GenCon 2024

This was my fourth convention total, and my first ever GenCon experience. I went there for two reasons.

1. To sell copies of Tell Me A Story through the IGDN Booth.
2. To playtest current experimental games.

I managed to do both, and managed to see a lot of what GenCon has to offer. Some gut takeaways.

I screwed up and thought that there would be an UnPub room, given that I’ve seen that at most other conventions I’ve been too. Unfortunately, the First Look room requires registration months in advance, and had no cancellations or workarounds for me. So, I ended up setting up a table in the morning, with a simple sign. I didn’t get as many play testers as I wanted, but I did get some nice people to come by and give me a chance, as well as some great feedback.

Several playtests later, at least related to Comic Scramble. The tiles generally work decently well, though I didn’t pull out all of the settings, and that messed up at least one person. It was also pointed out to me that the art of the close-ups of people all tends to be heteronormative, which is a valid critique. I had to pause for a bit to think about if there is a way to resolve that and still have a game, and I’m happy to say that I believe there is. Much of the game relies on a certain degree of abstraction. Too much, and nothing links together to tell a cohesive story. Too little, and there’s not enough freedom to tell a story.

Oh, and I need much more positive tiles. All of the stories keep ending up dark and brooding!

There was also discussion of points, and whether or not they’re actually needed. Admittedly, my first game had points, and ultimately I pulled them out as they didn’t fit with the game. That may be the case here too, but then I’ll need to think about a different win condition.

My final thought on the Con: That’s a LOT of people. The convention center is not small, and you could theoretically crowdsurf from one corner to the other in the morning before the halls open.