The Camera sees everything! Or does it? Let’s take a look at the rigging and building that makes it look like a simple puppet can do it all!
Description:
How do you get a puppet to shoot a basket, ride a bull, play violin or eat a plate of spaghetti? Knowing your camera angles, having a great team, & a clear vision are a good start, but you also may need specialty puppets or props built to solve the problem. Lets look at some of the solutions that we have come up with for TV shows like Crash & Bernstein & commercials for Nike & Eyeglass World. For more than 30 years, Greg & Kristin have been Los Angeles-based puppet builders & performers. They've puppeteered with the Muppets, Henson’s Puppet Up, & Greg was the Puppet Captain on Disney’s Crash & Bernstein. On film, they were lead marionettists for Team America: World Police & part of the core Doc Ock performance crew on Spiderman II.
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.
The return of the classic GenCon "audience participation to craft an unofficial D&D story" event. Watch the hilarity ensue as audience members like you give Ed Greenwood ideas.
Description:
You and other audience members contribute ideas that Ed will turn into an unofficial fanfic story that might be set in some wild version of the Realms. It will be as dignified as the audience decides.
This is your opportunity to ask Ed Greenwood, creator of The Forgotten Realms and award-winning, internationally-bestselling author and game designer, anything!
Description:
Multiple-ENnie and Calliope winner and GAMA Hall of Fame inductee Ed Greenwood has created or co-created more than 500 books and game products and another 500-plus game articles. Ask him anything. Answers come with no guarantees.
Jacob Fryxelius takes us on a journey on how the board game Terraforming Mars was developed, and the design philosophy that made it what it is. Time for Q&A.
The Road to Terraforming Mars and International Publishing
Summary:
Enoch Fryxelius tells the story of how a very small family business from a very big family suddenly turned into an international publishing house with the success of Terraforming Mars. Time for Q&A.
2 of the brothers behind Terraforming Mars talk about what makes a game good - or bad! As designers, their focus is to make games where the underlying theme shapes all other choices. Time for Q&A.
Gabrielle Harbowy and James Farner are on agent paths at two different literary agencies. What's that like? Join them for a chat, as they discuss and take your questions!
Q&A Panel with Dungeon Dudes, GinnyDi, DnDShorts & PointyHat
Summary:
Come join some of your favourite YouTube personalities in a fun and informative discussion about what goes into being a content creator in the TTRPG space!
Discussion about horror in gaming that revolves around safety mechanics, favorite settings/systems, and advice for both storytellers and players on collaboratively playing in a horror game.
Description:
This panel focuses on horror in gaming. We are going to talk about getting into horror games, safety mechanics, settings and systems in horror, and advice for both players and storytellers on incorporating horror elements into your game. This seminar is a beginner's guide. Panelists include Jason Peercy, Will. Uhl, Sean Jaffe from Nerdycity, and Shale Blade. Moderator - Crystal Mazur (she/her/mx)
For those in the industry, new to the industry, or looking to get into the industry.
Description:
Hosted by Darker Days Radio, this panel will talk about how to get into the TTRPG industry, what you can expect, advice for writing and getting started in writing, and other aspects you may not be aware of. Panelists will continue to be announced shortly. Panelists Kari Jo "Kage" Freudigmann (she/her) - Community Relations Rep for Roll20, Community Manager for Storytelling Collective, freelance TTRPG writer and layout designer, Mitch Bustillos of Necrobiotics, and Ben Riggs of Slaying the Dragon. Moderator - Crystal Mazur (she/her/mx)
This panel will focus more in-depth on horror elements/mechanics within a game, pulling from horror media and adding it into your game, and different genres within horror
Description:
Darker Days Radio is hosting this panel discussion for players and storytellers who want a more in-depth and technical discussion surrounding using horror in TTRPGs. Everything from cinematic horror moments to mechanics that work well, different genres of horror and what they bring to gaming, and how to intensify horror will be discussed. Panelists are John Thompson of Rook and Raven, Liz Marrs from Attack from Marrs Games, and Kennedy from Heckin Good Doggos, Star Trek RPG, and Never Going Home. Moderator - Crystal Mazur (she/her/mx)
Takes you through how to include theatrical elements into your tabletop sessions. Build a more immersive experience for your players, and yourself.
Description:
20+ years of writing and producing black box theater, haunted houses, LARP’s, and every gamification in-between, Uncle Yo has cheats and quick tricks to heighten the emotional experience of your next tabletop gaming session. From in-person scavenger hunts, to texting inner monologues to rapid-fire NPCs, you can pull your players into a night they’ll never want to forget.
Dream of creating your own RPG setting to thrill your players? Janet and Dimitris take you step-by-step through a fail-safe process to create the world of your dreams.
Description:
If you've tried worldbuilding RPG settings (or homebrew), you'll know it's a lot of work - and a lot can go wrong! This clear approach, the Agile Worldbuilding method provides tools to build YOUR setting, YOUR way, while avoiding "over worldbuilding", railroading through lack of prep, and the dreaded "worldbuilders disease". Janet Forbes (she/her) is a game developer, fantasy author, and (secretly) velociraptor. She was the lead author of The Dark Crystal RPG, and has written for Kobold Press and Infinite Black. Developer, social psychologist and designer Dimitris Havlidis (he/him), has been building settings for 30 years, and has made more epic, sandbox worlds than he’s had hot dinners. Together, Janet & Dimitris co-founded World Anvil (https://www.worldanvil.com), the award-winning worldbuilding, writing and tabletop RPG platform which boasts a community of over 2 million users.
Dream of thrilling your players with your own RPG setting? Game designers & worldbuilding experts Janet and Dimitris take you step-by-step through a fail-safe process to create your own world.
Description:
If you've tried worldbuilding RPG settings (or homebrew), you'll know it's a lot of work - and a lot can go wrong! This clear approach, the Agile Worldbuilding method provides tools to build YOUR setting, YOUR way, while avoiding "over worldbuilding", railroading through lack of prep, and the dreaded "worldbuilders disease". Janet Forbes (she/her) is a game developer, fantasy author, and (secretly) velociraptor. She was the lead author of The Dark Crystal RPG, and has written for Kobold Press and Infinite Black. Developer, social psychologist and designer Dimitris Havlidis (he/him), has been building settings for 30 years, and has made more epic, sandbox worlds than he’s had hot dinners. Together, Janet & Dimitris co-founded World Anvil (https://www.worldanvil.com), the award-winning worldbuilding, writing and tabletop RPG platform which boasts a community of over 2 million users.
So you want to make a Cosplay, but you don't have the funds for an expensive build. Where do you go? What can you do? Learn some easy tips and tricks to thinking outside the box.
Have you ever felt that you couldn't cosplay because of your body type? Or because you're a person of color? This encouraging panel goes over, and helps remove the stigmas and hesitations.
Description:
In this panel, we'll go over some of the hesitations people may have about cosplaying due to being a person of color, or because of their body type. Tips on how to brig out your best features, improve your confidence, and help people see that cosplay is indeed for everyone.
Just because you like a genre/world doesn't mean you have to be someone specific from that world. Step out of the box and create your own character!
Description:
This fun panel talks about creating an original character for the world/fandom of your choice. from Star Wars to video games to Anime, we'll talk about the key parts that make that fandom recognizable, and how to branch out from the characters you see on the screen to really let your creativity have fun.
Learn about Japanese kimono and how they are worn in this beginner-friendly workshop. This class will include some Japanese kimono, and a live kimono dressing demonstration.
Description:
Other topics will include an introduction to kimono formalities, gender expressions with kimono, and have a question and answer session.
Get ready to activate some Allies! Join our panel discussion creating DEI Adventure Quests with tangible actions to improve the lives of those that are most deeply affected by systemic injustices.
No Latency x MagiRPG: Building in the world of Cyberpunk RED
Summary:
Miss Magitek from the Cyberpunk-Red Podcast talks about the No Latency show, as well as MagiRPG's Synthetic Dreams & what it's like using a tabletop RPG system to tell radio & actual play stories.
Description:
Miss Magitek, Bijan Mousavi, Chris McNamara, Momo Bee, and Craiggumz talk actual play shop and take audience questions on talk actual play shop and take audience questions on the show 'No Latency' as well as MagiRPG's 'Synthetic Dreams' and how each have been built it to where it is today. This will be recorded.
Join Gen Con Staff & DEI Advisory Committee members as we talk about the changes we’ve made, our goals for improvement, mission & values in creating a more diverse, inclusive, & equitable Gen Con.
Description:
Join a moderated discussion with Gen Con staff and DEI Advisory Committee members Mandi Hutchinson and Aaron Trammell as we discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion at Gen Con. Includes a 2023 update to the community on the work Gen Con has undertaken, outlining our goals for fostering a more diverse and inclusive Gen Con, and discuss ways in which you can become involved. Questions can be submitted in advance using the form sent in the message to registered players, or during the Q&A session of the presentation. The Q&A session will be moderated by Suzanne Sheldon.
From the depths of Tracy Hickman's secret underground laboratory ... come learn what new gaming creation he has been building in his basement this year.
The golden age of tabletop roleplaying games hasn't arrived yet, but it's closer than ever. This talk covers the future of TTRPGs and their place in modern culture.
Description:
Join us for an insightful discussion on the future of tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs), by Devon Chulick, co-founder and COO of StartPlaying, creator of Total Party Chill. We will explore the incredible growth and potential of TTRPGs. We'll explore the rise in interest in TTRPGs and the factors contributing to their popularity, including the removal of obstacles, cultural shifts, and the increasing appeal of fantasy escapism. How the role of professional game masters in making TTRPGs more accessible by reducing barriers like scheduling, learning complex rules, and facilitating engaging gameplay. We'll also discuss the rise of new technologies and how they will shape the future of TTRPGs.
Join StartPlaying and other professional Game Masters as we chat around their experiences and why professional dungeon masters are essential to the growth of TTRPGs.
Description:
The session will begin with a brief overview of the TTRPG landscape and the emergence of professional GMs, and we'll then delve into the challenges facing the TTRPG industry, including accessibility and gatekeeping, scheduling and commitment issues, and the steep learning curve for new players. Focusing on the vital role of professional GMs, we'll discuss how they enhance the quality of gameplay, introduce players to new game systems and experiences, and cater to diverse playstyles and preferences. We'll also explore how professional GMs help new players overcome initial barriers and contribute to the growth of the TTRPG community by building inclusive and welcoming environments, encouraging new players to join the hobby, and fostering long-lasting connections between players.
Learn about different games and systems to scratch your TTRPG itch when your gaming group consists solely of you and your imagination!
Description:
You want to roll some dice, tell a story, explore lands unknown, and fight some fearsome beasts. Everyone knows that Tabletop Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs) are awesome ways for you and your friends to come together to do all of that and more. Fewer people Maybe you're an extreme introvert. Maybe you can't seem to align schedules with your friends. Maybe it's 7:30 pm on a Wednesday night and you just want a low-stakes, meditative guided journey through your own imagination. Whatever your motivation, there is a solo TTRPG game for you. In this session, we will discuss: types of solo TTRPG games, modifying your favorite systems for solo play, recommended games and creators to start with, and even SRDs you can use to make your own solo game!
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.
Writers discuss experiences and techniques related to writing licensed fiction.
Description:
How do you get to write in a licensed universe? Join our panel of expert writers as they discuss their path to writing in their favorite IP universes and how a writer like you might get there today. Panelists: Erik Scott de Bie (moderator), Richard Lee Byers, Erin M. Evans, Ajit George, Chris A. Jackson. Track: GCWS Career.
Fantasy writer, cook, and entertainer Daniel "Doc" Myers teaches the basics of believable medieval-inspired cuisines in your writing.
Description:
A fantasy world should have a cuisine that takes into account the resources and technology of the people that inhabit it. In this seminar, join medieval cooking expert Daniel "Doc" Myers to learn how to make up a consistent, believable fantasy cuisine using the workings of medieval European cooking as a template. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Writer Sandra Tayler teaches techniques to holistically engage your community of readers.
Description:
There is tremendous power in a devoted fanbase, it is a gift and a responsibility. In this workshop, join author Sandra Tayler as she discusses things you can do to encourage a community to build around your own work, making connections between your readers, and why it is far more important to give than to ask. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Choosing Your Path: Writing Games for Player Agency
Summary:
Game writers discuss choices and techniques for crafting interactive narrative.
Description:
Not sure how many dialog options should you provide your player in a conversation? Debating the benefits and drawbacks of large-scale choices in your narrative? Interested in procedurally generated narrative, but unsure if it's right for your game? Join our panel of experts as they unpack what tools in the toolbox are most useful for any interactive narrative experience. Panelists: Jennifer Allaway (moderator), Kelli Fitzpatrick, Grace P. Fong, Mostafa Haque, Bryan Young. Track: GCWS Game Narrative.
The Rifle on the Mantle: Worldbuilding and Potential Energy
Summary:
Writers discuss the nuances of tying introduced elements of interest back into a story - or when to let them be.
Description:
Worldbuilding detail by its nature contains some level of potential energy. Does a rifle on the wall mean it must later be used, per the Chekov's Gun principle? Or does it tell you a lot about someone who would hang a rifle on their wall, whether it's fired or not? Join our panel of expert worldbuilders and writers as they discuss the concepts of when worldbuilding sets up questions that will need to be answered, when it doesn't need to, and how you play with reader experience and expectations in a way that pays off. Panelists: E.D.E. Bell (moderator), Katherine Monasterio, Latoya Peterson, Erin Roberts, Gregory A. Wilson. Track: GCWS Worldbuilding.
Writers discuss dealing with exhaustion in the year 2023.
Description:
Writing and game designing are already professions built on emotional reserve and uncertainty, but these last few years have been particularly difficult. Join our panel of writers who love what they do as they discuss ways to help you rekindle your joy. Panelists: Jerry Gordon (moderator), Whitney "Strix" Beltrán, Jeremy Bernstein, Sandra Tayler. Track: GCWS Career.
Writers and artists discuss the ethics of new AI technologies for visual content generation.
Description:
AI-generated art has seen a huge boom in the past year; is this a case of technology outpacing ethics? AI can generate some beautiful images for covers, illustrations, concept art, and game assets, but should it? Join our panel of people working in publishing as they discuss the ethical and legal sticking points. Panelists: Anthony W. Eichenlaub (moderator), Alexander Bevier, Grace P. Fong, Latoya Peterson. Track: GCWS Tech.
Sword and Sorcery writers discuss new directions in this evolving genre.
Description:
The sword and sorcery genre continues to evolve with new and exciting concepts and directions. Join our panel of expert sword and sorcery writers as they discuss their thoughts on this genre. Panelists: S E Lindberg (moderator), Matt John, Howard Andrew Jones, Sean CW Korsgaard, Dedren Snead. Track: GCWS Genre.
Writers discuss techniques and considerations for broadening the spectra of intimacy in fiction.
Description:
Writing intimate scenes goes far beyond sexuality when incorporating elements such as physical closeness, emotional intimacy, sensuality, consent, ace-spec dynamics, trauma, and shared experiences. Join our panel of writers as they discuss more comprehensive elements of how to write a compelling and impactful intimate scene. Panelists: Jennifer Allaway (moderator), Erin M. Evans, Sarah Hans, Gini Koch. Track: GCWS Writing.
Writers discuss language choices in queernormative writing.
Description:
Beyond building worlds where queer people exist and thrive, how can our writing and word choices make our stories more queernormative? Join our panel of writing experts as they discuss. Panelists: E.D.E. Bell (moderator), Brandon O'Brien, Cat Rambo, Dedren Snead, K.B. Wagers. Track: GCWS Writing.
Game writers discuss nuances of collaboration - including their real world experiences - in game design.
Description:
Most writing requires collaboration, but how does this manifest in the worlds of game design? Join our panel of gamewriters as they discuss. Panelists: Toiya Kristen Finley (moderator), Jeremy Bernstein, Jordan Jones-Brewster, Gabrielle Harbowy. Track: GCWS Game Narrative.
Writers discuss the importance of reading children's speculative fiction.
Description:
Despite their marketing, children's books are often loaded with difficult themes and powerful messages that resonate with readers older than what may be the target audience. Join our expert panel of writers as they discuss why everyone should read children's speculative fiction. Panelists: George Jreije (moderator), Erin M. Evans, Mary Fan, Jerry Gordon. Track: GCWS Genre.
An "Infernal" Salon—A Fun, Low-Stakes Writing Workshop
Summary:
An interactive gaming and storytelling event with writers and game designers C. S. E. Cooney and Carlos Hernandez.
Description:
Join C. S. E. Cooney and Carlos Hernandez for a special interactive event. Each participant will be given a prompt of one or more cards from the very spooky deck that C. S. E. Cooney, Carlos Hernandez, and artist Rebecca Huston invented for their TTRPG, "Negocios Infernales." Once every writer has their prompt, they'll set a timer for 20 minutes. When the timer dings, the writers who want to will share their infernally-inspired works with all of us! This dymanic team has run Infernal Salons at cons, charity events, and libraries, and without fail, much revelry and fun is had by all. If you're looking for your next story idea or a way to shatter writer's block, have we got a salon for you! Track: GCWS Event.
Writers discuss horror writing and media in a modern context.
Description:
Why do we read horror? What makes good horror so effective? What are approaches to make horror accessible to modern audiences? Join our panel of expert horror writers for a discussion of the horrifically appealing. Panelists: Sarah Hans (moderator), Maurice Broaddus, Dr. Chesya Burke, John Jennings, Bryan Thao Worra. Track: GCWS Genre.
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.
Writers and artists discuss the ethics of new AI technologies for written content generation.
Description:
AI-written prose has seen a huge boom in the past year; is this a case of technology outpacing ethics? AI can generate text quickly and efficiently, but should it? Will AI replace prose and game writers? Join our panel of people working in the publishing industry as they discuss the ethical and legal sticking points. Panelists: Anthony W. Eichenlaub (moderator), Mary Fan, Jerry Gordon, Brady McReynolds, Latoya Peterson, Cat Rambo. Track: GCWS Tech.
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.
One last chance to hear from and talk to the Gen Con Writers' Symposium Organizing Committee as we, with tears and smiles, say goodbye to another great year.
Description:
2023 Organizing Committee: S E Lindberg (Chair), Gregory A. Wilson and E.D.E. Bell (Programming), Toiya Kristen Finley (Game Narrative), Matt Jarchow (Volunteers), Maurice Broaddus (Outreach), Marie Bilodeau (Communications), Chris Bell (Sales). Track: GCWS Event.
So you want to be a community manager? In this session, you will learn what it takes to build your own community or take your first step into a career in games as a community manager.
Description:
Community Management is an increasingly important profession not just in the gaming industry, but in the larger corporate world. Companies like Facebook, Apple, and more have community managers, but the role originated in the gaming industry. What exactly does a community manager do? What skills might you need? In this session, experienced community managers and industry professionals will break down all the details for an often misunderstood position at gaming companies.
We're In This Together: A Writing Community Discussion About Us
Summary:
Writers discuss the importance of reclaiming the community around us - as well as our role in it.
Description:
Whether you write solely for your own comfort, or whether you are a best-selling author, all of us are connected by common needs. Join our panel of writers as they discuss reclaiming our love of writing, our creative spark, and especially our connections - without toxic positivity. All the feels are welcome! Panelists: E.D.E. Bell (moderator), Tracy Hickman, John Jennings, Sheree Renée Thomas. Track: GCWS Writing.