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Is Gen Con still relevant?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Pyrate_Jib
Jul 21, 2010 11:39:06 Gen Con used to be "THE CONVENTION" for gamers. From the late 70's until recently it surpassed all others conventions in the arena of RPGs, CCGs, Board games and war games. Gen Con added to its portfolio fantasy art, anime, sci fi fiction, film and TV celebs, computer games, toys, weaponry, filk, and more. Over the years it appears that other cons have risen in importance. Perhaps some of this an echo to Gen Cons demise.

Do you think that Gen Con is still the biggest and the best? Is it relevant today?
#2
toastedamphibian
Jul 21, 2010 17:05:20 Relevant? Relevant to what? It's a gathering of geeks thrown by companies who make geeky things so that they can sell stuff, and it's fun. It's relevant to the companies that advertise and sell there, and to the people who go and enjoy it. Why and/or when has it ever had any more relevance than that?
#3
CCS
Jul 21, 2010 18:38:22
Gen Con used to be "THE CONVENTION" for gamers. From the late 70's until recently it surpassed all others conventions in the arena of RPGs, CCGs, Board games and war games. Gen Con added to its portfolio fantasy art, anime, sci fi fiction, film and TV celebs, computer games, toys, weaponry, filk, and more. Over the years it appears that other cons have risen in importance. Perhaps some of this an echo to Gen Cons demise.

Do you think that Gen Con is still the biggest and the best? Is it relevant today?

Well;
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 30-40k attendees (+/-) from around the world think it's relevant each year.
There's a dealers room full of vendors large & small each year from far & wide who think it's pretty relevant.
I'm sure the hotels & bussinesses in Indy think it's relevant.
And GenCon IS the home con of Dungeons & Dragons. Always will be - regardless of who owns the game or who owns the con.

GenCon has had compition from other cons for decades - Dragoncon, Origins, the game fair in Essen Germany, SDCC (not really a gaming convention, but certainly compition), etc.
Some have grown, others have faded away, some I've simply forgotten their names.... and I'm sure there's some that I've never heard of as well.

So;
What cons do you think have eclipsed GenCon? Why?
Why would you think this heralds the demise of GenCon?
#4
mock26
Jul 22, 2010 2:11:43 Have you ever been, Pyrate_Jib? It seems to me like you have not gone at all or not gone in recent years. If you had you would see that over 30,000 people attend each year! As far as I know no other gaming convention even comes close. In fact, Origins barely brings in a third of those numbers. Dragoncon is comparable in size, but Dragoncon is not a gaming convention. It is a media convention. Also, you should see registration day! One event, True Dungeon, which is run over 500 times for a total of over 4,300 tickets sells out nearly 99% of those tickets in a matter of minutes! You should also see hotel registration. Many of the hotels attached to the convention center also sell out in a matter of minutes. And if you went into the dealer's all you would also find it almost always packed to the gills with people. Heck, sometimes it is hard to even get down the corridors outside the dealer's hall.

Also there is The Ram restaurant. It is a brew pub near the convention center that does a D&D themed menu every year, has gaming decorations up, shows fantasy/sci-fi movies non stop during the convention while they are open, and it is usually a 40 minute wait to get a table. They also sell GenCon t-shirts/mugs every year and the t-shirts sometimes sell out before the convention even starts!

So, yeah, it is still relevant as a gaming convention and it probably will stay relevant up until the day it goes under.

If, however, you are referring to GenCon's relevance to being a D&D convention, then it is no longer relevant, because D&D probably makes up about 10% of the events there. But so what? The fact that GenCon has added other stuff shows that it is catering to what the fans want! And those fans are by and large gamers. Fans wanted a few media guests, so GenCon brings in a few each year. Fans wanted anime and sci-fi, so GenCon added those things. Everything that you mention and ponder whether or not they contribute to the possible demise of GenCon are all activities that a lot of gamers enjoy. Heck, some of them are direct off shoots of gaming! If the fans of GenCon did not want them they would not be part of GenCon, or at least not officially sponsored by GenCon.
#5
EscherEnigma
Jul 22, 2010 2:50:48 It certainly sounds big and fun, but that's not really the same as "relevant", is it?
#6
Escef
Jul 22, 2010 7:05:23 I've been to 3 GenCons ('02, '04, and '05). They're huge.

And it is THE venue for a company to launch a new game. There was a little game that was launched back in '93 at GenCon. Silly little game called Magic: the Gathering. Perhaps you've heard of it? Back in '05(?) WotC launched Hecatomb at GenCon. I didn't bother with it, but they didn't exactly spare expenses at the Con for it. The City of Heroes CCG was launched at GenCon (and I know the CoH tabletop RPG was at least previewed at one). Few games ever catch on, but GenCon seems to be considered the best launchpad.

Though other conventions have grown large (and prominant) enough to rival it, GenCon is still very relevant to the industry.
#7
Pyrate_Jib
Jul 22, 2010 9:38:56
Have you ever been, Pyrate_Jib? It seems to me like you have not gone at all or not gone in recent years. If you had you would see that over 30,000 people attend each year! As far as I know no other gaming convention even comes close. In fact, Origins barely brings in a third of those numbers. Dragoncon is comparable in size, but Dragoncon is not a gaming convention. It is a media convention. Also, you should see registration day! One event, True Dungeon, which is run over 500 times for a total of over 4,300 tickets sells out nearly 99% of those tickets in a matter of minutes! You should also see hotel registration. Many of the hotels attached to the convention center also sell out in a matter of minutes. And if you went into the dealer's all you would also find it almost always packed to the gills with people. Heck, sometimes it is hard to even get down the corridors outside the dealer's hall.

Also there is The Ram restaurant. It is a brew pub near the convention center that does a D&D themed menu every year, has gaming decorations up, shows fantasy/sci-fi movies non stop during the convention while they are open, and it is usually a 40 minute wait to get a table. They also sell GenCon t-shirts/mugs every year and the t-shirts sometimes sell out before the convention even starts!

So, yeah, it is still relevant as a gaming convention and it probably will stay relevant up until the day it goes under.

If, however, you are referring to GenCon's relevance to being a D&D convention, then it is no longer relevant, because D&D probably makes up about 10% of the events there. But so what? The fact that GenCon has added other stuff shows that it is catering to what the fans want! And those fans are by and large gamers. Fans wanted a few media guests, so GenCon brings in a few each year. Fans wanted anime and sci-fi, so GenCon added those things. Everything that you mention and ponder whether or not they contribute to the possible demise of GenCon are all activities that a lot of gamers enjoy. Heck, some of them are direct off shoots of gaming! If the fans of GenCon did not want them they would not be part of GenCon, or at least not officially sponsored by GenCon.

Yep, I've been there. Every year starting in 1980 Kenosha through 2002 in Milwaukee. Hit Indy twice in 2006 & 2007.
#8
Pyrate_Jib
Jul 22, 2010 9:57:23 What I mean by "relevant" is Gen Con the place to go to game. Yes indeed it used to be the venue. At one time all game manufacturers attended. Now it appears a few hold back. Gen Con used to be all about games but it does contain tons of other media. Cons like Dragon Con are media cons but have abundant gaming. For Computer games others venues are considered better. If you like costumes or TV shows you might not get the volume at Gen Con compared to other venues.

I'm not saying that Gen Con isn't fun. I'm not saying that it's a good convention. I'm just curious as to if people still view it as they place to be for games. Some publishers in the industry no longer attend and even Wizards has a smaller presence.

Just wanted your opinions. If you are passionate that Gen Con is still the bomb diggity then I'm pleased.
#9
mock26
Jul 24, 2010 0:27:24
What I mean by "relevant" is Gen Con the place to go to game. Yes indeed it used to be the venue. At one time all game manufacturers attended. Now it appears a few hold back. Gen Con used to be all about games but it does contain tons of other media. Cons like Dragon Con are media cons but have abundant gaming. For Computer games others venues are considered better. If you like costumes or TV shows you might not get the volume at Gen Con compared to other venues.

I'm not saying that Gen Con isn't fun. I'm not saying that it's a good convention. I'm just curious as to if people still view it as they place to be for games. Some publishers in the industry no longer attend and even Wizards has a smaller presence.

Just wanted your opinions. If you are passionate that Gen Con is still the bomb diggity then I'm pleased.

I would say that it is still relevant. The main focus of GenCon is still gaming. This year there are about 6,000 official games being run with a combined 85,000+ tickets for those events. Given that I would say that for most of the people who go there they go there to game. Everything else is just incidental to fill up the time between games and as activites for the non-gamers who show up with their gaming mate.

As for the "lack" of vendors and such, that probably has more to do with the economy than anything else. Floor space in the dealer's hall is ridiculously high.
#10
Pyrate_Jib
Jul 26, 2010 9:58:43 If people on the forums feel that Gen Con is still relevant as the top game convention I'm glad. Gen Con has always been the place to see and purchase new releases. I hope it continues to be the best four days of gaming.
#11
Astromath
Jul 26, 2010 12:28:28 I've always wanted to go to Gen Con since I started to game back in the late 70s early 80s (I'm 50, soon to be 51). Either I've never had the money, or when I did, my job came first. Going to Gen Con (and/or Origins) is still on my wish list to do before I die.
#12
Ragnar_Lodbrok
Jul 26, 2010 12:52:07 :facepalm:
#13
boraxe
Jul 27, 2010 14:26:54 Peter Gibbons: What would you do if you had a million dollars?
Lawrence: I'll tell you what I'd do, man: two chicks at the same time, man.
Peter Gibbons: That's it? If you had a million dollars, you'd do two chicks at the same time?
Lawrence: Damn straight. I always wanted to do that, man. And I think if I were a millionaire I could hook that up, too; 'cause chicks dig dudes with money.
Peter Gibbons: Well, not all chicks.
Lawrence: Well, the type of chicks that'd double up on a dude like me do.
Peter Gibbons: Good point.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Pyrate_Jib Jul 21, 2010 11:39:06	Gen Con used to be "THE CONVENTION" for gamers. From the late 70's until recently it surpassed all others conventions in the arena of RPGs, CCGs, Board games and war games. Gen Con added to its portfolio fantasy art, anime, sci fi fiction, film and TV celebs, computer games, toys, weaponry, filk, and more. Over the years it appears that other cons have risen in importance. Perhaps some of this an echo to Gen Cons demise. Do you think that Gen Con is still the biggest and the best? Is it relevant today?
#2 toastedamphibian Jul 21, 2010 17:05:20	Relevant? Relevant to what? It's a gathering of geeks thrown by companies who make geeky things so that they can sell stuff, and it's fun. It's relevant to the companies that advertise and sell there, and to the people who go and enjoy it. Why and/or when has it ever had any more relevance than that?
#3 CCS Jul 21, 2010 18:38:22	Gen Con used to be "THE CONVENTION" for gamers. From the late 70's until recently it surpassed all others conventions in the arena of RPGs, CCGs, Board games and war games. Gen Con added to its portfolio fantasy art, anime, sci fi fiction, film and TV celebs, computer games, toys, weaponry, filk, and more. Over the years it appears that other cons have risen in importance. Perhaps some of this an echo to Gen Cons demise. Do you think that Gen Con is still the biggest and the best? Is it relevant today? Well; Somewhere in the neighborhood of 30-40k attendees (+/-) from around the world think it's relevant each year. There's a dealers room full of vendors large & small each year from far & wide who think it's pretty relevant. I'm sure the hotels & bussinesses in Indy think it's relevant. And GenCon IS the home con of Dungeons & Dragons. Always will be - regardless of who owns the game or who owns the con. GenCon has had compition from other cons for decades - Dragoncon, Origins, the game fair in Essen Germany, SDCC (not really a gaming convention, but certainly compition), etc. Some have grown, others have faded away, some I've simply forgotten their names.... and I'm sure there's some that I've never heard of as well. So; What cons do you think have eclipsed GenCon? Why? Why would you think this heralds the demise of GenCon?
#4 mock26 Jul 22, 2010 2:11:43	Have you ever been, Pyrate_Jib? It seems to me like you have not gone at all or not gone in recent years. If you had you would see that over 30,000 people attend each year! As far as I know no other gaming convention even comes close. In fact, Origins barely brings in a third of those numbers. Dragoncon is comparable in size, but Dragoncon is not a gaming convention. It is a media convention. Also, you should see registration day! One event, True Dungeon, which is run over 500 times for a total of over 4,300 tickets sells out nearly 99% of those tickets in a matter of minutes! You should also see hotel registration. Many of the hotels attached to the convention center also sell out in a matter of minutes. And if you went into the dealer's all you would also find it almost always packed to the gills with people. Heck, sometimes it is hard to even get down the corridors outside the dealer's hall. Also there is The Ram restaurant. It is a brew pub near the convention center that does a D&D themed menu every year, has gaming decorations up, shows fantasy/sci-fi movies non stop during the convention while they are open, and it is usually a 40 minute wait to get a table. They also sell GenCon t-shirts/mugs every year and the t-shirts sometimes sell out before the convention even starts! So, yeah, it is still relevant as a gaming convention and it probably will stay relevant up until the day it goes under. If, however, you are referring to GenCon's relevance to being a D&D convention, then it is no longer relevant, because D&D probably makes up about 10% of the events there. But so what? The fact that GenCon has added other stuff shows that it is catering to what the fans want! And those fans are by and large gamers. Fans wanted a few media guests, so GenCon brings in a few each year. Fans wanted anime and sci-fi, so GenCon added those things. Everything that you mention and ponder whether or not they contribute to the possible demise of GenCon are all activities that a lot of gamers enjoy. Heck, some of them are direct off shoots of gaming! If the fans of GenCon did not want them they would not be part of GenCon, or at least not officially sponsored by GenCon.
#5 EscherEnigma Jul 22, 2010 2:50:48	It certainly sounds big and fun, but that's not really the same as "relevant", is it?
#6 Escef Jul 22, 2010 7:05:23	I've been to 3 GenCons ('02, '04, and '05). They're huge. And it is THE venue for a company to launch a new game. There was a little game that was launched back in '93 at GenCon. Silly little game called Magic: the Gathering. Perhaps you've heard of it? Back in '05(?) WotC launched Hecatomb at GenCon. I didn't bother with it, but they didn't exactly spare expenses at the Con for it. The City of Heroes CCG was launched at GenCon (and I know the CoH tabletop RPG was at least previewed at one). Few games ever catch on, but GenCon seems to be considered the best launchpad. Though other conventions have grown large (and prominant) enough to rival it, GenCon is still very relevant to the industry.
#7 Pyrate_Jib Jul 22, 2010 9:38:56	Have you ever been, Pyrate_Jib? It seems to me like you have not gone at all or not gone in recent years. If you had you would see that over 30,000 people attend each year! As far as I know no other gaming convention even comes close. In fact, Origins barely brings in a third of those numbers. Dragoncon is comparable in size, but Dragoncon is not a gaming convention. It is a media convention. Also, you should see registration day! One event, True Dungeon, which is run over 500 times for a total of over 4,300 tickets sells out nearly 99% of those tickets in a matter of minutes! You should also see hotel registration. Many of the hotels attached to the convention center also sell out in a matter of minutes. And if you went into the dealer's all you would also find it almost always packed to the gills with people. Heck, sometimes it is hard to even get down the corridors outside the dealer's hall. Also there is The Ram restaurant. It is a brew pub near the convention center that does a D&D themed menu every year, has gaming decorations up, shows fantasy/sci-fi movies non stop during the convention while they are open, and it is usually a 40 minute wait to get a table. They also sell GenCon t-shirts/mugs every year and the t-shirts sometimes sell out before the convention even starts! So, yeah, it is still relevant as a gaming convention and it probably will stay relevant up until the day it goes under. If, however, you are referring to GenCon's relevance to being a D&D convention, then it is no longer relevant, because D&D probably makes up about 10% of the events there. But so what? The fact that GenCon has added other stuff shows that it is catering to what the fans want! And those fans are by and large gamers. Fans wanted a few media guests, so GenCon brings in a few each year. Fans wanted anime and sci-fi, so GenCon added those things. Everything that you mention and ponder whether or not they contribute to the possible demise of GenCon are all activities that a lot of gamers enjoy. Heck, some of them are direct off shoots of gaming! If the fans of GenCon did not want them they would not be part of GenCon, or at least not officially sponsored by GenCon. Yep, I've been there. Every year starting in 1980 Kenosha through 2002 in Milwaukee. Hit Indy twice in 2006 & 2007.
#8 Pyrate_Jib Jul 22, 2010 9:57:23	What I mean by "relevant" is Gen Con the place to go to game. Yes indeed it used to be the venue. At one time all game manufacturers attended. Now it appears a few hold back. Gen Con used to be all about games but it does contain tons of other media. Cons like Dragon Con are media cons but have abundant gaming. For Computer games others venues are considered better. If you like costumes or TV shows you might not get the volume at Gen Con compared to other venues. I'm not saying that Gen Con isn't fun. I'm not saying that it's a good convention. I'm just curious as to if people still view it as they place to be for games. Some publishers in the industry no longer attend and even Wizards has a smaller presence. Just wanted your opinions. If you are passionate that Gen Con is still the bomb diggity then I'm pleased.
#9 mock26 Jul 24, 2010 0:27:24	What I mean by "relevant" is Gen Con the place to go to game. Yes indeed it used to be the venue. At one time all game manufacturers attended. Now it appears a few hold back. Gen Con used to be all about games but it does contain tons of other media. Cons like Dragon Con are media cons but have abundant gaming. For Computer games others venues are considered better. If you like costumes or TV shows you might not get the volume at Gen Con compared to other venues. I'm not saying that Gen Con isn't fun. I'm not saying that it's a good convention. I'm just curious as to if people still view it as they place to be for games. Some publishers in the industry no longer attend and even Wizards has a smaller presence. Just wanted your opinions. If you are passionate that Gen Con is still the bomb diggity then I'm pleased. I would say that it is still relevant. The main focus of GenCon is still gaming. This year there are about 6,000 official games being run with a combined 85,000+ tickets for those events. Given that I would say that for most of the people who go there they go there to game. Everything else is just incidental to fill up the time between games and as activites for the non-gamers who show up with their gaming mate. As for the "lack" of vendors and such, that probably has more to do with the economy than anything else. Floor space in the dealer's hall is ridiculously high.
#10 Pyrate_Jib Jul 26, 2010 9:58:43	If people on the forums feel that Gen Con is still relevant as the top game convention I'm glad. Gen Con has always been the place to see and purchase new releases. I hope it continues to be the best four days of gaming.
#11 Astromath Jul 26, 2010 12:28:28	I've always wanted to go to Gen Con since I started to game back in the late 70s early 80s (I'm 50, soon to be 51). Either I've never had the money, or when I did, my job came first. Going to Gen Con (and/or Origins) is still on my wish list to do before I die.
#12 Ragnar_Lodbrok Jul 26, 2010 12:52:07	:facepalm:
#13 boraxe Jul 27, 2010 14:26:54	Peter Gibbons: What would you do if you had a million dollars? Lawrence: I'll tell you what I'd do, man: two chicks at the same time, man. Peter Gibbons: That's it? If you had a million dollars, you'd do two chicks at the same time? Lawrence: Damn straight. I always wanted to do that, man. And I think if I were a millionaire I could hook that up, too; 'cause chicks dig dudes with money. Peter Gibbons: Well, not all chicks. Lawrence: Well, the type of chicks that'd double up on a dude like me do. Peter Gibbons: Good point.