RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
|
I'm going to be attending GenCon for the first time ever this August. When I tried to get a hotel, it was a nightmare: I had to be ready and waiting the second they opened up for reservations, and even then I was only able to nab a room 7 miles out.
Event regristration opens on Sunday, as I recall. Can any GenCon veterans tell me whether that's going to be the same kind of mad dash? Do I need to pore through the event catalogue, figure out exactly what I'm submitting, and copy-paste for the fastest submission I can muster? Or is that one a little less crazy than hotel registration? Anything I should be aware of? Any surprises I might encounter as a newbie that I should be ready for?
All guidance appreciated, thanks!
It is something you will need to do quickly. Beforehand, go to the events you want and put them in your wishlist(there is a button on the event page) then when Sunday at noon comes around quickly submit your wishlist and it will process for a little bit. The ones you were able to get into will then be able to be put in your cart for purchase. Keep checking back every day to see if slots open back up in games you didn't get into. Check out these videos for an explanation. I hope this helps and you get some cool events. If you don't get what you want don't worry. There are tons of pickup games and its fun to try new ones. For me, its just fun to be around people who all speak the lingo.
-Gray
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXzRoqKepKU&feature=youtube_gdata_playe r
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKTYQhb0J6U&feature=youtube_gdata_playe r
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=2f77d2f8c77398c0b064223ba&id=f6f610 9e05
A couple of recommendations:
1) If you've never been to a big convention, block out about 2 hours to wander the trade floor on Thursday. It's going to be big and super crowded, but it's also very cool. Lots of stuff to look at. You'll probably want to check it out at least once a day in the morning (briefly), so booths space out their releases and free swag during the weekend. This is assuming you like "stuff". If you aren't doing any shopping you can just go whenever and look around.
2. Killer Breakfast - go to this. Even if you're just a spectator, Tracy Hickman puts on a show and it's funny.
3. Games on Demand - If you into indie games at all, or like trying new and very different games, this is the place for you. You don't have to sign up ahead of time (they actually prefer you don't, life is so much simpler then). Usually every even numbered hour they have games starting, people line up and when you get to the front of the line you pick a spot at one of the available gaming tables. It's pretty random what is available, but the people running/facilitating games tend to really like their games, so it's usually a good time. Games usually go about 2 hours (occasionally 4).
I GM'ed at GoD one year and had a super, awesome time. Every table was full of really cool players.
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
|
I'd recommend more than 2 hours in the dealer's room. 2 hours on Thursday is great, but leave some time on Friday or Saturday to go back and check things out in more detail, play a few game demos, and take in the magnitude of awesomeness.
Also, for your events, it's the RPGs that typically sell out fast, since any that aren't sponsored by a large campaign (like Pathfinder Society of RPGA) typically have one table of 6 or so for the event and that's it.
You can typically get into board and card games without pre-registering and using generic tickets.