GenCon 2012 - A'n'SR's Best Wishes and Tips

To all those going to GenCon this year... we're envious. We try to go to GenCon as fans (not as a game company) every other year for a family vacation. In fact, the rides from Indy back home to Missouri are when some of the best game ideas come about. Because this year was a stay-at-home year, we won't be going. To all those that are, here are a few tips for GenCon... or any convention really. There's nothing practical here... just some pointers to have fun.  

• Play as many games as possible. In fact, try to go to every game company's table and play their game and hear their spiel. We have found some of the most fun games and people come from nowhere we expected. Plus... you get to play games.
  
• Play lots of new games. try stuff out that is not in your wheelhouse. You might like it. 
  
• Go to the TheGameCrafter.com table. We like those guys, and you will meet some small-press game creators eager to show off their games at their booth. Good stuff.  
  
• Go to the game library and play a random game with strangers. Yes, it's a crap-shoot as to whether the game or the group will be fun, but more times than not, you have a lot of fun.  
  
• Stay up late at least 1 night playing a new game and going through the swag. No more than 2 nights though, or Sunday will be a waste.   
  
• Enter into a tournament for some game. It can be a classic or a new favorite from the Con. Even if you get beat by a 10 year old (like Aaron did in a Stratego tourney last year), it is great to join in the fun.  
  
• Go to at least 1 panel about game design or publishing or other behind-the-scenes stuff about games. Some really great people are at the panel, and you end up appreciating the games they make and you play all the more.  
  
• Give exact change at the Steve Jackson Games booth so that they can do the exact change dance. Silly? Yes. But that is a nice way to show appreciation and is at least worthy of a $5.00 Cthulu Dice purchase.
  
• Don't wear a costume if you don't want to be stopped to have your picture taken.  
  
• Take pictures of people in costume every chance you get.  
  
• If there is a charity anything there, give a little money to it. Even if it is $5. Remember, you are at a Con and they are not. Count your blessings and give a little to help the
• Have fun. GenCon, if you go to enjoy great games and are open to a few new ideas, is really rewarding.