Me and my two sons are going to GenCon for the first time. After looking at the website I have a couple of questions that maybe you regulars can help me with.
How many tickets do most Paizo tables need? How many games are run a day.
What are the hours of the convention? Yes, I know that games move to the hotel rooms after the con.
Where is the most affordable place to stay near the convention with parking?
Me and my two sons are going to GenCon for the first time. After looking at the website I have a couple of questions that maybe you regulars can help me with.
How many tickets do most Paizo tables need? How many games are run a day.
What are the hours of the convention? Yes, I know that games move to the hotel rooms after the con.
Where is the most affordable place to stay near the convention with parking?
They've changed the name to an Econolodge on 16th and Meridian. It's 9 blocks away and still counts for the $5 cab fare (unless it's changed). It's outside of the main downtown area and was much cheaper than anything near it, but that was 4 years ago.
Convention is 24 hours, but things kind of slow down after about 8PM.
If you've never gone before, I suggest spending 1 day in the exibit hall and the rest doing fun stuff. Schedule it out before hand so you have a pretty full day. The games are a lot of fun! Try things you've never tried before. I was glad that I did with the Silent Death game, just can't find anyone to play it : (
Be sure to schedule a full day for the exibit hall because it WILL take all day to see everything. A friend and I had 2 rows to go when we heard the "30 minute warning" while checking out the booths one by one. If you have kids in tow, interests will take more time.
Above all, Have fun!
They've changed the name to an Econolodge on 16th and Meridian. It's 9 blocks away and still counts for the $5 cab fare (unless it's changed). It's outside of the main downtown area and was much cheaper than anything near it, but that was 4 years ago.
Convention is 24 hours, but things kind of slow down after about 8PM.
If you've never gone before, I suggest spending 1 day in the exibit hall and the rest doing fun stuff. Schedule it out before hand so you have a pretty full day. The games are a lot of fun! Try things you've never tried before. I was glad that I did with the Silent Death game, just can't find anyone to play it : (
Be sure to schedule a full day for the exibit hall because it WILL take all day to see everything. A friend and I had 2 rows to go when we heard the "30 minute warning" while checking out the booths one by one. If you have kids in tow, interests will take more time.
Above all, Have fun!
So it sounds like a day of browsing the exhibits and three days of twelve hour gaming. I hope the GenCon has a good system for signing up ahead of time. My kids are 17 and 18 so they are not "kids" anymore but it's our big hurrah before college messes up or schedules. I know they have bus service running up and down Meridian and I know that hotel as well. Can check out my old haunts like White Castles, I-Hop, and Brother Junipers. Everything a college boy needs.
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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There's a good variety of games through midnight most nights, so even your day in the exhibit area you can fit in an 8pm-midnight game. Leave a bit of time in your schedule for meals also.
The online event signup is so-so. The system is fine, but it's often hard to get into events that are popular. Stuff like the Pathfinder Society of RPGA events are easy to get into if you sign up the first day, since they run so many tables. If you find RPG events that are individual tables, then sign up for those first, since they'll go fast. Board games and card games generally have lots of seats, so you can sign up for those whenever, and often just show up with generic tickets and still have a seat.
So it sounds like a day of browsing the exhibits and three days of twelve hour gaming. I hope the GenCon has a good system for signing up ahead of time. My kids are 17 and 18 so they are not "kids" anymore but it's our big hurrah before college messes up or schedules. I know they have bus service running up and down Meridian and I know that hotel as well. Can check out my old haunts like White Castles, I-Hop, and Brother Junipers. Everything a college boy needs.
The Great Hall isn't open all the time, but I think the times are 9-5. Still plenty of time to do gaming!
As it's been said, definately sign up for your tickets the first day. Big ones like RPGA and PF Society, but don't neglect the small ones. There may be only 5 seats, but they go quick too.
It's been awhile and I don't know if they've upgraded there systems, but be prepared for system crashes. It happened a lot the last time I tried to sign up.
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wait what?
You pay an arm and a leg to get in, then you actually have to PAY to play in a game???
Oh and Silent Death is a fun game
Yes, it runs on the county fair or dance club business model. There's plenty to see and do for just the cover charge, and lots of other fun stuff that costs extra. Getting into one of the preorganized games is one of those extra things. Seriously, it would not be as much fun if, say, True Dungeon ran on pure queue rationing.
I've also heard that the 0600 Dawn Patrol event is a con classic.
For the OP, it's worth pointing out that Sunday runs a bit differently from the other days. The dealer room will be out of stock of whatever is hot this year, but some dealers will be looking to cut a deal to reduce inventory and thus the amount of stuff they must pack and schlep after some long days. Don't expect any major steals, but you should find plenty of lagniappes. Sunday can be a good time to use generic tickets to get into an event you were shut out of, because con fatigue and hangovers keeps some folks sleeping late.
A couple of further questions.
Is their parking validation?
What other good games has been played in the past?
Is there warhammer fantasy table top gaming?
When can you start pre ordering seats at a game?
Also I was only able to find hotels under $500 15 minutes away. Mine is on South East Street near I-465 for those that may want to carpool.
Is their parking validation?
There are lots, but the further you park the cheaper it is. I think a couple of blocks away is $14. The Econolodge above has free parking and $5 to get to the event ($5 on the way back). If you can go with a group, they have minivans.
What other good games has been played in the past?
Some of the Hero System games have been fun. There was a Serenity Hero and a game that they had been hosting for years that were fun. Babylon 5 d20, RuneQuest, Star Trek Decipher (we still talk about that one, mostly because we are SW fans : ). I did have a horrible one where the guy was a White Wolf fan (LARPer) and didn't know the Hero System he was running. It's hit and miss, but for the most part a hit.
Is there warhammer fantasy table top gaming?
There's an entire room the size of the Dealer Room dedicated to board/strategy/miniature games. It's worth a look just to wander around and look at the setups.
When can you start pre ordering seats at a game?
Badge Registration will be available beginning February 15th at 12:00 pm Eastern.
Housing will open two days later on February 17th at 12:00 pm Eastern.
Event Registration is scheduled to begin April 19th at 12:00 pm Eastern.
Both Badge and Event Registration will close at 11:59 pm Eastern on June 27th.
*** Be sure to take the Event Registration day off from work so that you can get what you want. It's THAT BUSY!!! ***