Most of the rpg blog world is focused on Gen Con, something that generally leaves me yawning.
I was never into conventions due to a lack of money and time. And now that I have the money, I have even less time. I just didn't find it tempting to take time away from my own campaigns and the people who play them to spend it with strangers I don't know and likely wouldn't want to know.
It used to be that my one possible draw was companies tending to release their new games at Gen Con. But even that has faded for me over the years as I'm just not interested in 99.9% of it. There hasn't been a good game designed since the 80s, and few good products.
There has been really good miniatures released however, companies like Reaper are fantastic.
I did see that HERO Games missed getting out 6th edition in time. So I did get something out of this year's convention after all.
A laugh.
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6 comments:
Harsh.
I've met a lot of cool people at the conventions over the years, and I wish that the new US border policy wasn't so hostile to Canadian visitors or I would probably still be going.
I've played in amazing games and discovered games I never would have without the avid fans and designers pimping them at these shows.
Now in the era of the internet, the conventions also offer something else - the opportunity to meet (and even game with) people you communicate with regularly. Not strangers, but the people who would otherwise only know through blogs and forums.
It's true, my opinion on Cons is a little harsh. I simply don't have any use for them.
That might be different if I played a popular game system, but I tend to doubt it. I wasn't drawn to them even when I did play D&D back in the 70s.
Interestingly enough, very few people I've ever gamed with have ever attended one. I know a couple of people who went to a sci-fi con, but not a gaming one.
As for meeting people in person that I've meant online...
...given the number of online enemies I have that likely wouldn't be a good idea.
If anything, conventions are even better if you don't like the "popular" games.
I discovered a lot of small-press and out of print games through the conventions. I don't go there to play D&D, I can do that anywhere, I go to conventions to sit down with people and try out the other games - GenCon is where I discovered Top Secret, Fluxx, Gamma World, H.A.R.P., Traveller, Champions, the Adventures of Baron Munchausen and at least another dozen of the games on my shelves.
The major conventions are a wonderful place to explore less popular RPGs.
I've managed to explore all those from my web browser, and was able to do it without dealing with the type of people who would actually like some of the games you named.
@Brian: Obviously, given my coverage, I love Gen Con. It probably helps I am an Indy native, but for me, Gen Con is great for meeting people I only see online all year, BSing with fellow gamers, rummaging in bins of dice, and check out gaming accessories.
New RPGs are lower on my list, but I can see if you don't enjoy those things why you wouldn't want to go. Looking at Gen Con, I can still see it wouldn't be for everyone, and there are some parts folks likely wouldn't want to deal with.
If you ever do end up going, however, it'd be a pleasure to meet you--maybe we could get some Rolemaster going!
We are on different sides of the fence on this one Zach, but don't worry- I don't think less of you for it :)
I do wonder at times if you and I would get along at a gaming table. Different tastes there, but I think you're more adaptable than I.
But I warn, I meet very few people that went back to D&D after playing in one of games. :)
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