Gen Con: A Love Story

I was blessed with a pass into Gen Con Indy this year. In between shifts at my job nearby, I've been doing my best to check out everything I can from the Con and report it back here, particularly since I was there in part to help Josh do some networking and fact finding for Game Gavel. I feel a level of obligation in reporting about the Con and all it's wonders, but I am now starting to second guess myself in exactly how I want to go about doing it. See, I could just list off the many events and things to see, but simply seeing an itinerary of Gen Con could give you all of that, in more detail than I may be able to provide. Instead, I feel like I really want to communicate what Gen Con is (at least in my experience). I know a number of people who are passionate about their conventions, many of whom have never heard of Gen Con. It compels me to try and capture some of the atmosphere as best I can.

I'm honestly surprised that some people disregard Gen Con as if it was some small get together of nerdy Midwesterners who happened to crawl out of their basements for a change. It's the nations largest annual consumer fantasy, sci-fi and adventure gaming convention. In gaming events alone, this year saw over 250,000 event tickets sold - and getting time at the tables is only one aspect of what one can do at Gen Con.

First off, Gen Con is really well located. It is within easy walking distance of many of the places downtown and is directly connected to Circle Center Mall (where I have my second job. It's nice how that worked out.) The parade of cosplayers that wander past the store fronts seeking the Food Court is quite a wonder to see. There are some stores in the mall that definitely fit the interests of some of those attracted to the Con (Teavanna has been seeing a constant stream of anime-themed cosplayers this year) and it's a relaxed atmosphere in which the initiated can let their freak flags fly among the general public. Knowing glances of people recognizing their common bonds based on t-shirt logos and intricate costumes gives a real sense of community: of being a part of the in-crowd. To really geek out: it's like being a wizard walking around muggles, most of whom have no idea why there are so many brightly colored wigs and guys walking around in full plate armor around every corner of downtown Indy.

'Sup.

Gen Con is, primarily, a gaming convention with a special focus on table top gaming. If you collect D20s like stereotypical women buy shoes, this is the convention for you. Events include RPGs, TCGs, card games, board games, LARPs, video games, you name it - they have it. Merchants sell virtually everything geek-related: pithy t-shirts, artwork, leather armor, corsets, handcrafted hats from all sorts of eras, foam weapons, potion pouches, every type of game imaginable... the list goes on.  

Medieval Collectibles = So awesome.

It's really no wonder that Gen Con is one of the largest and most promminent gaming conventions in North America when you consider it's history. It was started by the Great Gygax in 1968. (If you don't know who I'm talking about... I can only give you a sad look and point you in the direction of Google.) It really is a sizeable event, drawing in between 25,000 - over 30,000 attendees each year. This year it shattered it's previous records with a turnstile attendance record of over 119,707 over the course of the 96 hours of gaming, cosplay, music and more. While the exhibition hall (where I am, for the most part, limited to this year due to time constraints) has structured opening and closing schedules, there are games going on 24 hours a day during the 4-day event. I really look forward to being able to register for a game in the future - so far, that has been the one major aspect of Gen Con that I haven't been able to get my hands on. Even so, without getting a seat at the larger gaming tables, Gen Con gives all who attend a chance to get a hands-on look at the new games and products on display.

 And the gaming is really one of the beauties of Gen Con. Unlike Comic Con, which has gotten a lot of complaints recently about not really being about comic books anymore, Gen Con is for and by the gamers and the geeks. Nerds of every flavor get to come together and discuss their passions, in and out of the convention hall. For example, I had a pretty awesome conversation with a guy that started by me mentioning that a tea pot he was standing near in Teavanna reminded me of a TARDIS. Whether you're a dedicated LARPer or a part-time tabletop role player, or just excited about the gaming mediums on display, there is a genuine sense of community and acceptance there.  Sure, they have their celebrity appearances and seminars, the workshops and the tournaments, but in the end I think the best part of Gen Con Indy is the attendees themselves and the sheer joy they often bring to the table.

 Gen Con has also worked hard throughout the years to turn this celebration of gaming into positive change by helping children and educational programs through a number of charity events. This year, School on Wheels (a group that aims to help homeless children) was the recipient of over $18,000 through events like the Charity Speed Paint and Auction, Cardhalla (where participants build a city of stacked Magic cards and knocks them down on the last day with their donations), and an always-loved Jail and Bail, among others. 100 % of the proceeds went to the charity. Good Karma, guys.

"Gen Con Indy 2011 was simply the best Gen Con ever for us," said Adrian Swartout (CEO of Gen Con LLC)"We had such incredible support from our exhibitors, sponsors, event organizers and volenteers, and of course, the amazing businesses and people of Indianapolis. We are so thankful to have their partnership in crafting the world's finest experience in gaming. Next year, Gen Con has its 45th anniversary. We are too excited for words at the amount of fun we are already planning for next August."

And I can't wait to be there with bells on.

Hopefully I'll be able to get better pics of the steampunkery I threw together on Sunday.

For more information visit the website at www.gencon.com  . For up-to-the minute details, find us at www.facebook.com/genconindy and at www.twitter.com/gen_con .

Future Gen Con Indy Show DatesGen Con has been in Indianapolis since 2003 and has signed a five-year extension with the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association (ICVA) for 2011-2015. Below are the upcoming show dates.
August 16-19, 2012
August 15-18, 2013
August 14-17, 2014
July 30 - August 2, 2015

Next time Eventually, I'll give you a little more detail about the awesome folks who I got to talk to this year.