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Deathlove posted:Anyone have any experience with the shuttles? Reading the forums and such give it a negative impression, but that's forum posts and people who are happy with the shuttle system probably aren't rushing to post about how it went. I took the shuttles the first year they existed and liked them. Ran frequently and during good times. I only had problems one day and it was because the driver screwed up and was picking people up at the wrong spot. I don't know how they were last year, but I liked it enough that if I was stuck at a hotel outside of walking distance this year I would have used the service again.
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Jan 28, 2015 19:02
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I'm going this year  I went in 2013 but it was mostly to try and sell my board games to publishers, and I wasn't really with anyone so it was kind of a bust, this time I'm going with a bunch of friends, and I'm going entirely for fun. One of our group even got a good hotel room sorted. It's gonna be great!
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Jan 28, 2015 21:29
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Quarex posted:
One of my favorite memories from last year's Gen Con is from the Deviants' booth. One of the ladies was dressed as Aayla Secura and a little 5 year old boy in Jedi costume was asking for a hug. His slightly embarrassed father was explaining that she was his son's favorite Jedi. She looked quite pleased and did so and it was adorable.
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Jan 29, 2015 07:50
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Neveth posted:One of my favorite memories from last year's Gen Con is from the Deviants' booth. One of the ladies was dressed as Aayla Secura and a little 5 year old boy in Jedi costume was asking for a hug. His slightly embarrassed father was explaining that she was his son's favorite Jedi. She looked quite pleased and did so and it was adorable. Awwwe :3 moments like that probably make their days. Because you just know creepy nerds buy their nudes then just assume that gives them rights to sexually harass them so a little kid just wanting a hug from her favorite Jedi just has to be a welcome change of pace. I wasn't paying attention was the Nazi booth back last year?
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Jan 29, 2015 14:46
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Len posted:I wasn't paying attention was the Nazi booth back last year? Yup, it was there. It will probably always be there unless Gen Con decides to specifically exclude it. I don't know how you could miss it unless you just avoided the vendor hall. That booth and the giant t-shirt tower of tackiness are the two most obnoxious ones in the whole hall in both their appearance and how much obstruction to the isles they cause.
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Jan 29, 2015 14:55
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nesbit37 posted:Yup, it was there. It will probably always be there unless Gen Con decides to specifically exclude it. I don't know how you could miss it unless you just avoided the vendor hall. That booth and the giant t-shirt tower of tackiness are the two most obnoxious ones in the whole hall in both their appearance and how much obstruction to the isles they cause. I must have just tuned it out then. It was 2013 where they had the Nazi stuff right out facing the aisle right?
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Jan 29, 2015 14:57
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I didn't see a Nazi booth either, maybe they should save money for a few years and not go so they can afford a super bowl ad in 2026 to get the word out.
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Jan 29, 2015 15:37
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They might have had the nazi stuff in the booth last year, but they were definitely there. The both is large, has quasi walls, and is always playing war movies with war paraphernalia all over it with a bunch of their stock on the outside of their walls so the isles clog with people trying to look at what DVDs they have. Nazi stuff or not its an obnoxious booth.
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Jan 29, 2015 16:35
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I think it was 2004 but they had guys in actual SS and Wehrmacht uniforms, swastikas and all, to promote one of the failed games mentioned in the OP. It was kind of cool to see the vehicles and all that they brought I guess. Edit- There's a picture of the game in the OP, it was Battle T.A.G.S. Aside from the reenactors I remember it required all units to be in base contact with each other which struck me as kind of dumb.
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Jan 29, 2015 21:13
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8one6 posted:The thing about companion badges is they're not guaranteed. While each VIG can upgrade up to three people to companion status there were only 350 available this year, and to my knowledge they are close to sold out already. Though considering my Auction Volunteer mandatory meeting overlaps with the early exhibit hall access anyway, I always thought it was dumb for me to keep paying for it. nesbit37 posted:If anyone has a link to that I would love to see it. Excited to bring my girlfriend to her first gencon this year and that's one thing she is concerned about. Also trying to talk another couple into coming and sharing the room we got with us and it would be good for them as well. SirPhoebos posted:I've always wanted to go to Gen Con. My brother and I already go to a few comic conventions here in Chicago, so I think I can get him interested in going to this. We already make an annual trip down to Indianapolis for the Indy 500, and we camp out next to the Lucas Oil Speedway on the night before. That's always been a good accommodation that's inexpensive as well. nesbit37 posted:They might have had the nazi stuff in the booth last year, but they were definitely there. The both is large, has quasi walls, and is always playing war movies with war paraphernalia all over it with a bunch of their stock on the outside of their walls so the isles clog with people trying to look at what DVDs they have. Nazi stuff or not its an obnoxious booth. Rhandhali posted:I think it was 2004 but they had guys in actual SS and Wehrmacht uniforms, swastikas and all, to promote one of the failed games mentioned in the OP. It was kind of cool to see the vehicles and all that they brought I guess.
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Feb 1, 2015 04:52
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Quarex posted:Imma see if I can get Mudcrab Merchant in here to discuss the issue. Perhaps merely typing her name summons her. It's true, it does work! GenCon is in fact my favorite show that I have ever attended, or exhibited at in my lifetime. I have been going to conventions since 1999 on a personal level, and since 2007 with Cosplay Deviants. I have traveled the world attending conventions both for fun and for a living, so I have quite literally seen it all, and even host panels on all of the horse poo poo I have seen in my 16 (!) years of being a lady in a primarily dude dominated sub culture (though not so much anymore). GenCon is an incredibly rare and amazing thing. I'm not 100% sure what contributes to the mythological creature I am convinced it is, but it is amazing. I have attended other gaming shows (both video and traditional) and no other show out there has ever come close to the community, comradery, or genuine kindness I have experienced at GenCon. Specifically speak of exhibiting there with Cosplay Deviants  it is incredible. GenCon is our most grueling show, physically and mentally, for both myself as an owner, and the girls as workers, and yet they all beg to be on that event team. It is early mornings, long days, and VERY late nights (we host adult games and a party after hours) and none of us would trade it for the world (well, except maybe a little more free time to actually PLAY something). The reason we all love it so much is the crowd is genuine. They are people, and they realize that my girls (and boys) are people too. They are able to separate the fact that just because someone might be naked on the internet for a living, doesn't mean they are disposable, or lesser than anyone else. At GenCon, I don't feel like I have to have someone escort my girls everywhere they go, even if it is within sight. At GenCon, they can wear that costume and not worry about being touched or harassed. At GenCon, you guys totally get that weird thing that they are dressed up as, and it makes their day. At GenCon, everyone is happy. People will look over their shoulder, and hold the door for you as they exit. People will actually move when you politely say "excuse me." People behave at GenCon like people should behave all of the time everywhere, and the fact that they have extended that to myself and my girls (and boys!) despite what we do, is something that I have NEVER experienced at any other show.It's really polarizing to go from Anime Expo out in LA (80k+ anime kids) to GenCon (55k+ amazeballs of people) to the dreaded DragonCon (120k of nerd Mardi Gras) because any other show I am at.. all I can think of is "man, if this were GenCon..." and cry a little bit inside.
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Feb 1, 2015 17:39
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Thanks for posting that Mudcrab Merchent! My girlfriend appreciated reading it and she feels a bit better about it all. She is coming to gary con with me as well and she tells me she is more worried about the crowd there now. Btw, if anyone else has some lady friends worried about being overwhelmed, I was glad to learn that the group Contessa is planning on running several games and events, including an off convention center house, that focus on women gamers. Contessa is an all female run group that hosts blogs on women and table top game topics and runs online games that are run by female DMs. Glad to see them bringing some of that to established conventions like this.
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Feb 1, 2015 19:31
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Mudcrab Merchant posted:It's really polarizing to go from Anime Expo out in LA (80k+ anime kids) to GenCon (55k+ amazeballs of people) to the dreaded DragonCon (120k of nerd Mardi Gras) because any other show I am at.. all I can think of is "man, if this were GenCon..." and cry a little bit inside. I think you and I may've chatted in thread or groupme last year about what a clusterfuck Dragon*Con has turned into. I grew up near and live in Atlanta and have been going to D*CON for 20+ years and over the past 5 or so years it's become pretty unpleasant (and I say that as a white male target demographic person, I can't even imagine how awkward/infuriating it must be for girls [and boys!] in scanty costume). I mean, I'd venture to guess that D*Con is waaaay more lucrative for your business than GC but I find it pretty miserable to attend these days (other than the parade, which I still enjoy). Seriously folks, GenCon is a safe and happy environment for both females and males in my experience. It's the Con where playing games is the priority. Dragon*Con is literally 5 minutes away from my house and I only bother going one day; I fly to Indy to spend 5 days at GenCon. It really is that much better.
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Feb 1, 2015 21:28
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Actually, we make a LOT more at GenCon. DragonCon is a show that we will continue doing (though I would really love to go to PAX the same weekend) as long as all those people walk through it for the exposure. DragonCon is the convention you go to if you think fun is a race to get shitfaced. The girl standing next to me on Friday night in the Marriott got thrown up on from a balcony. GenCon is where you go to meet cool dudes and ladies and play rad games.
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Feb 2, 2015 00:19
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Yes it is and watch 20 people stomp their feet in place with their eyes closed in unsanctioned games of werewolves. I really thought that was funny, every corner of the convention center at 3 am is people playing werewolf.
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Feb 2, 2015 16:07
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Welp, I got my time off confirmed so this'll be my first GenCon. I'm super excited! What sort of times do things usually kick off? When should I plan on waking up each day? I work nights and I know my standard sleep schedule is going to get shot to hell so I'm trying to plan ahead.
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Feb 4, 2015 01:49
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BlackIronHeart posted:Welp, I got my time off confirmed so this'll be my first GenCon. I'm super excited! I don't get up much later than 6am most days of the con, and usually try to get 4-6 hours of sleep a day. The dealer hall opens (I think) 10am, but there will already be gaming going on that day. No matter what kind of gaming you like to do you'll be able to fill your schg. By biggest recommendation is to avoid the temptation to pack your entire day full. Try to work a half hour break in-between each game at least otherwise you'll burn out Friday night.
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Feb 4, 2015 02:03
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10am is when most things at the convention start. There are some games that start at 8am, but they are fairly sparse and people skip them all the time. Personally, I like to plan a packed schedule and then drop things as I go and need a break or whatever. Since you can return event tickets up to 30 minutes before an event for a refund I don't worry about having too many tickets. Plenty do do, ticketed or otherwise.
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Feb 4, 2015 02:13
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Definitely avoid the temptation to fill your day. I did last year and wound up skipping 3 events so I'd have enough time to see all of the dealer hall and auction. And leave some meal time.
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Feb 4, 2015 21:31
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I don't know if this is useful for you first timers or not, but when it comes to event I (or me and my group if it is a year I am not attending by myself) use this spreadsheet format to plan out our weekends. It gives you an idea of how busy we like to be, and note that there is time built in there for the vendor hall, etc. This was our schedule for last year, I am the one listed as "Matt", and the only event I skipped is the Sunday Monster Mash events. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PvDeo9lL1-oCrecSYfiqIcDx43XM5kdfZWFMNvjTc8U/edit?usp=sharing
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Feb 4, 2015 21:53
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Thanks for the tips! I'll try not to pack my day too full though I don't know if I'll be able to resist after-hours stuff since I'm usually up until 8 in the morning. Getting up at 10am sounds horrendous but I won't be there alone so I'll have my wingman push my rear end out the door at a reasonable hour. 
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Feb 5, 2015 02:25
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BlackIronHeart posted:Welp, I got my time off confirmed so this'll be my first GenCon. I'm super excited! BlackIronHeart posted:What sort of times do things usually kick off? When should I plan on waking up each day? I work nights and I know my standard sleep schedule is going to get shot to hell so I'm trying to plan ahead. I do honestly feel like any time spent between 10 and 6 not in the exhibit hall is basically a tragedy, but an entirely avoidable one--just bring some non-perishable food as a snack for lunch after eating a colossal breakfast and POWER THROUGH; you will never see this again! Well, granted, some people do get dealer's-halled-out by like Day Two, but YOU NEVER KNOW when you might want to suddenly go buy a thousand dice. I grant that this may be a particular delusion to me, but the less time you spend outside the convention center and its surrounding environs the better. Within reason. I have always been a fan of sleeping, and I know if I sleep like 5-6 hours a night at least I will have way more fun than if I try to game until 4 and still get up in time for the exhibit hall to open. nesbit37 posted:I don't know if this is useful for you first timers or not, but when it comes to event I (or me and my group if it is a year I am not attending by myself) use this spreadsheet format to plan out our weekends. It gives you an idea of how busy we like to be, and note that there is time built in there for the vendor hall, etc. This was our schedule for last year, I am the one listed as "Matt", and the only event I skipped is the Sunday Monster Mash events.
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Feb 5, 2015 02:26
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I will be extremely relieved when I get this hotel stay stuff sorted out.
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Feb 5, 2015 18:02
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Quarex posted:You remember/know more about this game than any source I have ever found online. I am fascinated. Particularly since I did not realize they belonged to that branch of the crazy military dudes...though I should have figured. Half the fun of gencon is wondering which new products will be the most miserable failures. I think that year it a toss-up between Battle T.A.G.S., this stupid thing called BreaKey where you mate two plastic keys and twist them against each other, the loser has a broken plastic bit.
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Feb 5, 2015 18:22
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Has anyone actually run an event? I'm thinking I might run a cribbage thing or something, but I don't know! Just bring some cribbage boards and play some cribbage with what will likely be the oldest people at GenCon.
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Feb 6, 2015 04:16
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Deathlove posted:...what will likely be the oldest people at GenCon. No, those would be the Starfleet Battles guys, though they don't actually play, they just haul their stuff to the con, argue about which rules they're going to use for a day and then spend the next three allocating power points.
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Feb 6, 2015 04:28
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Well, I'm roomless now. The Conrad charged me an 750 dollar room deposit, well over the cost of one night's stay. Not a pre-authorization, a full on charge that I have to pay off or pay interest on. I reserved through Hilton Honors and there are no mentions of deposits in the reservation paperwork I made. They refused to refund it so I canceled the room. Maybe it wasn't supposed to happen this year.
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Feb 6, 2015 21:44
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I do not see your room on the reserve list, I will take your room.
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Feb 6, 2015 22:05
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Texibus posted:I do not see your room on the reserve list, I will take your room. I booked it through Hilton Honors, I don't have the confirmation email yet but it should be coming up soon. It's 625 a night for a King; I could easily swing that but I don't pre-pay for hotel rooms after getting burned by a flight cancellation once.
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Feb 6, 2015 22:17
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Is that a standard policy of theirs, or part of how you booked it? I am just surprised, as I don't know of any hotels that do that themselves. Though you certainly pay upfront if using something like travelocity. Weird, and that really sucks. If you are flexible you can also check back with hotels through the housing portal in late June and early July. That's usually when people lock their Gen Con plans in for certain, and a (relatively) lot of rooms open up then as people realize they can't afford it, have other vacations take priority, or other things just getting in the way of their awesome Gen Con fun time trip. Assuming you didn't get some kind of awesome and huge suite that is a crazy nightly rate.
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Feb 6, 2015 22:22
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nesbit37 posted:Is that a standard policy of theirs, or part of how you booked it? I am just surprised, as I don't know of any hotels that do that themselves. Though you certainly pay upfront if using something like travelocity. Weird, and that really sucks. If you are flexible you can also check back with hotels through the housing portal in late June and early July. That's usually when people lock their Gen Con plans in for certain, and a (relatively) lot of rooms open up then as people realize they can't afford it, have other vacations take priority, or other things just getting in the way of their awesome Gen Con fun time trip. It was just a King room; I booked it the day I lost the housing lottery. I've done a ton of reservations through Hilton and I've never been charged a deposit. I could care less about having a hold on my card since that doesn't affect my actual balance but the whole pre-pay for a room thing is the reason I book with the hotels directly instead of through a third party service. I've got through mid June to cancel my badge so I'm not writing it off just yet. I'm definitely keeping my eye out on the housing portal and hotel sites.
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Feb 6, 2015 22:35
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Rhandhali posted:Half the fun of gencon is wondering which new products will be the most miserable failures. I think that year it a toss-up between Battle T.A.G.S., this stupid thing called BreaKey where you mate two plastic keys and twist them against each other, the loser has a broken plastic bit. I was there that year! I still have my bright yellow BreaKey, unused, in a bits box. Apparently it was supposed to be collectable(!) with some keys stronger than others(!!)
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Feb 7, 2015 09:20
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Loxbourne posted:I was there that year! I still have my bright yellow BreaKey, unused, in a bits box. Apparently it was supposed to be collectable(!) with some keys stronger than others(!!) I have a Gleemax brain in a drawer. There was also the miniature war game that also included video game components, but it was 2010 (I think) so there was no phone app, you had to have a laptop there at the table. I think it was called Acellis or something.
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Feb 7, 2015 09:55
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8one6 posted:I have a Gleemax brain in a drawer. There was also the miniature war game that also included video game components, but it was 2010 (I think) so there was no phone app, you had to have a laptop there at the table. I think it was called Acellis or something. I have a demo pack of the GIJoe Collectable Card Game around here somewhere. The demo was great fun, because my friend did a great Cobra Commander.
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Feb 7, 2015 15:26
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I hope the Gary Con event registration today wasn't a preview of Gen Con event registration. It went up at 4pm, was up for less than 5 minutes and then their ISP took the site down and blocked everyone's IPs because they thought they were under a DDOS attack. They worked for like an hour with the host to fix it, got it back up, people registered for a minute before they took it down again and now event registration isn't starting back up again until Tuesday night.
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Feb 8, 2015 01:09
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What kind of stuff usually fills up quick for gencon anyway? I didnt really bother with it last time (because I wasn't really there to do events) so I dunno what I should be F5ing like a mental for.
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Feb 8, 2015 01:19
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Everything fills up fast. There are certain events that are particularly coveted, such as true dungeon and the D&D all access pass and popular systems that have fe Gams running them, like Call of Cthulu games.
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Feb 8, 2015 01:45
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Nemesis Of Moles posted:What kind of stuff usually fills up quick for gencon anyway? I didnt really bother with it last time (because I wasn't really there to do events) so I dunno what I should be F5ing like a mental for. I've yet to find a good beginner shadowrun game that doesn't fill up almost immediately. We did that Welcome to the Fifth World thing last year and it was complete garbage. They had 6 players. 1 gm, and two or three copies of the core rulebook. We were handed character sheets and told "you have about two hours ask me if you have any questions" and then the GM checked out. After three hours the run started and we each got a single turn before "times up missions over" Edit: I would love it if someone would run a newbie game of Shadowrun this year. I could get four people and I would be more than willing to buy you a drink for your time.
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Feb 8, 2015 01:53
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I never understand people who have players make characters at con games, especially a game for beginners. Why would you want to waste any of your four hours on making a character for a one shot game?
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Feb 8, 2015 02:08
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nesbit37 posted:I never understand people who have players make characters at con games, especially a game for beginners. Why would you want to waste any of your four hours on making a character for a one shot game? It was set up to teach players how to make one which in theory was a good idea. However the way they handled it was awful. There should have been more books or a person to help the GM or a GM that was awake. But the Shadowrun games always seem to fill up really quick. I think the characters from that session could have been used with other games though because I remember him asking if anyone would be back. So I think there was some.character progression.
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Feb 8, 2015 02:15
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