Things to Check Out at GenCon

There's a lot more to GenCon than just the exhibitor's hall, and if it's closed, what else are you going to do? Well, here's some ideas:

True Dungeon

While it's far too late to get any kind of group tickets for True Dungeon, you can usually get in alone or sometimes with a friend for a pick up group. True Dungeon creates an environment for players to explore that carries a storyline along with it. There's two sides, a Puzzle side and a Combat side, they're usually pretty similar minus one or two rooms that will have a stronger focus on one concept versus the other. Bring lots of generic tickets, and try to get yourself in. The later runs are the ones that tend to have open spaces.

Video Games Live


Video Games Live is playing at the Conseco Fieldhouse on August 7th at 7:30pm and you can still get tickets for it. It's a showcase of Video Game music from classic franchises performed by orchestras and choirs. While I've never seen it, I have heard some good things about it. Or, if nerdcore is more your speed...

Nerdcorde Entertainment Showcase (NES)

I got the info on this one from one of my new twitter followers, MadHatter. I checked it out and it looks pretty damn awesome, and for the special price of "showing your GenCon badge", you can't go wrong. Show starts at 11pm at the Westin Grand Ballroom II. Check out their site at www.nesindy.com

The GenCon Auction


The GenCon Auction is in its 42nd year, and is always something you should stop and check out. A seller/bidder card will run you $1, but it's free to peruse the items that didn't sell, and sometimes you can find some really interesting stuff in there. They're running two special auctions for charity this year, their normal charity auction on Saturday night, and one for a memorial to be built in Lake Geneva for Gary Gygax with items from his personal collection, donated by his widow. Check out http://www.livegameauctions.com/Genconauction.jsp for all the information.

Costume Contest


The costume contest is always a big spectacle. Starting with a parade that runs through the center on Saturday at 3pm and ending on the GenCon main stage at the Westin Hotel, the competition goes through 70 entrants at 4pm. GenCon encourages people to get there early, or suffer standing room only.


Pajama Jammy Jam (aka The GenCon Dance)


I read a request from another one of my new followers, Jules, to know if there was any kind of "GenCon Prom". Well, here it is, the Pajama Jammy Jam. Saturday night at the Union Station Grand Hall from 9pm to 1am, GenCon is hosting a Pajama Jammy Jam. "Wear you jammies and dance the night away." They're also having a pajama drive, where you donate pajamas for children in need. Check out all the details at http://gencon.com/2010/indy/pm/events/dance.aspx

Got any other events worth checking out? Post them in comments or send them to my Twitter account, @videogamingat30. Just a bit longer until Gencon, and apparently there's a ton to do. And Remember the GenCon motto: "Eat, Sleep, Game. Pick two."