Zachary's Gen Con Report Thread

[Hackmaster]

Try to find out embarrasing things about the Forge guys, and then report on that.
It isn't a story if there isn't humiliation involved.

RPGPundit

Ooh, great idea! Try to sneak into one of their special after-hour gaming sessions at the certain hotel bar they often talk about. Get us some dirt!

[Alnag]

Pundit's one is the best! I support it as well...

[Erik Boielle]

Try to find out embarrasing things about the Forge guys, and then report on that.

Well, I think I know where you can get pictures of them doing something increadibly nerdy like going to a roleplaying convention...

[Settembrini]

Please go to Rick Loomis and give him a hug from me.

[Geoff Hall]

Go find the Cthulhutech guys (likely hanging around the Mongoose booth at a guess) and hassle them for previews seeing as the game is shipping a bit late and is just missing GenCon!

[Zachary The First]

There's an electricity about Gen Con—it's hard to explain to those who haven't been there.  The anticipation of tens of thousands of people, waiting on different but common happenings, gives off this amazing vibe.  I know that might seem a little silly to some, but that's how it is.
 
  The best way I can explain it is as thus:  remember the scene from Jurassic Park where they go through the gates of the park for the first time?  That's how it feels when that exhibit hall opens.
 
  It doesn't hurt that this year I get to look at the RCA Dome (connected to the Indy Convention Center and the rest of the massive downtown skyway complex) and have it remind me my beloved Colts are reigning Super Bowl Champs, and not the New England Patriots' leavings for once.  All Hail our Patron Hoosier Saints:  Saint Manning (blessed is he above all), Harrison, Sanders, Wayne, Freeney, and Clark!
 
  I'm a big fan of downtown Indy—Victory Field, voted most beautiful minor league ballpark in America, is right across the road, and the White River Park, the State Museum, NCAA headquarters, and Eiteljorg Museum of Western Art are all right there.  Just down the street, and accessible via the skyways, is the Circle Center Mall.  The main aspect of Indy's downtown, the Circle (the crossroad of the Crossroads of America), is just a few blocks down.  It's nice to be able to walk about downtown at 11:00 at night and feel safe.  And it's even nicer to see would-be knights, novelty gaming t-shirts, and gaming personalities out at the same time.
 
  For those who have never been to Gen Con, here's the thing:  It's HUGE.  It takes up every hallway, hotel, skyway, room, ballroom, and meeting place for several blocks of Indy.  It's all connected by the skyway tunnels, and it is not unusual to traverse the halls at night to find them full of pick-up games, dozing gamers, and indecipherable, late-night LARPS.
 
  There's something for everyone at Gen Con; a lot of gamers I've spoken with locally are concerned about the perceived influx of electronic gaming companies this year.  But that's a matter for a future discussion; for now, the gaming world has descended on Indianapolis.  Gen Con has begun, indeed, has begun somewhat early for folks who have been trickling in since the weekend.  The trickle becomes a stream; the stream, a flood, one which just seems to increase all through Thursday.
 
  Pokemon, indie gaming, D&Ders, LARPers, Klingons, costume contestants, video gamers, people playing games you'd never heard of, people playing RPGs you thought were only myth and the morbidly curious all gather.  Its time for Gen Con.

[Zachary The First]

And yeah, as you might imagine, the big news is 4e.

The banner that greeted all gamers at one of the escalators:




And Palladium's Hades will be here tomorrow, rushed from the printers, Kev tells me.  Looked through a ms, and so far, looks like it'll be worth the wait.  Carl Gleba's a hell of a writer.  A pic of the cover next to PB's new color catalog:



Aaaand here's the opening of Gen Con.  The official opening dice rolls was a 7.  Maybe it should have been a 4:



EDIT:  Saw Luke Crane, first thing.  Nice as can be.  God, that guy has a lot of energy.  No scandal yet, Pundit, sorry.  Our own Reimdall is also here, pimping Epic RPG.  Their booth looks really nice this year!

More later!  My wireless is spotty--for now, I'm back into the fight!

[jrients]

That Hades cover is wicked awesome... to the MAX!

[Aos]

I can't get over all the hot chicks.

[Ronin]

I can't get over all the hot chicks.

:pics:

[James J Skach]

I can't get over all the hot chicks.

One of the funniest things I've read in the last 72 hours.

[Serious Paul]

I can't get over all the hot chicks.

:win:

[Mcrow]

I can't get over all the hot chicks.

I was surprised at how many hot chicks there were at Gencon 06.

Maybe they just like showing up there because they know they will have all the geeks frothing at the mouth.

or maybe they have a geek fetish.

[JamesV]

That Hades cover is wicked awesome... to the MAX!

If they could put a Stratocaster in one of that dude's free hands, my year would be made. Thanks for the info Zach!

[Tim]

If they could put a Stratocaster in one of that dude's free hands, my year would be made. Thanks for the info Zach!

The Yngwie Malmsteen signature model with scalloped frets!