Is GenCon Relevant?

Spinachcat · August 12, 2019, 12:42:52 AM

Quote from: Panjumanju;1099095Some points of disclosure:

You rolled a 20 on your GenCon.

What game were you repping? Pimp it!

Panjumanju · August 12, 2019, 09:23:18 AM

Quote from: Spinachcat;1099142What game were you repping? Pimp it!

I work freelance for Pendelhaven Press as a writer and graphic designer. At GenCon I had a full dance card running their game, Fate of the Norns: Ragnarok, a viking RPG where you use runes instead of dice. Here's a link: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/112998/Fate-of-the-Norns-Ragnarok

Basically GenCon was me having fun running games for days. I was pleased to run an adventure module (someone called me a grogonard for saying "module" the other day) called Dead Man's Blade, which I wrote and laid out, and should be out in print and on DriveThruRPG any day now.

I legitimately have nothing but good things to say about Pendelhaven. They're good people.

//Panjumanju

dungeon crawler · August 20, 2019, 04:55:59 PM

I hope you will forgive me if I do not kneel before the almighty GenCon. The last time I attended I was made to feel unwelcome by staff and other attendees due to my disabilities. I go to other Cons large and small and I am treated well.

Panjumanju · August 21, 2019, 09:29:35 AM

Quote from: dungeon crawler;1100291The last time I attended I was made to feel unwelcome by staff and other attendees due to my disabilities.

That sounds rough. I have some friends specifically interested in RPGs and disability studies. If you'd like to share what happened I'd be interested to know.

//Panjumanju

GameDaddy · August 21, 2019, 09:44:27 PM

Quote from: Shasarak;1098541I have always wanted to go to Gen Con but it seems like now Paizo Con would give a much better gaming experience.

I would like to go to PaizoCon and Dundracon on the West Coast. Have heard good things (for the most part) about both shows, which means they seem to be well run and fun conventions.

Omega · August 23, 2019, 02:38:15 PM

Quote from: dungeon crawler;1100291I hope you will forgive me if I do not kneel before the almighty GenCon. The last time I attended I was made to feel unwelcome by staff and other attendees due to my disabilities. I go to other Cons large and small and I am treated well.

What happened? Im handicapped and have never had an issue with staff or attendees at any con and only seen one real occasion of attendees acting badly towards a handicapped player in all the many different cons been to.

RPGPundit · August 30, 2019, 03:54:00 PM

Quote from: dungeon crawler;1100291I hope you will forgive me if I do not kneel before the almighty GenCon. The last time I attended I was made to feel unwelcome by staff and other attendees due to my disabilities. I go to other Cons large and small and I am treated well.

Really? I'd understand if you didn't want to answer, but what disability do you have?

It seems strange to me that, woke as Gencon is, they wouldn't be falling over themselves to accommodate you.

Koltar · August 30, 2019, 04:19:50 PM

Quote from: dungeon crawler;1100291I hope you will forgive me if I do not kneel before the almighty GenCon. The last time I attended I was made to feel unwelcome by staff and other attendees due to my disabilities. I go to other Cons large and small and I am treated well.

What the heck is your disability?
Are you in a wheelchair?
Do you walk with a cane?
Are you Blind?
Are You Deaf?

Look in my photos thread - that cane or walking stick with me is not a prop affection - I really do have almost constant pain issues in my legs and knees. The actual staff and volunteers at Gen Con have always been good with me.

Only 'rude' people I see are average people in the crowd - usually younger ones that look at their cell phones too much.

- Ed C.

Spinachcat · August 30, 2019, 05:50:45 PM

Quote from: RPGPundit;1101594It seems strange to me that, woke as Gencon is, they wouldn't be falling over themselves to accommodate you.

In my experience, game conventions and gamers were very accommodating to disabled gamers long before the fake caring outrage culture woke bullshit.

Many years ago, the elevators went down at a NorCal convention and I was running an 8pm to midnight game. Around 8:40, an organizer told me a disabled gamer had wanted to join my game, but couldn't. My whole table didn't blink or hesitate when I said lets bring the game down to him and restart the session.

There was no "oh we're so virtuous", it was just gaming as usual, treating fellow gamers like new friends.

dungeon crawler · September 02, 2019, 11:30:37 AM

Quote from: Koltar;1101598What the heck is your disability?
Are you in a wheelchair?
Do you walk with a cane?
Are you Blind?
Are You Deaf?

Look in my photos thread - that cane or walking stick with me is not a prop affection - I really do have almost constant pain issues in my legs and knees. The actual staff and volunteers at Gen Con have always been good with me.

Only 'rude' people I see are average people in the crowd - usually younger ones that look at their cell phones too much.

- Ed C.

I walk with a cane due to nerve damage from my diabetes. I also must keep my emergency kit on hand at all times. I know this makes many people uncomfortable but it cannot be helped. At the time I had constant glucose monitor due to my chemotherapy for cancer and several people including some game masters told me to leave their table because of their discomfort when the monitor buzzed. The staff I talked to were not interested in the problem as they were overwhelmed. I never went back because other cons great me better.

Egyptoid · September 07, 2019, 08:20:11 AM

Gen Con used to an important venue for the intro of new ideas and products , and a way to network.
In my opinion, the internet has replaced much of that.

IMHO, the main function of Gen Con now is "Gamer Versailles" or like "Gamer Davos"

in other words, the purpose of Gen Con goers is to show off their wealth, and display their coolness,
by getting FIRST into whatever is the new game or book.

so yes, Gen Con is still relevant, but carries a lot of subtext and overtones.

(credentials: I've been to 5 gencons)