Retrospective Panel: Accessorize! Gamers Know It's Not Just for Fashionistas
Summary:
Gamers love accessories: dice, modular terrain, t-shirts, & souvenirs. Come join Stefan Pokorny, Barbara Vantilberg, Lou Zocchi, & Michael Bowling for stories & maybe some free giveaways!
Description:
We all know that gamers love dice, of all colors, shapes, and numbers of sides---a true gamer can never have too many! But wargamers and roleplayers alike also value elaborate dioramas and modular terrain pieces like dungeon tiles and cityscapes. And let’s not forget t-shirts and memorabilia from backpacks to coffee mugs. Join Gen Con's trusty exhibitors for a round table on how to succeed in business at Gen Con - and maybe collect some free samples! With Stefan Pokorny of Dwarven Forge, Barbara Vantilberg of Offworld Designs, Lou Zocchi of GameScience, and Michael Bowling of Crystal Caste.
Retrospective Panel: Creative Millennium - RPGs at the Turn of the Century
Summary:
Join seminal RPG designers Ron Edwards, Jared Sorensen, & D. Vincent Baker from the Indie RPG movement, & designers James Wallis & Jonathan Tweet who inspired them.
Description:
The turn of the millennium saw an intense period of innovative, different-looking RPGs springing to life. Sorcerer, Dogs in the Vineyard and many others burst onto the scene with surprising force. But these games were influenced by earlier games like Over the Edge and Baron Munchausen that were ahead of their time. James Wallis and Jonathan Tweet discuss discovering a new RPG avant-garde with designers D Vincent Baker, Jared Sorensen, and Ron Edwards.
Hang out with the D&D 5th edition design team - including Mike Mearls & Jeremy Crawford - for a discussion of the state of the D&D union today, & their vision of an exciting future!
Description:
Join members of the core Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition design team - Mike Mearls and Jeremy Crawford - for a discussion of the state of the D&D union today. As the game opens up new dimensions in tabletop and online experience, pioneers like Matt Mercer of Critical Role are redefining the way we all experience D&D.
In 1974, Dungeons & Dragons was launched & Gen Con would never be the same. Hear stories from the earliest days of D&D at Gen Con from Tim Kask, Dave Megarry, Mike Carr, & Luke Gygax.
Description:
In its early years Gen, Con proclaimed itself the nation's "Premier Wargaming Convention." Then Dungeons & Dragons arrived on the scene. Perhaps the most influential game of our era, D&D quickly took over Gen Con, forcing TSR to reevaluate its emphasis. Hear stories of this era from those involved in the earliest days of D&D: Tim Kask, Dave Megarry, and Mike Carr. Also, Luke Gygax will share stories he heard of these days from his father, Gary.
In the 80’s D&D ruled Gen Con from its big castle in the exhibit hall. Hear stories from the other side of the moat, from Steve Jackson, Mike Pondsmith, Greg Stafford, John Nephew, & Jordan Weisman.
Description:
As D&D became wildly successful in the 80’s, Gen Con became the hub of RPG culture. Perhaps inevitably, a host of RPG designers came into the scene ready to innovate and compete against the granddaddy of RPG’s. Come hear stories of what it was like to start an RPG company in the 80’s, exhibit at Gen Con, and compete against D&D on its home turf, with Steve Jackson, Mike Pondsmith, Greg Stafford, John Nephew, and Jordan Weisman.
Boardgames have been at Gen Con since the earliest days. Come hear Christian Peterson, Larry Roznai, Eric Lang, Marc Miller, & Mike Gray tell stories of boardgames at Gen Con.
Description:
While it would take decades before they took center stage, boardgames have been with us from the first Gen Con, quietly plotting their ascendency. Come hear Christian Peterson, Larry Roznai, Eric Lang, Marc Miller, and Mike Gray tell stories of bringing boardgames the spotlight they deserve.
In 1999, WotC open-sourced D&D by launching the d20 System. Come hear d20 architect, Ryan Dancey, discuss d20 with d20 publishers, Eric Mona, Monte Cook, John Nephew, & John Zinser.
Description:
After TSR spent decades fighting off would-be imitators, WotC ushered in the new millennium by announcing the d20 System, enabling other publishers to use the Dungeons & Dragons game system as the basis for their own worlds, adventures, and bestiaries. Come hear d20 architect Ryan Dancey discuss the strategy with publishers who took advantage of it: -Eric Mona of Paizo, Monte Cook of Monte Cook Games, John Zinser of AEG, and John Nephew of Atlas Games.
Some roleplayers seek more immersive experiences. Hear Gen Con stories from veterans of cosplay (Anne Brown), larping (David Simkins and Drew Biddle), & True Dungeon (Jeff Martin).
Description:
Not every roleplayer is content to loaf around a table; some seek a more immersive experience. Before RPGs became an industry, cosplay was thriving at SCA events and Renaissance fairs. Once roleplaying merged into gaming, it was a short commute to live-action roleplaying (larping). Now, with True Dungeon, you can walk through a life-size adventure. Join Anne Brown (Gen Con costume contest), Jeff Martin (True Dungeon), David Simkins (Infinite Imagination, Inc. & RIT), and Drew Biddle (Mind's Eye Society) to hear tales of dress-up from Gen Con history.
Retrospective Panel: Running Gen Con - The Inside Scoop!
Summary:
What’s it like to actually organize Gen Con? Come hear war stories from current & past managers of Gen Con, Harold Johnson, Skip Williams, David Conant, & Adrian Swartout.
Description:
Every other panel in this track is about tabletop history that happened at Gen Con, what about the operations of Gen Con itself? What has it been like on the inside? Come join a panel of current and past managers of Gen Con, including Harold Johnson, Skip Williams, David Conant, and Adrian Swartout.
Magic: The Gathering created a new category of games. Hear Skaff Elias, John Zinser, Mike Elliott, Justin Gary, & Eric Lang tell stories of designing TCGs that dared to duel against the master.
Description:
In 1993, Magic: The Gathering was launched around an entirely new concept: the notion of tradable cards used to build decks. It was inevitable that its dominance be challenged; within a year new TCGs began to compete for market share, some more successfully than others. Join panelists Skaff Elias, John Zinser, Mike Elliott, Justin Gary, and Eric Lang, as they tell tales of TCG's that dared to duel with Magic.