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All things Gen Con; trip reports, places to stay, placse to eat, things to do, etc.

Notes and thoughts on GenCon collected from almost 10 years of attending it.

Things to do months before the con

Pre-Registration, take one

Pre-registration usually opens in February. This is when you can first register for a badge and make hotel reservations. To reserve a hotel room in Indianapolis for GenCon, you MUST go through a central reservation system as arranged by the Convention Center and GenCon. To get the magic code to that registration system, you must first register for a badge. As such, you want to register and reserve your hotel room as soon as possible. In the past two years (2005 and 2006), double queen rooms in hotels immediately adjacent to the convention center seem to have sold out in less than 72 hours. You have been warned. Don't worry about filling out accurate names for the other people staying in the room. Just put some names in and correct it later.

Places I have stayed

For an understanding of my thoughts on hotel quality, go see my expectations of hotels.

• 2003 Marriot: Good service, small rooms (I define small as a room that doesn't have a decent seating area for four people and/or couldn't handle two roll-away cots. Fairly expensive at $177 a night.
• 2004 Adams Mark Hilton Indianapolis: When I made this reservation, it was for the Adam's Mark. I was very surprised when I called to verify my reservation and the phone was answered "Hilton Indianapolis". The service was okay, but most certainly not good. All the rooms we saw were large; there was plenty of public gathering space for people to spend time playing games and being dorky. The hotel bar was a typical hotel bar. The restaurant had an excellent breakfast buffet (with made-to-order eggs, pancakes, and waffles), dinner was typical, overpriced hotel American food.
• 2005 Hilton Indianapolis: While the stay was not as nightmarish as some of my friends would characterize it, this was not a pleasant hotel stay. Problems included: an electronic door lock that didn't work (the manager was unconcerned that this meant the door might be unlocked all day while the occupants were at the con), troubles providing the early-requested extra bedding and foam pillows, and serious issues in charging the right credit cards on checkout. $155 a night.
• Westin: For the price, $200 a night for four people, I won't be back. The bathroom was tiny and poorly designed (you couldn't sit on the toilet lid as it bent under the weight of even the tiniest person, the towel rack was in the shower area). The room was smallish. The beds were comfy (which is high praise from me as I hate most hotel beds) but were made up poorly. The supposedly "heavenly" bedding wasn't particularly exciting and as is typical of nearly all hotels they used a too-small flat sheet as the bottom sheet; and even my roommates which sleep pretty still had issues with the sheet coming untucked. Awfully designed bathroom (the towel rack was in the shower area, the toilet seat was bendy plastic that couldn't be sat on, and it was tiny)

If I were to make the reservations, I would likely try the Crown Plaza. The parking is cheaper, the rooms are a bit cheaper, and the interweb is free.

Pre-Registration, take two

Event registration typically opens in May. A few weeks prior to that, GenCon makes available the event database (it has been a cvs file for the past few years, as apparently making a website is hard. You could also go use my brothers webified version of the cvs files from GenCon over here). Pore over this data and create an itinerary with backup plans for most time slots. With that itinerary, you should be ready to log in and register for events as soon as registration is open. Likely this will take a day or three as recent history indicates GenCon can't keep a server operational through such a deluge of attendees attempting to register at the same time (for an amusing story, checkout the blog entry Peter Adkison Hates Us). After you finish registering, make sure that your badge and event tickets will be mailed to your home. Will call has historically been a nightmare. This improved muchly in 2005 and 2006.

Things to do two weeks before the con

The hotel recieves the reservations from the central booking agency a couple of weeks before the convention, so there is little use in speaking with the hotel before they recieve this. However, as soon as they do get the reservations, you should contact them with any special requests. I call and request an extra set of bedding, including sheets, blankets, and quilt (you do need to specify that very carefully lest you recieve just a set of sheets), and a solid foam pillow. This request really must be made in advance, as many GenCon attendees cram twice as many people into a room as in theory allowed, and hotels will often run out of blankets and such before the end of Wednesday. During this phone call is also when you should correct the names of your future roommates.

If you wish to enjoy a nice dinner out during the con, it is a good idea to make a reservation at this point, particularly if you wish to eat out with a large group of friends. Even if it is just a tentative reservation, set it up anyway, as you will be able to change this a bit (either the number of people or the time) just a day in advance; not that many con goers plan this far in advance. Do cancel the reservations with as much warning as possible if you are not able to make them. My friends have gone to Buca Di Bepo the past few years, with as many as 20 people in 2005.

Things to do when you arrive

Check in, drop your bags off, and verify all your special requests have been handled. In theory, a properly run hotel will have your special requests waiting for you in your room upon check-in. In practice, you will need to call down to the front desk and ask them to fucking deliver what you had previously requested.

If you were foolish (or there were problems) and your badge is at will-call, you should get in line as soon as possible. Bring a book and go to the bathroom before getting in line, as you might be there a few hours (I'm not kidding). In 2006, the line was only an hour on Wednesday evening.

Things to bring

Things that will make your stay better

• Swimsuit: A swim in the hotel pool and a dip in the hottub is a marvelous way to get a little relaxation after being on your feet all day.
• Drugs: Not the illegal kind, but the kind that helps eliminate the aches and pains accumulated from several days of being on your feet and eating food that isn't so good for you. At the least I would recommend a pain reliever and some sort of tummy medicine.
• Booze: Hotel bars are expensive, and it can be nice to end the day with a drink over a newly purchased game with friends.
• Clean clothes: A change of clothes for every day of the con. You will be on your feet a good deal and you will be surrounded by plenty of people that do not bath as often as they should. Don't contribute to the overall gamer funk.
• Food: Eating out for four straight days can be quite expensive, and is likely not particularly good for you. I bring fixings for PB&Js, a couple of water bottles, and pre-packaged cookies. This is what I usually eat for lunch.
• Good Shoes: This is a very important thing to remember. You might want to bring two pairs of shoes so you can alternate them. GenCon is not the place to wear new or untried shoes.

Things to carry and things not to carry at the con

It's easy to overstuff your daybag. I advocate carrying the least amount possible as you will hurt your back or shoulders if you carry much weight. I also suggest using a good comfortable bag. My preference is a a good over the should sling type bag or a nice hiking belt pack.

• Writing implements: pencils (don't bring your favorite expensive one as it will likely get lost), a pen (writing on yourself is not a bad idea in a LARP where you might lack paper), and a Sharpie (for writing signs and such).
• Notecards: a pack of 4x6 notecards makes great impromptu name cards for around the table. They are great for random note-taking. And they are easy to share.
• Food and drink: Avoid the concession stands in the convention center and bring a water bottle (water fountains are around) and a snack for the midday munchies.
• Dice: Don't bother bringing your entire collection, just bring a reasonable pile. I actually have a triple set of 9mm polyhedral dice I use at cons. The bag is much smaller than the set of 16mm ones I normally use.
• Business cards: Perhaps for your business, but more likely simple ones with your name and email address on them. Networking is a good thing.

There are plenty of things not to carry around the con.

• Lots of rulebooks: Sure, go ahead and bring the corebook for any games you are playing in where you might want to reference it, but don't bother with all the extras.
• Old characters: You can terrorize friends with stories of old characters, but don't do it to strangers.
• An obscene number of dice: I don't know why, but many gamers feel the need to prove their dorkiness by bringing buckets of dice around with them. Don't.
• A bag with wheels: Unless you are moving around something that is damned heavy or very large, there is no excuse for wheels on your bag, as it will get in the way of those around you.

Places to eat

I am greatly disappointed at how few truly local restaurants I have been able to find in downtown Indianapolis. The restaurants within immediate sight of the convention center (basically within a block or so) are usually packed throughout the convention. Walking two blocks out extricate you from those overcrowed establishments.

Buca di Bepo: Large family-style portions of Italian food. The largest table in the restaurant has the the current pope's bust in the middle. The men's restroom has a phallic motif and bickering Italian women on the speakers. It's weird, but a fun dining place to be loud with friends. 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.

Ah Barista Cafe: A local coffee shop that serves fine coffee, good smoothies, and truly interesting sandwiches. Oh, and they have free wifi. Good place for lunch. 2004, 2005.

Hard Times Cafe: A franchised chain that very much does not feel it (it feels a bit like a dive bar actually). You go here for four types of chili ladled over a variety of foods. I went in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Each time I got a loaded chili dog and chili fries. I was disappointed in 2006 as this fine eatery has closed.

Monument Circle a few blocks from the convention center, this coffee shop, ice cream parlor, and confectioner run by the South Bend Chocolate Company is a must stop to satisfy a sweets craving. 2006.

Ram Brewery: While they are a chain, I enjoyed my trip here in 2004 with a good sized group. It's above-average bar fare. Someone at the restaurant knows how to cater to conventions and does a good job of theming the special menu with appropriate gaming references. 2003.

Palomino: A nice place for a semi-formal dinner. I have been each year and have always had a pleasant time with good food. My friends (other than the lovely lady I have enjoyed dinner with here each year) have not had such good experiences. 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.

Places not to eat

Rock Bottom Brewery: Recommended to Michael and I by a couple of nice young ladies at a mall store. Though they make an attempt to be hip and local, it is clearly a chain. My chicken in mushroom beer sauce was a good concept but just didn't deliver. Michael's deep fried fish was merely adequate. They had several nice beers (which is high praise from someone that doesn't usually like beer). The highlight of the meal had nothing to do with the restaurant and was instead our amusement/horror at Clout Fantasy. 2005.

Jillian's: In theory, a place for food, booze, and games, but the games are limited and aren't very good (the selection certainly doesn't compare with GameWorks or Dave and Busters). the place is uncomfortably noisy, they packed too many tables onto the ground floor so pretty much no one gets a comfortable seat, and the food isn't very good. Skip it. 2004.

Claddagh: A chain of "Irish" pubs. While Claddagh was started in Indianapolis, this location still has the "too perfect to be authentic" corporate feel. They don't take reservations, have a menu filled with mediocore greasy food, and play overaired "Irish" music. Don't bother. 2003.

Alcatraz Brewery: Although there is only one other Alcatraz Brewery in the country (in California, of course), this place still feels very much feels like a chain. The decor is harsh, cold, and uncomfortable. The food is typical bar-type food. All in all, nothing to write home about. 2003.

Things to do at the Con

There are many, many events and things to do at GenCon, these are the ones that I keep coming back to.

• Cardhalla: People donate collectable cards. People build impressive card structures. Saturday night people bring change and from a short distance attempt to knock the structures down. All the money thrown is donated to a charity. You will want to be there at least half an hour before the "donations" start if you want to get a good throwing position/view.
• The exhibit hall: Probably the largest showing of gaming-related exhibitors in the country. It takes me at least 8 hours to travel the hall, during which I demo many, many games.
• The auction: if you are looking for something old and gaming-related, this is a place to check out. Be sure to stop by early in the week to find out when various categories are being auctioned off.
• The game library: For the cost of two generic tickets, you can borrow a game from a fairly sizable library for a while. My friends and I generally borrow one game a night to try new things.
• Luke Ski: a geek troubadour popular on the Dr. Demento show. For at least the last several years he has done a show or two over the weekend.
• The Pirate Comedy Show: Unquestionably not safe for the young or easily offended, but these two artists (hard to miss them in the art area, as they are pair (one two) dressed like pirates) are pretty damned funny.

Things not to do at the Con

• True Dungeon: At one point in time, I actively recommended this. But at nearly $30 a ticket, I expect them to learn from their mistakes each year, and I certainly don't expect to have to pay $1 to check my bag at the door.
• Blood Drive: I can not fathom who thought it was a good idea to ask gamers who are likely spending four days eating poorly and overextending themselves to give blood, but they do have a blood drive at GenCon. While you should go give blood, you really shouldn't do it under such conditions.
• Creepily ask pretty girls for photos. This is a hazard to both woman who dress up in various attractive outfits and the guys walking around with them. Two players from a game I help run had a brilliant way to handle the random requests; they asked the photographer for something, it didn't matter what, but it had to be something. They were quite succesfull in collecting a small pile of random things.

Things to do besides the Convention

I am sure there are interesting things to do in Indianapolis, but I haven't explored the city for much beyond food.

Written August 23, 2005, updated April 2006, updated August 2006