The Kumano Kodō is 1 of only 2 UNESCO pilgrimage trails in the world, used since the 10th century by ascetics, samurai, emperors & monks. Learn the trail’s cultural history from someone who hiked it.
Description:
The Kumano Kodō is one of only two UNESCO-honored pilgrimage trails in the world, used since the 10th century for physical and spiritual journeys and helping to create a millennium of peaceful religious syncretism. Join a thousand years of ascetics, samurai, emperors, and monks to learn about the cultural history of this trail network from someone who has hiked it herself. We’ll discuss the historical context, the development of the trail network, the purpose of the pilgrimages and the resulting thousand years of religious syncretism, political implications, and how the trails can be experienced today.
Writers discuss the continuing evolution of science-fiction.
Description:
How do we reinvent futures in a genre that's always been writing futures? Join our panel of sci-fi writers as they discuss the new futures—and new explorations—in science fiction. Panelists: Bryan Young (moderator), Mostafa Haque, Sean CW Korsgaard, Erin Roberts, Sheree Renée Thomas. Track: GCWS Genre.
Secondary Market Management: Understanding Secondary Market Value
Summary:
A presentation on how companies can better control their collectible product's long-term profitability, and for collectors who want to better understand what impacts the value of their collection.
Description:
In the collectibles market, firms can be tempted to increase supply so to maximize revenue; however, in many cases, this has led to long-term profit declines and, ultimately, the failure of the product. Steven believes companies can help prevent such catastrophes by developing Secondary Market Management strategies. He will go in-depth on the nature of customers and the different types of collectible products, along with his findings based on millions of blockchain transactions that give new insight into what factors contribute to the fluctuation of a product’s secondary market value. He concludes by sharing a new empirical model that can help companies maximize profits by finding the optimal collectible initial pricing and production quantities. Along with additional insight for any enthusiastic customer of collectible products.
Secrets of the Traveller Universe Seminar with Marc Miller
Summary:
An intriguing discussion of where the Traveller universe came from and where it is going. Marc will cover the ideas to make adventures interesting and fun. Includes a Q&A session.
Learn how to be a more effective GM, how to deal with disruptive personalities & how to ensure that everyone has a good time. Covers basic and advanced gamemastering techniques.
Shaping GM Experience Into a Career in Narrative Design
Summary:
Experienced GMs discuss how GM skills can be applied to a career in narrative design and/or gamewriting.
Description:
Playing RPGs as a GM provides a deep understanding of player agency—foundational to the success of any game (whether it has a story or not)—and gives GMs inventive ways to facilitate that agency. This rich and unique experience develops not just writing and worldbuilding, but also adaptation, the ability to understand character needs, and the appreciation of the important relationship between mechanics and story. Join our panel of experienced GMs as they discuss how these skills can be applied to a career in narrative design and/or writing for games. Panelists: Brandon Crilly (moderator), Alexander Bevier, Richard Dansky, Ed Greenwood. Track: GCWS Game Narrative.
Get some freshly baked hot takes & tips on streaming! Featuring panelists: DM Jason (RealmSmith), Duke (One Shot Questers) & cast members from Careful Cantrip: DM Dave, Dead Aussie Gamer & Rayna Rai!
Description:
Also featuring international guest Mháire Stritter of Orkenspalter TV. This panel will be moderated by Peter of DnDwMe.
Join Special Guest Diana M. Pho for a live in-depth interview by podcaster and speculative fiction and game writer Erin Roberts about her editing and her new role at Erewhon Books.
Writers, games, and poets discuss the incorporation of poetry in roleplaying games.
Description:
Poetry and gaming have, can we say, a poetic relationship? Join our panel of expert speculative poets and gamers as they discuss reimagining the way we incorporate both poetry and poets into RPGs, going beyond the traditional cliches of the bard to one that remembers how poets in global traditions are often figures of great adventure and misadventure, and ways to improve the incorporation of rhymes, riddles, and the like in both fantasy and science fiction settings without obligating players to write complicated forms on the spot. Panelists: Marie Bilodeau (moderator), Brandon O'Brien, C. S. E. Cooney, Bryan Thao Worra. Track: GCWS Multimedia.