We just got back from the 49th annual Gen Con tabletop gaming convention, arms aching from all the dice-rolling. The convention officially takes place at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, but the excitement of over 60,000 board game fans can't be contained—the convention actually spills out to swallow up pretty much all of downtown Indy.

There are tournaments, panels, parades, music, cosplayers, vendors, artists, and parties. But above all else, there is gaming. Endless, around-the-clock tabletop gaming. For four straight days. Even though it's utterly exhausting, for certain types of people—like the Ars Cardboard crew—it's a small slice of heaven.

If you didn't make it to the show this year, our gallery below will give you a taste of the insanity. And stay tuned—this Saturday, we'll be running down our top games of the con.

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Nate Anderson

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman



Nate Anderson

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Nate Anderson

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Aaron Zimmerman

Nate Anderson

Nate Anderson

And for those who just can't get enough cosplay, here's a bonus gallery of the annual Saturday cosplay parade. We can't imagine what it would be like to get through the craziness of Gen Con in full Space Marine regalia, but here are the troopers who made it happen.