Gen Con Indy questions Options

[apollo124]

Hey, all. I've just got a couple of questions about the upcoming and highly anticipated GenCon Indianapolis. I'm probably jumping the gun here, but I'm just trying to get all my ducks lined up in a row so I don't miss anything. So, on to the questions....

Is there going to be another "run for Mr. Johnson" this year?

Do you have a time and place (I know it's subject to change) for the What's up with Shadowrun meeting? and the Battletech/Mechwarrior meeting?

Is the Catalyst booth going to be in roughly the same spot?

Probably going to be more questions later, but it's 2 am now and I need to get some sleep.

[BishopMcQ]

For accurate information, Adam would be your best bet on these forums. Otherwise, Tara Bills is the convention coordinator for CGL and can be found through the CGL website.

Here is the publicly available info from GC Indy, which I'm sure you have:

For the Booth position, per the GenCon site they are in booths 1303 and 1307. By my recollection it is about the same location. From the main doors, take 15 steps forward and go five rows to your right. There is the Upper Deck area, one booth, and then the CGL section.

According to the Event Catalog:
Catalyst Game Labs: Shadowrun, BattleTech, Eclipse Phase and more!
This seminar discusses the goings-on of Catalyst Game Labs in general, and especially its new games. Meet developers and writers, and ask them your questions directly.
2008-08-16 12:00 to 13:00
Embassy Suites--Chancellor 3

and

Shadowrun Q&A: Countdown to the 20th anniversary!
Find out the latest developements and plans for Shadowrun, as we get ready for its 20th year! Meet developers and writers, and ask them your questions directly.
2008-08-16 13:00 to 14:00
Embassy Suites--Coronation II

and (for completeness)

BattleTech Q&A: 25 years of Heavy Metal Mayhem!
Find out the latest developements and plans for BattleTech! Meet with developers and writers, and ask them your questions directly.
2008-08-16 14:00 to 15:00
Embassy Suites--Chancellor 3

Something tells me that Loren, Peter et al will be making arrangements for one person to start the next panel while the previous one wraps up.

[Adam]

Brilliant that they didn't put all 3 panels in the same room ... :/

Is there going to be another "run for Mr. Johnson" this year?

Yup.

Is the Catalyst booth going to be in roughly the same spot?

I don't have the maps in front of me right now, but I think it's in the exact same spot ... except it's just a little bit bigger. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Drogos]

Brilliant that they didn't put all 3 panels in the same room ... :/

BRILLIANT!! I know how hard planning for big events can be, but damn that seems like a no brainer. If I end up making it Saturday like it looks like I will, I'll try and make those/

I don't have the maps in front of me right now, but I think it's in the exact same spot ... except it's just a little bit bigger. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

And we all know bigger is better...

Quick question for those who've been there before, I've seen and heard of the lines for trying to get into DragonCon. They are HUGE. I'm one of those poor unfortunates who was unsure he'd be able to attend until the last minute. How bad are the lines to get passes going to be? Any advice on best time (obviously just a guess, but you know, any ideas help) to hit the line?

[the_dunner]

How bad are the lines to get passes going to be? Any advice on best time (obviously just a guess, but you know, any ideas help) to hit the line?

The lines are absolutely horrendous from about 8:30AM on. Your best bet is to get in line by 7AM. I'm not sure what time they start selling, but any later than that and you're looking at 2-3 hours wait.

If you can, the only "not bad" time to buy a badge is Wednesday afternoon.

[Adam]

I'm not sure what the exact procedure is for buying a badge on-site now [I haven't had to do so for years] -- do they make you show ID? If not, it may be easiest to get a friend to grab you a badge on Wednesday, if you have one in the area.

[Please note I'm not volunteering to help you out here -- my Gen Con Wednesday is always mental, mental, mental. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ]

[Drogos]

Don't worry Adam, I wouldn't presume to add any more to your probably over full plate. I'll see what I can do, though I'll probably just have to suck it up and stand in line...maybe I'll have the GF dress up real nice and see how well she does by herself (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thanks Dunner...won't make it to Indy until Wednesday night real late...so I guess I'll get up early one morning and jump on over.

[Caine Hazen]

Last couple of years the Wed night option has always been better. I was getting mine after dinner and it was a 30min - 1 hour wait. Lines have been known to stretch out the door on Thursday, leading to 3-5 hour waits for a badge... why I preregged this year.

[apollo124]

Thanks all, especially Bishop and Adam! Just what the doctor ordered.

[tyweise]

From past experience at GenCon, what is the liklihood of getting seats without preregistration?

I'm going to be there a day earlier than originally planned, so I need to fill my Thursday with something. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[the_dunner]

From past experience at GenCon, what is the liklihood of getting seats without preregistration?

We try to keep extra GMs on hand, and many of our GMs will accomodate 1-2 more players than we allow for in pre-reg. So, if you show up with generics, your chances of getting into a SR game are decent. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Redjack]

Attention passengers we are on final approach to Gen Con Indy 08.
Please return to your seats and fasten your seat-belts.

[Bull]

Holy shit! Almost here! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Caine Hazen]

Well there goes the neighborhood

[Vegas]

Holy shit! Almost here! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yup, and this place is going to be a GHOST town while you're all gone.

*sniffles and shakes fist at her bank account while spitting on her lottery ticket*

Next year bitches. I WILL be there.

[DireRadiant]

Yup, and this place is going to be a GHOST town while you're all gone.

*sniffles and shakes fist at her bank account while spitting on her lottery ticket*

Next year bitches. I WILL be there.

You missed the midnight run on the all girls prep school....

[Redjack]

You missed the midnight run on the all girls prep school....

And the troll with the Vindicator Sunday morning.... You know, before wireless you always worried about being downrange of a mini-gun....

[dog_xinu]

We try to keep extra GMs on hand, and many of our GMs will accomodate 1-2 more players than we allow for in pre-reg. So, if you show up with generics, your chances of getting into a SR game are decent. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Many of the GMs (I have not checked with all of them) took extra players. Plus sometimes people that pre-reg'd didnt show up so their seat opened up. This also happens at Dragon*CON (I just mention it since it is like 10ish days away!). Depending on the game being run at the table will determine if the GM can take more than 6 without breaking the game.

I just want to add something on a side note. All the GMs at GenCON did a fantastic job! Or all the people would not have walked up to me saying such things (while wearing one of the CGL shirts). I never heard a complaint nor non-positive thing. I had several staff members say "thank you.. you guys are great.. we never have to worry about you.." (paraphrased).

it was a blast!

[Redjack]

Every one of my games had 7-8 players and I had several who played one day in a game and came back later with generics. Every player I talked to, no matter whose Shadowrun game they played in, had a great time.

[sinthalix]

I had the same experience as Redjack. 7-8 was the norm and several people came back to play with generics. They each had a lot of praise for the other GMs. There were a lot of noobs that showed up that had a great time and were looking forward to learning/playing more.

[DireRadiant]

Where'd you find those players? Mine kept complaining I was trying to kill their characters off!

[Caine Hazen]

Where'd you find those players? Mine kept complaining I was trying to kill their characters off!

you just seemed like the killer GM type (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[sinthalix]

Where'd you find those players? Mine kept complaining I was trying to kill their characters off!

Your Round 2 table said they really enjoyed your GMing style. I think they said something like "I've never seen someone grin so much when they were rolling a huge handful of dice!"

[apollo124]

This may sound like sucking up, but I'm gonna say it anyway.

Kudos to the Catalyst team! I love the fact that they come to GenCon every year, answering questions from their customers/fans, letting us in on some of the inner workings of the game publishing industry, and even just chatting with people who show up at the booth. Not to mention the officially unofficial support here on Dumpshock, and the official support on the Shadowrun4.com website.

I only spent Saturday at GenCon but I had a blast. I got quite a few questions answered, and was very satisfied with that. IMO, no one else does this kind of thing for their fans. I love the interconnectedness of the lineup of upcoming products. Lots of fun stuff on tap for the next year, and beware if they make a military book like Fields of Fire! Any chance of seeing video of the Blakist's for those of us who weren't there Friday?

Keep it up folks!

[Dashifen]

As a Catalyst GM, I have to agree. CGL is awesome. Even the "little" things like getting pizza for the Scramble GMs and getting it for every person playing or running the tournament (and feeding the few tables that weren't even SR but were in the same room) is great stuff. I had other people coming up to me at the con saying that they heard about how cool CGL is. Great work, all around!