Gen Con Community

1. Give yourself at least 4 hours for the Dealer Hall.
2. Hit the Dealer Hall early (Thurs) for swag, hit the Dealer Hall late (Sunday, past noon) for deals.
3. Don't blow 30 bucks on room service. Get out of bed and take a quick walk to Mickey D's. You'll get much more food for a quarter of the price.
4. Dr. Scholls Foot Pads. Trust me, they'll be worth it.
5. If you are doing True Dungeon, and have a preferred class, show up early and ask the group before you go in. If you show up late for True Dungeon (BAD, BAD idea) then you shut up and take whatever class is handed to you. 
6. When going through True Dungeon, always keep your weapon token in your hand, ready to go at a second's notice.
7. When going through True Dungeon, don't touch anything when you first enter the room. Impulsive types pay.
8. If you need to leave an event early, tell the gamemaster up front before you start the game.
9. At least once, wander the halls of the ICC after 10pm and find an "Are You A Werewolf?" game, and join it. It's so worth it.
10. If you are going to Hickman's Killer Breakfast, get there early or right on time, or you probably aren't going up on stage.
11. If you are going to Hickman's Killer Breakfast, bring a bribe (candy, etc), that might keep you alive for another round.
12. If you are sharing a room, announce you are coming in after you open the door.
13. Allow yourself at LEAST 3-4 hours over the course of the Con to just chill out in your hotel room.
14. Demo at least one game in the Dealer Hall.
15. Come to Mike B's Room Party -- Saturday Night 11pm. Going on Year #4! Booze, games, fun, and so much more!
16. If you are DMing a game, or playing a LARP, keep your throat hydrated -- it makes voice characterizations much easier.
17. If you are more than 10 minutes late to a non-RPG game, you missed your event. If it's an RPG that lasts more than 2 hours, use 20 minutes as the cutoff. Otherwise you will disrupt the game in progress, which is rather unfair, especially if you need to learn the game.
18. Always keep your badge visible when entering the Dealer Hall, or you will be accosted by the monitors.
19. Don't sleep in the ICC Hallways. Even snoozing in the viewing rooms is pushing it.
20. Ask a vendor to hold your purchase until the end of the day. Why lug around something when you don't need to?
21. When paying with cash, ALWAYS ask for a discount. Some vendors will oblige because they don't need to deal with transaction fees.
22. You owe it to yourself to have at least one leisurely, extravagant dinner.
23. Ask before taking a costumer's picture. They are very accommedating most of the time.
24. If you are playing at a restaurant, order at least one thing every hour you are tying up the table. Leave a big (25%+) tip.
25. If demoing a game, tell them what you think. If the game sucks or isn't fun, they will want to know if they are truly customer-oriented.
26. Don't go out of your way for swag -- remember that 99% of it is junk you'll just put in a box and never look at again.
27. The Stink is a great way to kick off GenCon. It will let you identify us regular forumites, so you're guaranteed to see a familiar face at some point in the Con.
28. If you are playing an RPG and LARP and you are a ham like Mikey, be mindful to give the other players the spotlight as well. Roleplaying games are at their absolute best when you concentrate on making the next guy (instead of just yourself) look good.
29. Don't complain during a game. About the game, players, dice, your luck, etc.  It's unseemly and makes you out to be a poor sport. Remember that for every one of these games, the true goal is just to experience the game and be entertained.
30. Buy Mike B pie. It makes him happy and keeps him occupied so he doesn't inflict himself on the public.

Those are some good tips Mike.

Mike B:

Don't blow 30 bucks on room service. Get out of bed and take a quick walk to Mickey D's. You'll get much more food for a quarter of the price.

This would be great but they closed the Mickey Ds.

Mike B:

Don't blow 30 bucks on room service. Get out of bed and take a quick walk to Mickey D's. You'll get much more food for a quarter of the price.

Unfortunately Mickey D's is dead.  However there are still other cheap options like subway, taco bell, and the other places in the mall food court. 

Mike B:

If you are sharing a room, announce you are coming in after you open the door.

I figure (myself included) that no one in the room should not be doing anything that woudn't be prepared for me to walk in on.  However; if I have a non hotelmate with me I certainly clear it with anyone in the room before bringing them in with me. 

Mike B:

Come to Mike B's Room Party -- Saturday Night 11pm. Going on Year #4! Booze, games, fun, and so much more!

Definitely a good plan

Mike B:

When paying with cash, ALWAYS ask for a discount. Some vendors will oblige because they don't need to deal with transaction fees.

An excellent tip.  Visa/Mastercard charges 2% I believe.  I know I get discounts with companies, especially on large purchases, when paying all cash. 

Mike B:

Buy Mike B pie. It makes him happy and keeps him occupied so he doesn't inflict himself on the public.

what kind?

KatsObsession:

Mike B:

Come to Mike B's Room Party -- Saturday Night 11pm. Going on Year #4! Booze, games, fun, and so much more!

Might be a little late this year FYI..but fashionably, perhaps with pie!

Hentai Dubbing though, I just want to check it out for a bit then go crash your shin dig!

Ditto.  Never seen Hentai Dubbing before, but I got a ticket.  Never gone to Mike B's party.  Crashing a party late is really gauche.  I was thinking about going to the Red Garter after Hentai Dubbing instead.

Ain't no thang! People come and go all hours for that party. Just show up whenever.

In 07 the last attendee came in at around 5:10am, I think.

Mike B:

Ain't no thang! People come and go all hours for that party. Just show up whenever.

In 07 the last attendee came in at around 5:10am, I think.

I'll put the party on my to do list!

Mike B:

Get out of bed and take a quick walk to Mickey D's. You'll get much more food for a quarter of the price.

 You'll get more clogged arteries, too. ;)

Mike B:

Come to Mike B's Room Party -- Saturday Night 11pm. Going on Year #4! Booze, games, fun, and so much more!

 

Given how weak the GenCon dance usually is, you might have many takers. Go you!

And yes, great list!

Mike B:

In 07 the last attendee came in at around 5:10am, I think.

With my early bird hours... maybe I should aim for coming after I sleep then.    I've been known to get up as early as 4am, lol. 

I think 2 years ago, we escorted some crashers out after 6 or 7 am... and they complained. No one knew who they were, yet they didn't want to leave.

The parties are great and good for socializing / meeting other forumites. I tend to think I got to know more people at Mike's party than at the Stink.

Tip 31: Go to KFG Tuesday / Wednesday gaming at the RAM or hotel games. Extend your gaming week.

Tip 32: Start out the week with a good turn, help out Gamers for Humanity on Tuesday morning.

Mike B:

Don't go out of your way for swag -- remember that 99% of it is junk you'll just put in a box and never look at again.

WoodForSheep:

Mike B:

Don't go out of your way for swag -- remember that 99% of it is junk you'll just put in a box and never look at again.

Oh, but that other 1% is like a little plastic orgasm and so worth it...

Great...now I'm gonna be afraid to put my hand in my swag bag in public for fear of finding the 1%....Thanks WfS.

Older Lady at the GenCon Reg. Desk: "I'll have whatever swag she's having, please."

atstepchild:

I think 2 years ago, we escorted some crashers out after 6 or 7 am... and they complained. No one knew who they were, yet they didn't want to leave.

The parties are great and good for socializing / meeting other forumites. I tend to think I got to know more people at Mike's party than at the Stink.

I definintely got to know more people at Mike B's parties. The Ram is another good place. Just randoming wandering the halls. Actually GenCOn itself is a great way to meet people. About the only place I've yet to meet a new person is the restroom. So let's see if I can change that. Let the awkward urinal conversations commence!

Degenx:

atstepchild:

I think 2 years ago, we escorted some crashers out after 6 or 7 am... and they complained. No one knew who they were, yet they didn't want to leave.

The parties are great and good for socializing / meeting other forumites. I tend to think I got to know more people at Mike's party than at the Stink.

 

 

I definintely got to know more people at Mike B's parties. The Ram is another good place. Just randoming wandering the halls. Actually GenCOn itself is a great way to meet people. About the only place I've yet to meet a new person is the restroom. So let's see if I can change that. Let the awkward urinal conversations commence!

if i see you in the ladies' room i promise to say something to you. 

swinetrekkie:

Degenx:

atstepchild:

I think 2 years ago, we escorted some crashers out after 6 or 7 am... and they complained. No one knew who they were, yet they didn't want to leave.

The parties are great and good for socializing / meeting other forumites. I tend to think I got to know more people at Mike's party than at the Stink.

 

 

I definintely got to know more people at Mike B's parties. The Ram is another good place. Just randoming wandering the halls. Actually GenCOn itself is a great way to meet people. About the only place I've yet to meet a new person is the restroom. So let's see if I can change that. Let the awkward urinal conversations commence!

if i see you in the ladies' room i promise to say something to you. 

OMG!  Thank you for saying that.  I wanted to, but I held back. 

If you're having urinal conversations in the ladies' room, you might need to check the sign on the door.

Degenx:

atstepchild:

I think 2 years ago, we escorted some crashers out after 6 or 7 am... and they complained. No one knew who they were, yet they didn't want to leave.

The parties are great and good for socializing / meeting other forumites. I tend to think I got to know more people at Mike's party than at the Stink.

 

 

I definintely got to know more people at Mike B's parties. The Ram is another good place. Just randoming wandering the halls. Actually GenCOn itself is a great way to meet people. About the only place I've yet to meet a new person is the restroom. So let's see if I can change that. Let the awkward urinal conversations commence!

atstepchild:

If you're having urinal conversations in the ladies' room, you might need to check the sign on the door.

A sign on the door declaring "Men" or "Gentlemen" or "Hombres" or "Lads" or the like will not prevent me from going in if I need to.  ::shrug::  By my mere presence, it becomes a Ladies' room.    Errrrrrrrr.... that's not to say that I am ladylike... just wanted to clarify that.  Didn't want anyone accusing me of ladylike behavior.  Whew!

laohu1:

A sign on the door declaring "Men" or "Gentlemen" or "Hombres" or "Lads" or the like will not prevent me from going in if I need to.  ::shrug::  By my mere presence, it becomes a Ladies' room.    Errrrrrrrr.... that's not to say that I am ladylike... just wanted to clarify that.  Didn't want anyone accusing me of ladylike behavior.  Whew!

"Guys, ever accidentally wander in a ladies room? Good luck. Your presence is immediately detected and all of the ladies have no qualms voicing their opinions of your motives... "Freak! Rapist! Pervert!"

"And what, pray tell, happens when a drunk woman staggers into a men's room? A HERO'S WELCOME! All the guys call for her to come in, all smiles, high-fiving... a trombone band busts out of one of the stalls playing 'Stars and Stripes Forever...'"

-- Richard Jeni