Gen Con 50 is almost two weeks away and I am sure I am not the only one who won’t be extremely productive until the Monday after. Which also happens to be to a total solar eclipse, coincidence, I think not!

To ease the shakes here are some thoughts about the upcoming con!

Things to Try

True Dungeon: Sure it’s expensive and can be difficult to schedule, but if you are a GC regular you should try it at least once. It’s more crunchy than a LARP, brings in some memorization, coordination and problem solving skills that you don’t always use in a normal RPG. Also getting physical, albeit in token form, treasure is every adventures dream!

Sure it’s expensive and can be difficult to schedule, but if you are a GC regular you should try it at least once. It’s more crunchy than a LARP, brings in some memorization, coordination and problem solving skills that you don’t always use in a normal RPG. Also getting physical, albeit in token form, treasure is every adventures dream! Paint and Take: So there is a line, welcome to Gen Con, there are lots of lines, this one however you can put your down and step away for a few minutes. If you’re a veteran painter or completely new to it who can turn down a free miniature, the chance to maybe paint something out of your comfort zone, and taking a break from the clatter of the exhibit hall.

So there is a line, welcome to Gen Con, there are lots of lines, this one however you can put your down and step away for a few minutes. If you’re a veteran painter or completely new to it who can turn down a free miniature, the chance to maybe paint something out of your comfort zone, and taking a break from the clatter of the exhibit hall. Hallway Pickup Games: Outside of our element sometimes it’s difficult to easily meet people who share our interests, not so much at Gen Con. People are here to game and have fun. If you see people playing your favorite game, be polite, and ask to join. You might make new friends or learn something, I still remember my first hallway DND game over 15 years ago.

Outside of our element sometimes it’s difficult to easily meet people who share our interests, not so much at Gen Con. People are here to game and have fun. If you see people playing your favorite game, be polite, and ask to join. You might make new friends or learn something, I still remember my first hallway DND game over 15 years ago. Try a New Game: Whether you are into RPGs, board games, miniature games, card games, or something esle you can be fairly certain it’s represented at Gen Con. Take your time in the dealer hall or the play test halls to find something you haven’t played before and give it a go. You might find something new you like, get a better perspective on gaming as a whole, or like me come home with another miniatures game to play!

Whether you are into RPGs, board games, miniature games, card games, or something esle you can be fairly certain it’s represented at Gen Con. Take your time in the dealer hall or the play test halls to find something you haven’t played before and give it a go. You might find something new you like, get a better perspective on gaming as a whole, or like me come home with another miniatures game to play! Food Carts: You have to eat, right? It might not be financially feasible or healthy to eat food carts for every meal, but there is a great mix out on Georgia street during the con. There is also a magic to sitting on Georgia street watching your fellow con goers enjoy themselves and see what other fandoms you can recognize on people’s shirts or their costumes. Here is a handy schedule link.

Things to Bring/Not Bring

Bring- Medications: I bring standard pain relievers, but any meds you take should be with you, if they are critical also plan ahead on how to get more if needed.

I bring standard pain relievers, but any meds you take should be with you, if they are critical also plan ahead on how to get more if needed. Don’t Bring- Excessive Books: If you can help it, don’t bring any, most RPGs you play will have characters and someone with the rules you need. The weight can really get to you walking all day.

If you can help it, don’t bring any, most RPGs you play will have characters and someone with the rules you need. The weight can really get to you walking all day. Bring- Cosplay Reapir Tools: Are you cosplaying, if so be prepared, do you need leather string, tape, thread? Take a cue from scar and be prepared.

Are you cosplaying, if so be prepared, do you need leather string, tape, thread? Take a cue from scar and be prepared. Don’t Bring- Roller Bags: This might be contentious, but anything that trails behind someone increase their footprint in the halls, which this year will be more packed than normal.

This might be contentious, but anything that trails behind someone increase their footprint in the halls, which this year will be more packed than normal. Bring- Cash: If part of your plans involves shopping, have cash, it could save you time when credit card machines are bogged down, or save you money if there are any cash specials.

If part of your plans involves shopping, have cash, it could save you time when credit card machines are bogged down, or save you money if there are any cash specials. Bring- Snacks: Food in the convention center can be expensive and at times far away, think like an adventurer and come prepared with compact snacks like granola, jerky or nut mixes. If you have a fridge in your hotel you can also prep things like fruit and yogurt for the morning, this can save a good amount of money.

Final Advice

Don’t over book yourself, there is so much to do, you can’t do it all. Focus on what you have booked and having fun with those activities.

Give yourself plenty of time, sure that Starbucks latte will wake you up in the morning, but if ou don’t plan on it taking a little longer than normal, you can end up being late to a game and possibly missing it.

Take pictures of the booths you like. Six months from now you will be trying to remember that awesome shop that had those awesome potion bottles, did you keep their card, probably not, but the pics would be on your phone most likely.

Take care of yourself get some sleep, keep hydrated, stay showered, and if you can eat right.

Make friends. While you might never see these people again, the internet makes it much easier to keep in touch with far-flung friends, and the next con you might just have some help splitting room costs.

Have fun! Gen Con is different for everyone, it’s your con have fun however it fits you!