Day Four of my Gen Con experience was a somewhat subdued affair. I had other commitments to attend to – primarily schoolwork, with weekend deadlines that cared not for my extracurriculars – but it also gave me a much-needed opportunity to reflect on the week thus far.
I received more than a few sad glances this weekend from contemporaries who learned that this was my very first Gen Con. Admittedly, I rather expected more, though I can’t be sure it would have significantly altered my plans, such as they were. Many events and features that would have stood out in previous years were absent or compromised this year, often simply because the organizers were not present. In some ways, that really did enhance the feeling that this was just a very large-scale version of what we do at home. There was gaming, vendors, VIGs, demos, cosplayers, more gaming, and even Mikey Mason – though I sadly didn’t get the chance to catch a show or even hang out with the dude.
On the other hand… scale matters. I purchased a few games that I had never seen, perused arts and crafts from dozens of amazing exhibitors, caught up with industry friends like Bruce Cordell, Chris Pramas, and Phil Reed – and made new friends in Tammy and Charles from Monte Cook Games, and Will and Annie at the Steve Jackson booth! – had a chance to game with some gentlemen Peter met at a Kansas City con (who may make it out to TsunamiCon next year), had a chance to sample a few of downtown Indy’s excellent restaurants, and spent a few days hanging out with an old friend whom I haven’t seen in several years (and then only via webcam!). Not to mention, I had a lovely weekend hanging out with Peter, listening to stories and sharing ideas; he harbors a deep and abiding passion for Gen Con – which he shared generously – and was an excellent guide in unfamiliar waters.
On Day Four, I took one last lap through the dealer room, in the final hour it was open. I made a few more purchases – marked down at the very end of the con – and picked up some more gifts for the kids. Peter and I wound down the evening with an excellent cognac and a little of the amazing cheese he drives to the Wichita Costco to procure and turned in early, and now I am restless and awake after only a few hours of sleep. But I’m not really doing much of the driving today, so it’s cool. I’m just ready to be home.
All in all, this has been a really enjoyable weekend with old friends and new, and I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity to visit Indianapolis and my very first Gen Con.
Salut.
