Gen Con: Second Day

Gen Con is a bit like the Matrix. You can’t be told about Gen Con, you have to experience it to understand it. And guys, I am enjoying myself over here. It’s great to see all this cool new products, be among thousands of gamers, and being able to talk to the game designers themselves.

This morning I checked out the Kobold Quarterly booth again, but alas Wolfgang was busy, so I planned to return later. My next trip brought me to the Crafty Games booth. This year they share the booth with Reality Blurs, so I had the chance to talk to Sean Preston. They are showing Iron Dynasty: Way of the Ronin, their new setting for Savage Worlds here, so I used the opportunity to have Sean tell me about it. Iron Dynasty is set into a world inspired by feudal Japan but with some twists. The caste system has basically broken down, there are steampowered mecha, and firearms. I really like the combination of the feudal Japanese aspects and the steampunk. As soon as I am back from Gen Con I will give it a proper read for a review. Promised!

I also stopped by the Paizo booth to check out their books. I have a soft spot for the Pathfinder RPG, so I might pick up the Bestiary, which looks really great. And before I forget to mention it, yesterday after I wrote the “Gen Con: First Day” post I met with Richard Iorio II from Rogue Games and Daniel Perez who has been helping out at the booth. Both are very nice guys and I had a long chat with them. Daniel and I also made the plan to get our good friend Roberto to Gen Con next year. He won’t escape us that time!

Speaking of Rogue Games, I finally picked up print copies of their games. I actually already own a PDF copy of Colonial Gothic, but it’s definitely nice to have a print copy, too. Since Zachary has been telling good things about Shadow, Sword and Spell all day, I picked up a copy of this game as well. It’s a pulpish Sword and Sorcery game with really easy rules and a great price. The print copy is just $13! If you like this kind of human-centric Swords & Sorcery fantasy, you should check the game out.

This morning I also went to a wrong seminar. I actually wanted to attend to the Skeptical Gamers seminar, but since I got the time wrong, I found myself in the E-Tools seminar. But since nobody objected I stayed and we had a great discussion about the available electronic tools for players and gamemasters.

I am currently sitting in the Westin Hotel (which has better free Wifi than the Convention Center) and watch Mark Meredith, his wife, Jeff Uurtamo and someone who hasn’t been introduced to me, playing Mouse Guard. I am not sure if this is the game for me (I am a MAN, not a MOUSE!) but they seem to enjoy themselves – which is the important part.

Later today I will join Mark’s WFRP 3rd Edition game and after that Richard from Rogue Games will run something for us. I am very much looking forward to both games.

If I not too tired this evening, I might post another update, but for the time being, here are some more photos from Gen Con day 2:

One thing is sure: I will try to come back for Gen Con 2011. And I hope you enjoy my posts about Gen Con. It’s pretty hard to share the experience, but trust me, I am trying. 🙂