Hey, everybody. I'm very excited to be going this year and wondered if any of you will be there. I'm running two D&D adventures and would love to see some of you show up at my table.
I know a few of the rest of Paizo's contributors will be there this year as well. It should be a really great one this year!
I'll try and pencil it in on my calendar (which is typically barren, so that shouldn't be hard). I live just two hours away- I really don't have an excuse not to come! (not that I'm looking for one)
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Already got my room reserved! Last year was my first Gen Con and I loved every minute of it. Was advised to not sign up for any games last year so that I could soak it all in and I ended up spending WAY too much time in the dealer room! I also really was bummed that I didn't roll a single die while I was there. So this year I definitely want to sign up for some games! I am going to try to throw together a short campaign for some DDO guildies if they actually show up as well.
Yes. I'll be there again this year. When do the event listings typically get finalized and posted? I don't suspect for another few months, right?
And, PS, if any fellow paizo poster regulars want to game for a few hours, i'd be up for it.
As ever,
ACE
I am planning on attending this year, and it will be my FIRST (yes, I am a Gencon virgin. There, it is out there for all to see. Feel free to ridicule me!) Any advice from the Gencon veterans out there?
I am planning on attending this year, and it will be my FIRST (yes, I am a Gencon virgin. There, it is out there for all to see. Feel free to ridicule me!) Any advice from the Gencon veterans out there?
Way too much to see and do to try to pack it all in over 4 days. My advise to the first-timer would be to relax, wander, explore, meet people, and pick a few things to try out. When you go next year (because you'll want to go back!), you'll have a better idea of how best to spend your time.
Oh, and have a few beers at the Ram at least one of the nights!
As ever,
ACE
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Things like this make me regret moving from Muncie, IN (about an hour from Indy) to Mesa, AZ (about 5 days from Indy).
...that's about my ONLY regret though, so I suppose I shouldn't feel too bad. Still wish I could go though. :(
I wonder if there are any major cons in AZ? I know there's a few in CA, but that's still a 5+ hour drive...
I wonder if there are any major cons in AZ? I know there's a few in CA, but that's still a 5+ hour drive...
I thought the cons in California were cancelled? I would love to know if there are more around this state. I've never been, and Indy is out of the question. Where would I find info on cons in California?
I went to my first one about two years ago and adored every second of it. The friend I went with is from Indie so we went with his mom to the State Fair, which was nice too.
When we weren't at the con we were more than likely at the Ram. That place was awesome!
I used to hang out at the Gen Con boards, and I keep meaning to go back there. Theres some good people there, just like here. We all got a good laugh at Henwy when he was punked out by Eric Mona in Dungeon.
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I thought the cons in California were cancelled? I would love to know if there are more around this state. I've never been, and Indy is out of the question. Where would I find info on cons in California?
You could try http://www.strategicon.net/.
As I understand it, they run fairly large cons, and the next one is coming right up.
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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I wonder if there are any major cons in AZ? I know there's a few in CA, but that's still a 5+ hour drive...
Yup. I was thinking of hitting Gen Con So Cal this year and seeing if you and the other southwestern Paizo regulars wanted to make a day of it, but that's no longer an option.
Yup. I was thinking of hitting Gen Con So Cal this year and seeing if you and the other southwestern Paizo regulars wanted to make a day of it, but that's no longer an option.
I am thinking SoCal also. November 16-19. I already got the kitchen pass. All I need now is the money.
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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Yup. I was thinking of hitting Gen Con So Cal this year and seeing if you and the other southwestern Paizo regulars wanted to make a day of it, but that's no longer an option.I am thinking SoCal also. November 16-19. I already got the kitchen pass. All I need now is the money.
SoCal has been cancelled hasn't it?
Also, I thought you were in Canada. Did I make that up?
I am thinking SoCal also. November 16-19. I already got the kitchen pass. All I need now is the money.
GenCon SoCal has, unfortunately, been canceled.
Steve, myself, and a few others are in Las Vegas. SoCal would have been a short drive.
I'm bummed that its been cancelled. Thanks for the updates though.
Okay, so it's established that the SoCalCon is dead and buried. What about Indy? Any nostalgia, tips, ideas or comments? I need help figuring this out.
It's big. BIG. The endless excel charts of events and times is very daunting for the first timer. Last year was our first and we just wandered...soaked it all in. This year we are going with a better idea of the kinds of events that we are interested in participating in and the things we can skip. It's totally up to the indvidual's taste as to what he/she would best like to spend their time doing. My suggestion is to go in with an open mind and just absorb as much as you can...if you are dying to find out specifics, i think the gencon website has message boards with people's suggestions for first timers etc. If you are looking for fellow paizoian input...: others who have gone, give Daigle some more advice!
As ever,
ACE
Contributor
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I'm going this year. Last time I went was 1994 (in Milwaulkee), so I really can't give much relevant advice.
My experience then was that there's always good stuff going on, and you can have an awesome time just deciding what to do whenever you finish doing something else. You'll discover things to put on your 'must do' list for next time.
You can do a lot just in the dealers area; play free demos etc. You can often get leads on events there as well.
I usually play more baord games than rpgs at cons in general, although the reverse is true at homes. board games usually have a more satisfying conclusion in the time allowed. That said, my favourite event in 1994 was the NASCRAG D&D tournament. I still have the T-shirt.
I'd love the chance to meet some of you in person.
Craig Shackleton,
The Rambling Scribe
Director of Narrative
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Okay, so it's established that the SoCalCon is dead and buried. What about Indy? Any nostalgia, tips, ideas or comments? I need help figuring this out.It's big. BIG. The endless excel charts of events and times is very daunting for the first timer. ..........If you are looking for fellow paizoian input...: others who have gone, give Daigle some more advice!
As ever,
ACE
Thanks ACE! That helped. Maybe more will answer the call.
The only bit that I know from experience, (1st trip last year) , is...register for the Costume Contest tix as soon as you get there. Its a free thing to go to on Sat, but they only seat people with tix first and everyone else is on 'standby'. Its totally worth it to see the amazing amount of work that goes into the realistic /slash/ fantastic costumes.
I'm going ! So excited this is going to be my first Gen Con, I have done Origins for several years (used to live in Columbus). But we opted to do GEN CON instead - SO STOKED
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Our group found a hotel out by the Airport on hotwire.com for $39 a night we stayed at the same one last yeay and it is the Airport Holiday Inn about a 10 min drive to the convention center
http://www.hotwire.com/hotel/details.jsp?lid=hotel/results.G.jsp:booking-re sult:loc:3:hotelName&selectedSolutionId=19038859197&searchId=404810 1479&rs=0&startSearchType=C&inputId=hotel-results&actionTyp e=303
I still haven't finalized anything on this.
It might be too late this year...again.
But some year I will go. It is on my must list.
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Physchic & I are headed for the first time this year :). I'm also running an Eberron game (At Any Price: Aldurin Expedition etc. ;)). It's already filled up, but I'd love for Paizo-ites to stop by if they'd like-- it uses my heavily modified Vitality & Wound system, and I'm sure you fine people can't have heard me discuss it enough ;).
Huzzah! I'll be there myself this year as well! :D
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Director of Narrative
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Alright, since I already took over Greer's thread (but kept it on topic with my own GenCon questions) I thought I'd resurrect it and see if anyone had a good list of events to post. I haven't signed up for anything, but I am most interested in the seminar stuff. Specifically Paizo-related offerings. Anything would be nice.
I wish I was going. It dissapointed me greatly that it was so far away from home here in backwater Colorado. Mabye next year.
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Our group found a hotel out by the Airport on hotwire.com for $39 a night we stayed at the same one last yeay and it is the Airport Holiday Inn about a 10 min drive to the convention center
http://www.hotwire.com/hotel/details.jsp?lid=hotel/results.G.jsp:booking-re sult:loc:3:hotelName&selectedSolutionId=19038859197&searchId=404810 1479&rs=0&startSearchType=C&inputId=hotel-results&actionTyp e=303
lol, I work at that hotel. I hopefully will have some of those days off but I need to get off my butt and sign-up for events at the con :)
Edit: assuming you mean the one that's actually at the Airport and not our sister hotel, the Holiday Inn Express-South Airport
I've officially signed up for my first GenCon. Yay! McArtor, I expect to find you with cookie in hand when I come to Paizo's booth....
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I've been several times, and am already scheduled in for this year.
For the newcomers, my biggest piece of advice is this. Use GenCon as your chance to break out of your gaming "Mold". Try an RPG that nobody in your area plays. Always wonder what "7th Sea" was like but never had a group to play? Now's your chance to test the system. If you like it, you can get into it more. Play board games that you've never heard of but sound good.
If you play a game you're familiar with, D&D for instance, make a really wild and crazy character type. If you are in a rut in your local game of "always being the rogue", play a paladin. Better yet, play a paladin of an ususual race. Play a gnomish paladin or something. I'm playing in an epic level game with a centaur frenzied berzerker. That's WAY outside my usual gaming experience. :)
Also, block out some time during a day to wander the exhibit hall. If it's your first time I'd recommend at least 3 hours. It will open your eyes to the wild world of gaming in ways you never would have expected.
Finally, they're probably already all filled up, but if you can manage to get in to a True Dungeon, check it out. The event is expensive, but it's definitely something you want to try out. This is especially true if you can get a group of friends into the same slot, which is of course even less likely this late in the registration process.
I am counting down the days. Oh, and by the way, if anybody has ideas on some really snarky feats for a centaur with 9 levels of barbarian and 10 levels of frenzied berserker (ECL 25), feel free to share. :)
Yup, i'm still going with part of our gaming group (sans little one though!). And, if you see two big, evil, floating monstrosities hovering about at GenCon that look exactly the same it's because my twin brother is coming with us this year. Make sure to sign up to visit with the Paizo folks when they give a seminar. (Eric et al, you are going to give a few talks again this year, right?)
As ever,
ACE
I'll be my first time at Gen Con.
I'll be there. You'll know me by the fact that I not only walk around shirtless, I also wear heavy gauge nipple rings which weave into a loose ringmail upon which climb my trained zebra-striped gerbils, Gig and Horton.
Aside from playing with some fellow writers there I'm going to hang out with Daigle. Anyone else wanna meet up with us and do crime?
For the newcomers, my biggest piece of advice is this. Use GenCon as your chance to break out of your gaming "Mold". Try an RPG that nobody in your area plays. Always wonder what "7th Sea" was like but never had a group to play? Now's your chance to test the system. If you like it, you can get into it more. Play board games that you've never heard of but sound good....
Also, block out some time during a day to wander the exhibit hall. If it's your first time I'd recommend at least 3 hours. It will open your eyes to the wild world of gaming in ways you never would have expected....
Finally, they're probably already all filled up, but if you can manage to get in to a True Dungeon, check it out. The event is expensive, but it's definitely something you want to try out. This is especially true if you can get a group of friends into the same slot, which is of course even less likely this late in the registration process....
This will be my, err, 22nd? maybe 23rd Gencon, and every year it's different. However, the above advice for first-timers is quite good, especially the first bit about trying new stuff. The exhibit hall this year is rumoured to be almost 50% larger than ever before, so it'll be fun to watch. And as for True Dungeon, yeah it's great but tickets can be very, very hard to find. Unless, of course, you're the guy who was the kilt-wearing gatekeeper at the show two years ago :-) Man that was fun!
Come by the Paizo booth and get spendy with us!
I'm booked into True Dungeon with Mike Kortes, Greg Oppedisano and Steve Greer. We shall kicketh much True ass. Russ Brown is kindly hooking us up with equipment and magic items from his first year so we won't have to pay extra for more tokens. This is reason #421 why we love him so.