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Pilgrimage to GenCon 2023

Pilgrimage to GenCon 2023

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Project Blog by taochi Cult of Games Member

Recommendations: 92

About the Project

For the first time after the pandemic, I find my way to GenCon for a weekend of fun and discovery. I am accompanied on this quest by my friend Aaron, long time gamer and GM extraordinaire whom I have known since he was born, in the house next door to ours. This trip was a heartwarming come back to 'in person' conventions and led to exceptional human encounters and marvelous discoveries.

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Mythic Earth - My heartthrob for GenCon 2023

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Once in a while, I encounter a game that appeals to me to a point I feel compelled to own everything about it and drop all other hobby to play it immediately. Mythic Earth is such a game. Whole I was familiar with Mythic America, I was never compelled to lay the game, until my fateful encounter with the team from Mythicos at GenCon and the long demo that ensued.  The game has a strong DNA from Rick Priestley’s previous opera but brings a brand new flavor to the table which makes it a unique and exotic experience.

Here is a link to our demo. I hope you like what you see and join the Mythic Earth community. Lots of new stuff on the horizon… https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GUfcRwih_hMw_qg175G-jVjO2kbDO-m0/view?usp=drive_link

Ennies 2023

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I am usually not a huge fan of award ceremonies but I decided to attend the Ennies this year, having some familiarity with some (but not all) the categories and products. It took place in a wonderful venue and was quite entertaining, even pushing me to acquire award winning ‘The Last Air Bender’ RPG the next day.

Gods of Metal Ragnarök

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Hunters book had a release party at Nervermore (see this project part 2) and we headed to the bar for cocktails, tasty chicken strips and a solid dose of heavy metal.  ‘Death to all but metal!’ signed the author in my copy of the core rulebook

Goodman Games

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Goodman Games is one of my favorite RPG publisher as DCC as given me this old school flavor in a new school package, along with its correlates, MCC, Lankhmar, Dark Trails and Dying Earth. It was great to meet the crew at GenCon (and congratulate a certain Judge for her promotion). Doug Kovacs and  Stefan Poag honored me with signing a DCC book and chatting for a while about art, RPGs, the world and Florida becoming a Chaos kingdom  the like of which GW could only dream of…

My Favorite Encounters of GenCon 2023

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Gabriel Garcia, author of my one of my favorite RPG, WAR STORIES – WORLD WAR 2 RPG. Give it a try as it is both an uncommon theme and an excellent historical learning tool. I heard the Pacific front may be coming...Gabriel Garcia, author of my one of my favorite RPG, WAR STORIES – WORLD WAR 2 RPG. Give it a try as it is both an uncommon theme and an excellent historical learning tool. I heard the Pacific front may be coming...
My friend Mat John from the illustrious 'Rogues in the House' podcast, author of several excellent Conan  tabletop and RPG volumes and working on the upcoming Conan RPG (which I cannot to bring to our group).My friend Mat John from the illustrious 'Rogues in the House' podcast, author of several excellent Conan tabletop and RPG volumes and working on the upcoming Conan RPG (which I cannot to bring to our group).
I was lucky enough to meet Kelsey Dionne in an environing hotel conference room at the tail end of her Shadowdark RPG demo. I rarely have have encountered such talent, humility and kindness in one person :)I was lucky enough to meet Kelsey Dionne in an environing hotel conference room at the tail end of her Shadowdark RPG demo. I rarely have have encountered such talent, humility and kindness in one person :)

Star Wars ShatterPoint

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ShatterPoint tables with the current terrain were very varied and inspirational for my upcoming build.

Games Workshop

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While I am no longer a GW gamer, their display was, as usual, impressive.

Miniatures on display were as usual spectacular, which is bad for your ego if you try to emulate these amazing artists.

Life size weapons were not for sale 🙁

The Convention Halls and Outskirts

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Halls were packed but curiously, things got easier from Thursday to Saturday, probably a wibbly wobbly timey wimey thing…

The Convention Halls and Outskirts
The Convention Halls and Outskirts
Entrance to the stadium is always impressiveEntrance to the stadium is always impressive
The stadium is always an impressive sight. One must then figure out how to reach the floor ;)The stadium is always an impressive sight. One must then figure out how to reach the floor ;)
The board game library areaThe board game library area

Our Favorite Eateries

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I know, I know, lets get to the convention, but hey, I am, French, so food is a central part of my life. Indulge me in sharing our three favorite p[laces to eat this trip.

The Slippery Noodle Inn a savory place to eat within easy walking distance from the convention. Blues and Rythm N’ Blues on the weekend…

Right across the way is the Nevermore, a bar/restaurant with a nive ambianceRight across the way is the Nevermore, a bar/restaurant with a nive ambiance

Cafe Patachou, around the corner from the convention center, which offers excellent coffee and breakfast (with matza balls on Friday).

Last but not lest, the many food trucks offer excellent sustenance within a few feet of the stadium.

Indianapolis

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Too often do GenCon pilgrims focus upon the con proper and ignore the beautiful city that is Indianapolis, along with its myriads of food venues. So I thought I would start with the city before we step into the convention…

Indy’s airport is very pleasant and decorated with the obligatory high speed vehicles…

The city landscape is peppered with impressive industrial buildings and vast hotel vistas.

Soldiers & Sailors MonumentSoldiers & Sailors Monument
Indiana War MemorialIndiana War Memorial
Veterans Memorial ObeliskVeterans Memorial Obelisk
Scottish Rite CathedralScottish Rite Cathedral
Indianapolis

The city is full of pleasant parks, neighborhoods and indoor malls, all occupied by our gaming tribes during the con.

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