Recent drone use in Ukraine & elsewhere. Synergy of drones, robotics and AI. What drones can do, combat, surveillance, auxiliary missions, the way forward. By Merle Robinson, NSDM staff.
Description:
Lecture discusses recent history of drone use in Ukraine and other theaters. Describes synergy of drone use with advanced robotic and artificial intelligence. What drones can do under the right conditions. Drone units, drone carriers, drones for combat, drones as wingmen and combat support for piloted combat aircraft, for surveillance and for auxiliary duties. Where we go from here. Presented by Merle Robinson, lead simulation designer and retired DoD analyst, on the National Security Decision Making Game staff. NSDMG team presentations have been enjoyed by more than 30K attendees since 1990, at GenCon, Origins, DragonCon & other gaming, government & educational venues.
Expert writers discuss East and Southeast Asian writing and media across science fiction, fantasy, and horror in prose, poetry, and tabletop roleplaying games.
Description:
Panelists: Bryan Thao Worra (moderator), Mary Fan, Grace P. Fong, Diana M. Pho, R.R. Virdi. Track: GCWS Multimedia.
Join Keith- the game designer & novelist known for creating the Eberron Campaign Setting for Dungeons & Dragons. Discussion of Eberron past & present, behind the scenes tales & what's next.
Description:
Keith Baker is a game designer and novelist known for creating the Eberron Campaign Setting for Dungeons & Dragons and the card game Gloom, as well as games such as Illimat, Phoenix Dawn Command, and The Adventure Zone: Bureau of Balance with his company Twogether Studios. Join Keith for a discussion of projects past and present, including behind the scenes tales of Eberron and a peek at what’s coming next from Twogether Studios!
EMP history, mechanism, worst-case potential. Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., a physicist with 12 years' Naval War College experience and currently on NSDM staff, separates fact from science fiction.
Description:
Electromagnetic Pulse, or EMP, has become a favorite boogieman of authors and screenplay writers depicting apocalyptic scenarios. But what is the real history and what is the potential for EMP weapons, terrorism and attacks? What is the mechanism and what affects the damage done? Lecture attempts to separate the facts, engineering and science from the science fiction. Presented by Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., a physicist with 12 years' experience at the Naval War College, on the National Security Decision Making Game (NSDMG) staff. NSDMG team presentations have been enjoyed by more than 30K attendees since 1990, at GenCon, Origins, DragonCon & other gaming, government & educational venues.
This will be an interactive seminar for new and experienced GMs/DMs to celebrate diversity in tabletop gaming and support others in the hobby.
Description:
Embrace the Initiative is a Tabletop Gaming RPG workshop/open forum to help teach and support dungeon and game master as they learn to be confident and comfortable leaders in their hobby. We will discuss the strength, flexibility, and fortitude they already have within them to help them grow as storytellers and be ready to adapt to new situations.
Swing by before the closing ceremonies to say hello to Writers' Symposium Guests, and Gen Con Guests including Ed Greenwood in a casual, wind-down event.
Writers discuss the incorporation of entertainment into troubled worlds.
Description:
Often in the hardest times, it is culture that provides people the energy to face them. From theatre to sports to group gaming, what does the inclusion of entertainment in your story say about your troubled world—and what does your world say without it? Join our panel of writers as they discuss. Panelists: Patrick S. Tomlinson (moderator), Richard Lee Byers, Jennifer Brozek, Gini Koch, K.B. Wagers. Track: GCWS Worldbuilding.
Attention all fan-fest coordinators! Are you looking to grow your convention and create a larger network of attendees and vendors?
Description:
Join me for a seminar on the importance of collaboration in creating a large fan-fest circuit. I'll be discussing three major steps that can help smaller events grow into larger events, including identifying your target audience and niche, leveraging the power of social media and digital marketing, and collaborating with other conventions and events. By working together, we can create a more diverse and vibrant convention scene that benefits everyone involved. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn how collaboration can take your convention to the next level.
Fantasy and Historical Fiction: Where Do They Overlap?
Summary:
Writers discuss the cross-connections of fantasy and historical fiction in a modern context.
Description:
Historical fiction has been an integral part of fantasy from the very start of the genre and remains a core influence in the works of many prominent fantasy authors. How are authors inspired by history in classic and current works? What are the pros, cons, and pitfalls of historical influence? Join our expert panel of fantasy writers as they discuss. Panelists: LaShawn M. Wanak (moderator), Howard Andrew Jones, Diana M. Pho, Dedren Snead, R.R. Virdi. Track: GCWS Genre.
Writer Sandra Tayler teaches techniques for comprehensive marketing.
Description:
In a world of social media, creative work sells better if you frame your pitch with a story. Come learn from author Sandra Tayler how to present your work so it intrigues your potential audience. This works for everything from novels to artwork to Kickstarters to growing a social media following. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Come hang out with the Fool's Gold crew from the D&D animated series "Fool's Gold" from Dingo Doodles on YouTube! Watch a brand new Fool's Gold episode with them and join the Q&A!
Fostering Great Writer-Editor Relationships (Session A)
Summary:
Agents, editors, and writers discuss the ups, downs, and goals of editorial relationships.
Description:
Writers need to know that their editors are giving feedback that will improve their stories. Editors need to know that the writers they’re working with trust them. Both writers and editors have ended up in working relationships that were rocky at best. However, the writer–editor partnership can be creatively fulfilling for both parties. How do writers and editors build trust and learn to communicate with each other so that their collaborations produce the best stories possible? Join our panel of agents, editors, and writers as they discuss what works best for them in an editorial relationship. Panelists: Brady McReynolds (moderator), Jennifer Brozek, Erik Scott de Bie, John Jennings, Gini Koch. Track: GCWS Editing.
Fostering Great Writer-Editor Relationships (Session B)
Summary:
Editors and writers - who have worked together - discuss the ups, downs, and goals of editorial relationships.
Description:
Writers need to know that their editors are giving feedback that will improve their stories. Editors need to know that the writers they’re working with trust them. Both writers and editors have ended up in working relationships that were rocky at best. However, the writer-editor partnership can be creatively fulfilling for both parties. How do writers and editors build trust and learn to communicate with each other so that their collaborations produce the best stories possible? Join our expert panel of editors and authors who have worked with each other - and certainly have stories to tell. Panelists: Bryan Young (moderator), Maurice Broaddus, Dr. Chesya Burke, Katherine Monasterio. Track: GCWS Editing.
Fostering Great Writer-Editor Relationships (Session C)
Summary:
Editors and writers - who have worked together - discuss editorial relationships.
Description:
Writers need to know that their editors are giving feedback that will improve their stories. Editors need to know that the writers they’re working with trust them. Both writers and editors have ended up in working relationships that were rocky at best. However, the writer-editor partnership can be creatively fulfilling for both parties. How do writers and editors build trust and learn to communicate with each other so that their collaborations produce the best stories possible? Join our expert panel of editors and authors who have worked with each other - and certainly have stories to tell. Panelists: Toiya Kristen Finley (moderator): E.D.E. Bell, Brandon Crilly, Jordan Jones-Brewster, Latoya Peterson, Gregory A. Wilson. Track: GCWS Editing.
Free League invites press and the public to a reveal of exciting news for the upcoming year and a chance to ask our game designers anything!
Description:
Participants at the Free League Showcase are:
- Tomas Härenstam, lead designer of Dragonbane, ALIEN RPG, Blade Runner RPG, Twilight: 2000, Forbidden Lands, and Mutant: Year Zero.
- Johan Nohr and Christian Sahlén, designers of MÖRK BORG and CY_BORG
- Carl Niblaeus, lead designer of DEATH IN SPACE
- Luke Stratton, lead designer of Pirate Borg
- Kiku Pukk Härenstam, co-writer of Seasons of Mystery and A Wicked Secret for Vaesen
Come join Product Line Developers Michael Curtis and Chris Doyle to learn what it takes to be a professional freelancer for Goodman Games.
Description:
Learn what the publisher is looking for, and what they are not looking for! Several freelance contributors will also be on hand to give their perspective on working for an RPG company and - more specifically - Goodman Games. We will wrap up with a Q&A session, and all participants will be on hand following the seminar for one-on-one meetings.
How can educators bridge the game table and the classroom? Join a panel of designers and educators in discussion on the trials and triumphs of gaming as education.
Description:
What are the best practices, challenges, pitfalls, and rewards of using tabletop roleplaying to help students learn history, think critically, and build curiosity? Join Patrick Mooney (Lead Designer of Nations & Cannons), professional educator Mollie Brewsaugh, and others in discussion about the trials and triumphs of gaming as education.
From Twitter to YouTube: Building an Online TTRPG brand with Ed Greenwood
Summary:
Ed Greenwood and his support team talk about his online engagement with the TTRPG community on various platforms. Lessons learned, and the history of moving from paper to digital.
Description:
The road of one old gamer from the Candlekeep Forums, to Twitter, to Ed Greenwood's more recent website, Patreon, a merch store, Discord, and YouTube.
From the Tabletop to the Page: Comics, Crowdfunding, and Games
Summary:
Tabletop gaming and comics are a natural pairing, and it's no wonder that many tabletop games have made the jump to comics. Game designers and comics creators, come together for this panel.
Description:
Tabletop gaming and comics are a natural pairing, and it's no wonder that many tabletop games have made the jump to comics--and vice versa. Game designers, comics creators, and more come together for this panel to discuss adapting TTRPGs for comics; creating board games and RPGs based on comics; and finding audiences and funding for these projects in different ways, including crowdfunding.
Join Dominic McDowall (CEO and Head Games Designer) and Padraig Murphy (Lead Producer) for a peek into Cubicle 7's upcoming TTRPG releases!
Description:
Join Dominic McDowall (CEO and Head Games Designer) and Padraig Murphy (Lead Producer) for a peek into Cubicle 7's upcoming TTRPG releases - from Warhammer Imperium Maledictum, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Warhammer 40,000 Wrath and Glory, Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Soulbound to Doctor Who, Broken Weave and beyond!