go with 4 to a room maximum. It was definitely more enjoyable when I was only sharing a bed with one other person instead of sharing a bed room with 6-8 people.

In the years that I've gone, I've tried a lot of different 'solo' scenarios...

* Fly or drive in solo, but arrange room and roommates online via whichever forum you choose. Generally, I've handled this via Hordelings.com a forum for fans of the D&D Miniatures game... because I was a really big fan of that game and most everyone I've met through it is pretty cool and I wouldn't mind sharing a room with them (apologies for the run-on sentence). I would have probably done it through ENWorld if I was more into organized play like LFR.

*Fly or drive in solo, stay at an inexpensive place away from downtown. This required a bit more effort. This works a little bit better if you drive than fly (I've tried both). There is a nice youth hostel on the north side of Indy that is very inexpensive. There are also a lot of motels on the outskirts that are relatively cheap. If you're into camping, there are also some campgrounds in the metro area. The main downside to this is that you have to drive back after a LONG day of gaming... and there will definitely be times when you want to hang out late into the evening. Having a room nearby makes life so much easier.

*Somewhat related to the last option... stay with a local. If you don't happen to know anyone in Indy, then you may want to join something like couchsurfing.org. I've been on both sides of this as a host and a hostee (is that even a word?). I've had positive experiences on both sides of the equation... and one year when I was low on cash, I used this successfully to stay with a local for GenCon. On another year, I used it to just meet a group of locals for drinks on the night before GenCon started since I already had a hotel room and I had that night free.

If, however, you have the money to stay downtown... that is by far the best option. You don't necessarily need to go solo. Just find one or two other people to stay with to defray the costs if you like. If you haven't found a room yet, check the GenCon forums. There are always people that back out and will transfer a reservation to you. I've done that several times and it works great.

 

[OnlineDM]

I'm going to my first Gen Con this year, and while I did get a badge for my wife she may or may not be able to come - so I may be going solo. Fortunately, money isn't a problem so I do have a room for the two of us downtown.

But as to your question about being lonely during non-Con hours... ARE there non-Con hours? I just spent the weekend at Genghis Con here in the Denver area, and it ran until after 11:00 PM Thursday, fourteen hours Friday, fourteen hours Saturday and then all day Sunday until dinner time, at which point I went home. When I wasn't gaming, I was SLEEPING! I didn't feel the need to hang out with friends for a beer afterward; I was exhausted!

Also, I expect that a big part of the appeal of Gen Con will be that I'll be around thousands and thousands of other gamers. If I'm looking for a like-minded person to hang out with, I'll have plenty to choose from, I expect.

So feel free to go solo - I'd be shocked if you felt lonely.

 

[Alan Shutko]

I've done Gencon solo a couple times, and I like it. I'm going down again this year, and the room is mine, all mine unless my wife decides to visit her friend in Indy at the same time and comes along. I like having my schedule free to do what I want. Generally, a couple other folks I know are there as well, so we'll get together for meals or games, but we mostly go our own way. Combine that with the forum gettogethers that you see here, or on the Gencon forums, or other places, and you'll have a lot of chances to meet up with different folks and have fun.

 

[Herschel]

If you'e a social person and meet people easily, going solo should be fine. There's no way I would stay in too packed a room, it's my vacation and I'm not a sardine. Last year I stayed DT for the first time and I may never stay on the outskirts again. Since I'm now taking the wife type person we have just a room for ourselves and swag and yeah, the cost is definitely more (we go to dinner at restaurants like Mikado during the evening too) but it's really worth it to have the space and convenience. That said, there's always been a good-sized group of people I know there and others I've met online and there so sically there's always stuff to do.

 

[jonesy]

How about a compromise? Instead of going with 10 of your friends, go with 2? Or would that not be a tactful option?

 

[Thunderfoot]

I think the issue here is (and correct me if I wrong, please) that you feel that if you go with a group you must hang out with THAT group...

I've gone to GenCon every year since 2006, and though I've always gone with someone, I've never peg-holed myself to hang out with just the group of folks I came with.

The first year I got to hang out with all sorts of ENworlders that I only knew from the boards, ran sound for the ENnies (something I've done every years since (with the exception of my aborted attempt to attend in 2008 (I left early for personal reasons), played in the RPGA tournement, went to True Dungeon and the premier for "The Gamers: Dorkness Rising" With the exception of the tourney, I did everything else on my own.

After that I made sure to have friend time and solo time. I like my friends and family, I do NOT want to be around them 24/7 at GenCon, that's not why I go, so I think the best thing would be to talk to your friends about your expectations versus theirs before you just decide you are going to solo. Otherwise you may alienate them or piss them off. Just my 2 coppers, take it for what it's worth.

 

[Diamond Cross]

I pprefer going alone. I don't have to worry about people staying in the same hotel room with me.

 

[Lanefan]

I've been twice, solo both times, had a blast.

Looks much better than 50-50 at the moment I'll be flyin' solo this year too.

It's very much do-able; the lack of known companions is made up for by being completely able to set your own schedule 24-7 and hanging with whoever you meet if you want to.

Lan-"but the hotel cost is a female dog"-efan

 

[mhensley]

I went last year by myself and had a great time. Hotels rooms by the airport are reasonable. I didn't have to share a room and I could go where I wanted when I wanted.

I'll probably bring my family with me this year, but I'll still be at the con by myself- although a few of friends might attend this year as well.