Large US Game Conventions

[Crimson_Manticore]

Large US Game Conventions

Help out a newly initiated convention-goer. What large US gaming conventions are worth going too? I’m interested mostly in RPGs, CCGs, and CMGs, and I’d like to get an idea of what the large conventions in the US are, and which ones are generally worth going to. Since it would probably involve plane tickets, vacation time, and hotel stays, I’d really like to have a good shot at having a good time. I understand that no convention experience can be 100% positive, but I’d like to know which large conventions you would recommend. I know about GenCon and Origins, and they are at the top of my list, but what other US conventions are out there that are worth going to? Also, any advice you have on making a convention trip more enjoyable would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[jcfiala]

I'm quite fond of our local cons, particularly the big one: Genghis Con. It just wrapped up last weekend, and we had several manufacturers at the convention, as well as tons of different rpgs.

I believe we had about 1400-1500 attendees this year.

 

[Crimson_Manticore]

Genghis Con

What a coincidence! I actually attended Genghis Con this year as well. While I did have fun, I was mildly disappointed. The last time I attended was Genghis Con 2001, and it was much bigger then. I would hazard to guess that it was at least twice the size just 4 years ago, both in terms of total attendees and in the number of vendors. While I will probably attend it again in the future, I wanted to look into possibly trying some of the larger cons.

A couple of highlights from my time at Genghis Con 2005: My first Living Force game (that totally rocked!), and playing an Eberron adventure run by Keith Baker himself (that was also totally cool!)

 

[MichaelH]

Winter Fantasy is the other major convention. It used to be every February in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but the past 2 years were in Secaucus, NJ, and Washington, D.C. I am not sure where the location of the future will be. Check out the WotC website for information on WF earlier this year.

Also, I am a big fan of local conventions and/or game days run by gaming stores or gaming clubs. You can meet alot of great people, find new groups with which to game, and play tons of games you ordinarily might not have an opportunity to play.

 

[heero yuy]

GenCon Indy is a big one of course!

 

[CalicoDave]

And, Origins, in Columbus, Ohio is another big one

 

[Mixmaster]

Guys,

Crimson wanted the "biggies". I love smaller conventions myself. But he also wants CCG's and CMG's also. There are none with Winter Fantasy. It is for RPGA Living games and D&D Mins ONLY!

Here we go:
"Super Bowl / World Cup"
GenCon Indy (8/18 to 21) - Nuff said.

"Conference Championships"
Origins (6/30 to 7/3)
GenCon SoCal (11/17 to 20)

"Playoff Round" (Open for discussion)
DragonCon (9/2 to 5) in GA
DunDraCon in CA
MegaCon in FL


"Wild Card" (Open for even more discussion)
Genghis Con
Winter Fantasy
KublaCon

 

[Darth K'Trava]

Stellercon 29, located in downtown Greensboro, NC, is another great con to go to for a variety of gaming needs from RPGs to LARPs to miniatures gaming (Warhammer, etc.). This convention is coming up, March 11th-13th!

This fall, there's MACE, which is located in downtown High Point, NC, in November. Also a wide variety of gaming for your gaming needs!

 

[der_kluge]

Necronomicon is in Tampa, FL, and it's a pretty good convention. Probably just over 1,000 attendees, and they seem to get a decent roster of guests.

There's pretty much nothing in the middle of the country (around Kansas City, where I used to live). There's NukeCon in Omaha, which I think is growing, but I wouldn't consider it large by any stretch.

 

[kenobi65]

Winter Fantasy is the other major convention. It used to be every February in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but the past 2 years were in Secaucus, NJ, and Washington, D.C. I am not sure where the location of the future will be. Check out the WotC website for information on WF earlier this year.

Winter Fantasy *is* a pretty big convention...but it's an RPGA-exclusive convention, and thus the only events that run there are for the various RPGA campaigns. In other words, it's great if you're into the RPGA, and of no interest to you whatsoever if you're not.