Fancy that. I actually got a comment at my last post. People are reading this during the off season? What's more, it's actually a request to cover some stuff in the blog. I am shock-ed.

So let's get to it, or at least try. It's obviously too early to really talk about what events are cool at Indy 08 yet (watch this space next spring), but I figured I could talk about how I found cool stuff when I wasn't working Gen Con and some generally cool areas.

I used to run games for Eden Studios and a GM's weekend at Gen Con is pretty damn busy. You have to set up your schedule of games before you really know when anything is, so I was never really able to plan around going to some big event (I've still never been through True Dungeon...). I used to just schedule from 10-2 and 4-8 so I wouldn't have to wake up that early and so that I wouldn't be workin' too late. Usually there would be a few days where I had to run two games, which left little time for anything else, but I can usually breeze through the exhibit hall real quick (here's how: walk through the whole hall real quick, just noting things that look interesting - then go back and check those later. Don't try to look at everything the first time you see it - this helps save you some money too), so it was never a big issue.

I don't think I ever looked at the schedule of events before the show - I saved that for on-site. I'd pick up the program book the night before the show and relax from traveling by flipping through the event charts, circling everything that seemed half-way interesting (pretty much just RPGs for me). Then I'd narrow things down if there were conflicts, check to see if my friends had any plans, etc. Eventually I might end up registering for a game or two (usual Wraith or something that I can never find outside of a con).

The event charts were the primary way I figured out what I wanted to play, though I always made sure to ask exhibitors about demos of a new game that looked interesting. An actual play experience is always a better way to gauge quality than a sales pitch.

There's always downtime at a show, though. You know, that period you feel a bit bored, a bit restless. You can't pin it down, but you're sure you're missing out on something awesome just around the corner. If only you knew what it was you were missing...

In those cases, there's a few things you can try (and all are, of course, much more effective when you've got your gamer posse to back you up. Friends don't let friends go to a con without some companionship).

If the exhibit hall is open, you're almost guaranteed to be able to find something to amuse yourself with in there, even if you've already done the full circuit like I mentioned above.

The other all-purpose solution is to grab those event charts again and just pick the most interesting sounding game going on right then. It doesn't matter if it's your normal kind of game or if you actually end up playing it. Just pick something and start walking to it. You're bound to find something fun along the way or enjoy the game itself.

Things get a bit tougher as it gets later, though. Everyone usually wants to wrap up their games around dinner and while that's when the LARPs come out in force, they aren't for everyone. That's probably the best time to wander around for random fun, though. Video rooms are always at their best after 6 or 7 pm, I think. That's when the weirder films and videos start coming out and people start filling up the rooms. So wander by there and see if something catches your eye. That's also about the time people settled down a bit. They've had dinner, they're full, and they pull out the new games they bought that day. Most people would be more than happy to bust out the new boardgame and try it out with con strangers late Saturday night. Random late-night pick-up games of some weird RPG are easily among the best con games I've had.

So that's the general advice on how to find cool stuff to do at Gen Con: check the event charts early and often, and don't hesitate to wander around the exhibit hall/film rooms/open gaming area whenever you get a wee bit restless. Bring 2-3 friends and you're pretty much guaranteed to find something fun before long.

The other question the commenter brought up, however, was about how to get involved with volunteering at Gen Con. That's a completely different department (coordinated by the Wonderful Wes and ultimately under Aleta's responsibility) and I strongly encourage anyone who is even vaguely interested in getting involved "behind the curtain" at Gen Con to email volunteers@gencon.com.

I'll be honest with you, ever since I started working at conventions, I couldn't go back. I just can't enjoy a show anymore without that mix of insanity, exhaustion, and constantly running around trying to stomp out fires. I thrive on trying to juggle a half-dozen crises and the comfort of the crash that comes after spending 22+ hours on your feet running around all day for 6 days.

Volunteers don't get a schedule like that, but since I love it I try to grab as much work as I can until I'm runnin' myself ragged for a week or so.

You get involved with Gen Con simply by volunteering, though. You help out during the show doing whatever we need, filing gaps and helping in emergencies. After you work with us for a bit, we can find another position helping out with specific departments or events. Check out the volunteer page for more information.

Basically, if you want to get involved in helping Gen Con to actually run, email volunteers@gencon.com. If you have a very specific idea of what you would like to do, contact the appropriate department head directly to talk about it. Just drop a note and start a conversation. That's how it all starts.

So that's some very general, broad advice on how to find stuff to do at a convention (and Gen Con in specific). I'll try to give more details in '08 when more events are set.