The Triumphant Return of GEN CON!

 Dan Whorl  Comments Off on The Triumphant Return of GEN CON!
Sep 012021
 

GENCON 2021

The Titan Cometh!

This year, once again, the biggest and best tabletop gaming convention in the country is returning to Indianapolis September 16th-19th.  GEN CON is back and we’ll be there!  if you can’t or don’t want to come to the convention in person there are several ways to be involved this year, including GEN CON Indy, GEN CON Online, Pop-Up GEN CON, and GEN CON TV.

GEN CON Indy is the Superbowl for tabletop nerds!  

“Celebrating its 52nd year in 2019, Gen Con “The Best Four Days in Gaming!”(tm) has become the largest annual consumer fantasy, electronic, sci-fi, and adventure game convention in North America. Each year, gaming enthusiasts converge in Indianapolis to share their enthusiasm for all things gaming; whether its tournaments, celebrity appearances, exhibit hall booths, electronic games, workshops, seminars, anime, art shows, auctions, or countless other activities.

With an avid following of more than 140,000 consumer and professional attendees, Gen Con is THE destination for everyone from serious fans, to those simply interested in casual gaming. Many people ask “Gaming? What kind of Gaming?” Gen Con appeals to all hobby gaming enthusiasts, essentially all gaming except sports and gambling.

Game manufacturers and publishers consistently utilize Gen Con as the place to launch new games and new products, show off the latest and greatest game expansions and features, and host incredible tournaments. From world championships awarding thousands of dollars to non-professional games created by passionate enthusiasts, playing games is what it’s all about.”

GEN CON Online allows you to take part in the convention from the comfort of your living room…  or office…  or restroom… whatever.

After a successful first year in 2020, Gen Con Online will return in 2021, running concurrently with Gen Con Indy and Pop-Up Gen Con!

Gen Con Online is our online convention program featuring gaming, entertainment, and lots of other types of events, plus a packed schedule of livestreaming content on Twitch, a vibrant community on Discord, and more!

Pop-Up GEN CON brings little baby GEN CONs to your local game store!

“Gather with your local gaming community and try out hot new games before anyone else, all from the comfort of your friendly local game store. Each FLGS will determine how they want to host this event based on COVID-19 health and safety guidelines and conditions in their area. Check with the store for details on what they are planning.

Pop-Up Gen Con will take place on Saturday, September 18, 2021.

If you can’t make it to Gen Con Indy this year or can only come for a day, check out Pop-Up Gen Con at your local game store”

 

However you plan to experience GEN CON, be sure to let us know how it goes.

Also, if you‘re going to be in Indianapolis September 16th-19th be sure to connect With us.  We’ll have a meet up each night!

DM’s Log: Behind the Screens, Entry 4

 El Curto, Guest Authors  Comments Off on DM’s Log: Behind the Screens, Entry 4
Aug 082021
 

So here we are. Everyone has their mandatory one liter of Mountain Dew. Crown royal bags have all been relieved of the dice-hauling duties and you know everyone’s got their mechanical pencil. This can only mean one thing: It’s time for D and D.

Crown Royal Bag

Seriously, the CEO of Crown Royal MUST have played D and D.

Ah, yes, good ol’ D and D. For the DM, the days leading up to a session can be as excruciatingly long as the last days before Christmas are for kids. The anticipation is insufferable. The wait to see the fruits of your labor completely wracks your brain. Will they go into the cavern with the trolls? Will the even find the hidden passage? Did I really spend three days designing an elaborate system of traps that they by blind luck manage to completely bypass? These are my nightmares. These are the questions that keep me up at night. Okay, it’s probably the Mountain Dew that keeps me up at night.

I know its bad for ya but once it hits your lips its so good.

It is natural for the DM to fret over the details. However, it is important to not get too caught up in trying to micro-manage the campaign. No matter how much planning you do, your players will eventually and invariably totally derail your plot. Simply put, you can’t plan for everything. Through sheer brilliance or  simply dumb luck, at some point, your players will conjure something that you, the omnipotent DM, didn’t see coming. Before you let your ego get too bruised, just pick yourself up roll with the punches. live22

In previous articles I have advocated the importance in striking the right balance. This situation is no different. It is crucial to aspire to maintain the momentum that was established in the first few sessions of a campaign but not at the cost of character development.  The continual progression of a linear story arc is essential to keeping the group focused on the grander scheme, yet each player still needs a sense of freedom.

Syrinscape Now Integrated with D20Pro

 Announcements  Comments Off on Syrinscape Now Integrated with D20Pro
Feb 232016
 

With the growing popularity of RPG’s utilizing a virtual table top, This is BIG news!  I received this press release yesterday and pass it on to you now…

For additional information, contact Jenny Bendel.
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SYRINSCAPE AND D20PRO ANNOUNCE NEW INTEGRATION FOR PLAYING ROLEPLAYING GAMES FASTER, BIGGER, AND ANYWHERE,NOW WITH SOUND

Award-Winning Syrinscape Sound App Now Compatible with D20PRO Virtual Tabletop

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (February 22, 2016) – Syrinscape, creator of the award-winning apps that put the power of custom, movie-like sound effects, soundscapes, music, and audio solutions at the fingertips of the gamer, and D20PRO, the Virtual Tabletop that takes roleplaying games from around the table to gamers around the world, are thrilled to announce today the two products are now compatible, creating a dynamic gaming experience for roleplaying gamers everywhere.*

D20PRO comes with the complete rules set for OGL 3.54E and thePathfinder Roleplaying Game systems. However, the powerful tools ofD20PRO work for any game system that utilizes maps, combat on or off a grid, and even games that rely on “theater of the mind.”

“Syrinscape has been one of our most requested integrations, and we are so pleased to make that a reality,” says Tobias Drewry, CEO of Mesa Mundi. “Now game masters running a campaign with D20PRO can easily incorporate Syrinscape’s incredible library of music and sound effects to set the perfect mood for their games.”

With this integration, D20PRO Game Masters will be able to control Syrinscape remotely on the systems of their players. Game Masters will be able to embed objects within D20PRO that can be used to ‘click’ buttons inside Syrinscape, without needing to bring Syrinscape into focus, or having to navigate through any of its menus.

“Now every spell, every location, and every hideous monster roar is right at the finger tips of D20PRO Game Masters,” says Syrinscape creator Benjamin Loomes. “And yes… most importantly, that includes the Wilhelm Scream!”.

D20PRO has created real-time video with an introduction demo on how to incorporate Syrinscape into D20PRO games, using Syrinscape in 3rd-party mode, how to add sound triggers inside D20PRO, and how to configure virtual audio settings.

D20PRO Virtual Tabletop is available to try free with a 30-day Trial License to build campaigns, adventures, and encounters in no time. To start a free 30-day trial, visit, www.d20pro.com/getd20pro/.

The award-winning Syrinscape apps bring fantastic, realistic sound to tabletop gaming. Each is available to try for free, can be completely unlocked for free for 30 days at Syrinscape.com/freetrial, and includes 2 free SoundSets to keep after the trial. To download the free Board Game Player, Sci-Fi Player, or Syrinscape Fantasy Player, visit Syrinscape.com.

*At this time, Syrinscape integration is Windows only, with Mac OS and Linux integration coming soon.

About D20PRO
D20PRO is a Virtual Tabletop (VTT) that takes roleplaying games from around the table to gamers around the world. Experience all the elements of roleplaying while optimizing your play with the powerful D20PRO rules engine–speed up combat, roll a natural 20 on integrated dice, explore vast maps, and bring character sheets to life. No matter what kind of game you’re running,D20PRO is the VTT desktop solution your gaming group needs. Campaign with players throughout the world, and you’ll never miss game night again. Run smooth, accurate combat with D20PRO’s suite of built-in tools ensuring that every bonus, feat, and twist of the rules is accounted for. D20PRO ©2016 Mesa Mundi, Inc. (www.mesamundi.com)

About Syrinscape
Using a powerful audio engine and complex algorithms to produce ever-changing soundscapes and rich encounter-specific music, Syrinscape conjures every aural landscape imaginable, from ethereal forests and stony shorelines, to dank, vermin-filled dungeons, to the spooky depths of the underdark. Designed by accomplished composer and tabletop gamer Benjamin Loomes, along with the developers at the Interaction Consortium, Syrinscape builds on more than 8 years of prototyping and community feedback. Syrinscape is based in Australia. Syrinscape is available for a wide range of devices, including PC, Mac, Android Tablets and phone, iPhones and iPads, and the players can be downloaded via syrinscape for free.

* * *

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.
Sep 172014
 

Hands down the BEST interview from GenCon!

I had the pleasure of once again catching up with Sean Fannon of Evil Beagle games.  We cover a lot of ground in this one, so hold on tight! Enjoy!

Host – Dan Whorl

Special Guest – Sean Fannon (Evil Beagle Games)

 

 

 

Media – 

 

Sean’s Pick of the Day (dot)com
Shaintar (dot)com
Evil Beagle Games (dot)com

You can purchase Shaintar and other Evil Beagle products at:
Evil Beagle Products on DriveThru RPG

Follow Sean!
-on Google+
-on Facebook
-on Twitter

Sean Supported:
SpringGiving and ThanksGmaing
and also:
Doctors Without Borders

This episode was made possible by the beautiful folks at GenCon 2014. Be sure to check them out – http://www.gencon.com/

 

 

 

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Gamecast – Ep 44 – Is Another Man’s Treasure

 The Carpe GM Gamecast  Comments Off on Gamecast – Ep 44 – Is Another Man’s Treasure
Jul 312014
 

Topic – In this episode, we talk about reward mechanics, loot, and ways to make them interesting in game.

Hosts – Dan, Mack, Steve, and Lucas

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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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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Gamecast – Ep 43 – 5th Edition D&D – Our First Impressions

 The Carpe GM Gamecast  Comments Off on Gamecast – Ep 43 – 5th Edition D&D – Our First Impressions
Jul 162014
 

Topic – In this episode, we make a few announcements, discuss what we’ve been doing lately, and have our first argument er….discussion about the 5th Editionof Dungeons and Dragons.  Hold on tight, this one gets a little bumpy!

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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Gamecast – Ep 37 – Hello Again

 The Carpe GM Gamecast  Comments Off on Gamecast – Ep 37 – Hello Again
Feb 072014
 

Topic – In this episode, we discuss at length what has been on our horizons and later talk about some goals and resolutions for the new year.  Enjoy!

Hosts – Dan, Mack, Bryan, Steve

 

Media – 

Mutant Chronicles 3rd Edition (Kickstarter)
Mouse Guard RPG
War of the Burning Sky
We Didn’t Playtest This At All (Game)
Dan supported – Asmadi Games

 

Check out Connibal Roads Debut EP, Alonging for the Black and White!

The interstitial music for this episode is: “Missing Pages” by Connibal Road
For more from this awesome band:
Check out their website – http://www.connibalroad.com/
Find them on YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/connibalroad
Twitter – https://twitter.com/ConnibalRoad
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/connibalroad
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/mbivens
Reverb Nation – http://www.reverbnation.com/connibalroad
Where can you purchase their music?
iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/connibal-road/id488749984
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B006LEGNXW?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=Connibal%20Road&index=digital-music&search-type=ss

 

 

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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!