The Game Mechanics share design tips they've picked up through the years. Learn about brainstorming, outlining, formatting, showing your math, and how to provide a proper turn-over. While supplies last, the Mechanics will also have CDs will of useful design tools (RTFs and PDFs).
Playtesting is an important part of game design, but how can the playtesters and designers make the most of the process? The Game Mechanics share tips they've picked up from their decades of combined industry experience.
Do your maps convey a sense of history? Do your maps look nice? Do they need to? A presentation on map design -- accuracy, aesthetics, logistics, locations, and place name generation.
Do your maps convey a sense of history? Do your maps look nice? Do they need to? A presentation on map design -- accuracy, aesthetics, logistics, locations, and place name generation.
Do your maps convey a sense of history? Do your maps look nice? Do they need to? A presentation on map design -- accuracy, aesthetics, logistics, locations, and place name generation.
Do your maps convey a sense of history? Do your maps look nice? Do they need to? A presentation on map design -- accuracy, aesthetics, logistics, locations, and place name generation.
Come join us for a non-denominational worship service sponsored by the Christian Gamers Guild. We'll read scripture, sing familiar hymns, hear a sermon, and offer an optional communion. Stick around afterwards to meet fellow Christians and learn more about the CGG organization.
Is your adventuring party on the ropes? Are you tired of replacing your rogue every other adventure? Join D&D designers and developers as they discuss ways to make your adventuring party more effective in play, from special tactics to new rules designed to promote teamwork.
War of the Spider Queen Forgotten Realms Author Panel
Description:
Featuring: R.A. Salvatore, Richard Lee Byers, Thomas Reid, Richard Baker, Lisa Smedman, Phil Athans, & Paul Kemp.
The New York Times best-selling series R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen came to a dramatic conclusion this year with Book VI, Resurrection. Now, all the authors and R.A. Salvatore are together on a panel to discuss the successful series and answer your questions.
Here's your chance to be a co-author with Ed Greenwood! Join the creator of the Forgotten Realms and bring your best - or worst - ideas for a short story. This always hilarious two hours will result in a Forgotten Realms tale that will be posted on the Wizards of the Coast website!
Join members of Wizards' R&D staff to discuss current and future D&D game products. See what's planned for the coming year in D&D RPGs and Miniatures, and come prepared to ask questions and share your ideas.
Star Wars Miniatures Seminar: Revenge of the Sith and Beyond
Description:
Learn the secrets to achieving galactic victory from members of Wizard's R&D staff, including tips for building killer squads, special tactics, and ways to dominate the field of battle in tournaments and home games. Also, get a sneak peek at upcoming Star Wars releases and have your questions answered.
Dr. Daniel Strode examines the many facets of addictive behavior. A great seminar for writers, storytellers, gamers and LARP'ers, and the curious. A question and answer session follows if time permits.
Gen Con sees the launch of the Fifth Edition of Greg Stafford's Pendragon. Meet the folks behind the new edition and join the knights of Camelot. Prizes.
Dr. Daniel Strode discusses psychological disorders during this seminar for the curious, writers, storytellers, and LARP'ers. A question and answer session follows, if time permits.
Join 3rd Edition codesigner Monte Cook and the staff of Malhavoc Press to talk about the company's new releases, including The Book of Roguish Luck by Wolfgang Baur and Iron Heroes by Mike Mearls. Q & A also will cover Monte Cook's Arcana Evolved, the d20 industry, PDF publishing, and Monte's latest secret project. If you visit the message boards at montecook.com, don't miss this annual get-together!
Learn the secrets of Modern Sorcery from the masters of the genre, as White Wolf unveils the secrets of Mage: The Awakening, the third game in the World of Darkness series. Meet the designers and see what's coming next for Mage. Door prizes!
The Future of Dungeon and Dragon Magazines w/ Erik Mona, James Jacobs & Jason Bulmahn
Description:
Join Editor-in-Chief Erik Mona for a discussion of the official Dungeons & Dragons magazines and get the inside scoop on what's coming in the future. Learn about upcoming posters and premiums, special issues, cross-magazine events, and the all new Age of Worms Adventure Path. We'll also give an overview of upcoming Dragon and Dungeon hardcover compilation products, and take your personal article requests.
Learn the classic MET system, discuss the setting, or bring your "Ever After" ticket to pick up your character before the game. Seminar intended for those playing in the "Ever After" LARP event.
Learn the classic MET system, discuss the setting, or bring your "Ever After" ticket to pick up your character before the game. Seminar intended for those playing in the "Ever After" LARP event.
Learn the classic MET system, discuss the setting, or bring your "Ever After" ticket to pick up your character before the game. Seminar intended for those playing in the "Ever After" LARP event.
Okay, let us have it. What did you like, and what didn't you like about Gen Con this year? Come tell the Gen Con staff directly what we did well and what our opportunities are for improving our shows in the future.
Mr. Ross Maker recounts how it felt to be in the first fantasy roleplaying campaign ever run. It was far beyond his boardgaming and tabel-top wargaming experience.
You may be outraged! You may be shocked! You may be bored spitless! Based on his own experience in expanding opportunities for women in the US Army and his life-long study of military history, Major Wesely will talk about the obstacles to acceptance of women as soldiers and where we may go from here.
You may be outraged! You may be shocked! You may be bored spitless! Based on his own experience in expanding opportunities for women in the US Army and his life-long study of military history, Major Wesely will talk about the obstacles to acceptance of women as soldiers and where we may go from here.
This SUPPRESSED WALT DISNEY MOVIE was one of the most influential films in American history. Major Wesely will show the movie and lead a discussion of its historical merits and flaws. Did it really cause us to lose the wars in Korea and Vietnam?
This SUPPRESSED WALT DISNEY MOVIE was one of the most influential films in American history. Major Wesely will show the movie and lead a discussion of its historical merits and flaws. Did it really cause us to lose the wars in Korea and Vietnam?
Before there was Dungeons and Dragons, there was Greyhawk. Before there was Greyhawk there was Blackmoor. Before there was Blackmoor, there was.....Braunstein? The game before the games before The Game...Major Wesely will tell you how he invented D & D (and how he did not). An excursion into the beginning of roleplaying games, with handouts so you can try it yourself.
Before there was Dungeons and Dragons, there was Greyhawk. Before there was Greyhawk there was Blackmoor. Before there was Blackmoor, there was.....Braunstein? The game before the games before The Game...Major Wesely will tell you how he invented D & D (and how he did not). An excursion into the beginning of roleplaying games, with handouts so you can try it yourself.
Rich Burlew answers most* questions about his hit gaming webcomic, The Order of the Stick, and discusses the future for the comic and his other project, RPGA's Five Foot Steps comic. (* Questions regarding Vaarsuvius' gender or the identity of the Thing in the Darkness will not be answered.)
Rich Burlew answers most* questions about his hit gaming webcomic, The Order of the Stick, and discusses the future for the comic and his other project, RPGA's Five Foot Steps comic. (* Questions regarding Vaarsuvius' gender or the identity of the Thing in the Darkness will not be answered.)
Want to know what's up with Classic BattleTech? Want to know when, and how, we're going to get to the Jihad? And what about BattleCorps and new fiction? Hear those answers and all about the latest products and plot developments that we have planned!
Spell & Magic Item Design with Sean K Reynolds Games
Description:
Come talk with Sean K Reynolds and Brian Cortijo of Sean K Reynolds Games about designing spells and magic items. We'll talk you through some of your thornier questions about this difficult part of d20 design, explaining smarter ways to make comparisons and balance decisions.
Attendees at this event will learn why today is a better time than ever before to get their games published, and will get tips from three published authors on many aspects of the business. Highlights will include step-by step information on self-publishing, from concept to distribution. Prospective authors will have the opportunity to ask questions and to seek personalized advice from the presenters on how to get their games into print.
Oxford Philosophy professor Nick Bostrom thinks that we are living in a simulation. Earlier, Rene Descartes thought that we could only be certain of one thing. Both are wrong. Or are they?
Oxford Philosophy professor Nick Bostrom thinks that we are living in a simulation. Earlier, Rene Descartes thought that we could only be certain of one thing. Both are wrong. Or are they?
Do you need one? How do you get one? Getting an agent, let alone a good one, isn?t an easy task. When should you get an agent, and how you should go about it are among the topics our panelists tackle. A handout will be provided. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Tim Waggoner, Elizabeth Vaughan
Sometimes ideas are the proverbial dime a dozen, and sometimes they?re nowhere to be found. Learn how to brainstorm ideas for fiction writing and how you can use brainstorming to overcome ?writer?s block.? Panelists: Jean Rabe, John Helfers, Donald Bingle, Kerrie Hughes, Chris Pierson, Linda Baker, Elizabeth Vaughan
Collaborating on Fiction: Are Two Heads Better Than One?
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Collaborating on a short story or novel can be one of the most rewarding and creative projects?but it can also be the most frustrating as well. Join our panelists as they discuss the pros and perils of working together, from hammering out plots and characters to handling . . . um . . . creative differences. Panelists: John Helfers, Kerrie Hughes, Tim Waggoner, Jean Rabe
An ugly young horse as a gallant hero, a kobold as a tragic sidekick, a spider becoming fast friends with a pig (remember Charlotte?s Web?), and dragons as the most fierce and cunning foes. Major characters in fantasy worlds don?t have to be humans or dwarves or elves. You can stretch your imaginations and give critters some starring roles. Our panelists discuss how to add depth and personality to creatures in your fiction. Panelists: Jean Rabe, John Helfers, Linda Baker, Chris Pierson
Attention to the little things ? the brand of tea, the smell of the fall woods, the shape of the blaze on a pony?s head ? can make a very big impression on your editor and your readers. Learn how to include the right amount of detail without turning your prose purple. Panelists: John Helfers, Chris Pierson, Jean Rabe, Elizabeth Vaughan, Linda Baker, Kerrie Hughes
Examine the requirements and distinctions between the various genres?science-fiction, fantasy, horror, military and romance. And discover ?slipstreams,? blending genres in your writing. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Donald Bingle, Tim Waggoner, John Helfers, Chris Pierson, Linda Baker
Hook 'Em: How to write a query, outline and synopsis that will grab an editor's attention
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Fight your way to the top of the slush pile by knocking aside the competition. Put together an eye-catching package. A handout will be provided. Panelists: Jean Rabe, John Helfers, Linda Baker, Chris Pierson, Tim Waggoner
Jervis Johnson is the head os Specialist Games with Games Workshop in the UK. His first game design was Blood Bowl released in 1987. Since that time, Jervis has had over a dozen games published by Games Workshop with his most recent being Epic: Armageddon in 2004. Take a moment to come hear Jervis discuss the future of the eight games the Specialist Games supports and have an opportunity to ask questions afterwards.
Romance in Fantasy Literature: What's Old, What's New, and How to Handle it in Today's Market
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Romantic fantasy is among the hottest subgenres in publishing right now, with many houses rushing to launch their own romance and even erotic lines. Learn how authors and editors in the field treat the various types of romantic fantasy fiction, from the chaste love affair to the naughty erotic romp. Panelists: Linda Baker, Chris Pierson, Elizabeth Vaughan, Kerrie Hughes, John Helfers, Donald Bingle
So you?re writing a book . . . or have just finished that precious first draft. Can you sell it? Our panelists relate how they sold their first novel and offer advice on marketing your first manuscript and how to start churning on the next one. Panelists: Chris Pierson, Jean Rabe, John Helfers, Elizabeth Vaughan, Donald Bingle, Tim Waggoner, Linda Baker
While there are dozens of rules to follow, as well as many, many, many to avoid, we've boiled down the most essential maxims.?Be prepared for vigorous debate.?A handout will be provided. Panelists: Jean Rabe, John Helfers, Chris Pierson, Kerrie Hughes, Tim Waggoner
Come ask questions of our panel of renowned sculpting professionals, including Sandra Garrity, as they discuss how they got started, how they deal with miniatures companies, and how they market themselves.