Comments on: Gen Con 2009: Highlights, Part 1 http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Fri, 25 May 2012 09:20:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56178 ChattyDM Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:59:25 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56178 Yes, the Bruce Cordell. He was at the Ennies and then he came and sat with us at the BAr we were having drinks after the Ennies. he's a super cool guy (almost all Wizards people are) and we did talk about the Far realm while having beers. He's a huge Lovecraft fan and it shows in his work. Yes, the Bruce Cordell. He was at the Ennies and then he came and sat with us at the BAr we were having drinks after the Ennies. he’s a super cool guy (almost all Wizards people are) and we did talk about the Far realm while having beers. He’s a huge Lovecraft fan and it shows in his work.

]]> By: dar http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56177 dar Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:56:45 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56177 Do you mean Bruce Cordell? Man I would have loved to sit next to him and talk about Lovecraft and the far realm. He practically invented the far realm. Do you mean Bruce Cordell? Man I would have loved to sit next to him and talk about Lovecraft and the far realm. He practically invented the far realm.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56176 ChattyDM Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:33:13 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56176 @Nowak: Those were the ones I had. They are actually known by Joe Goodman as I think they won the tournament 3 years ago. Yes, seeing them play was a show of excellent team work and hyper focus. I think their battlecry should now be: No Roleplaying! :) I hope we get to meet next year. Whatever happens, I'll surely walk the tournament floor next year. @Nowak: Those were the ones I had. They are actually known by Joe Goodman as I think they won the tournament 3 years ago. Yes, seeing them play was a show of excellent team work and hyper focus.

I think their battlecry should now be: No Roleplaying!
:)

I hope we get to meet next year. Whatever happens, I’ll surely walk the tournament floor next year.

]]> By: Nowak http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56175 Nowak Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:28:12 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56175 You mentioned the first group you ran through Round 1 of the Goodman Tournament - were they called The Bastard Sons of Lee Van Cleef, by any chance? I ran a party through Round 2, that had also traded equipment, had poker chips, etc. They were very well prepared, and did an excellent job in Round 2. I figured they would win the whole thing! I, too, was put off by missing an entire day of the Con to run 2 tournament sessions, but I volunteered and I was gonna see it through. Luckily, I only had 1 scheduled session on Friday, and my second Saturday session was given to another DM who didn't have a group, due to my first session starting a bit late. All in all, a very fun experience, and I believe I will be a Judge next year - with the caveat that I would prefer 1 session per day! I enjoy your blog, and I hope to meet you next year! :) You mentioned the first group you ran through Round 1 of the Goodman Tournament – were they called The Bastard Sons of Lee Van Cleef, by any chance? I ran a party through Round 2, that had also traded equipment, had poker chips, etc. They were very well prepared, and did an excellent job in Round 2. I figured they would win the whole thing!

I, too, was put off by missing an entire day of the Con to run 2 tournament sessions, but I volunteered and I was gonna see it through. Luckily, I only had 1 scheduled session on Friday, and my second Saturday session was given to another DM who didn’t have a group, due to my first session starting a bit late.

All in all, a very fun experience, and I believe I will be a Judge next year – with the caveat that I would prefer 1 session per day!

I enjoy your blog, and I hope to meet you next year! :)

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56174 ChattyDM Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:16:51 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56174 @Rob Beck: You, along with our 2 other guests, saved the panel for us. I guess that Saturday morning at 9 is a tad too early. Still, I'd rather do some GMing panel/seminar in the future. We'll see how it pans out. @Milambus: I'm sorry man, I didn't know beforehand that this whole thing would degenerate into a 'all man for himself, grab the money and run' fest... although I may be largely responsible for that... :) It was great playing with you! @Rob: Last year's was my first time... and I'm never looking back :) @Colmarr: It was more fun than I let on... the good stuff comes in part 2. @Rob Beck: You, along with our 2 other guests, saved the panel for us. I guess that Saturday morning at 9 is a tad too early. Still, I’d rather do some GMing panel/seminar in the future. We’ll see how it pans out.

@Milambus: I’m sorry man, I didn’t know beforehand that this whole thing would degenerate into a ‘all man for himself, grab the money and run’ fest… although I may be largely responsible for that… :) It was great playing with you!

@Rob: Last year’s was my first time… and I’m never looking back :)

@Colmarr: It was more fun than I let on… the good stuff comes in part 2.

]]> By: Colmarr http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56173 Colmarr Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:41:17 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56173 You know, every year I wonder more and more whether GenCon is just a way for all you Americans (and a Canadian) to rub the noses of all us Australians in the dirt about how far away from the real D&D action we are... :D Glad to hear that everyone had (mostly) fun. You know, every year I wonder more and more whether GenCon is just a way for all you Americans (and a Canadian) to rub the noses of all us Australians in the dirt about how far away from the real D&D action we are… :D

Glad to hear that everyone had (mostly) fun.

]]> By: Rob http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56172 Rob Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:19:38 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56172 Despite having been a gamer since 1979, I have never gone to GenCon. While there was no chance of me being able to make it this year, I really will have to make an effort to attend next year. After all, I figure I should go at least once. .-= Rob´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AHeroTwiceAMonth/~3/y9Uwq8bHqjk/son-of-gleemax.html" rel="nofollow">The Son of Gleemax!</a> =-. Despite having been a gamer since 1979, I have never gone to GenCon. While there was no chance of me being able to make it this year, I really will have to make an effort to attend next year.

After all, I figure I should go at least once.
.-= Rob´s last blog ..The Son of Gleemax! =-.

]]> By: Milambus http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56171 Milambus Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:46:05 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56171 It was great meeting you Phil, I'm looking forward to seeing you again next year. The OD&D was a blast, even if you made all my treasure disappear =) .-= Milambus´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Milambus/~3/FW37TEuQ5eg/" rel="nofollow">Forget the Kindle, here is the future of RPG</a> =-. It was great meeting you Phil, I’m looking forward to seeing you again next year. The OD&D was a blast, even if you made all my treasure disappear =)
.-= Milambus´s last blog ..Forget the Kindle, here is the future of RPG =-.

]]> By: Rob Beck http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56170 Rob Beck Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:53:09 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56170 Well I for one would have considered it a diminished experience had I not had the opportunity to meet and speak with you and the gents from Critical Hits. I thought it was an excellent chance to pick your brains on the state of RPG blogging. Certainly one could just google the information, to some extent, but to be successful at RPG blogging I think one must have a true passion for the hobby. I could see that in you all as we talked and I certainly share it. It also helps to have blogging experience before you get involved as well, I think. I had a blog for a couple of years over at blogspot, but I'm trying wordpress out with the new RPG blog and it really does have a better feature set than blogspot ever did. Plus, blogspot's tainted by google now and harder to deal with, in my most miniscule opinion. So thanks to you sir for the kind words at the Con, the elaboration on certain points I needed clarified and the chance to talk with you all about my favorite hobby. I'm actually a little ashamed I monopolized you guys' time over the couple of people who showed up late, but I didn't try to shut them out either. I'm expecting an adjoining podcast to come out of this, but the logistics with my hosting site may prove "intriguing". If you're interested, I'll drop you a note when that's squared away. Be talking to you. .-= Rob Beck´s last blog ..<a href="http://oldschoolrpg.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/who-the-hell-am-i/" rel="nofollow">Who the Hell Am I?</a> =-. Well I for one would have considered it a diminished experience had I not had the opportunity to meet and speak with you and the gents from Critical Hits. I thought it was an excellent chance to pick your brains on the state of RPG blogging.

Certainly one could just google the information, to some extent, but to be successful at RPG blogging I think one must have a true passion for the hobby. I could see that in you all as we talked and I certainly share it. It also helps to have blogging experience before you get involved as well, I think.

I had a blog for a couple of years over at blogspot, but I’m trying wordpress out with the new RPG blog and it really does have a better feature set than blogspot ever did. Plus, blogspot’s tainted by google now and harder to deal with, in my most miniscule opinion.

So thanks to you sir for the kind words at the Con, the elaboration on certain points I needed clarified and the chance to talk with you all about my favorite hobby. I’m actually a little ashamed I monopolized you guys’ time over the couple of people who showed up late, but I didn’t try to shut them out either.

I’m expecting an adjoining podcast to come out of this, but the logistics with my hosting site may prove “intriguing”. If you’re interested, I’ll drop you a note when that’s squared away. Be talking to you.
.-= Rob Beck´s last blog ..Who the Hell Am I? =-.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56169 ChattyDM Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:01:23 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56169 @Mike: Gah! I missed you! I knew I'd forgotten someone. Of course I was happy to see you Mike! I could finally put a face on my co-podcaster! I'm also really glad that you dropped by the Drunken D&D, along with Nick and Milambus. @newbieDM: Glad to have met you too. I'd love to see a game with all you Miami boys. It's guaranteed to be a lively event! @lessthanpleased: Good point. I think I may do do a seminar on one aspect of DMing I feel are needed. Like developing soft people skills, catering to player motivations, etc. @Calvino: Well, I don't know about the finals, but the preliminary rounds were a lot less glamourous. Mostly a group of geeks stuck in large hotel conference rooms, surrounded by very noisy gamers. @Mike: Gah! I missed you! I knew I’d forgotten someone. Of course I was happy to see you Mike! I could finally put a face on my co-podcaster! I’m also really glad that you dropped by the Drunken D&D, along with Nick and Milambus.

@newbieDM: Glad to have met you too. I’d love to see a game with all you Miami boys. It’s guaranteed to be a lively event!

@lessthanpleased: Good point. I think I may do do a seminar on one aspect of DMing I feel are needed. Like developing soft people skills, catering to player motivations, etc.

@Calvino: Well, I don’t know about the finals, but the preliminary rounds were a lot less glamourous. Mostly a group of geeks stuck in large hotel conference rooms, surrounded by very noisy gamers.

]]> By: Calvino http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56168 Calvino Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:11:06 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56168 Thanks for the info. I'm bummed we missed it. The tourneys sound like they were really fun. I've never done a competitive game before at such a crucial venue, but I bet it'd be really fun. I imagine it with dramatic camera angles, sound effects, and people cheering all around. Maybe like World Series Poker, where each player has some gimmick and an entourage. Any blowing on dice? Thanks for the info. I’m bummed we missed it.

The tourneys sound like they were really fun. I’ve never done a competitive game before at such a crucial venue, but I bet it’d be really fun. I imagine it with dramatic camera angles, sound effects, and people cheering all around. Maybe like World Series Poker, where each player has some gimmick and an entourage. Any blowing on dice?

]]> By: lessthanpleased http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56167 lessthanpleased Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:59:06 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56167 I wouldn't give up on doing panels, I'd just do a different topic next year. As best as I can tell, it isn't particularly hard to be an RPG Blogger - the only thing you need to do is open a blogger account and write about gaming, commenting on other blogs to generate cross traffic. While I have no doubt several panelists had interesting things to say, it's not a panel I would seek out - unlike many of the other panels at GenCon that would have taught me something I couldn't figure out with a google search. -neal I wouldn’t give up on doing panels, I’d just do a different topic next year. As best as I can tell, it isn’t particularly hard to be an RPG Blogger – the only thing you need to do is open a blogger account and write about gaming, commenting on other blogs to generate cross traffic.

While I have no doubt several panelists had interesting things to say, it’s not a panel I would seek out – unlike many of the other panels at GenCon that would have taught me something I couldn’t figure out with a google search.

-neal

]]> By: newbiedm http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56166 newbiedm Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:35:09 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56166 Glad we had a chance to chat, eh, Chatty! Hopefully next year we'll have a chance to game together! .-= newbiedm´s last blog ..<a href="http://newbiedm.com/2009/08/19/updating-ddi-compendium-stat-blocks-the-easy-way/" rel="nofollow">Updating DDI Compendium stat blocks the easy way</a> =-. Glad we had a chance to chat, eh, Chatty!
Hopefully next year we’ll have a chance to game together!
.-= newbiedm´s last blog ..Updating DDI Compendium stat blocks the easy way =-.

]]> By: Mike Shea http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56165 Mike Shea Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:55:28 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56165 It was great to meet you, Phil, and I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to you more. Next year! .-= Mike Shea´s last blog ..<a href="http://slyflourish.com/four-tips-for-character-development/" rel="nofollow">Four Tips for Character Development</a> =-. It was great to meet you, Phil, and I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to talk to you more. Next year!
.-= Mike Shea´s last blog ..Four Tips for Character Development =-.

]]> By: Wyatt http://critical-hits.com/2009/08/18/gen-con-2009-highlights-part-1/#comment-56164 Wyatt Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:09:07 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3781#comment-56164 The true dungeon sounds like something I'd like to try despite my lacking in athletic ability of any sort. It really sounds like the kind of weird, cool meta thing that I like seeing in cons. Despite generally not being super fond of cons. .-= Wyatt´s last blog ..<a href="http://spiritsofeden.wordpress.com/2009/08/15/might-of-eden-destinies-of-eden/" rel="nofollow">Might of Eden: Destinies of Eden</a> =-. The true dungeon sounds like something I’d like to try despite my lacking in athletic ability of any sort. It really sounds like the kind of weird, cool meta thing that I like seeing in cons. Despite generally not being super fond of cons.
.-= Wyatt´s last blog ..Might of Eden: Destinies of Eden =-.

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