GenCon 2013 reports & photos

Worldbuilders Goes to Gencon (Ruth I.)

Worldbuilders, a charity founded by fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss, was seen at GenCon Indy this August. Worldbuilders combines the power of readers, authors, and book lovers to raise donations for Heifer International. This GenCon, they shared a booth with fantasy jewelry company Badali Jewelry. They featured jewelry from Badali, art prints from Karen Hallion, games from the company Albino Dragon, many books including fantasy anthology Unfettered and Patrick Rothfuss's own works and other items. Patrick Rothfuss joined the booth several times throughout the weekend to sign books and hang out with fans. All proceeds from the sales went to Worldbuilders. More information about Worldbuilders can be found at its website, worldbuilders.org, or at patrickrothfuss.com.

There were probably 100 people in the will-call line when we arrived, and just as many in line behind us when we were finished. We then went to our usual Steak & Shake for our usual first night/day meal at 3AM at GenCon Indy. Cold milk, good burgers, and large hotdogs. Back to the hotel where the room was now stocked. On my way to my 8:00 timeslot, I overheard the parking ramp attendant comment that 1000 guys can see D&D but they can’t read a Parking Full Sign. It is so nice taking the train.

Gencon Attendees Wake Up With Martial Arts

Gencon Indy traditionally hosts many non-gaming related activities and this year was no different. Tai Chi and Shaolin Kung Fu were only a couple of the classes offered to attendees in near sold out classes. Participants learned the basics of Tai Chi and Tiger Form Shaolin Kung Fu. Some of the classes were offered in early morning time slots. Those participants who were still asleep from late night gaming got a rigorous and fun workout, and were energized for the day ahead.

As we are a Dr. Who group, I choose first the Doctor Who North America booth in the Dealers room, co-owned & run by Keith & Jany B. & Terry. Keith & Janny met in 1996 and were married within two weeks. The three friends started out watching PBS on the St. Louis network. When they couldn’t get the items locally they wanted, they contacted dealers in England, and in 1998 soon began selling merchandise online. This eventually resulted in 15 years as a Dr. Who dealer, seven pages in a Doctor Who FAQ toy reference book, a private museum (available for tours by appointment), and the GenCon booth sections have grown from one booth seven years ago to four booth sections in 2013. They also hosted a Dalek (Ben) and Peter Davison for the 2013 GenCon.

Book Binding Classes are a Success at Gencon

Gencon attendees are always offered unique crafting opportunities and this year binding books was a big hit. Classes offered by Indy Upcycle were overflowing. Attendees made mini journals, leather bound journals, and some even created coptic hardbound books. Attendees used materials upcycled from old leather clothing to make unique, useful creations. Although all classes were sold out within the first couple of hours after the event catalog went live months earlier, a few last minute guests were able to squeeze in.

I got a chance to talk to Gero Zahn, the designer of the ST: Catan Federaton Space Map expansion game. (This uses the game pieces from the original STCatan game)He told me how he researched the planets used in the game according to the adventures and the space map that appears on Kurk’s Captain’s Room wall. He did a lot of research to get the planets in the correct placement according to the starship logs. Kirk’s map appears in the direction booklet.

Gencon Attendees Tour The Catacombs

This year Gencon attendees were offered a unique experience: touring the basement of historic Tomlinson Hall of Indianapolis. Tomlinson Hall was once a historic landmark of Indianapolis used for many public events. It housed a capacity of 3,500 people, and stood next to the City Market building. In 1958, Tomlinson Hall burned and despite outcries of Indianapolis citizens, it was bulldozed. Now only the lower levels remain. They are lovingly referred to as the Catacombs. Indiana Landmarks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving historically significant properties, hosted a number of tours of downtown Indianapolis, the City Market, and the remaining lower levels of Tomlinson Hall.

GenCon Report Part Two (PAW)

On Friday night Mayfair Games set a Guinness record with 922 people playing ‘Catan:Seafarers 4^th Edition’ aka the ‘Catan Big Game’ all at the same time.

On Thurs night Mayfair hosted an outdoor party-charity event where the event winner got to play Will Wheaton on the supersized ST: Catan board. They raised $5,000.00.

It was loads of fun, and something I would gladly do again. Sarah from the Guinness organization was there to verify. There was a ‘Golden Ticket’ in one of the card packs passed out to players. Unfortunately some of the people who bought the $10.00 ticket did not show, and it was in one of the unused packages. So they had a special drawing of tickets who were there and gave the prize that way. The game lasted from 7:30-8:45. Each round of the game was timed. A man on row 5 won with 25 points in 48 moves. The prize was a complete set of all the basic Catan games. We all got a game board, cards and game pieces to take home. The person who came the farthest to play was from New Zealand. Mayfair games began in 1980, and currently has about 25 employees. Most of the people you see helping at the conventions are volunteers. They have a large area of the dealer’s hall and another hall for their big games. These are supersized and 3-D versions of their regular line of games. If you ever get a chance to play one of these – well, it is just plain fun. There was also a food court with tables of Mayfair games with rules so you could use your own dice while having a snack. Mayfair Games has a sweet deal where you play their demo games and get a series of ribbons which make you eligible for tickets at a big drawing Sunday afternoon. There were about 2000 people at this event in the dealers room. The event began with the tossing of the toy sheep to which Bob & Angus (the official

Thursday food stops were Noodles & Co. and The Ram. Noodles & Co. had a TARDIS door, and windows painted with dragons & creatures. The Ram prices are a bit higher, but they have the best fried fish I ever had. The Ram goes all out for GenCon, totally redecorating the place with banners and even creating a special gamers menu. There was no room for desert! We visited The Ram several times over the weekend. My favorite dish was called Kraken Fish & Chips. Servings are large. Even the drink glasses are large. Bring an ID as they card. Most restaurants have their menu posted on a window so you can look before entering. You can go cheep McDonalds to an $85.00 glass of wine.

Mayfair Spokes Sheep) objected to the company owner. To which the sheep tossed rag dolls of the owner (maybe a dozen) into the crowd. With the tossing finished, the tickets were drawn for free games and a big prize of a duffle bag full of games. Our waiter for the evenings Steak & shake was The Doctor taking our order with his sonic screwdriver pen. Kids of all ages can order off the kids menu.

I got to go to the Spaghetti Factory for lunch n Friday. This is an old factory converted into a restaurant. It was good with large portions, and not to spicy, and only a few blocks from the con center. The restaurant is decorated with antiques and even a trolly-traincar in which you can eat your meal. Upon going back to my room to do my teeth, The clean towels and unused cups were gone. Back down to the main desk again. The lady desk manager, Christine was real nice. I did have a wonderful conversation with our doorman Reggie, who was the only doorman actually opened the doors and offered to help. He said GenCon and the National FFA Convention were among the top 5 most liked events in Indianapolis. We are the nicest and most polite groups. He worked for the first GenCon Indy, and remembers it being so very much smaller. A convention center hostess said she always makes sure she is on shift the GenCon weekend because it is the most fun and interesting crowd.

On Saturday, I went to the dealers room, shopping, mostly t-shirts. Indiana dealers have to charge a special tax, where out of state dealers do not. I was able to play some demo games. I especially liked the large version of the ‘Ticket To Ride’ game. I had heard there was a large ‘TransAmerica ‘ game, but I couldn't find it. When testing out the Albino Dragon games, I had opportunity to talk to the artist. They are a very small company – three people who have a policy of making small games for a small price. They are currently working on a project based on Pat Rothfuss book ‘The Name of the Wind’. I have seen the art card designs, and they are beautiful, and easy to read the printing. Something not always easy with with bi-focals.

Sometimes you just meet interesting people in the halls. One such person who was resting, crocheting told me about a site called etsy.com. She is a Montessori teacher and gets supplies there. She even took time to show me the site on her I-phone. There is a huge DW area from cloth and craft supplies to earrings, and all the items are home made. Another crafter I met I the halls told me about Pinterest.com There is a large DW section under Geek stuff there. She went online to the Geek section and even found DW cookie cutters. Ken Curtis an artist for Creature discs showed me the print of the painting that went into making his card for a ghost 3d lady. He works with all digital. Tanya Clark, a lady in a leather TARDIS top hat was finishing up for the night when I met her. She had been teaching leather classes all weekend. Her classes filled up so fast that they did not make the official magazine. It turns out several other craft classes also pre-sold fast. Various classes include bellydance, ballroom dancing, book binding basic and advanced, sculpting miniatures, painting classes, creating molds. There were tours of the Indianapolis catacombs, and the zoo, and ghost tours. There was so much available to keep busy. The costume

That afternoon, I checked out a game called Artemis. It is a computer based game where you are part of a starship crew on a mission. The room is sectioned off for the bridge setup, and each person has a monitor for their station. They have a special card with a built-in flash drive so that several computers can be is used for home play.

Live entertainment was in the halls.

As I finished up trying the Entdecker game, Gary W. called to meet me. Gary, his

nephew and friend came down for the day. They had been able to get their picture with Peter Davison. We went to watch the falling of Cardhalla, a charity card built city that is brought down by people throwing spare coins. The first throw was auctioned off for $424.00. The 2013 Cardhalla charity was Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

‘’Cardhalla 15’’ raised $2,100.00 in change that night. That evening/morning I finished with a game of Settlers and 3 hours of Werewolf. It was the only day I came back to the hotel room that was supplied properly.

Sunday was spent doing demos. The hotel room was again clean of towels, soap & glasses. I was not a happy camper. These rooms are expensive. Indianapolis is going green. There were electric car recharge stations on one of the streets.

The price was $2.50/charge.

Can't wait till 2014 GenCon

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