The pilgrimage is complete. After an eight-hour drive from Rochester, NY, to Indianapolis, I have arrived at the hallowed halls of Gen Con, the "Best Four Days in Gaming," ...well, only two for me. The road trip was long, but the anticipation of the sensory overload that is Gen Con and a few Red Bull’s kept me going. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
The sheer scale of this convention is something to behold. After more than six hours of exploring the massive convention center, I was still discovering new rooms and hidden corners filled with wonderful new games. One of the last rooms I stumbled upon was a dedicated space for the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game. As a huge Marvel fan, I was itching to jump into a game, but alas, a prior engagement called. I had to rush off to a live play, but I've made a note to seek it out again.
A significant portion of my day was a dedicated quest. I was on a mission to find the perfect games for my family. For my daughter, I sought a captivating children's game easy enough for a toddler to grasp, and for my wife, a beautifully crafted game with a nature theme. The hunt was a success ending with Dux Somnium Games’ Botany and Naba’s Number Dinosaurs. I can't wait to get these to the table.
Amidst the sea of new and exciting titles, one game stood out and captured my imagination: Kingdom Death. This game is a masterpiece of dark fantasy and challenging gameplay. The miniatures are some of the most detailed and stunning I have ever seen. I have a feeling this could become a very expensive hobby for me, but the immersive experience it promises is worth every penny. I played through a demo and got absolutely decimated, but that is a positive for me. I hate when games are too easy!
One of the best parts of any convention is the people. It was great to catch up with our friends and fellow Upstate New York natives from 3WS. We chatted about the amazing things we'd seen and done, and the upcoming Cuse Con this fall. It's always a pleasure to connect with people from back home.
Of course, no convention day is without its "learning experiences." In my excitement, I managed to leave my Magic: The Gathering Commander decks in the car. By the time I realized my mistake, I was parked too far away to retrieve them. A rookie mistake, I know, but one I won't be repeating tomorrow!
As I mentioned in my post about my tabletop journey, my love for Critical Role runs deep. The pinnacle of my day was attending the Critical Role live-play. The show was a one-shot set in the world of Exandria, powered by Darrington Press's new TTRPG, Daggerheart. I won't spoil anything, but the story was a thrilling tale of "dangerous forces gathering as members of Bells Hells deal with their dark bargains and deadly debts mounting to be collected." The energy in the theater was electric, and actually peaked before the game even started when they announce that a new GM would be taking over for Mathew Mercer in Campaign 4 then Brennan Lee Mulligan came out on stage. The arena was in absolute fervor. It was the perfect end to an incredible day.
Gen Con is more than just a convention; it's a celebration of a hobby that brings people together. It’s a place where you can be your most authentic, nerdy self and share your passions with thousands of other people who just get it. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Wait, we have more!
Creating a truly welcoming gaming space means prioritizing warmth and authenticity over a sterile environment. The magic of tabletop gaming lives in genuine human connection—the shared laughter and expressive faces. By fostering active listening and ensuring everyone feels seen and included, we build a community where friendships flourish.
