random lament about the big cons.

[Insaniac99]

so, it's that time of year again. most of the Big cons have come and gone and every year I tell mysellf I need to goto one but I don't. then I regret it because I read all the great post-con reports and think of how much fun I missed out on. then come the pictures and I look at people and realise that (aside from the babes) there isn't a single one person there that is younger than twice my age (or atleast looks it) and I ask myself " If I went would I even have fun?" I didn't even start enjoying our local small con till the last night of it, and that was because I got lucky to find that one GM, who's one of the main reasons I go now.* then I start wondering about the money, and how much I'd need to save to afford it and my thoughts again turn to whether or not I'd find anyone I'd enjoy talking to when I'm not gaming and like always I decide that I'll try to go next year, but as always, it just doesn't happen.


EDIT: *before I found that GM I roamed from table to table, got lost in our small building a couple times, had to ask where we go to sign up for the games, got lost looking for the anime room, and didn't know ANYONE and gennerally just wasn't having fun because I couldnt' find anythignt hat I really wanted to do and made me feel that the entry fee (a mere 30 bucks that included a huge free buffet) was worth it, I didn't even find anyone who was worth a decent conversation. but on saturday night I met a GM named Chey running a BESM game and every year since I've played in every single one of his games (all BESM or Tri-stat so far, but he keeps threatening to use one D20 game) because they treated my like a friend when they barely knew me and let me join mid game and helped me until I had learned the system well enough to teach it to others. So one of the fears I encouter about new cons is either A) getting lost tryign to find something I enjoy or b) not finding anythign I enjoy and/or C) not finding anyone who I can relate to or otherwise enjoy chatting with.

[Karmakaze]

so, it's that time of year again. most of the Big cons have come and gone and every year I tell mysellf I need to goto one but I don't. then I regret it because I read all the great post-con reports and think of how much fun I missed out on. then come the pictures and I look at people and realise that (aside from the babes) there isn't a single one person there that is younger than twice my age (or atleast looks it) and I ask myself " If I went would I even have fun?"

Some of that has to do with the fact that the hardcore HERO group are the ones that stuck around during the long hiatus between 4th ed and 5th. Since 4th came out a decade and a half ago, you have a group of gamers who have been active for at least that long. Thus...

I can tell you that I am certainly not twice your age. I am merely half again your age! And, in fact, not quite old enough to be your mother (unless you want to consider a pregnancy at age 12.)

There are, in fact, younger folks at the cons. Really.

[Arkham]

a) Carry a map. The schedule for any of the cons I've been to have maps on them so you can find what you are looking for.

b) Plan. Sit down, read through the schedule, find things that pique your interest and register for them.

c) Bring a friend or two. I finally managed to talk some of my gaming group into going to KublaCon this year. Having someone with you to discuss the days games, eat with, etc adds immeasurably to the experience.

That said, I've only been to one 'Big' Con, and even that, the first GenCon So Cal was small compared to the big Gen Con/Origins shows.

[Thag13]

At DragonCon, I am nearly always the oldest guy in the room.

I got over it

I have a good time, get to have fun with my kids and friends and spend money on crap I dont need.

Its all good

[BlackSword]

Not sure where you get the impression that cons trend towards older attendees, GenCon has lots of people in the 20-30s range.

I do agree that it is best to go to the Con with at least one person you know so that there is someone to hand out with. For its size its very easy to find most places at GenCon.

Expect to sign up for some bad games, expect to sign up for some great games. This year was an exception, I played 7 games all of which were a lot of fun. Last year I snuck out of a game because it was so bad. Most years its about one outstanding game, one piss-poor game, and a most of them fall in the middle or above middle. But part of the fun is seeing what games you like and seeing how other people play the games.

For finding GMs you like just watch the Hero boards and see which games/GMs get complimented and try to find out what they are running the year you want to attend. For finding people to talk to, I usually go witha friend and meet up with some other friends at the Con. The Hero-board crew is fairly social and I believe they got together several times over the weekend.

[Insaniac99]

thanks fo rhte reasurrance all. I figure that I'm probably gonna start by going to the biggest con in Washington, because it seems to be impossible to get my friends out of state and my G/f who would probably come isn't quite 100% enthused about Roleplaying (she keeps waivering between liking it and hating it depending on how well she can visualize the scene, it is good because it forces me to be more descriptive and roleplay more with the entire group to keep her interest.)

as for where I got the idea about the age ranges, it is just that whenever I see pictures from cons, everyone I see is older, I should have guessed that is just because of the hero crowd...