GenCon 2016 – Overview

 Dan Whorl  Comments Off on GenCon 2016 – Overview
Aug 152016
 

GenCon2016-small

Indianapolis – The numbers are in…

Yet another record shredding year for GenCon 2016!

The “Best Four Days in Gaming” in the past few years. This year’s show featured more than 500 exhibitors, along with continued growth of turnstile attendance with more than 201,000 attendees, a sold out pre-show Trade Day program with more than 550 attendees, over 16,500 ticketed events, and more than $35,000 raised via on-site programming for their official charity partner:

The Pour House

The convention this year also just seemed to feel better.  There was a palpable excitement in the air that I didn’t even notice was missing from the past couple of years until I arrived. It was positively electric. Perhaps this was due to a few changes that the owners and organizers made in the hopes of enhancing the experience for the attendees.  Namely, the expansion into Lucas Oil Stadium and the conference spacing found therein, as well as, among other things, a rerouting of the Annual Cosplay Parade, and a new pricing structure allowing for better planning of events.  This added consideration created a much more inviting and less cloistered feel to the entire show.  Unique attendance was nearly the same as last year.  While that may not be another record shattered, it did serve to create a very clear dichotomy of the convention with and without the added space and considerations.

The owners and staff of GenCon were not the only ones on top of their game.  The vendors, exhibitors, and contributors hit it out of the park as well.  The convention is always a hotbed of gaming and geek pop culture with many events and releases that can only be found during the best four days in gaming.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Indications for use https://canadiantoprx.com/buy-cytotec-online-cheap/
What kind of tablets – Amoxil K 625? Tablets are used in the treatment of infections that are caused by susceptible microorganisms:
ENT organs – otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis;
organs of the respiratory system – bronchopneumonia, pneumonia, bronchitis;
soft tissue infections – wounds, abscesses, burns;
dentoalveolar abscesses;
osteomyelitis;
urinary tract infections – pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis;
sepsis of various origin.

Along with a few of the show’s staples like True Dungeon (a live action dungeon crawl), the charity auction, a very nice costume contest, 24 hour gaming, and countless other reasons people come out to Indy in the middle of summer every year, there were some new goings on that caught my attention.  There was not one, but two, live action escape rooms.  One of which was right in the dealer hall!

(Interviews with representatives of both, Think Fun and Spin Master Games, as well as reviews of their room escape board games are forthcoming)

IceCool

Also to be found in the dealer hall, was the white-hot, penguin flicking, dexterity game, Ice Cool by Brain Games, as well as  the potato-weighing mayhem of UK game designers, Big Potato Games debuting their library of games in the USA.

bigpotatologo

(Interviews with both companies and reviews of their respective games, are also forthcoming)

In addition to games, some attendees may have wandered into the exhibitor section of the hall where you could find scores of authors, craftsmen, and art like the critters created by Creature Curator, Brian Colin.

Brian Colin

These are his aptly named Pocket Monsters!!

 

By all accounts, GenCon 2016 was a complete success. The convention will be returning to Indianapolis August 17-20, 2017 for the 50th anniversary of the show.  This is sure to be a fantastic spectacle. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

As the title states, this is just an overview of this year’s show.  Over the next couple of weeks, you’ll be seeing loads of GenCon content here including several interviews with some very innovative game designers, and LOTS of reviews of new titles and GenCon exclusives.  We’ll also be posting audio from some of the panels that we attended given by some very important individuals in the gaming community as well as written articles about some of the highlights of the show and our Convention Tradition where we scour the con for something old, something new, something redone, and something cool.

Lastly, The CarpeGM Gamecast will soon have a new show on the feed…

With a trial by fire, no safety net, live with random strangers, we’ve recorded the first episodes of a little show that we’re calling Geek 16.

 

Cheers!

-Dan

 

GenCon2016-logo big

-About Gen Con

 

Gen Con, LLC produces the largest consumer hobby, fantasy, science fiction and adventure game convention in North America. Gen Con, The Best Four Days in Gaming!™. Acquired in 2002 by former CEO and founder of Wizards of the Coast, Peter Adkison, the company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Gen Con 2016 was sponsored by Mayfair Games, Paizo, Inc., and Rio Grande Games.

Gen Con Pre-Registration In One Week!

 Announcements  Comments Off on Gen Con Pre-Registration In One Week!
Jan 152016
 

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time again… Gen Con 2016!

Once again, we at CarpeGM.net are planning to attend the biggest four days in gaming August 4th,through 7th.

Below, I bequeath unto you the press release with all pertinent information.

Gen Con 2014: Level Up!
Reminder: Badge and Housing Registration Opens in One Week
It’s almost here! Badge Pre-Registration begins one week from today, starting on January 22 with Housing Registration opening at noon (Eastern) on Sunday, January 24. Gen Con will be here before you know it!Please note: a valid 2016 badge is required to take part in housing registration.The Gen Con team would like to stress again that it is important to note that demand for downtown hotel rooms vastly outstrips the available supply. Not everyone interested in downtown housing will have access to these rooms. Suburban housing inventory typically is available throughout the convention, however. As mentioned last week, Gen Con again will randomize each customer’s access to the Gen Con Housing Portal to book lodging. If you have questions about housing, you can get them answered at the Housing Q&A forum page or by emailing customerservice@gencon.com. Please don’t wait until the last minute to get your registration questions answered, as customer service will become very busy during the opening of Badge Pre-Registration and Housing Registration.When you participate in Housing Registration, you will need to go the “My Housing” page located on gencon.com under your username after you sign-in. When housing registration opens at noon (Eastern), you will be assigned a random access time, if you have purchased a 2016 badge. When your countdown time expires, your page will refresh and provide you with a button to “Make Reservations.” Housing registration countdown times may last up to three hours. Once you are granted randomized access, you can book your housing from the remaining choices.Have more questions about housing? You can check out the newsletter from earlier this week that covers some specific badge and housing questions at this link. There is also a web page atgencon.com covering Housing & Travel, as well as a web page with information on getting your badgefor 2016.

Official 2016 Charity Partner

Earlier this week, Gen Con announced its selection of The PourHouse as its Charity Partner for 2016. Each year, Gen Con partners with one charity, local to Indianapolis, hosting events intended to create donations for the partner organization. Opened in 2004, The PourHouse provides street outreach and peer advocacy for individuals experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis. You can read more about this partnership through Gen Con’s Charity Page or via the official press release.“Gen Con gamers have found a way to extend their creative reach into the streets of their host city, and The PourHouse is honored to have been chosen as the Official Charity Partner of Gen Con 2016”, said Andrea De Mink, Executive Director of The PourHouse. “Your generosity will provide opportunities for housing, healthcare, and restoration of lives.”Last year, Gen Con’s programming generated more than $40,000 for the convention’s 2015 Charity Partner, The Julian Center. Since moving its convention to Indianapolis, Gen Con has raised more than $200,000 for local charities.Want to learn more about The PourHouse? You can LIKE their Facebook page or FOLLOW their account on Twitter. Interested in learning more about their mission? You can check out the following video from The PourHouse.
Gen Con’s mailing address is:

Gen Con LLC

120 Lakeside Ave #100

Seattle, WA 98122


Copyright © 2016 Gen Con LLC, All rights reserved.

Gamecast – Ep 45 – Happy Belated Birthday To Us!

 The Carpe GM Gamecast  Comments Off on Gamecast – Ep 45 – Happy Belated Birthday To Us!
Aug 222014
 

Topic – In this episode, we talk about games that we hate and how to make them better.  Also, we take a look at the last 2 years of podcasting and the misadventures that came with them.  This is not a standard episode of the Gamecast, so if this is your first time listening, be sure to check out a couple of other episodes as well!

Hosts – Dan, Mack, Bryan, Steve, and Lucas

 

 

Subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes!Subscribe on Stitcher Internet Radio!Like us?...Then like us!Follow us!Send us an email at dan@carpegm.netOur HomepageReccomend us on RPG Podcast.com!

Interviews – Ep 13 – Erik Carl

 The Carpe GM Gamecast  Comments Off on Interviews – Ep 13 – Erik Carl
Jul 292014
 

Special Guest – Erik Carl

Topic: I had the great pleasure of sitting down with my good friend, host and Executive Producer of Metagamers Anonymous, and patriarch of the Prismatic Tsunami community, Erik Carl.  We discussed gaming with kids and his latest venture, TsunamiCon!

Support! Support!  Support!

 

 

Media – 

 

 Be sure to check out and support the Tsunamicon Kickstarter, a National level gaming convention based in Wichita, Kansas and being organized by our sister podcast, Metagamers Anonymous.   Only good things can come of this……..

Tsunamicon Kickstarter
Tsunamicon.org
Tsunamicon Facebook

Erik Supported:

BobCon: A gamer retreat in Kansas City
BobCon 2014 by Brad Kelley — Kickstarter
BobCon | Facebook

 

 

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Dan is at Archon!

 Dan Whorl, Random Blatherings  Comments Off on Dan is at Archon!
Oct 042013
 

Archon logo

Hello all! If you’re in the St. Louis area, the place to be this weekend is : Archon – a sci fi and fantasy convention held every year in Collinsville, Illinois, about 25 minutes from downtown St Louis.

This is the 37th annual Archon. It’s sure to be a good time. I’ll be trying to score a few interviews while I’m here. Stay tunes to the feed for more info!
Check out Archon’s homepage for more info

Modiphius Calling – Episode 3

 Modiphius Calling  Comments Off on Modiphius Calling – Episode 3
Sep 212013
 

Modiphius Calling 300x300 Featured image

In episode 3 of Modiphius Calling Nick Fallon of F3D joins us to talk about games and his Cimmerian Space Kickstarter, we have two interviews from Gen Con; Margaret Weis talking about her writing career and new projects including the fantastic Firefly RPG plus Monte Cook tells us how he got in to the industry and what led him to the world of Numenera.

Running Order
01.00: News From Modiphius: 3d Virtual Tabletop (they subsequently ended at $56k on their Kickstarter)
02.25: Interview with Nick about Cimmerian Space
14.06: Mobile Boardgaming: Chris: Eclipse, Ancient Rome, Josh: Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition
24.54: Margaret Weis Interview
34.35: What’s on Your Table – Chris: Dungeon Roll Josh: Ambush Alley; Nick: Defenders of the Realm
54.24: Monte Cook Interview

In episode 4 Josh will be reporting on the Tokyo Game Show and we’ll have interviews with Chris Pramas of Green Ronin and Charlie Krank from Chaosium.

Episode 3 Links

Margaret Weis
Margaret Weis – http://www.margaretweis.com
Storm Riders – http://www.margaretweis.com/#!congrats-margaret/czdi 
Firefly RPG – http://www.margaretweis.com/#!shop/c23st

Monte Cook
Monte Cook Games – http://www.montecookgames.com
Numenera RPG – http://www.numenera.com

What’s On Your Table
Pandemic – http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/30549/pandemic
Dungeon Roll – http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/138788/dungeon-roll
Ambush Alley – http://ambushalleygames.com
Defenders of the Realm – http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/65532/defenders-of-the-realm

Modiphius News
3D Virtual Tabletop
http://www.3dvirtualtabletop.com/index.html
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/3d-virtual-tabletop/id518159796?mt=8

Nick Fallon – Cimmerian Space
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/924889576/cimmerian-space-browser-game

Mobile Gaming
Ancient Battle – Rome
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ancient-battle-rome/id614410957?mt=8
Eclipse
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/eclipse-new-dawn-for-galaxy/id620439479?mt=8
Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition/id515114051

 

Modiphius Calling is a presentation of Modiphius Entertainment, for this and other awesome projects please visit Modiphius.com!!!

Visit us at Modiphius.com!Please subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes!We're now on Stitcher Internet Radio!Recommend our shows on RPGPodcasts.com!Like Modiphius Games on Facebook!Follow Modiphius on Twitter!Circle Modiphius!Purchase Modiphius products on DriveThruPG!Join the conversation on our forum!

Modiphius Calling – Episode 1

 Modiphius Calling  Comments Off on Modiphius Calling – Episode 1
Aug 142013
 

Modiphius Calling 300x300 Featured image

Welcome to Modiphius Calling – our new regular tabletop podcast hosted by Josh O’Connor and Chris Birch. You can expect news of our main games such as Achtung! Cthulhu, Mutant Chronicles, our miniatures line as well as reviews of boardgames and RPG’s we like, tabletop gaming related Apps and interviews with a big range of guests, competitions and more. If you’d like to be a guest on our show and talk about your game please drop us a line here

Running Order:
00:31 News From Modiphius
06:13 What’s on Your Table?
16:34 Interview: Nick FallonOneWar co-designer
27:24 Mobile Tabletop
34:54 Achtung! Cthulhu News
42:17 Mutant Chronicles Playtest Intro Read by Stephane Middleton
53:32 Goodbye!

Links:
Achtung! Cthulhu
http://www.modiphius.com/achtung-cthulhu.html
Achtung! Cthulhu: Three Kings at RPGNow.com
http://www.rpgnow.com/index.php?keywords=modiphius+three+kings&x=0&y=0&author=&artist=&pfrom=&pto=
Mutant Chronicles
http://www.modiphius.com/mutant-chronicles.html
One War Battle Report
http://www.modiphius.com/one-war-system.html
Siege of the Citadel
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1621/mutant-chronicles-siege-of-the-citadel
Dungeon Crawl Classics
http://www.goodmangames.com/5070preview.html
0-Level Party Generator:
http://purplesorcerer.com/create.htm
Crawler’s Companion:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-crawlers-companion/id597725801?mt=8
Battle Academy
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/battle-academy/id499901136?mt=8
Frozen Front
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/1941-frozen-front/id598584564?mt=8Music Intro to Mutant Chronicles reading Ephemera by System Divide, used with permissionDisclaimerThe opinions expressed here represent personal opinions of presenters and guests and do not not necessarily reflect the views of Modiphius Entertainment Ltd. 

Modiphius Calling is a presentation of Modiphius Entertainment, for this and other awesome projects please visit Modiphius.com!!!

Visit us at Modiphius.com!Please subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes!We're now on Stitcher Internet Radio!Recommend our shows on RPGPodcasts.com!Like Modiphius Games on Facebook!Follow Modiphius on Twitter!Circle Modiphius!Purchase Modiphius products on DriveThruPG!Join the conversation on our forum!

The Oleg Story

 Announcements  Comments Off on The Oleg Story
Aug 072013
 
The Oleg Story: Survival - Live on Kickstarter NOW!

Hammer-wielding Mafia hit men, Russian spies, Racists, shivs, and cigarettes……….

Just another Friday night in Cell Black A!

The Oleg Story: Survival - Live on Kickstarter NOW!I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Nail Adam, the head of a new game design studio called “Latest Pursuit”

Latest Pursuit’s latest pursuit is a Kickstarter campaign for a board game with a very neat concept:

You’re in a maximum security prison for international criminals, and gangs run the show.

The object of the game is not to escape, not to take over the cell block……

but SURVIVE!

There are no “Get Out of Jail Free” cards here…..

You’re just hoping to not get out of jail DEAD!

The game itself takes about 2 hours to play.  Its broken down into 20 minute rounds that begin and end with all characters in their respective cells.  You may ally with other gangs in an effort to take down a competitor, but don’t trust them.  They may be coming for you next!

The production  for The Oleg Story is mostly complete, and it looks great!

It comes with :

  • 4 Tile Map board (Board game)Check out The Oleg Story: Survival - Live on Kickstarter NOW!
  • The Oleg Story™: Survival Back Story DVD
  • 6×40 Attack Cards
  • 6×40 Defence Cards
  • 1×40 Mission Cards
  • 1×40 Special Cards
  • 1×6 Gang Cards
  • 1×60 Commodity Cards
  • 24 Miniature Figures
  • 12 Dice
  • 2 Shuffle Pouches
  • 24 & 21 Prison Cell draw cards
  • Guide Book
  • 1 Poster

All items have a high production value and the game is complete but for a print run. That’s where we come in.

The Oleg Story: Survival is on Kickstarter now.  With a campaign that includes DVDs, more gangs, custom miniatures, and more, this is definitely one prison I want in on!

 The Board!

“LIGHTS OUT!”

-Dan Whorl

Episode 24 ~ Listener Episode 1 ~ Johnny, the Last Blue Dragonborn From the East Side

 The Carpe GM Gamecast  Comments Off on Episode 24 ~ Listener Episode 1 ~ Johnny, the Last Blue Dragonborn From the East Side
Apr 122013
 

Carpe GM Gamecast Logo 300x300
Hosts – Dan, Bryan, Steve, Mack

 

 

Topic – In our first ever Listener Episode, we settle in for a fantastic, and sometimes heated, conversation about ways that character creation can change the canon of your game world.  The topic was provided by our listener, Matthew Parody, from the Probably Questionable Podcast.  Matthew wasthe winner of  his own episode during our rating and review raffle, and has the distinction of being the fist person that I let my co hosts talk to!  The conversation was lively, and there’s no doubt, we will do it again.  Enjoy!

 

 

Media – 

Men At Arms Hobbies Inc (Facebook)
Midtown Comics
Iron Kingdoms | Privateer Press
D&D Next Playtest – Wizards of the Coast
Robot Chicken Star Wars
Probably Questionable
IPA Comedy (YouTube)
The Burningmoore Incident (2010) – IMDb
Nerdist
Harmontown

 

 

Buy Maple Ridge by Swear and Shake

The music for this episode was provided by:

Swear and Shake

You can find more of their work at:
http://www.facebook.com/swearandshake
http://www.youtube.com/swearandshake
http://www.reverbnation.com/swearandshake

 

 

 

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Interviews – Episode 6 – Contest Contributor, Drew Rose

 The Carpe GM Gamecast  Comments Off on Interviews – Episode 6 – Contest Contributor, Drew Rose
Dec 212012
 

Carpe GM Gamecast Logo 300x300
Interviews – Episode 6 – Contest Contributor, Drew Rose

In this episode, I finally got the chance to sit down with Drew Rose from our friendly local game store, Heroic Adventures.  Drew and I talk a little about his hobbies and what makes him a geek.  Then, we spend a little time talking about the shop.  A little later, we unveil the prize that Drew and Heroic Adventures is donating to our Rating and Review Raffle.  Finally, we finish up with a synopsis on our contest and the prizes that are presently available to be won.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Media – 

Heroic Adventures’ Facebook page
Fantasy Books Inc.
Gamerstable (podcast)

Drew Supported The Legend of Luther Strode (Image Comics)

Our Friendly Local Game Store, Heroic Adventures

Heroic Adventures is donating a copy of LOTR: Nazgul to our Rating and Review Raffle!

 

The dark lord Sauron is pleased that you have… chosen… to champion the true destiny of Middle-earth. Some prefer the hopeless cause of men and their miserable allies. Theirs is a fool’s choice! You show no affinity for such delusions. You seek glory for Sauron, and your rewards shall be great!

 

Be Sure to check out the rest of the prizes available and get the details on how to enter at https://carpegm.net/contest/

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