Gen Con 50 Events

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Last week, I previewed some of the offerings in store for PaizoCon 2017 attendees. The lottery ran and we are in the open event selection period until next Monday. If you have May 26-29 free and want to travel to beautiful Seattle, you can still pick up a badge in-person at the PaizoCon Convention store.

While most of our focus is on PaizoCon, the Gen Con catalog of events went live on their website last Sunday. Attendees may browse the offerings and compile wish lists in preparation for ticket sales starting May 28. With so many games and events, I wanted to highlight some of the key Paizo offerings.

Starfinder Society

Starfinder is the buzzword for Gen Con, and the Sagamore Ballroom will buzz with sounds of the future all weekend. Events kick off with the Starfinder Quest: Into the Unknown. While we are running free quests throughout the convention, both in the Exhibition Hall and the Sagamore Ballroom, participation entails waiting in line, playing one of the six offerings, then returning to the line. During the first two slots of the convention, Thursday 8:00 AM-1:00 PM and 2:00 PM-7:00 PM, we offer a ticket version of the Quests, which eliminates the waiting in line and gives attendees the chance to finish the entire quest series in one sitting. These quests utilize 1st level pregenerated characters available onsite.

Thursday evening is the premier of the Starfinder Society Special #1-00: Claim to Salvation. This event uses 4th level versions of the Starfinder iconic characters, which James Sutter and the Starfinder team is currently previewing Friday's on this blog. The in-world Starfinder Society needs firepower to complete a mission and turn to the iconics to provide assistance. After Thursday evening's launch, the Gen Con schedule includes tables of this event most slots.

The schedule is set up so that an attendee may play Starfinder all Thursday with pregenerated characters, pick up a copy of the Starfinder Core Rulebook from the Paizo booth in the Exhibition Hall, then make their own character and return Friday ready to play Starfinder Society Scenarios #1-01: The Commencement, #1-02: Fugitive on the Red Planet, and #1-03: Yesteryear's Truth. Of these offerings, #1-01 is a replayable scenario and #1-02 and #1-03 are for 1st to 4th level characters. Product pages are not yet available on paizo.com, but will be posted soon.

Pathfinder Society

If Starfinder isn't your focus, there are plenty of Pathfinder Society offerings. Starting with Pathfinder Society Scenario #8-07: From the Tome of Righteous Repose, we offer every subsequent Season 8 scenario, including one table most sessions of Pathfinder Society Scenario #8-25: Unleashing the Untouchable a scenario for level 12-15 characters. We also have a few older scenarios, such as Pathfinder Society Scenario #01: Silent Tide and #7-99: Through Maelstrom Rift

Friday night is the debut of the Season 9 multi-table interactive special, Pathfinder Society Scenario #9-00: Assault on Absalom. This event takes over the Sagamore, with 160 tables of the Pathfinder Society Roleplaying Guild and 20 tables of the Pathfinder Adventure Card Guild playing the same scenario simultaneously. The Gen Con event system lists tickets for this event by sub-tier, so there are five different roleplaying event entries for the same event. We will monitor ticket sales and adjust the number of tables in each sub-tier as necessary, but at the event players will be required to play a character in the sub-tier for which they hold a ticket. As a note, 9th level is not listed for sale. This is the gap level and players of 9th level characters may purchase tickets for tier 7-8 or tier 10-11. We will have copies of the pregenerated iconic characters available for player use. The pregenerated characters only go to level 7, so there are no iconic pregenerated characters available for subtier 10-11. The Season 9 scenario offerings start Saturday morning at 8:00 AM. As with prior years, the first three scenarios of the season are on offer. We round out our special event offerings with the new multi-table modular special, Pathfinder Society Scenario #8-99: The Solstice Scar, scheduled for Saturday evening from 8:00 PM-1:00 AM.

The Adventure Card Guild has a full stock of events spanning all seasons of organized play, including Season of the Shackles, Season of the Righteous, and Season of the Runelords, Season of Plundered Tombs. We are putting final touches on the next season and hope to announce more information soon. As well as seasonal play and participating in the aforementioned Pathfinder Society Scenario #9-00: Assault on Absalom, Gen Con sees a return of the Open Tournament. Starting Thursday with qualifying rounds, the tournament event spans the entire convention, with finals on Sunday at noon. Gather your teammates and come reign victorious!

Pathfinder Society Academy is back this year, bigger and better than ever. Aimed at providing youth ages 6-17 a positive gaming experience, we set aside space specifically for them and their families. Programming includes the three modules of lessons: Beginner, Advanced, and Transitions, which introduce the game from the ground up and prepare the players for running characters in the Pathfinder Society, as well as Pathfinder Society Scenarios selected from prior season's catalogs. Adults are welcome at Pathfinder Society Academy tables as long as they accompany a youth. For their safety and enjoyment, children ages 6-12 must have a parent who remains at the Pathfinder Society Academy area. Youth ages 13-15 must have a parent in the Sagamore Ballroom and youth aged 16-17 need a way to contact a parent onsite in case of emergency.

If playing games doesn't pique your interest, consider attending one of the Paizo panels. The first seminar starts Thursday at 11:00 AM and run through Sunday at noon. Topics include returning favorites like Ask the Paizo GMs, Writing for Paizo, Pathfinder Rules Q&A, and Aunty Lisa's Story Hour. New offerings this year include Making your First Starfinder Character, Starfinder Rules Design Workshop, Secrets of the Pact Worlds, and Starfinder Adventure Path Q&A. Come learn all the secrets of your favorite games!

Whew! I knew we offered quite a few activities at Gen Con, but it wasn't until I was trying to select which to highlight in this blog that I realized how great programming is available. I couldn't touch on everything, so I urge you to check out the Gen Con catalog and search keyword Paizo.

Over the past couple of weeks, we had some changes in Sagamore Ballroom leadership. Jon Cary, a stalwart presence for many years, stepped back from the role and Bob Jonquet is spearheading efforts. We added Walter Sheppard to the team to make up for Jon's departure. Rounding out the executive team is Lucas Servideo and Todd Morgan. Thank you to Jon for his many years spent planning and executing Pathfinder Society events at Gen Con. Enjoy seeing the show this year!

For those whose travel plans are undecided, we still need GM assistance, including a handful of Tier 1 positions. The team and I spent the past weeks contacting those that already signed up and are working on scheduling those individuals for events. You should have schedule information before ticket sales go live on the 28th. Watch your inbox for correspondence. If you are interested in GMing at the event, complete the questionnaire and we will be in contact shortly.

Also for GMs, Origins Game Fair is also still looking for individuals to fill some slots at the convention held June 14 to 19 in Columbus, Ohio. Interested volunteers should sign up by sending Venture-Captain Michael McNerney an email at ohiopfs@gmail.com.

I look forward to seeing many of you at PaizoCon in just over a week. If you're attending, please stop by the Grand Ballroom and say hi! Just remember, there are few strangers in gaming, but many friends you haven't met yet!

Until next time—Explore, Report, Cooperate!

Tonya Woldridge
Organized Play Coordinator

More Paizo Blog.
Tags: Adventure Card Guild Conventions Gen Con Gen Con 2017 Pathfinder Society Starfinder Society
101 to 133 of 133 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | next > last >>
Grand Lodge 4/5 5/55/5 ***

Andrew Mullen wrote:
Are you not able to pick up tickets/badges on Wednesday? My Thursday is packed to the gills from 8AM - 1AM Friday.

Volunteer packs will be available in the Sag from 1-5pm on Wednesday and then from HQ after 7am on Thursday. The packs include the badge, volunteer instructional documents, GM boon, etc. However, they DO NOT include event tickets which must be obtained directly from Gen Con registration. Some elect to have their tickets shipped to their home to avoid any lines. The registration stations usually open sometime on Wednesday afternoon so if you arrive early, you can get them at that time.

Silver Crusade 4/5

Yeah, they're usually open Wednesday, but the lines are insane. They're actually very good at keeping it moving, but it'll still take at least half an hour, maybe even an hour or more, just because the line is always so long. If you can get them mailed, you're better off doing that.

1/5 5/5

Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Fromper wrote:

Yeah, they're usually open Wednesday, but the lines are insane. They're actually very good at keeping it moving, but it'll still take at least half an hour, maybe even an hour or more, just because the line is always so long. If you can get them mailed, you're better off doing that.

SECONDED!

...been going to GenCon for... a long time.

Fromper's estimates for standing in the Will Call line are exceptionally generous and conservative.

Personal past experience has been 2-3 hours. Also don't forget that you may need to work in checking into a hotel room or moving to a hotel, which can take a good long while, as well.

If you can get it mailed, get it mailed.

Contributor

Good to know, thanks everybody!

Silver Crusade 4/5

Wei Ji the Learner wrote:
Fromper wrote:

Yeah, they're usually open Wednesday, but the lines are insane. They're actually very good at keeping it moving, but it'll still take at least half an hour, maybe even an hour or more, just because the line is always so long. If you can get them mailed, you're better off doing that.

SECONDED!

...been going to GenCon for... a long time.

Fromper's estimates for standing in the Will Call line are exceptionally generous and conservative.

Personal past experience has been 2-3 hours. Also don't forget that you may need to work in checking into a hotel room or moving to a hotel, which can take a good long while, as well.

If you can get it mailed, get it mailed.

I really think they've gotten faster in recent years. They've done a good job of having more people working on Wednesday than they used to years ago, so the line moves faster than it used to. But I still wouldn't want to waste time on that line, when the option to get your tickets mailed is so much more convenient.

3/5

Bob Jonquet wrote:
Gary Bush wrote:
Yea, I plan to go get my tickets Thursday night after the Starfinder special.
That event goes til 1am. I do not believe the registration desks are open all night

I believe oh most knowledgeable, that you art mistaken in this one small aspect. I believe registration/Will Call opens Thursday at 7:00 am and stays open until Sunday at 3:00 pm. Check Here I believe starting last year they stayed open all night.

4/5 ****

I've never spent more than 10 minutes in the will-call line.

I must be exceedingly lucky I guess.

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 *** Venture-Agent, Nebraska—Omaha

Swiftbrook wrote:
Bob Jonquet wrote:
Gary Bush wrote:
Yea, I plan to go get my tickets Thursday night after the Starfinder special.
That event goes til 1am. I do not believe the registration desks are open all night
I believe oh most knowledgeable, that you art mistaken in this one small aspect. I believe registration/Will Call opens Thursday at 7:00 am and stays open until Sunday at 3:00 pm. Check Here I believe starting last year they stayed open all night.

The schedule indicates that Will Call is open starting Wednesday noon. I'm guessing the lines will be much shorter closer to midnight.

Silver Crusade 4/5

KingOfAnything wrote:
Swiftbrook wrote:
Bob Jonquet wrote:
Gary Bush wrote:
Yea, I plan to go get my tickets Thursday night after the Starfinder special.
That event goes til 1am. I do not believe the registration desks are open all night
I believe oh most knowledgeable, that you art mistaken in this one small aspect. I believe registration/Will Call opens Thursday at 7:00 am and stays open until Sunday at 3:00 pm. Check Here I believe starting last year they stayed open all night.
The schedule indicates that Will Call is open starting Wednesday noon. I'm guessing the lines will be much shorter closer to midnight.

After 2 AM, maybe. Midnight really isn't that late by Gen Con standards.

Liberty's Edge 3/5 5/5 **** Venture-Captain, Nebraska—Omaha

Bob Jonquet wrote:
Gary Bush wrote:
Yea, I plan to go get my tickets Thursday night after the Starfinder special.
That event goes til 1am. I do not believe the registration desks are open all night

Per the Gen Con website, will call is open 24 hrs a day.

Edit: I see I lost after others about will call being open 24 hours.

Liberty's Edge 3/5 5/5 **** Venture-Captain, Nebraska—Omaha

Wei Ji the Learner wrote:


Personal past experience has been 2-3 hours. Also don't forget that you may need to work in checking into a hotel room or moving to a hotel, which can take a good long while, as well.

If you can get it mailed, get it mailed.

My vast experience getting tickets (1 year) I arrived at 6pm on Wednesday and the line was out the far door. I got my tickets in about 30 minutes.

It was orderly and they had at least 20 directly helping people with at least that many in the back getting the envelope of tickets.

While long, it was fun talking to others.

Timing is everything I guess.

Shadow Lodge 4/5 5/55/55/55/5 **** Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area North & East

So, when will volunteers actually have games they can sign up to play?

Grand Lodge 4/5

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

I'm not sure exactly what you mean. I already have signed up for games in my two off slots.

Liberty's Edge 3/5 5/5 **** Venture-Captain, Nebraska—Omaha

James Anderson wrote:
So, when will volunteers actually have games they can sign up to play?

If you have a badge you can get event tickets now.

Or are you asking about running games for paizo?

Shadow Lodge 4/5 5/55/55/55/5 **** Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area North & East

Gary Bush wrote:
James Anderson wrote:
So, when will volunteers actually have games they can sign up to play?

If you have a badge you can get event tickets now.

Or are you asking about running games for paizo?

Yes, but there's no events to sign up for, as Starfinder was filled before badges were released.

And I still haven't gotten my GM/staff badge.

Grand Lodge 3/5

No badge still, dont yet have the money to buy one myself, not until Wednesday. Get to experience missing out on l5r tickets for the second time tomorrow

Grand Lodge 5/5

Still no badge here either. Hopefully that gets handled soon

Silver Crusade 2/5 5/5

Same here on having no badge. A little sad about not being able to get into Starfinder stuff, but I suppose that means I'll get to walk around the con more than I did two years ago, so that's a plus.

3/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.
James Anderson wrote:


Yes, but there's no events to sign up for, as Starfinder was filled before badges were released.

And I still haven't gotten my GM/staff badge.

For me, the entire point of going to GenCon is to be able to do things I can't do easily locally, or where having boatloads of folks makes it a much cooler experience, ie specials, and of course Starfinder.

Starfinder, as mentioned was super full as soon as general reg opened, and at this point both 8-99 (in my tier) and 9-00 are gone as well. So now I'm taking time off work, paying for and traveling over 2k miles, and paying eating out prices for food for a week for,..? No point really.
IMO the only solution would be to essentially add some "slot zero" style games. Starfinder and special games only folks who were volunteers could sign-up for once all badges dropped. Obviously some folks would have to step up and GM such things, and space would be an issue but I don't know. Just tossing out ideas.

Liberty's Edge 3/5 5/5 **** Venture-Captain, Nebraska—Omaha

Just remember about Starfinder. There will be quest tables running the whole con. These are walk up games. No tickets sold except for first 2 slots.

1/5 5/5

Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Gary Bush wrote:
Just remember about Starfinder. There will be quest tables running the whole con. These are walk up games. No tickets sold except for first 2 slots.

The problem with such an arrangement is finagling the sudoku to get all the quest parts to complete the sheet when not everyone will be in the same completion phase, plus possibly having to wait two to three hours between hour slots...*

*saw something similar happen at Phoenix Comicon, despite heroic efforts on part of the GM staff and HQ to prevent it from happening, so this is not an alien concept.

Grand Lodge 5/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Michael White wrote:
James Anderson wrote:


Yes, but there's no events to sign up for, as Starfinder was filled before badges were released.

And I still haven't gotten my GM/staff badge.

For me, the entire point of going to GenCon is to be able to do things I can't do easily locally, or where having boatloads of folks makes it a much cooler experience, ie specials, and of course Starfinder.

Starfinder, as mentioned was super full as soon as general reg opened, and at this point both 8-99 (in my tier) and 9-00 are gone as well. So now I'm taking time off work, paying for and traveling over 2k miles, and paying eating out prices for food for a week for,..? No point really.
IMO the only solution would be to essentially add some "slot zero" style games. Starfinder and special games only folks who were volunteers could sign-up for once all badges dropped. Obviously some folks would have to step up and GM such things, and space would be an issue but I don't know. Just tossing out ideas.

I'm also hoping something can/ will be done for the volunteers who couldn't put up $100 for the privilege of registering on time. I'm fast running out of things I want to do in my limited free time at Gencon

1/5 5/5

Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Michael Meunier wrote:


I'm also hoping something can/ will be done for the volunteers who couldn't put up $100 for the privilege of registering on time. I'm fast running out of things I want to do in my limited free time at Gencon

...or for the folks what registered and had their rooms and were volunteering to help out, but due to helping out with PFS events in another state were completely unable to get the 'magic buy-in window'...

Grand Lodge 3/5

It's getting to the point where I don't even want to bother going to Gencon again.

Sovereign Court 4/5 * Organized Play Coordinator

As noted in the Gen Con volunteer thread, I'm working on opening up more tables of Starfinder and reallocating Solstice Scar tiers. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to add more tables of Assault on Absalom, everything is booked.

I'll post in the Gen Con volunteer thread when I have a time the tickets will go live so that those that missed out can try and get in on some tables.

Mea culpa for the snafus that occurred over badges this year.

Liberty's Edge 3/5 5/5 **** Venture-Captain, Nebraska—Omaha

Hey all!

Starfinder Quest tickets have been added to the Gen Con events!

Zero cost and in 1 hour blocks!

Don't stand in line! Get you tickets now before they get snapped up!

Silver Crusade 4/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Gary Bush wrote:

Hey all!

Starfinder Quest tickets have been added to the Gen Con events!

Zero cost and in 1 hour blocks!

Don't stand in line! Get you tickets now before they get snapped up!

I just tried to grab some of these, and it wouldn't let me "purchase" them. It said "Event does not require tickets".

1/5 5/5

Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

I am not seeing any. All I am seeing are Starfinder Demo and a bunch of sold out things.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

Those must be the walkup tables. There will definitely be a line.

Silver Crusade 4/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.

I thought the ones labeled "Starfinder Demo" were the ones he was talking about. Those are the ones that I tried to "buy" for $0, but it said they aren't selling any tickets, because it doesn't require them.

1/5 5/5

Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

One would hope Quests are more than just a ten minute Demo.

Liberty's Edge 3/5 5/5 **** Venture-Captain, Nebraska—Omaha

Oh. Never mind sorry

Grand Lodge 4/5 5/55/5 ***

These listings are merely to create visibility for the Quests so people know they are running. Tickets are not required. We will be rotating tables as often as possible so hopefully the wait will not be tremendously long. There is also the demos down in the exhibit hall next to the Paizo booth. We will have 8-9 tables running throughout the time the exhibit hall is open.

101 to 133 of 133 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Organized Play / Pathfinder Society / Paizo Blog: Gen Con 50 Events All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.
Recent threads in Pathfinder Society