Gencon update 11 – Departure and some Galaga

Months ago in our planning we all agreed to head out on Saturday instead of Sunday this year. This way we get home to our families a day earlier and also to beat the crazy departure rush on Sunday.

At the airport we got in quickly and had some time for a game of Galaga while waiting for the flight.

Gencon update 10 – Gaming table and more

In the exibit hall I found a very cool gaming table. It was about 10ft long by 5ft wide. It had pull out drawers for each spot as well as a couple fold out sections.

I stopped at another booth (Alea Tools) which exclusively sold magnetic tokens for use with 4th edition D&D. Folks may want (need) these to help identify any characters/monsters that have been bloodied, marked, etc. These are new concepts in the 4th edition and from the looks of the activety at the booth they will probaly do well at gencon.

I also saw a cool dragon, check it out.

Gencon update 9 – D&D 4th edition FAQ

I went to the D&D 4th edition FAQ seminar.   From what I learned there is lots of stuff on the way in the coming months. The D&D Insider character generator/builder is still no where in sight and it appears to be many months away (6-9 months) from release.  Most people in attendance seemed happy with the new edition.  A touchy topic of the SRD online came up and Bill (one of the D&D leads) almost came out of his chair explaining how it took away sales from D&D.

Here is a list of what’s coming:

SEP: Adventurer’s Vault, Forgotten Realms Players Guide
OCT: Martial Power
NOV: Draconomicon
DEC: Manual of the Planes
JAN: Open Grave
FEB: Dungeon Delve 1st-30th levels
MAR: Player’s Handbook 2
APR: Arcane Power
MAY: Monster Manual 2
JUN: Eberron Campaign Guild
JUL: Eberron Players Guide, Divine Power
AUG: Adventurer’s Vault 2

Post Gencon Update:

It appears more clear now that WOTC (D&D) is having a very tough time grasping the software business not to mention the electronic/internet media business.  I think it may take another year or two for them to get things pulled together and get the character generators/builders/table top game released and the serious issues worked out.  While they may eventually release all of their software I strongly doubt 4E is going to get the whole internet media business right.  WOTC/D&D is looking like a scared old world media publishing business right now.

Gencon update 8 – Mr. Nice Guy games

Stopped by to say hi to Ron and his wife (from the Diggers Union on DDO). They are now expecting in 6 weeks.

Gencon update 7 – Anime movie rooms

Stopped in the anime room around 1am and watched a crazy black & white japanese movie called Zebraman.

Gencon update 6 – Auction

The gencon auction is a great time to look over some older collectable stuff. I picked up an early first edition D&D basic box for $5. Good deal for me to add to my red box set.

Gencon update 5 – D&D Delve

A bit later after we had a chance to peruse the exhibit hall we wandered to the D&D Dungeon Delve to try out the new 4th edition. Basically you group up to form a party of 6 players and a DM to play D&D as quickly as possible in 40 minutes with out dying. The farther you get the better. The first game we played we got through the first encounter and received 2 bonus tokens. The second game we played we made it through to the 3rd encounter and received 3 bonus tokens. If you save enough tokens you can exchange them for prizes like mini’s or other cool stuff.
Oh by the way this was all played with 4th edition rules. It was a great crash course in learning the new rules. I am finding that 4th edition is really different from 3.5 when it comes to class abilities and the various “use” powers.

Gencon update 4 – Exhibit hall

The gencon exibit hall is about to open here at 10:00. The croud is building and temperature of the waiting room is rising quickly as the gamers get ready to spend some geek dollars.

Gencon update 3 – Guinness at Claddagh’s

Stopped over at Claddagh Irish pub for some guiness and wings oh and a magic game or two. Rob beat Mike and I with my big blue deck. We are looking at a sandwich to eat now. Maybe the fish & chips. Mike is looking at the Montecristo. I think he is going to wimp out. .

Gencon update 2 – magic at the Ram

Playing some magic the gathering at The Ram in Indy. Not doing well in my game so far. I am playing with a black ore fab deck that came in the free bag. Rob is playing green elf deck and Mike is playing white.

Gencon update 1 – arrival in Indy

Just arrived in Indianapolis at 12:50pm today. Getting gencon bag then lunch and a beer or 2, 3, or 4.