Retrospective Panel: 50 Years of Gen Con Events in 90 Minutes
Summary:
Matt Shoemaker has digitized 50 years of Gen Con event history into one database. Come see his findings & ask questions like, “How many Settlers of Catan games have been run at Gen Con?"
Description:
Have you ever wondered about how Gen Con grew to the gaming phenomenon it is today? Puzzled over what Gen Con goers of the past have done at the convention? Join Matt Shoemaker in an exploration of 50 years of Gen Con history, in this overview of events of the past. Working with Temple University, Matt and his staff have digitized and analyzed 50 years worth of Gen Con programs. He will provide you with an overview of findings from the project as well as answer your questions delving into Gen Con's past.
Retrospective Panel: Accessorize! Gamers Know It's Not Just for Fashionistas
Summary:
Gamers love accessories: dice, modular terrain, t-shirts, & souvenirs. Come join Stefan Pokorny, Barbara Vantilberg, Lou Zocchi, & Michael Bowling for stories & maybe some free giveaways!
Description:
We all know that gamers love dice, of all colors, shapes, and numbers of sides---a true gamer can never have too many! But wargamers and roleplayers alike also value elaborate dioramas and modular terrain pieces like dungeon tiles and cityscapes. And let’s not forget t-shirts and memorabilia from backpacks to coffee mugs. Join Gen Con's trusty exhibitors for a round table on how to succeed in business at Gen Con - and maybe collect some free samples! With Stefan Pokorny of Dwarven Forge, Barbara Vantilberg of Offworld Designs, Lou Zocchi of GameScience, and Michael Bowling of Crystal Caste.
Retrospective Panel: Creative Millennium - RPGs at the Turn of the Century
Summary:
Join seminal RPG designers Ron Edwards, Jared Sorensen, & D. Vincent Baker from the Indie RPG movement, & designers James Wallis & Jonathan Tweet who inspired them.
Description:
The turn of the millennium saw an intense period of innovative, different-looking RPGs springing to life. Sorcerer, Dogs in the Vineyard and many others burst onto the scene with surprising force. But these games were influenced by earlier games like Over the Edge and Baron Munchausen that were ahead of their time. James Wallis and Jonathan Tweet discuss discovering a new RPG avant-garde with designers D Vincent Baker, Jared Sorensen, and Ron Edwards.
Hang out with the D&D 5th edition design team - including Mike Mearls & Jeremy Crawford - for a discussion of the state of the D&D union today, & their vision of an exciting future!
Description:
Join members of the core Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition design team - Mike Mearls and Jeremy Crawford - for a discussion of the state of the D&D union today. As the game opens up new dimensions in tabletop and online experience, pioneers like Matt Mercer of Critical Role are redefining the way we all experience D&D.
In 1974, Dungeons & Dragons was launched & Gen Con would never be the same. Hear stories from the earliest days of D&D at Gen Con from Tim Kask, Dave Megarry, Mike Carr, & Luke Gygax.
Description:
In its early years Gen, Con proclaimed itself the nation's "Premier Wargaming Convention." Then Dungeons & Dragons arrived on the scene. Perhaps the most influential game of our era, D&D quickly took over Gen Con, forcing TSR to reevaluate its emphasis. Hear stories of this era from those involved in the earliest days of D&D: Tim Kask, Dave Megarry, and Mike Carr. Also, Luke Gygax will share stories he heard of these days from his father, Gary.
In the 80’s D&D ruled Gen Con from its big castle in the exhibit hall. Hear stories from the other side of the moat, from Steve Jackson, Mike Pondsmith, Greg Stafford, John Nephew, & Jordan Weisman.
Description:
As D&D became wildly successful in the 80’s, Gen Con became the hub of RPG culture. Perhaps inevitably, a host of RPG designers came into the scene ready to innovate and compete against the granddaddy of RPG’s. Come hear stories of what it was like to start an RPG company in the 80’s, exhibit at Gen Con, and compete against D&D on its home turf, with Steve Jackson, Mike Pondsmith, Greg Stafford, John Nephew, and Jordan Weisman.
Boardgames have been at Gen Con since the earliest days. Come hear Christian Peterson, Larry Roznai, Eric Lang, Marc Miller, & Mike Gray tell stories of boardgames at Gen Con.
Description:
While it would take decades before they took center stage, boardgames have been with us from the first Gen Con, quietly plotting their ascendency. Come hear Christian Peterson, Larry Roznai, Eric Lang, Marc Miller, and Mike Gray tell stories of bringing boardgames the spotlight they deserve.
In 1999, WotC open-sourced D&D by launching the d20 System. Come hear d20 architect, Ryan Dancey, discuss d20 with d20 publishers, Eric Mona, Monte Cook, John Nephew, & John Zinser.
Description:
After TSR spent decades fighting off would-be imitators, WotC ushered in the new millennium by announcing the d20 System, enabling other publishers to use the Dungeons & Dragons game system as the basis for their own worlds, adventures, and bestiaries. Come hear d20 architect Ryan Dancey discuss the strategy with publishers who took advantage of it: -Eric Mona of Paizo, Monte Cook of Monte Cook Games, John Zinser of AEG, and John Nephew of Atlas Games.
Some roleplayers seek more immersive experiences. Hear Gen Con stories from veterans of cosplay (Anne Brown), larping (David Simkins and Drew Biddle), & True Dungeon (Jeff Martin).
Description:
Not every roleplayer is content to loaf around a table; some seek a more immersive experience. Before RPGs became an industry, cosplay was thriving at SCA events and Renaissance fairs. Once roleplaying merged into gaming, it was a short commute to live-action roleplaying (larping). Now, with True Dungeon, you can walk through a life-size adventure. Join Anne Brown (Gen Con costume contest), Jeff Martin (True Dungeon), David Simkins (Infinite Imagination, Inc. & RIT), and Drew Biddle (Mind's Eye Society) to hear tales of dress-up from Gen Con history.
Retrospective Panel: Running Gen Con - The Inside Scoop!
Summary:
What’s it like to actually organize Gen Con? Come hear war stories from current & past managers of Gen Con, Harold Johnson, Skip Williams, David Conant, & Adrian Swartout.
Description:
Every other panel in this track is about tabletop history that happened at Gen Con, what about the operations of Gen Con itself? What has it been like on the inside? Come join a panel of current and past managers of Gen Con, including Harold Johnson, Skip Williams, David Conant, and Adrian Swartout.
Magic: The Gathering created a new category of games. Hear Skaff Elias, John Zinser, Mike Elliott, Justin Gary, & Eric Lang tell stories of designing TCGs that dared to duel against the master.
Description:
In 1993, Magic: The Gathering was launched around an entirely new concept: the notion of tradable cards used to build decks. It was inevitable that its dominance be challenged; within a year new TCGs began to compete for market share, some more successfully than others. Join panelists Skaff Elias, John Zinser, Mike Elliott, Justin Gary, and Eric Lang, as they tell tales of TCG's that dared to duel with Magic.
Dungeons & Dragons was a national craze by the 1980’s. Come hear stories of the D&D heyday from Frank Mentzer, Zeb Cook, Steve Winter, & Harold Johnson.
Description:
At the height of the D&D frenzy in the early 1980s, Gen Con was the premier destination for fans to play the most popular fantasy game of the decade. Whether you loved the Basic or Advanced version, you can meet some of the key luminaries who defined them at this panel: Frank Mentzer, Steve Winter, and Harold Johnson.
Retrospective Panel: The Ancient Sisterhood of Gaming History
Summary:
Join Lisa Stevens, Adrian Swartout, Beverly Marshall Saling, Nicole Lindroos, & Jenny Bendel as they share stories about being a female games professional over the past decades.
Description:
The annals of tabletop gaming history speak mostly of the deeds of men. But if you delve more deeply you’ll find that women have also played important roles in developing this hobby we love, while also fighting the good fight to make room for women at the gaming table. Join Lisa Stevens, Adrian Swartout, Beverly Marshall Saling, Nicole Lindroos, and Jenny Bendel as they share stories about what it was like to be a female games professional back in the day and how they and their sisters-in-arms contributed to gaming history.
In 1991 White Wolf launched Vampire: The Masquerade. Join White Wolf staff who were there at the time: Stewart Wieck, Steve Weick, Mark Rein-Hagen, Richard Thomas, & Lisa Stevens.
Description:
In 1991 White Wolf launched Vampire: The Masquerade and changed the Gen Con scene forever with the launch of the most famous gothic horror roleplaying game of all time. Join five of the most influential pioneers of this new era of gaming, Stewart Wieck, Steve Weick, Mark Rein-Hagen, Richard Thomas, and Lisa Stevens.
Retrospective Panel: The First Gen Con - How it All Began!
Summary:
What were the first Gen Cons like? How did they get organized? Who was there? What did they play? Come hear from 5 people who were there: Mike Carr, Scott Duncan, Bill Speer, Mike Reese, & Tom Wham.
Description:
It's 1968, and 96 gamers come together in Lake Geneva for the first Gen Con. Roleplaying games and trading card games haven't even been conceived of yet; they are here to play historical miniatures games and Diplomacy. Did they have any idea they were taking the first bold step in a 50-year tradition, and that they were now part of history? Well, why not ask them yourself? Come hear the stories of the earliest Gen Cons, the IFW, and how it all came together, from five people who were actually there: Mike Carr, Scott Duncan, Bill Speer, Mike Reese, and Tom Wham.
Retrospective Panel: The Launch of Magic The Gathering
Summary:
In 1993, Magic: The Gathering launched at Gen Con. Come hear stories from WotC staff who were there, trying to explain starter decks & booster packs.
Description:
It's 1993, and the tabletop games industry is roleplaying games, Warhammer 40k, and a handful of board games. But a small company from Seattle with a 10' x 20' Gen Con booth releases a game that will change everything. Come listen to several of the Wizards of the Coast employees of that era tell the story of the launch of Magic: The Gathering at Gen Con in 1993 and the wild days that followed. With Lisa Stevens, Beverly Marshall Saling, Carol Monahan, Cathleen Adkison, and Skaff Elias.
Retrospective Panel: The Leveling Up of RPG Tie-In Fiction
Summary:
Publishers are excited about RPG tie-in fiction and Gen Con! We've come a long way, and our guests share how we got here. With James L. Sutter, Marco Palmieri, Shanna Germain
Retrospective Panel: The Superstars of RPG Fiction
Summary:
Meet Tracy Hickman, Margaret Weis, R. A. Salvatore, and James Lowder as they share forgotten tales about the origins of the RPG fiction that's a staple of our hobby today and it's role at Gen Con.
Days after acquiring D&D in 1997, WotC announced they would begin development of 3rd Edition D&D. Join designers Skip Williams, Monte Cook, Rich Baker, & Jonathan Tweet as they reminisce.
Description:
In 1997 Wizards of the Coast acquired Dungeons & Dragons and Gen Con, and immediately announced they would begin development on a 3rd Edition of D&D. Come hear the stories behind the launch of 3e from the TSR-WotC collaboration that made this happen, with TSR veterans Skip Williams, Monte Cook, and Rich Baker, as well as WotC’s ringer, Jonathan Tweet.
Take a guided tour through Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with the legendary executive at TSR in the heyday who has graciously loaned several items to the museum.
Take a guided tour through Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with the legendary executive at TSR in the heyday who has graciously loaned several items to the museum.
Take a guided tour through Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with the legendary executive at TSR in the heyday who has graciously loaned several items to the museum.
Take a guided tour thru Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with tabletop gaming historian, collector, & author of Playing at the World. Jon's focus of study is the early eras of Gen Con history.
Take a guided tour thru Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with tabletop gaming historian, collector, & author of Playing at the World. Jon's focus of study is the early eras of Gen Con history.
Take a guided tour thru Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with tabletop gaming historian, collector, & author of Playing at the World. Jon's focus of study is the early eras of Gen Con history.
Take a guided tour thru Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with tabletop gaming historian, collector, & author of Playing at the World. Jon's focus of study is the early eras of Gen Con history.
Take a guided tour through Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with RPG enthusiast and preeminent collector. Many artifacts in the museum are on loan from Mr. Stormberg.
Description:
Take a guided journey through our Gen Con 50 Museum with Paul Stormberg, one of the world's top collectors and historians of role-playing games. Indeed, Paul is the curator of both Gary Gygax's and Dave Arneson's personal gaming collections!
For nearly a decade at Gary Con, Paul has organized Legends of Wargaming, a program that showcases museum quality gaming history displays and runs a series of legendary games that capture the spirit of early Gen Cons.
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Gen Con, Paul will feature dozens of amazing artifacts in our Gen Con 50 Museum from his Legends of Wargaming displays, his personal collection, and the collections of Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson!"
Take a guided tour through Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with the RPG enthusiast and preeminent collector. Many artifacts in the museum are on loan from Mr. Stormberg.
Description:
Take a guided journey through our Gen Con 50 Museum with Paul Stormberg, one of the world's top collectors and historians of role-playing games. Indeed, Paul is the curator of both Gary Gygax's and Dave Arneson's personal gaming collections!
For nearly a decade at Gary Con, Paul has organized Legends of Wargaming, a program that showcases museum quality gaming history displays and runs a series of legendary games that capture the spirit of early Gen Cons.
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Gen Con, Paul will feature dozens of amazing artifacts in our Gen Con 50 Museum from his Legends of Wargaming displays, his personal collection, and the collections of Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson!"
Take a guided tour through Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with the RPG enthusiast and preeminent collector. Many artifacts in the museum are on loan from Mr. Stormberg.
Description:
Take a guided journey through our Gen Con 50 Museum with Paul Stormberg, one of the world's top collectors and historians of role-playing games. Indeed, Paul is the curator of both Gary Gygax's and Dave Arneson's personal gaming collections!
For nearly a decade at Gary Con, Paul has organized Legends of Wargaming, a program that showcases museum quality gaming history displays and runs a series of legendary games that capture the spirit of early Gen Cons.
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Gen Con, Paul will feature dozens of amazing artifacts in our Gen Con 50 Museum from his Legends of Wargaming displays, his personal collection, and the collections of Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson!"
Take a guided tour through Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with the RPG enthusiast and preeminent collector. Many artifacts in the museum are on loan from Mr. Stormberg.
Description:
Take a guided journey through our Gen Con 50 Museum with Paul Stormberg, one of the world's top collectors and historians of role-playing games. Indeed, Paul is the curator of both Gary Gygax's and Dave Arneson's personal gaming collections!
For nearly a decade at Gary Con, Paul has organized Legends of Wargaming, a program that showcases museum quality gaming history displays and runs a series of legendary games that capture the spirit of early Gen Cons.
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Gen Con, Paul will feature dozens of amazing artifacts in our Gen Con 50 Museum from his Legends of Wargaming displays, his personal collection, and the collections of Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson!"
Take a guided tour through Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with Gen Con owner and his father, one of the world’s best-loved collectors of Magic cards, focusing on later eras of Gen Con history.
Take a guided tour through Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with the pre-eminent RPG collector. Many artifacts in the museum are on loan from Mr. Meinhardt.
Take a guided tour through Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with the pre-eminent RPG collector. Many artifacts in the museum are on loan from Mr. Meinhardt.
Take a guided tour through Gen Con's homage to Horticultural Hall with a pre-eminent RPG collector. Many artifacts in the museum are on loan from Mr. Meinhardt.
They Might Be Giants Concert (VIG) - Main Floor Seating & Dance Floor
Summary:
Grammy Award winning recording artists They Might Be Giants will play an exclusive concert to celebrate Gen Con 50! Sit near the action, we'll even have space for dancing. Doors open at 7 pm.
Description:
Brooklyn’s original alternative rock legends return to the stage. TMBG's dedication to keeping every show special is a big part of their longevity. Every show is a high-volume celebration of the band's creative output from their 35-year career. With continuous surprises and rare tracks always coming into the rotation, They Might Be Giants’ live show is not to be missed.
Grammy Award winning recording artists They Might Be Giants will play an exclusive concert to celebrate Gen Con 50! Doors open at 7 pm.
Description:
Brooklyn’s original alternative rock legends return to the stage. TMBG's dedication to keeping every show special is a big part of their longevity. Every show is a high-volume celebration of the band's creative output from their 35-year career. With continuous surprises and rare tracks always coming into the rotation, They Might Be Giants’ live show is not to be missed.
They Might Be Giants Concert - Main Floor Seating & Dance Floor
Summary:
Grammy Award winning recording artists They Might Be Giants will play an exclusive concert to celebrate Gen Con 50! Sit near the action, we'll even have space for dancing. Doors open at 7 pm.
Description:
In the likelihood of the Main Floor Seating selling out, tickets are available for general seating at ENT17116122. Brooklyn’s original alternative rock legends return to the stage. TMBG's dedication to keeping every show special is a big part of their longevity. Every show is a high-volume celebration of the band's creative output from their 35-year career. With continuous surprises and rare tracks always coming into the rotation, They Might Be Giants’ live show is not to be missed.