Entering my fifth Gen Con is entering a convention full of friends; friends I have, and friends to make.
I’m Owen, and I go by the Donut Dungeon Master. My last few years have been spent growing in the game industry, and Gen Con is totally the reason why.
I learned early on that this convention is about friendship as much as it is about games. I was only here for a few days my first year, and I marveled at how many friends and former students I came across. It was pleasant reunions around a table of games and smiling faces. I knew then that this convention felt like home, and it’s what keeps bringing me back. What I didn’t know was that my path would lead toward being part of the game industry.
We start by seeing the OGs. One of my earliest memories of the convention is hearing a bell ring as the card players from Super Show battled with their cardboard wrestlers. Since then, that community has become a real joy in my life, and they always have a great time at Gen Con. Not only are they full of energy, but owner and designer Steve Resk encouraged me to continue my work in games.
Role-players are a diverse and eclectic group. People love the immersion, storytelling, and combat across different TTRPGs, and Gen Con is their playground. This year, the amazing experience put together by Wizards of the Coast with the D&D Tower allowed for a full immersion into the world they are caretakers of. I had a chance to preview things from their next book in a one-shot with other off-the-wall players like myself. It’s always a highlight to get around a table with smiles and chaotic energy.
Beyond that, there are several indie publishers all around the convention, running games in many places. This year, I met my friend Tyler in person for the first time after playing CHEW from Imagining Games online for a few months. It’s a perfect example of how the convention can bridge people across the world through amazing storytelling.
Then there are the board gamers. Friends joined by the fun of meeples and mayhem. We play different weights of games, from Fluxx to The Game Makers, but we are joined by a love of gaming. This convention is where I go to see a large number of friends and celebrate a year in gaming. We plan in advance so we can get around a table or grab a bite to eat. Whether it’s new releases or classics we bring from home, there is a joy in getting around the table with them.
Cosplayers come in all shapes, sizes, and fandoms. As a novice cosplayer, I love seeing all the different things people put together for Gen Con. This year, I cosplayed a few different times. I found myself amongst the other crawlers, as so many of us had found new achievements in Dungeon Crawler Carl.
I also joined, for the second year, a group that does Cosplay Cabaret. It’s an exciting time with another friend made at the convention, Sean Malloy, who once a year goes from being a mild-mannered actuary to a cosplaying wizard on a keyboard. We cosplay together, sing songs, and make more friends in every chorus.
Then there is the industry itself. I started my first full convention working a booth half the time with Tycoon Games. Blending my people skills with my love of gaming, like many others on the floor, I was able to show people exactly why some games mattered. Ever since, I’ve taken time to meet creators, publishers, and artists who contribute so much to every box and every page.
This year was different, as I myself have been exploring the art of game design. I was fortunate enough to attend the Game Design Academy as part of Trade Day and expand my network of friends and colleagues. From discussing the best design processes to how to get your game into a box, Trade Day is really all about showing that there is a real industry and real jobs behind every game you love.
It’s that friendship and love that are the hallmarks of gaming and Gen Con. It is full of warm people and games that bring them together. It’s full of experiences in the geeky world we want to live in. It’s a place that always has something new to do.
If you see me there next year, say hello. Let’s grab a donut. Let’s make some new friends.
