GenCon 2024

All discussions regarding Board, Card, and RPG Gaming, including industry discussion, that don't belong in one of the other gaming forums.

Moderators: The Preacher, $iljanus, Zaxxon

User avatar
Zarathud
Posts: 17051
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Zarathud »

Ok, I'm an idiot. Looks like I did get into a game Saturday at 7 pm. PM me about lunch Saturday.
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth
"The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
User avatar
hepcat
Posts: 54081
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:02 pm
Location: Chicago, IL Home of the triple homicide!

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by hepcat »

Zarathud wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2024 12:39 am Ok, I'm an idiot.
It's taken 2 decades, but I think we're finally making some progress.

Now, let's talk about your organization obsession.
Master of his domain.
User avatar
Zarathud
Posts: 17051
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Zarathud »

The organization obsession is simply applying tableau building to real life. That’s skills, not idiocy.
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth
"The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
User avatar
hentzau
Posts: 15227
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 11:06 am
Location: Castle Zenda, Ruritania

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by hentzau »

Zarathud wrote: Sun Jul 28, 2024 10:15 am The secret is to go to the steak place and get the cheaper menu options. It’ll be busy but not packed. Food is so overpriced anyway, it’s not too much worse.
St. Elmos. Man, if there is one thing I miss about GenCon, it's their lunch specials with their shrimp cocktail.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
User avatar
YellowKing
Posts: 31144
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 2:02 pm

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by YellowKing »

I've been getting updates from my game group buddy who is there, and he had a great day yesterday. Said vendor hall was as crowded as he's ever seen it, but he was still able to see a ton. He met the designer of Freedom: The Underground Railroad and got invited to do a play test of the expansion prototype he's working on. He also had a great time at the Dice Tower awards show.

Wish I was there, but it wasn't in the cards financially this year. Hopefully next year!
User avatar
hentzau
Posts: 15227
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 11:06 am
Location: Castle Zenda, Ruritania

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by hentzau »

I saw the video of the opening of the main hall on Thursday…so happy I wasn’t there. I think I’ll continue to frequent the smaller cons around me. And poke my head into Adepticon, although now that has moved to Milwaukee that’s not such an easy option now.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
User avatar
Skinypupy
Posts: 21133
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:12 am
Location: Utah

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Skinypupy »

This is very cool, but it’s a bit overwhelming tbh. Everything is just so insanely crowded.

We spent yesterday in the vendor hall, poking in a couple demo rooms as well. I still don’t really understand how the ticketing thing works, as it doesn’t appear you can buy or reserve tickets for anything in the app (even it it shows available).

Still, we’ve demoed a bunch of cool stuff in the vendor hall and plan to hit the BGG Hot Games room tonight, assuming we can figure out the ticketing thing. Thanks

I did get to meet both Tracey Hickman and Margaret Weis this morning, and Jeph Jacques (creator of the Questionable Content webcomic) yesterday. I awkwardly fanboyed over all of them. 😂
When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come.
User avatar
YellowKing
Posts: 31144
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 2:02 pm

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by YellowKing »

Skinypupy wrote:I did get to meet both Tracey Hickman and Margaret Weis this morning
That's awesome! I saw them from a distance at GenCon a couple of years ago, but I was in a hurry between events and didn't have time to spend in the incredibly long line to meet them.

The highlight of my "celebrity" interactions at GenCon was getting to meet Matt Leacock and tell him how Pandemic had almost single-handedly inspired my board game hobby and had led to our regular gaming group of 3+ years. He was a really nice guy.
User avatar
Unagi
Posts: 28212
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:14 pm
Location: Chicago

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Unagi »

Zarathud wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2024 6:11 pm The organization obsession is simply applying tableau building to real life. That’s skills, not idiocy.
Okay, but now you are arguing with Hepcat online.

:D :wink:
User avatar
Skinypupy
Posts: 21133
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:12 am
Location: Utah

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Skinypupy »

We did finally figure out the ticket thing . Have to buy them through the actual website, and not the app.

Hitting the BGG New Games room tonight and the Stadium Games Library tomorrow.
When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come.
User avatar
hepcat
Posts: 54081
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:02 pm
Location: Chicago, IL Home of the triple homicide!

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by hepcat »

Unagi wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 1:35 pm
Zarathud wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2024 6:11 pm The organization obsession is simply applying tableau building to real life. That’s skills, not idiocy.
Okay, but now you are arguing with Hepcat online.

:D :wink:
Or is zarathud an alt I created years ago for the sole purpose of discussing competitive macrame and I'm really just arguing with....MYSELF?!

Mind...blown
Master of his domain.
User avatar
YellowKing
Posts: 31144
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 2:02 pm

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by YellowKing »

A few more updates from my buddy Terry who's up there:

- He said the Freedom: Underground Railroad expansion was fantastic even as a prototype, and he'll be backing it. It's still a ways off though.

- In the BGG Hot Games Room he played The Search for UAPs which is a cooperative deduction game. He didn't really care for it though. He said that another deduction game he backed and demoed at GenCon, Corps of Discovery was more fun.

- He play-tested an early prototype of a game called Fading Realms which he really loved. It's a game where you're going around either capturing or convincing different monsters to join you. Very upbeat theme and he loved the mechanics. KS isn't until fall of 2025, so that one's a ways off as well.

- He went to a one-hour seminar by Trevor Duvall, who runs the Me, Myself & Die YouTube channel. If you've never seen it, it's a great series in which he plays through solo RPG adventures. He's a professional voice actor, so he knows how to keep it entertaining. Terry's a long-time Patreon backer of Trevor's, so they've gotten to know one another pretty well and have met at GenCon a couple of times now. Anyway, he said the seminar was outstanding. Apparently Trevor is creating his own RPG, so there was a lot of talk about game design and philosophy.

- He's picking me up a copy of Invincible: The Hero-Building Game, based on the Amazon Prime animated series which is in turn based on the comic book. I'm not familiar with the IP, but The Dice Tower gave it rave reviews and I've enjoyed the playthrough videos I've watched. Looks like it shares a lot of DNA with games like Marvel Champions and Marvel United, but with a bag-drawing, press-your-luck twist.
User avatar
Isgrimnur
Posts: 84896
Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:29 am
Location: Chookity pok
Contact:

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Isgrimnur »

hepcat wrote:
Unagi wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 1:35 pm
Zarathud wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2024 6:11 pm The organization obsession is simply applying tableau building to real life. That’s skills, not idiocy.
Okay, but now you are arguing with Hepcat online.

:D :wink:
Or is zarathud an alt I created years ago for the sole purpose of discussing competitive macrame and I'm really just arguing with....MYSELF?!

Mind...blown
The actor you hired to play him when I come up there is very good. And keeping him on retainer for all these years is impressive.
It's almost as if people are the problem.
User avatar
Blackhawk
Posts: 46042
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:48 pm
Location: Southwest Indiana

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Blackhawk »

Skinypupy wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 12:55 pm I did get to meet both Tracey Hickman and Margaret Weis this morning, and Jeph Jacques (creator of the Questionable Content webcomic) yesterday. I awkwardly fanboyed over all of them. 😂
Oh, NOW he's there.

I met him after one of his shows at GenCon 2017. I had a (reasonable) favor to ask for an injured friend that he was only too happy to grant. He then sat for 15 or 20 minutes just chatting with us, telling us stories of the early days of D&D. The show (Killer Breakfast) had everyone using a character sheet, so I went by his booth afterward and got it signed.

The next year I went and took the first tabletop book I bought - Dragonlance Adventures, from clear back in 1st Edition AD&D. I spent ungodly numbers of hours with that book, which was written by him and Weis. She was there that year, and I had her sign it. He wasn't around. I brought it again the next years, and he wasn't there then, either. I really wanted both of them to sign it, but I'd been told he had retired from cons, so I figured I was SOL.

And so he's there this year. I might have even tried to swing a trade day badge had I known.
What doesn't kill me makes me stranger.
User avatar
hepcat
Posts: 54081
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:02 pm
Location: Chicago, IL Home of the triple homicide!

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by hepcat »

YellowKing wrote: Sat Aug 03, 2024 7:25 pm
- He's picking me up a copy of Invincible: The Hero-Building Game, based on the Amazon Prime animated series which is in turn based on the comic book. I'm not familiar with the IP, but The Dice Tower gave it rave reviews and I've enjoyed the playthrough videos I've watched. Looks like it shares a lot of DNA with games like Marvel Champions and Marvel United, but with a bag-drawing, press-your-luck twist.
I picked it up Thursday. It’s a lot of fun. But brutally tough. We lost the damn tutorial scenario, for Christ’s sake.
Master of his domain.
User avatar
Skinypupy
Posts: 21133
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:12 am
Location: Utah

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Skinypupy »

Blackhawk wrote: Sat Aug 03, 2024 9:40 pm
And so he's there this year. I might have even tried to swing a trade day badge had I known.
They’ve both been at their booth almost the entire time. The first day there was a huge line, but I just walked right up and said hi to them both on Friday.

We walked by a couple times yesterday and they were just chatting with random people, no line.
When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come.
User avatar
Skinypupy
Posts: 21133
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:12 am
Location: Utah

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Skinypupy »

As I sit at the airport waiting for my flight home, some general musings about GenCon 2024.

1. GenCon was a remarkable experience and I'm very glad that I did it. Seeing all the energy, enthusiasm, and really cool things around this hobby was fantastic. It is absolutely something that everyone who enjoys the hobby should experience.

2. That said, I don't know that it's something I have a burning desire to do again. By Saturday, I was starting to have a really hard time with the absolutely crushing crowds, the general chaos, and the endless lines for literally everything. It's also really expensive to get to Indy (my flights was around $800).

3. I could have easily spent a bajillion dollars in the vendor hall, and was thankfully limited by space in my suitcase. We played a ton of demos, and came home with a few new games (Heroscape starter set, Skyteam, and Hold Your Ground). Lots of things added to the wishlist though.

4. The BGG "Hot Games" room was a little underwhelming, but that may just have been our specific preferences. Pretty much any game we were interested in was already taken, so we just ended up grabbing random stuff we'd never heard of that had cool artwork and giving it a shot. 2 hours isn't really enough time to dig into a game, unless it's something you already know.

5. The open library at the stadium, on the other hand, was really awesome. They had an incredibly game library, and we had a blast spending most of yesterday just picking through a ton of different games.

6. The whole ticketing thing was confusing and by the time we figured it out, everything was completely sold out. We tried showing up for a few games with "general" tickets and hoping for no shows, but never had any luck. We pretty much just gave up on that entirely.

7. Lunch with Zarathud, Montag, Seppe, and Hepcat was a definite highlight. Truly a pleasure meeting all of you gents, and it was good to confirm that hepcat is actually a real person. Or at least a very convincing cyborg...

8. The most fun we had was probably playing all the games we bought back in the hotel lobby with a bunch of other groups (and lots of beer).

9. Crowds aside, the venues themselves were really well organized. We had a hard time finding one particular table (was tucked way back in the bowels of the stadium), but otherwise it was really easy to find where things were. Parking was also a breeze. We found a lot right next to the stadium that was open each day for only $15. Took about 10 mins to walk from there to the convention center.

This was a "once in a lifetime" thing for me. I think that I'm just not the kind of person that is really wired for cons, tbh. Too many people, too much noise, too much going on, etc. Vendor halls are cool for a day, but three days really starts to test my limits. We're already planning on just getting our group together at an Air B&B and gaming for a few days next year instead.

(Also, a big thanks to all the input from folks here as we planned. It was super helpful! :))
When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come.
User avatar
Zarathud
Posts: 17051
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

GenCon 2024

Post by Zarathud »

Nice to meet you both, Skinny and Montag.

Found the Pathfinder Goblin Village that’s out of stock everywhere (at retail price), and a bunch of old D&D WizKids minis. Not much interesting caught my eye other than Fire Tower and Arcs (on preorder).

Amending that to Ascendancy was more fun than expected. Tight board, worker placement and ability combat. The deluxe version is not better than the standard — the difference is miniatures rather than nice standees, a play mat and upgraded coins.

The new CarWars edition WILL get motorcycles next year, once they finish balancing. They’re also going to release new “grey” accessory packs so 1 kit will get a complete set of gear for 1 car (rather than buying packs for 4 cars by type - dropped weapons, turrets, etc). So I’ll get the new 2 car Orange/Purple with 2 upgrade packs at that time so I can run 6 car games at Octocon.
Last edited by Zarathud on Sun Aug 04, 2024 2:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth
"The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
User avatar
YellowKing
Posts: 31144
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 2:02 pm

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by YellowKing »

hepcat wrote:I picked it up Thursday. It’s a lot of fun. But brutally tough. We lost the damn tutorial scenario, for Christ’s sake.
Mission accomplished, Terry grabbed me a copy with the promo cards. High challenge is a plus for me; I tend to stick with games longer that are tougher to beat.
Skinypupy wrote:That said, I don't know that it's something I have a burning desire to do again.
I absolutely love the con, but after 3 years in a row even I had to take a break. It's....a lot. So I totally get that. I will say, however, that on repeated visits you start to learn to avoid the mistakes and pitfalls, and every time you go it becomes a smoother experience. My first year going was in some ways an absolute disaster (even though we still had a blast). But we made soooo many rookie mistakes.

The expense is something you can't get around, however. Which is why if I do go back next year I'll be driving. I just can't afford the damn flights to Indy. They are crazy from here. I've also tossed around the idea of just hitting one of the smaller cons on the east coast instead.
User avatar
Pyperkub
Posts: 24195
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:07 pm
Location: NC- that's Northern California

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Pyperkub »

Unagi wrote:
Zarathud wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2024 6:11 pm The organization obsession is simply applying tableau building to real life. That’s skills, not idiocy.
Okay, but now you are arguing with Hepcat online.

:D :wink:
LOL!! :)
Black Lives definitely Matter Lorini!

Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
User avatar
Blackhawk
Posts: 46042
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:48 pm
Location: Southwest Indiana

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Blackhawk »

Skinypupy wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 2:21 pm 3. I could have easily spent a bajillion dollars in the vendor hall, and was thankfully limited by space in my suitcase. We played a ton of demos, and came home with a few new games (Heroscape starter set, Skyteam, and Hold Your Ground). Lots of things added to the wishlist though.
It's safely late enough for me to tell you that most people who travel to GenCon ship their purchases home. They typically have a booth set up within the hall that can handle all of the shipping for you - you just fill one of their boxes, pay your money, and away it goes. Other people prefer to swing by a UPS/FedEx/etc on the way out.
What doesn't kill me makes me stranger.
User avatar
Skinypupy
Posts: 21133
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:12 am
Location: Utah

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Skinypupy »

Blackhawk wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 9:42 pm
Skinypupy wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 2:21 pm 3. I could have easily spent a bajillion dollars in the vendor hall, and was thankfully limited by space in my suitcase. We played a ton of demos, and came home with a few new games (Heroscape starter set, Skyteam, and Hold Your Ground). Lots of things added to the wishlist though.
It's safely late enough for me to tell you that most people who travel to GenCon ship their purchases home. They typically have a booth set up within the hall that can handle all of the shipping for you - you just fill one of their boxes, pay your money, and away it goes. Other people prefer to swing by a UPS/FedEx/etc on the way out.
I could have just sent stuff home with my brother and had him ship (he drove). I intentionally kept my budget to whatever fit in my suitcase. :)
When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come.
User avatar
Blackhawk
Posts: 46042
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:48 pm
Location: Southwest Indiana

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Blackhawk »

Smart isn't allowed at GenCon. It makes the rest of us look bad.
What doesn't kill me makes me stranger.
User avatar
Unagi
Posts: 28212
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:14 pm
Location: Chicago

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Unagi »

Skinypupy wrote: Mon Aug 05, 2024 12:40 am
Blackhawk wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 9:42 pm
Skinypupy wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 2:21 pm 3. I could have easily spent a bajillion dollars in the vendor hall, and was thankfully limited by space in my suitcase. We played a ton of demos, and came home with a few new games (Heroscape starter set, Skyteam, and Hold Your Ground). Lots of things added to the wishlist though.
It's safely late enough for me to tell you that most people who travel to GenCon ship their purchases home. They typically have a booth set up within the hall that can handle all of the shipping for you - you just fill one of their boxes, pay your money, and away it goes. Other people prefer to swing by a UPS/FedEx/etc on the way out.
I could have just sent stuff home with my brother and had him ship (he drove). I intentionally kept my budget to whatever fit in my suitcase. :)
Enlarge Image
User avatar
Pyperkub
Posts: 24195
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:07 pm
Location: NC- that's Northern California

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Pyperkub »

Derek Smart?
Black Lives definitely Matter Lorini!

Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
User avatar
hepcat
Posts: 54081
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:02 pm
Location: Chicago, IL Home of the triple homicide!

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by hepcat »

We went. We had cheese. We came home.
Master of his domain.
User avatar
Zarathud
Posts: 17051
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Zarathud »

We saw Carl.

"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth
"The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
User avatar
hepcat
Posts: 54081
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:02 pm
Location: Chicago, IL Home of the triple homicide!

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by hepcat »

Harkonis' "secretly" trying to get him into the frame of a picture at the restaurant while also telling the supposed subject of the photo Seppe to awkwardly move to the side was the highlight of saturday night for me. It was like watching the world's worst spy trying to steal government secrets.

I should have complimented him on his costume, but I was afraid he'd just tell me "Carl? Who the hell is that? I'm Tony from Jersey!".
Master of his domain.
User avatar
Fardaza
Posts: 665
Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2017 10:13 am
Location: Tennessee

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Fardaza »

Seriously,

Who's Carl? Somebody I should know.

Don't laugh at me too loudly. :oops:
User avatar
TheMix
Posts: 11301
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 5:19 pm
Location: Broomfield, Colorado

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by TheMix »

Fardaza wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2024 8:55 pm Seriously,

Who's Carl? Somebody I should know.

Don't laugh at me too loudly. :oops:
I think it's a reference to Aqua Teen Hunger Force

Image

Black Lives Matter

Isgrimnur - Facebook makes you hate your friends and family. LinkedIn makes you hate you co-workers. NextDoor makes you hate your neighbors.
User avatar
hepcat
Posts: 54081
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:02 pm
Location: Chicago, IL Home of the triple homicide!

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by hepcat »

Yup



It’s Carl’s world. We’re all just living in it.
Master of his domain.
User avatar
Isgrimnur
Posts: 84896
Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:29 am
Location: Chookity pok
Contact:

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Isgrimnur »

The Foreigner belt episode has to be his magnum opus.
It's almost as if people are the problem.
User avatar
Zarathud
Posts: 17051
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by Zarathud »

Don’t you come over here. I’ll zap you. You know I will.

Especially with a Pikachu handy.
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth
"The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
User avatar
hepcat
Posts: 54081
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:02 pm
Location: Chicago, IL Home of the triple homicide!

Re: GenCon 2024

Post by hepcat »

Isgrimnur wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2024 9:56 pm The Foreigner belt episode has to be his magnum opus.
Carl and Captain Murphy from Sealab 2021 are my personal heroes.
Master of his domain.
Post Reply