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 Manchu wrote:
So what do you guys usually do all day?

Lots of gak, but my reasons for going has changed over the years.

2003?-2007?, Played HackMaster RPG tournaments as a member of the HMPA. Decided that spending 3 days playing 1 thing was a drag and stopped doing that.

2008-present: spend time in the Dealers room playing demo games. Usually buy 1 or 2 new board games.

2012: Attended FFG's In-Flight report seminar for what's coming out from them in the next year. 2013 sold out in 2 hours, so I couldn't go and do my report again. You can find my 2012 somewhere here or in the DCM area. Also to meet the peeps working on their projects.

2012-2013: Attend the Paizo seminar for upcoming Pathfinder and other releases. Also to meet the peeps working on their projects.

2012-2013: Drop about $150 at the Forgeworld/GW booth.

2003-present: play a bunch of fething board games and/or RPGs all night, every night in our Hotel.

2004-2011: Play 10-20 person Nuclear War with buddies and buddies of buddies that have moved away over the years but meet up at GenCon.

2004-present: Reaper Miniatures Speed Painting event: I never progress pass the first round, but at least I finished my mini the last 3 times!

Also: Booth babes.

 Manchu wrote:
So what do you guys usually do all day?

I've gone a couple times as primarily a 'friends' trip, and once as a 'work' trip.

For the work trips, I expect to be doing something 'work' related for the majority of the day, but there's some time to grab stuff from other booths at the hall and such. There's some early morning and late afternoon weirdness with moving stuff around for events and such, but really the 'work' part is done by around 6 or so. Bigger companies certainly have more events in the evening, btu I'm pretty much toast after doing demos for most of an 8 hour shift. We did grab 3/4 of the BT Pods for an hour one evening, which was awesome.

For the friend trips it's a bit more loose and social of course. My group finds that scheduling more than one game in the morning, one in the afternoon is about the most you can do unless they're short events. There's a lot of stuff to see and do between scheduled games and such.The exhibit hall is gigantic, and there's stuff to buy (ranging from new 'hot' games (X-Wing was the big one last year I believe) to some people selling D&D modules from the 80s.), demos at many booths, stuff to gawk at, etc.

There's some 'scavenger hunt' type events you can play. One or two cards you need to get punched at various booths, and a big puzzle-hunt event all over the convention center. never done these personally.

If I go this year* I am definitely interested in looking at some evening activities and want to check out the seminar/lecture type events offered that I've never really looked into. We had a lot of fun two years ago playing Artemis (a Star Trek-style starship bridge simulator computer game for 6 players) with the neat setup they have there, and might do more RPG-style events than previous.

* My groups plans are currently in flux as housing was weird yesterday, and we ended up with four rooms scattered over three hotels, most of which are nowhere near the convention center.

Also: lots of nice restaurants in the area. The convention center is in walking distance of a lot of interesting places. If you want to drop some $$$, St. Elmo's Steak House is one of the best eateries you'll ever visit. Bucco de Beppo is a fun Italian place where you order 2-3 dishes and everyone shares.

The Ram has good beer and usually has a gamer themed menu (or I'm thinking of something else).

I may be attending. Two years ago, I whored myself out to Wyrd by running demos all Saturday to attend the show, and then last year I went with On the Lamb Games. So I've yet to actually "purchase" a badge for myself . I haven't talked to my buddy yet, but we are probably going, and if we can convince 2 more people to go with us this year, it'll make everything cheaper simply because our hotel costs will be split 4 ways instead of 2.

Also if you go this year, I won't have to visit the WizKids booth for Star Trek Attack Wing

 kronk wrote:
The Ram has good beer and usually has a gamer themed menu (or I'm thinking of something else).

Ram is OK... Very Warmachine-themed. I thought it was, perhaps, a bit overrated from what I heard. Lots of good restaurants around, though.

I am going this year! But if you're there, maybe I'll still have you go to the WizKidz booth for me. I can't be seen around that mess!

As far as gaming goes, I'm interested in RPGs over board games. I am wondering if you guys know who's games are worth getting into, for example.

Similarly, what kind of lectures/events are worth attending. FFG's In Flight deal is a good example but there are also non-commercial workshops &etc.

 Manchu wrote:

Similarly, what kind of lectures/events are worth attending. FFG's In Flight deal is a good example but there are also non-commercial workshops &etc.

What are you interested in? I've attended seminars on painting (excellent), terrain modeling (good), and GMing for Pathfinder (lame).

My old group plays Pathfinder RPGs. I'm still looking for a group to get into that with, now that I'm in Northern IL. I'm going to try to get into a Deathwatch RPG this year, just to see what it's like. They sell out the first week.

There are workshops on writing for RPGs, modeling miniatures, and so on. There are hundreds of seminars, man.

Yeah, I was looking at the events catalogue from 2013 and it was pretty overwhelming. Not so much because of all the topics covered but more because I think the topic is not so determinative as the person involved. I'm not interested in attending a lame panel on DMing but I am interested in attending a thoughtful panel on DMing. I just don't know who's who in that world.

The Dakkanauts attending should get together for a RPG session. I would be happy to run any edition of D&D (including PF and retroclones), CoC, or even something like Paranoia.

I also don't know who is good and who is lame, sadly. You just find something you're interested in, there is usually a bio on the presenter, and go for it!

I wouldn't be against attending a dakkanaught session, but I'm usually pretty booked with my own group.

Edit: The Pathfinder seminar was lame because it was Pathfinder Society only, and not general Pathfinder GMing. It was how to keep the pacing up in a Pathfinder Society session, how to keep track of gak the society cares about, how to advertise for PS events, and so on. Nothing I give a darn about...

 Manchu wrote:
I am going this year! But if you're there, maybe I'll still have you go to the WizKidz booth for me. I can't be seen around that mess!

As far as gaming goes, I'm interested in RPGs over board games. I am wondering if you guys know who's games are worth getting into, for example.

Similarly, what kind of lectures/events are worth attending. FFG's In Flight deal is a good example but there are also non-commercial workshops &etc.

I've seen some good and bad events.

Two years ago we did a D&DNext preview that was interesting, but underwhelming. Also a bit weird as I'm not sure the extent to which it was a 'playtest' of value to anyone, or even how much it represents the actual game to be released this year... We had a fill-in player who was already familiar with a lot of the released material and I think went for a deliberately 'broken' character class for whatever reason (The Sorcerer was known to be very powerful at that point in time.) while my gang went for 'fun, iconic' characters. (Can you get more stereotypical than a Halfling Thief, a Dwarf Fighter, a Human Cleric, and an Elf @Wizard, as I remember?). Still a good event... WotC and the RPGA usually run events in several ballrooms where you can play a brief combat-heavy scenario (a 'Tournament' module) as well as other events. If you like D&D, it's worth checking out, and I expect this year they'll be in overdrive due to the D&DNext release.

Demos of upcoming games can be risky. If it's pretty finished you might get a chance, but if it's in beta you might see something pretty rough. On the plus side, the game's developer might be running it.

We did a 'Drunken D&D' event a few years ago that was amusing, but not really D&D. I think the guys running it might have been asked not to run it again.

Some friends had a great time with a sort of LARP group called Terrorworx that does airsoft-based scenarios inspired by zombies and aliens. I think they canceled and may have some people working under a different name.

I've heard that Tracey Hickman's Killer Breakfast is a great event, if you can get into it.

Thinking about it, I've only played few RPG sessions at Gen Con... Probably because I'm mostly into longer RPG campaigns. I'd like to do some if I go this year, though.

Terror works was fun as hell. We did that in 2011 and 2012. They weren't there in 2013. Sad.

The Live D&D Dungeon Crawl thingy is fun, once. After the second year, we were all bored with it. Also, the DMs in the rooms can make or break it. We had so many frustrating encounters where we weren't given enough information or a gakky description that we said "feth this noise, especially after paying $12 a person" or whatever the price is.

 kronk wrote:
Terror works was fun as hell. We did that in 2011 and 2012. They weren't there in 2013. Sad.

My friends had a great time with them, and I kind of regret not doing their events when I had a chance. I think I heard some of their crew had job-related issues that made it impossible to go for a year or two... Not sure if these have been worked out.

I know some people that love the True Dungeon and do it multiple times a year. I might do it once if I go this year, but I can't see paying or enjoying running ti multiple times.

True Dungeon! Thanks for the name! If you have never done it, I do recommend it. However, I found the replay value to be wanting, as I mentioned before.

Terror works was great! I was the CEO both times. I have being a bossy jerk down pat! "Shield me, minion! I hired you to catch bullets and shine my boots, so pick one and get after it!"

Tracy Hickman's Killer Breakfast is a lot of fun, but as stated, can be pretty tough to get into.

Last year I wasn't sure if I was going to make it and got a pass at the last minute so it was mostly seminars, wandering the showroom floors, and meeting friends at restaurants. Still had a good time.

My friends and I usually go every year. The dealer hall always steals the show, it's overwhelming.

Indy is a great city with fantastic food and lodging. I really can't brag on it enough.

I will say this though True Dungeon was my biggest waste of time and money on the trip. Their combat system makes no sense even on 18s and 19s on their shuffle board you will hurt nothing, and if you get killed off in the first room like I was you just get to stand in the corner and not do anything until they let you out. So yeah, if you're lucky you'll get your money's worth, if not, prepare to stand around not doing much while you fume over that $60 bucks you'll never see again.

I'd say sign up for a bunch of other events and avoid the sinkhole of True Dungeon.

Seconding the True Waste of Money experience. I believe if they ran smaller groups things would be more enjoyable. Having 10 people line up at a shuffle board, and then only five get to shoot sucks.

Dealer hall in the morning, events in the evening is usually my thing. Thursday is dedicated solely to the Dealer Hall. I've had good experience with painting and terrain making classes. Sadly the one I enjoyed most didn't make it last year(Blood and something something).

They are constantly running magic drafts and win-a-box tournaments if you're into that. I hear the 12-6am ones are usually the best ones. Also they are running demos for many other card games didn't the day. Netrunner is a good one.

Badge bought, rooms reserved, flights booked.

Blimey, I guess this is really happening.

have fun! My group is cancelling as our rooms were split over so many hotels and were lousy. I might attend if the guys at DP9 need people, but I might just skip and save the cash.

Perhaps a meeting of some sort is in order. We can all bring 500 points of 40k (or something like that) and play a Dakka game one evening. I'll have Myth if anyone wants to play and willing to join up for any RP events like a D&D Next game. I want to get some modelling events in, but outside of that I am up for just about anything.

I'm going. On the Lamb is going but no booth, so I'm going to have fun this year

 Ahtman wrote:
Perhaps a meeting of some sort is in order. We can all bring 500 points of 40k (or something like that) and play a Dakka game one evening. I'll have Myth if anyone wants to play and willing to join up for any RP events like a D&D Next game. I want to get some modelling events in, but outside of that I am up for just about anything.

I would be down! It would be fun meeting some people from Dakka.

Kill Teams seems like an appropriate 40k game for a dakka meet-up. Not asking anyone to bring a whole lot, and it would still be convenient to carry around.

Alfndrate wrote:I'm going. On the Lamb is going but no booth, so I'm going to have fun this year

I'll track you guys down and force you to give me a demo so I can get the rules down better.

Ahtman wrote:Perhaps a meeting of some sort is in order. We can all bring 500 points of 40k (or something like that) and play a Dakka game one evening. I'll have Myth if anyone wants to play and willing to join up for any RP events like a D&D Next game. I want to get some modelling events in, but outside of that I am up for just about anything.

Between 150 points of Warmachine, some Brushfire stuff, and some Magic decks, I've no room for 40K.

Also, I don't play that anymore.

I'd still love a Dakka meetup, though.

 Alfndrate wrote:
I'm going. On the Lamb is going but no booth, so I'm going to have fun this year

If you want to work I can make that happen.

I'll be working for either CMoN or thewarstore during the day, and getting drunk, eating food, and smoking cigars at Nicky Blaine's at night.

Canceled my crappy room today, so it'll be up for anyone on the wait list that wants it. :( I'm hoping to go in 2015, but probably skipping this year.

 cincydooley wrote:

 Alfndrate wrote:
I'm going. On the Lamb is going but no booth, so I'm going to have fun this year

If you want to work I can make that happen.

I'll be working for either CMoN or thewarstore during the day, and getting drunk, eating food, and smoking cigars at Nicky Blaine's at night.

Usually I work so I can get a free badge, but if my hotel costs are taken care of already (they are if I crash with the rest of OTL), then my 'costs' are 70 bucks and gas too and from the show. So I'll pass on working this year

Also Platuan4th, I might be persuaded to bring my Brushfire models with me, by then I might have enough models for the "Last Ride of the Lem Han" or (Bugs eat lemmings riding chickens).

 Ahtman wrote:
Perhaps a meeting of some sort is in order. We can all bring 500 points of 40k (or something like that) and play a Dakka game one evening. I'll have Myth if anyone wants to play and willing to join up for any RP events like a D&D Next game. I want to get some modelling events in, but outside of that I am up for just about anything.

I'd be up for 500 points of 40k. Split into 2 sides, or break up into a few doubles games, depending on # of people?

I'll be trying to slip into some of the 40k RPG games, but those sell out day 1. At least, they have the last 2 years. I'd really like to try Deathwatch.

GenCon Dealers Room Map is up: http://images.gencon.com/GenCon2014-ExhibitHallmapwithlinks.pdf

I'm not sure if you can look at it if you're not logged in.

What's interesting is that I don't see WotC on this map. Do they have their own hall somewhere this year? Did they last year? I always remember them taking up a bunch of room in the dealer's hall. Odd if they've moved elsewhere. Or am I blind and not seeing it?

They take up most of their own hall now. The magic section has it's own store, and I believe the D&D section has it's own store as well. With fifth debuting this year, maybe they'll pull some of the crowd away from the main dealer hall. Make it much easier to grab FFG's Conquest.

 Sinful Hero wrote:
They take up most of their own hall now. The magic section has it's own store, and I believe the D&D section has it's own store as well. With fifth debuting this year, maybe they'll pull some of the crowd away from the main dealer hall. Make it much easier to grab FFG's Conquest.

Having their own hall makes a lot of sense, and I hope it works out for them! They are a huge sponsor, after all.

I'm also happy to see that the main dealer's room is still full despite WotC moving out!