Review: Gen Con 2008

This year, Gen Con celebrated its 41^st straight year of being “The best four days in Gaming” while simultaneously mourning the loss of Gary Gygax, considered to be one of the fathers of modern roleplaying.  Approximately 85,000 consumer and professional attendees filled the Indianapolis Convention Center for the four days of the convention, shopping, eating, and exploring not just the space allocated to Gen Con but a large part of downtown Indianapolis as well.

Gary Gygax passed away earlier this year at the age of 69 at his home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where the very first Gen Con was held in 1967.  One of Mr. Gygax’s favorite charities (among many) was the Fisher House™ Program, which provides “comfort homes” near major military and VA hospitals, enabling military families to stay near one another in times of crisis.  Annually, the Fisher House™ program serves more than 10,000 families, and have made available nearly 2.5 million days of lodging at no cost to family members since the program originated in 1990.  Gen Con 2008 donated the proceeds of four events to the Fisher House™ Program:  Ace of Aces VII– Charity Speed Paint and Auction, Cardhalla X, the Charity Dice Collection Auction, and the Gary Gygax Memorial “Tower of Gygax” Event.

Another highlight of Gen Con 2008 was the release of Dungeons & Dragons, 4^th Edition.  The new ruleset streamlines and updates Dungeons & Dragons to make it more accessible to the new generation of gamers, while still maintaining the depth that has kept old diehard players coming back edition after edition.  The RPGA ran a number of 4^th Edition events that were well-attended despite the lack of familiarity with the new rules.

Gen Con also had a host of repeat events.  Returning for their 28^th year was the NASCRAG role-playing competition.  Celebrating a decade of events at Gen Con, Evil Fleet Productions returned with yet another hilarious “Can of Whupass” event and the traditional coating of the winners with Silly String.  The 23^rd Costume Contest was another big event, with almost 100 entries this year.

Another very popular feature of Gen Con was the Writer’s Symposium, a series of seminars, panels, conferences, and other events focused on the art of writing and featuring popular science-fiction and fantasy writers offering advice and guidance to people trying to break into the field.  Of particular interest was the series on the art and craft of writing run by New York Times bestselling author Michael Stackpole, who was also the Author Guest of Honor for Gen Con 2008, and ran most of his seminars and mini-classes to rooms packed wall-to-wall with attentive listeners.

Finally, what would a trip to Gen Con be complete without stopping by The Ram Brewery, which once again made a custom menu for Gen Con attendees and had lines out the door every day of the convention?  Other popular eating choices were Steak & Shake, which has not only friendly service but 24 hour service to commend it to gamers everywhere, and Aunt Polly’s Pizza, which extended their delivery hours for the convention and saved many a tired gamer from going to bed hungry.