Gencon 2011

[Grammaticus]

I'll be heading to Indy this year for GenCon. I have a room booked at the JW Marriott. Let me know if there is any kind of a get together planned.

[SirFozzie]

Cool, don't forget event reg opens this sunday at noon (the first)

[Grammaticus]

I have been scoping the rpg section to find stuff I am interested in and plan on registering for a few with friends.

Do the rpg games fill up fast or is it still easy to get spots after the first few days?

[SirFozzie]

RPG games fill up QUICKLY.

[Grammaticus]

Does that mean I can register on Monday or is it critical to do it on Sunday? I'm out of town this weekend so I might have to figure something out, especially if I'm on the road.

I'm looking at some Shadowrun games sessions, the White Star 3.5 stuff looks really interesting too. The Drunken D&D looked cool, some of the 7nth sea looks cool and I really wanted to do the one Flashing Blades game (oldie from the 80's).

[SirFozzie]

Monday may be too late for some games..

[Grammaticus]

Alright, thanks for the heads up, I will have to figure out a way to get it done on Sunday.

[SirFozzie]

what you can do is register all the events you want, and have someone log in and dump your wants into the queue Sunday at noon

[SirFozzie]

BTW, if we want to synchronize schedules, this is what I put on my wishlist so far:

Thursday:

6 PM-10PM - Shadowrun Missions (2011 edition - Mission 01) Moving Day (RPG1123295)

(This is the new Living Campaign from Catalyst, so all characters will be beginning ones, so you wouldn't be underpowered like if you took a later 2011 mission)

Friday

2 PM-6 PM - Battletech - The War of Reaving NMN1122639

(this is a storyline affecting mission, based on the struggles of the Homeworld Clans)

Saturday

Noon-2 PM - Who's Run Is It Anyway? (ENT1123416)

(Cross Shadowrun with Who's Line Is It Anyway.. Then Duck and cover.) Join our intrepid Runners as they act out scenes based on suggestions from the audience in this hilarious Shadowrun event! For mature audiences only!

3 PM-7 PM - Formula Waaaaaggghh! NMN1123512

Mix the speed of Formula 1 with the insanity of Warhammer 40K's Orks. Then Duck And Cover. Wait, I used that joke already? Here's the event description:

War Boss Throkk summons the fastest and most reckless racers from his ork tribes to the ruins of a captured Imperial capital. Each of the tribes has sent their best teams to race through the ruins of the city. Only the cleverest, most violent, and bloodthirsty will win the race and gain the favor of the Warboss. 40k figures and simple racing rules.



Combine with the dealer hall (especially getting in an hour early this year ^_^) and the auction hall, I should be busy!

[SirFozzie]

Heh. Submitted my wishlist about a minute after event reg opened, I'm #1283 in line for processing.

Event Registration=SRIUS BIZNESS

[SirFozzie]

Damnit, despite submitting two minutes after reg began, I missed out on two of my choices:

Revised Schedule


Friday
10-2 Shadowrun
2-6 (Battletech)

Saturday
12-2 Shadowrun/Humor

I guess I'll go in next week once the furor's died down and see what else I can pick up.. plus probably a good time to start synchronizing schedules to schedule the FOFC dinner..

(Plus, well, I heard funny things about the Hentai Dubbing event, gotta wait for that to be added to the schedule)

[Grammaticus]

I have a couple of folks from my local gaming group that will be there too.

Looks like I have a ticket for the following:

Thu at 10:00 AM - Deadlands Reloaded: The Old Todd Passage
Thu at 2:00 PM - Shadowrun, Missions CMP 2010-02 Copycat Killer?
Fri at 4:00 PM - A Question of Honor / Flashing Blades
Sat at 8:00 AM - Welcome to White Star 1908!
Sat at 1:25 PM - The Lair of the Sea-Lich (combat oriented)
Sun at 8:00 AM - #3-03: The Ghenett Manor Gauntlet

They are all RPG games, except The Lair of the Sea-Lich, which is a True Dungeon event.

[SirFozzie]

So far, friday or saturday night look to be the best bets? (of course, depending on what everyone else picks up)

[PurdueBrad]

I can't get over how quickly things filled up. My first two choices didn't make it as I was 1041 in processing.

Right now, the schedule is:

Thursday at 6pm- Space 1889 seminar
Friday at noon- Sparks #141A Star Wars game
Saturday at 3pm- Pinnacle's seminar
Saturday at 8 pm- Savage Saturday (having a RUBI issue so I'm hoping to get into a game here)
Sunday at 1 pm- Beyond the Hollow Earth seminar

[cubboyroy1826]

Here is my schedule which strangely mirrors Brads:

Thursday at 6pm- Space 1889 seminar
Friday at noon- Sparks #141A Star Wars game
Saturday at 3pm- Pinnacle's seminar
Saturday at 8 pm- Savage Saturday Night: Götterdämmerung, Orville Redenbacher, & You
Sunday at 1 pm- Beyond the Hollow Earth seminar

I am hoping to pick a few more games if some tickets open up.

[sachmo71]

Here is my schedule. Still have some holes to fill. (that's what she said)

8/4
9am - 3pm - Twilight Imperium
3pm - 4pm - WOW TCG beginner tournament
6pm - 8pm - Small World + Expansions
9pm - 11pm - The Hobbit boardgame

8/5
10am - 1pm - Cthulhu Madness
6pm - 9:30pm - Car Wars Crossroads
10pm - 1am - Battles of Westeros

8/6
9am - 11am - Hickman's Killer Breakfast
11am - 1pm - Small World Underworld
7pm - 11pm - Ebontop Dungeon Crawl

8/7
1pm - 4pm - Mansions of Madness: investigators

[cubboyroy1826]

Wow Sach that Twilight Imperium is a pretty long game.

[sachmo71]

yes, it is. last year i opened with Talisman...same room, same duration.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by cubboyroy1826

Wow Sach that Twilight Imperium is a pretty long game.

6 hours?

Must only be doing 2 turns...

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

So far, friday or saturday night look to be the best bets? (of course, depending on what everyone else picks up)

Nights are best for me. I'll just be hanging out in the auction area...

[cubboyroy1826]

Originally Posted by Mustang

Nights are best for me. I'll just be hanging out in the auction area...

Wasn't that your hang out of choice last year as well? From what I recall you left Gencon with a car full of games.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by cubboyroy1826

Wasn't that your hang out of choice last year as well? From what I recall you left Gencon with a car full of games.

Ya.. I think I crammed about 90-100 in my car last year.

I'll be bringing a bigger car this year.

[sachmo71]

mustang, did you get crazy deals at the auction?

[cubboyroy1826]

Do they have the details for the auctions up yet? I was looking around last night and I did not see anything on the auctions.

[Glengoyne]

Never been to GenCon, though some friends are looking to go this year. I'm gearing up for KublaCon here at the end of the month in San Francisco.

So on the event registration...it is first come first serve? In May? That is crazy to have that all figured out months in advance. I guess it is THE con. I'm still kicking the idea of a trip to Indy around...is it too late? Should I set my sights on 2012?

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by cubboyroy1826

Do they have the details for the auctions up yet? I was looking around last night and I did not see anything on the auctions.

Same layout usually every year. How much they allocate in time blocks depends on what they get in. The livegameauctions site has details usually, but it is down.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

mustang, did you get crazy deals at the auction?

Fair prices on things. Really depends on what you want and how patient you are. You name the game it is probably going to be there. Funny thing is, sometimes you can get a better deal in the consignment shop.

[Warhammer]

Were there any Formula De track auctions last year?

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

Were there any Formula De track auctions last year?

Hmm.. not many track packs. I know I picked up 2 base sets bundled together for around $35. One had a bonus of 15 of the small pewter cars in it. But overall just a few scattered. No big bundles.

[Warhammer]

I don't need a big pack, I'm looking to pick up some of the ones I do not have.

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by Glengoyne

Never been to GenCon, though some friends are looking to go this year. I'm gearing up for KublaCon here at the end of the month in San Francisco.

So on the event registration...it is first come first serve? In May? That is crazy to have that all figured out months in advance. I guess it is THE con. I'm still kicking the idea of a trip to Indy around...is it too late? Should I set my sights on 2012?

First Come First serve

There's a lot of reasons to go, A) THere's still new events being added, etcetera, and B) You can buy what's called "generic" tickets where you can show up at any game and pay your way in with Generics.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

Were there any Formula De track auctions last year?

On a side note, I'm REALLY thinking about signing up for one of the colossal (squid) versions of Formula De this year. Looks FUN!

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

On a side note, I'm REALLY thinking about signing up for one of the colossal (squid) versions of Formula De this year. Looks FUN!

They play all what.. 35 tracks?

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Mustang

They play all what.. 35 tracks?

No, they use matchbox cars.

Got that Matchbox or Hot Wheel still hangin around. Bring it, board is scaled for their use. Learn the basics of Formula De Auto Racing Game – different die per gear, damage to the car (easier in terms of damage chips), and plotting movement and turning. Mini – uses a three lane, level 1 turns boards.

[cubboyroy1826]

With all of this talk you guys have piqued my interest in this Formula De Auto Racing. Where can I find out more info?

[SirFozzie]

Formula De (Board Game) - Gen Con Indy 2011

For the Formula De events at GenCon

Amazon.com: Formula D: Toys & Games

At Amazon

Formula D | Board Game | BoardGameGeek

Formula D at Boardgamegeek:

Formula D | Board Game | BoardGameGeek

(Formula D is the updated re-release of Formula De)

http://formulede.online.free.fr/ Formula De Online Game Client (Site in french but you can set the game to english)

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

No, they use matchbox cars.

Ahh ya.. that one. I've played that one before, that is where I learned to play.

[cubboyroy1826]

I think I might have tried this out last year at Gencon and was not impressed with the Demo. The guy giving the demo was very distracted throughout and did not seem like he wanted to be there. Maybe I will try signing up for a game.

[SirFozzie]

From the monthly GenCon Email: Looks like something we should be looking at:

Gen Con Game Library & Pick-Up Play Area

Gen Con is thrilled to announce an expanded Game Library and a new Pick-Up Play area for all your gaming pleasure!

The Game Library is offering more space, more tables and more seats … 450 to be exact! Your purchase of a “Gen Con Game Library / Pick-Up Play” ticket guarantees you access to the room, all the games the library has to offer and of course a seat.

This year not only will the library serve as THE place to try out games before you buy, but will also be the official Pick-Up Play area. We’re introducing a dedicated space where people can congregate, meet up with friends or find likeminded gamers to play a specific game. Bring your own or rent one from the library.

The Game Library and Pick-Up play area will be located inside the Indiana Convention Center, entrance in room 101. Hours are:

Thurs - 8am-3am
Fri & Sat - 7am-3am
Sun - 7am-4pm

Tickets are $4 for daytime and $6 for nighttime. Using the Day/Night ticket options you can customize your purchase to fit your schedule. Tickets are per person.

For more information and/or to get your ticket(s) look for events with the title “Gen Con Game Library / Pick-Up Play” - Game IDs ZED1122114 through ZED1122119.

[sachmo71]

i had a really bad experience with the library, but i'd be willing to give it another shot.

[Mustang]

How do the tickets work? Is it $6 per night?

This year I'm thinking of sticking around Saturday night. Last year I left around 2 PM Saturday afternoon.

[Mustang]

Looks like I'll be staying at a Holiday Inn about 10 miles out of town. Around $85 a night (with taxes). Just keeping an eye on prices, but nothing will probably change.

36 days.

[cubboyroy1826]

Mustang I just booked a hotel that is about 8 miles out of town through Hotwire for $60 per night. It is a Wyndham Hotel that I have stayed at before. Not the fanciest place but perfect for Gencon. The bad part about Hotwire is the you do not get to see the hotel name you are booking and you cannot cancel. Here is a link to the hotel

[SirFozzie]

So, I decided to be a bit ridiculous this year, and booked tickets to both Hentai Cafe events, which from what I'm told are ridiculously funny.

[ColtCrazy]

Is GenCon pretty spectator friendly? Since I left college, my usual group of gamers have long since spread out. I'm a decade removed from gaming, so I'll probably just bring my son and look at different games and exhibits and buy whatever catches my eye.

[cubboyroy1826]

I would say most definitely. There will be a lot of people there but your son and you should have a good time. You might want to take look at the events as there might be something both of you could get into.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by cubboyroy1826

The bad part about Hotwire is the you do not get to see the hotel name you are booking and you cannot cancel. [/url]

I'm not a big fan of hotel roulette. If I have to pay a little more to get a place where I know I'm staying at as opposed to gambling that I'm not going to get some shit hole then I'm ok with it.

Was that $60 for the room (+taxes included) or do you still have to pay the taxes so it still turns into around $74ish?

[cubboyroy1826]

Yeah $60 plus taxes so I think about $72 and change with everything.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by cubboyroy1826

Yeah $60 plus taxes so I think about $72 and change with everything.

Mine looks like it will be a little under 85 / night. I liked the area... about 8 miles outside of town and I can get on the highway pretty easily.

Granted, not like walking outside your room and pretty much being at Gencon like some people do *cough* Fozzie *cough*

[SirFozzie]

*looks around* someone call my name?