Are you a rabbit? Interested in becoming a Mad Lab Rabbit? This will be a great chance to meet with other rabbits and discuss the events being held at Gen Con.
No, this panel is not about Robert Heinlein, although his name might come up. Have you ever lived in or visited a foreign country where the change in culture was striking? Well, that's the feeling you need to give your character if he "isn't from around here." We'll discuss the "fish out of water" aspect of characterization, and how to use it for drama and comedy.
With the release of Paizo's new Pathfinder RPG, the 3.5 tradition lives on! Come join Paizo staff and volunteers as they guide you through the process of converting your character from 3.5 to PRPG--or just come learn how to make a PRPG character!
Whether your story is set in an imaginary world or in the real one, things that will pop a reader or an editor out of your story is inconsistency in naming conventions, make-believe words, and invented languages. Join us for a discussion on how to maintain consistency in your writing.
The various types of submarines and their missions. History and development of submarine and anti-submarine doctrine, platforms, sensors, weapons and tactics. Presented by Captain Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., a 30-year submarine officer with extensive experience in tactical development.
D&D Organized Play Update and RPGA Members Meeting
Description:
If you’re interested in participating in one of our official Organized Play programs and want the scoop on how to join, stop by to get information on all of our existing programs and hear about our upcoming offerings. From Worldwide D&D Game Day to D&D Delve Night to Living Forgotten Realms (and all points in-between), we’ll give you the lowdown and status of all of our current programs. This seminar will also serve as the RPGA Members’ Meeting.
This seminar uses a pulp adventure setting. You will create a character that is a member of an adventuring group. The focus will be creating a deep background for your character. We will use Magic: The Gathering cards to assist in the creation of this background.
"Call me Ishmael." A great opening line hooks a reader and keeps him turning the pages. Panelists discuss some of their favorite opening lines and give you tips on how you can craft opening sentences that will capture the attention of a reader (and hopefully an agend and editor, too).
This summer saw the release of an anthology inspired by Gen Con. It is a collection of stories from thirteen writer-gamers, most of them in attendance at this convention. Come pick their brains about mixing gaming and writing, discuss books, get a copy of Gamer Fantastic, and stick around to hear a few of the stories read.
Join veteran podcaster Ryan Macklin for twice-daily podcast updates of what's happening at Gen Con. Along with special guests, you will have the opportunity to tell the folks at home what they're missing. Each event will produce a fifteen-minute podcast that will be immediately uploaded to the web for fans at home to listen to.
Informal discussion on what is involved with running that first game. Hints, suggestions and no-no's. All ages, all experince levels welcome. Join the fun!
Back from last year! Learn how one GM uses the Fudge system to run games with a subjective approach to the game mechanics. Fudge uses adjectives instead of numbers, so you determine how a dice roll enhances the game instead of crunching numbers behind a GM's screen. Plus Fudge is a great system to introduce new players to RPGs with. Best of all, with Fudge you design the game yourself! Any genre, setting, or time period can be played using Fudge.
Got a great idea for the next hot roleplaying game? Or do you want to land some freelance work from one of your favorite game companies? Panelists give advice on how to market your ideas and how to go about getting freelance contracts.
Is there more to your story than can fit into one book? Or is it the other way around . . . do you have too much material for your tale and need to cut a few hundred pages? Our panelists will tackle trilogies and open-ended series, including how to approach writing the multi-part saga and how to market it.
This novel panel is intended to give people who have potential podcast content a chance to meet the podcasters who are interested in that content. An opportunity to meet them as a group rather than singly. If you have a product, service or event that you would like a podcaster to talk about, on their show, plan on attending one of these sessions. Also if you have an idea of something for podcasters to do, we would like to hear it.
Freelancing (or How to Get Your Second Freelance Project)!
Description:
Freelancing isn't always easy but it can be very rewarding. Join our panelists as they discuss the life of being a freelancer in the Hobby Gaming Industry. Learn how to become a freelancer, how to collaborate with writers and developers, how to take direction, how to get hired and make career out of it!
The International Association of Media Tie In Writers (IAMTW) presents awards for game-related fiction. Come meet the winners and learn about the IAMTW. Hosted by IAMTW member John Helfers.
How Roleplaying Games Can Make You a Better Writer
Description:
Sure, roleplaying games have probably taught you everything you need to know in life, but what can they teach you about writing? We'll discuss several aspects, such as dialog, making your characters come alive, pacing, subplots, clues and misdirection, narrative description, managing combat scenes, making characters fit the story, plots, and avoiding writer's block.
This seminar will feature a multi-media presentation by TD hardcore veterans who will outline different aspects of how True Dungeon works. This is a great seminar to attend before your first True Dungeon adventure.
Join New York Times best selling author, Micheal A. Stackpole, and learn about his adventures podcasting fiction. Both new and authors and published authors have used podcasting to gain recognition and boost sales.
Not all humor is created equal. Proffessional cartoonist Howard Tayler explains the different types of humor and why they work, or don't. He'll also cover how to set up and deliver jokes so that the readers will laugh.
The Nordic Connection: A Cross Continental Conversation About RPGs
Description:
What's happening in the Nordic roleplaying scene of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland? Pervasive gaming, social realism, deep immersive play, 360 larps, and a role playing high school to just name a few things. Learn about the myths and realities of these innovative role playing game communities.
Critically acclaimed author Lawrence C. Connolly reads from his collection VISIONS: SHORT FANTASY & SF and his supernatural thriller VEINS. Augmented with music from the newly released VEINS: A SOUNDTRACK and artwork by Star E. Olson, this dynamic multi-media event features commentary on the writing of the books and the creation of the musical soundscapes featured on the CD. Presented by Fantasist Enterprises. Not to be missed.
And sometimes the bad guys wear white. In fantasy and science fiction the lines can blur between the heroes and villains. Panelists offer suggestions on crafting heroic villains and villainous heroes.
Want to add or improve the military flavor in your stories? Join us to discuss how playing games and learning strategy and tactics can help you figure out where the hero is and where the villain is, and how you can draw on battle tactics to put some ooomph in their meeting.
No longer are we tied to the channels of content on the television. Advances in technology and the evolution of consumer habits have brought on a new era of media. Radio and television programing is available on demand over the web with concepts as specific as worm farming. Learn more about it from both ends of the microphone.
Join members of Wizard’s R&D team, D&D Insider, and novel authors to discuss the latest happenings in the Eberron campaign setting. Secrets and upcoming events will be revealed!
Once again Jared and Luke very politely ask you three simple questions about your game designs. Through the three questions we help erstwhile designers sharpen the focus of their designs. This is part one of a series of three seminars.
Dry spells, poor salesmanship, frustrating editors, and day jobs are the bane of writers. We'll offer you advice on how to overcome unfortunate times, how to deal with rejection, and what you can do to keep plugging away at the keyboard.
What is a hook? And why do I need it? How can I get my players really involved in my story? Join us for a panel discussion of what GMs can learn from writers, including tips on how to write your next adventure.
USA Today Bestselling author Jean Rabe, with more than two dozen novels and four dozen short stories, is ready to chat about life, the universe, and how to break into the market. Bring your questions.
Join the hosts of the podcast Brilliant Gameologists and learn what words will bring out the worst emotions in people and will counter the real message you are trying to convey- either names you could call players (Munchkin, Powergamer, Drama Queen, Rules Lawyer, Meta-gamer) or whining to your GM (It’s not fair! It’s not realistic! You are railroading us!). Learn alternatives to name calling that are just as fun and send the message you mean.
Using Gaming Media to Enhance Your Shopping Experience
Description:
Enhance the shopping experience at your friendly professional game store through the use of integrated media solutions. Improve the flow of information for both staff and customers through the use of gaming media, including previews and reviews in audio, video, and written formats. Discuss the best ways to choose what media to play in store and how to integrate them into existing infrastructure.
Meet the creative minds behind White Wolf's newest product line in the World of Darkness - Geist, which is launching at Gen Con. The writers will be on hand to answer your questions and talk about the creative process leading up to this release.
Join our Industry Insiders in an open and frank discussion about the diverse and sometimes radically different philosophies of game design. Who knew there could be so many different approaches to game design? There are and these industry professionals can attest to it! This seminar will be offered twice with different panelists to offer you a wide range of ideas and philosophies.
Switching Gears--Game Writing to Fiction and Back Again
Description:
The genres require different styles of writing, and if you want to work in both industries you have to be able to switch gears . . . and don't let them hear the dice rolling when you do it.
She's written fiction and game material for enough years to be called a veteran. Jennifer Brozek is ready to offer advice on both writing fields, discuss her experiences working with Margaret Weis, and answer questions that aren't from the fields of physics or nuclear medicine.
This seminar will feature a multi-media presentation by TD hardcore veterans who will outline different aspects of how True Dungeon works. This is a great seminar to attend before your first True Dungeon adventure.
After 1 year of operation and over 200 member sites, the RPG Bloggers Network is going strong. Come learn about the Network, hear the board talk about what's next for the Network, and meet the many Network members who are attending Gen Con.
What roles did Strategic and Operational Decisions, Leadership, Intelligence, Overconfidence and Technology play in the failure of the Allies' most ambitious airborne operation?
The popular Dragon Magazine column leaps out of the Web and onto center stage for this rousing debate on the nuances of D&D game design with members of Wizard’s R&D team. Audience participation guaranteed!
Web pages and blogs and going to conventions . . . oh my! Promoting yourself and your writing is necessary in today's market. But how far should you go? How much should you spend? Just how do you promote yourself without sounding desperate? Our panelists offer their sage advice on how to draw attention to you and your work economically and ethically.
Salon: An 18th Century term meaning “A periodic gathering of people of social or intellectual distinction.†Gameology: The study of games and the people who play them. The Brilliant Gameologists Podcast: Educated type folks who talk about the science of games, gamers, and gaming. Interested? Join the hosts of the in a facilitated “roundtable†discussion about gameology, the industry, and nerd-a-rific, jargon-tastic fun.
Want to write for Paizo? Want a crack at the hobby games industry? Stop by this panel to get an inside look on how it's done and learn how you could one day write for Paizo Publishing.
Join veteran podcaster Ryan Macklin for twice-daily podcast updates of what's happening at Gen Con. Along with special guests, you will have the opportunity to tell the folks at home what they're missing. Each event will produce a fifteen-minute podcast that will be immediately uploaded to the web for fans at home to listen to.
John Helfers and Kelly Swails will wax eloquent and inspire you with their priceless, pungent, and perfect prose. Seriously folks, join them for a fun hour as they read from their latest works.
Mass Market: How to Submit Products to Mass Market Companies
Description:
In this high-level overview, panelists will discuss the game market in general and what the big game companies are looking for. How you can get your games reviewed and what is the process for success.