Andrew Seiple's Blog: Transmissions From the Teslaverse - Posts Tagged "rpgs"

It's summer! And with summer, as every good gamer knows, comes the summer con season. For Roleplaying folks like myself, that's Origins and Gencon.

Origins is the first. It's in June, and located in Columbus, Ohio. This year it's starting on the 15th, just two days away! I'll be attending from Wednesday on, playing games as I fancy, and hanging out with my tribe. Origins has had a long and flavorful history... they're one of the older RPG and wargame conventions in the US. Second only to Gencon, really, even if they have taken an attendance hit in recent years.

Ironically enough, part of this hit was due to the fact that Gencon moved into Indianapolis about a decade ago, competing for Midwest regional attendance. Torn between two major conventions, both costly, more gamers chose to save their pennies for Gencon. As such, Origins suffered...

But it clung on. With grim determination, it never quite died. The vendor hall thinned, the crowds waned, but the events catalog stayed strong. There's always something to do in Origins. And while Gencon made a name for itself as the industry trade show for RPG's, Origins took an alternate tack, and billed itself as the place where you can always find a game. Strong board game/war game support didn't hurt either. Folks in Ohio PLAY, man. There's not much to do in Ohio some days that doesn't involve alcohol or sports games, so stuff that doesn't involve that is pretty popular.

And in recent years, the tide's started to turn. Gencon's reaching saturation point. It's gotten a bit too successful, as evidenced by the ludicrous rates hotels charge in Indy when the convention time rolls around. So many gamers, unable to find lodging for Gencon, are shrugging and saving their pennies for Origins instead. And a few big names in the industry, fed up with the Gencon fuss, are starting to shift back as well... Wheel's always turning, and Origins is looking good this year.

If you can make the drive to Columbus, I heartily encourage you to check it out. The badge prices for a day's visit are cheap, the vendor hall's got a nice assortment of eclectic stuff, the huge miniature games on display are always worth a gawk, and there's all sorts of fun weirdness hidden in the cracks.

Highlights include a kick-arse author's alley (Usually run by Mike Stackpole, a veteran of the industry), a bad movie awards show called the Smithee Awards that's worth seeing at least once in your lifetime, a nearby international gourmet food market that can satisfy the pickiest glutton, and a nightlife district called the Short North, where the party never stops and all lifestyles are tolerated.

Origins was my first big con, and it was an eye-opener. I've gone back every year... sometimes only for a day, sometimes for the full five, but I've never regretted a single trip. And now that I'm writing? I'm kind of curious to try to see it from the perspective in author's alley. Got some plans to talk with people there, see if I can make that happen next year. By all accounts it's a fun program, and you get to host panels and do other neat stuff!

So yeah! If you run into me at Origins, say hi and I'll be happy to talk geeky at you, about your fandom or hobby of choice! I know all the good restaurants and a few of the good bars, and I'd love to share them with you.

Peace, out!