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Wow. What an amazing Con.
I've been to GAMA (aka GTS) in Vegas for a bunch of years, during the height of d20 (2000-2005). I've attended a few GenCons during the d20 days. And while my con stories don't rival those of Mona's or Lisa's (hers are unreal, like all her stories, she has the best in the industry), for a mere mortal I've done pretty well at cons--heck, one GenCon Bill and I took Gary Gygax out to dinner, just the three of us, because we had just published his Necropolis product (which was great). Now that was sweet. Imagine that, a nobody like me who started some company at home, taking freaking GYGAX to dinner! And some other amazing moments, too. Late night gaming with a select group including Monte Cook and Steve and Stewart Wieck (its hilarous to turn to Monte and ask "uh, hey Monte, what's the rule on that?" and he just knows). The "invite only White Wolf/Vampire parties" (my oh my). So I've had some fun cons. And there is nothing like working your company booth and seeing people lined up to get your product and loving that they are the very first ones. I'll never forget the amazing hype for Rappan Athuk 2 and then 3. As a publisher, you never see when the book gets into the hands of the gamer, you just sell to distributors. But at the con, you usually are selling a product that is brand new just for the con. That is amazing. Fans go nuts. Sure my 20 person line is not as impressive as Paizo's line around the building, but it still sure feels great to hand that first product and hear how that person has been waiting so long to get it and is so excited.
Even with all that ... I have NEVER had more fun at a con than I just did this weekend. And the reason is the people--and I mean BOTH everyone at Paizo AND all the fans. Its an amazing community of fans. And, if this is possible, an even more amazing family of designers and staff at Paizo. And it is top down. From Lisa and Vic, through Erik, James, Jason, Wes, Sean and company all the way down to Cosmo :) (and certainly not forgetting all the great people along the way). I met more cool people this con than I ever have.
It sure is great to see the good guys win. That is all I could think to myself all night at the banquet as a guest. I was looking around and just thinking: look at that, the good guys are winning. I don't mean to get all sappy, but I really think of Paizo as the caretakers of something that was neglected--something very important to me--the game I grew up playing and loving. They saved something I love. They kept its heart and preserved it. And from top to bottom it is clear they get that and they understand what a sacred trust that is to gamers. And they carry that responsibility proudly and with distinction.
So do yourselves a favor, get to this thing next year. Because next year Ultimate Combat will be out already, the Beginner's Box will be out (I got to actually see it and touch it and read it and IT IS AWESOME), Jade Regent will be out and Skull and Bones in stride. If it is even conceivable, that show will likely be even better. I can't wait to go, and I literally just got home from this one.