Jerry D. Grayson
08-22-2005, 01:28 PM
Just got home from GenCon and I’m physically drained (voice is shot too). I had great fun and met a lot of really wonderful people there. Not only was I there to sell books (GODSEND Agenda) but I bought a lot of stuff I’ve been wanting for a while. Being a small independent publisher means I don’t usually have that much of a budget for buying other products but at GenCon I decided to go crazy.
The last few years it seems the industry has been in a malaise and that type of feeling can rub off on even the best of us. I have to admit that I have my highs and lows concerning my hobby and it kind of bummed me out. There are only a few things beyond my family and friends that I have passion for and that’s art, music, comics and roleplaying. The last three have been struggling the last few years because of homogenization of the markets…everything sounds, looks, and feels the same. At first I felt that I was just getting older, jaded and starting to burn out. I soon realized that I’m not being WOWED by much because there isn’t really much out there that wows me. I think as far as roleplaying and hobby gaming goes this GenCon saved me.
I met a lot of really interesting people who have the same passions as me and an enthusiasm that conspired to reinvigorate not only my passion for the hobby but a lot of other things I’ve put aside to raise a family. I love to draw and paint but haven’t really done much besides the stuff I do commercially and that isn’t very satisfying.
The people I met at GenCon helped me get my mojo back :)
1st off I got to meet Andy Katowski in person and he was a very cool guy. We talked a bit about games and stuff…cool guy.
I was there to sell my book but I had to get out and see stuff. There were a few things I wanted to get and so I went hunting like a shark for the booths of my prey.
First victim was John Wick
I bought Enemy Gods (http://wicked-dead.com/enemygods/). I’ve read the reviews and had to have the book. Plopped down my $15 (a bargain) and scurried off to find my next mark.
The Forge booth
I talked to Ron Edwards for a bit about his new game that he’s working on (I wont spill the beans on it yet). I love talking to Ron because he gets it. I love this guy.
At the Forge booth I bought Tony Lower-Basch’s Capes (http://www.museoffire.com/Games/)
Michael S. Miller’s With Great Power… (http://incarnadine.indie-rpgs.com/)
Matthew Gwinn’s super cool wrestling game Kayfabe (http://www.errantknightgames.com/)
A lot of big ideas come in small packages. These games are like a TARDIS; small on the outside but infinitely bigger on the inside.
Next on the list was Morrigan Press (http://www.morriganrpg.com/)
I love and Talislanta and had to see what new cool thing was out.
For Talislanta I got the out of print Sarista book ($5! What a steal)
Talislanta Menagerie
(NOTE: If you don’t own Talislanta you’re cheating your self. This game rocks! Tons of support for the game is provided by Morrigan Press)
The brand new Atlantis: The Second Age
And the highlight of the booth (besides Scott and his wonderful staff) was meeting the artist that help define the look for Talislanta, P.D. Breeding-Black
She inspired me to do ART again…not just for roleplaying games but art for the sake of art itself. I even managed to buy a few original pieces from her.
Speaking of art, during our trip through artist alley we saw a lot of really talented artist but one in particular caught my eye.
Patrick Peirson has a unique style and theme for his work that made him stand out from the crowd. The guy is a true renaissance man and all around nice fellow.
I ran into a con buddy named David Salisbury. David is an English fellow who has supported GODSEND Agenda by carrying it in his shop. Those in the know recognize David as the man who wrote the game Victorian adventure game Dark Continent (http://www.darkcontinentrpg.com/). He’s always a delight to talk to and we caught up on one another’s lives since we only really meet at conventions.
I finally got to meet face to face with Ross Winn. He helped me out with GODSEND by writing a few things. We had lunch and talked about everything from roleplaying, cyberpunk, to Prince and industrial music. I love this guy…he’s my brother from another mother.
Swung by and picked up Great White Game’s Necessary Evil finaly. This is a really cool looking book.
Found a copy of XID’s Providence in a bargain bin (always wanted this one)
Picked up a bunch of heroclix for my Friday nigt game.
Bought A TON dice
Beyond the people I met and the games that o bought the one highlight of the GenCon convention was going to Deliria: Faerie Tales for a New Millennium LARP. The game was fantastic and the people I played with there were excellent. The vibe was wonderful and really invigorating. I’ve owned Deliria for a while and was interested in how it would actually play out, the system was good and easy to learn but what made the game for me was the sense of wonder it created.
Deliria (from Laughing Pan Productions) gave me something that’s been missing in post “gothic punk” fantasy for a long time. Deliria gave me a sense of wonder, personal empowerment, and most importantly some of my mojo and enthusiasm back about the hobby. I wish I could remember all the people I met that night and thank them all.
Kevin DiVico and Burton Taylor were wonderful host that night and ran one kickass game, they helped me find what I was looking for…my ennui is gone. Thanks fellas!
The next day I met Phil Brucato and talked even more about deliria…I think I’m hooked. Deleria is like crack and I’m a tweaker. This game was hittin’ and stickin’ like grandma’s chicken.
Deliria is a great game and I’m glad I bought the book. I run two games a week; GODSEND Agenda on Fridays and Talislanta on Sundays…I’m gonna have to find a time to run another game during the week and LARP!!!
Anyway, I just figured I’d share my experience with you all. There is more out there than the big three publishers, take a look.
Don’t cheat your self, treat yourself.
Oh and by the way, here are a few pictures of my adventures there
CLICKY (http://www.godsendagenda.com/jerry.htm)
The last few years it seems the industry has been in a malaise and that type of feeling can rub off on even the best of us. I have to admit that I have my highs and lows concerning my hobby and it kind of bummed me out. There are only a few things beyond my family and friends that I have passion for and that’s art, music, comics and roleplaying. The last three have been struggling the last few years because of homogenization of the markets…everything sounds, looks, and feels the same. At first I felt that I was just getting older, jaded and starting to burn out. I soon realized that I’m not being WOWED by much because there isn’t really much out there that wows me. I think as far as roleplaying and hobby gaming goes this GenCon saved me.
I met a lot of really interesting people who have the same passions as me and an enthusiasm that conspired to reinvigorate not only my passion for the hobby but a lot of other things I’ve put aside to raise a family. I love to draw and paint but haven’t really done much besides the stuff I do commercially and that isn’t very satisfying.
The people I met at GenCon helped me get my mojo back :)
1st off I got to meet Andy Katowski in person and he was a very cool guy. We talked a bit about games and stuff…cool guy.
I was there to sell my book but I had to get out and see stuff. There were a few things I wanted to get and so I went hunting like a shark for the booths of my prey.
First victim was John Wick
I bought Enemy Gods (http://wicked-dead.com/enemygods/). I’ve read the reviews and had to have the book. Plopped down my $15 (a bargain) and scurried off to find my next mark.
The Forge booth
I talked to Ron Edwards for a bit about his new game that he’s working on (I wont spill the beans on it yet). I love talking to Ron because he gets it. I love this guy.
At the Forge booth I bought Tony Lower-Basch’s Capes (http://www.museoffire.com/Games/)
Michael S. Miller’s With Great Power… (http://incarnadine.indie-rpgs.com/)
Matthew Gwinn’s super cool wrestling game Kayfabe (http://www.errantknightgames.com/)
A lot of big ideas come in small packages. These games are like a TARDIS; small on the outside but infinitely bigger on the inside.
Next on the list was Morrigan Press (http://www.morriganrpg.com/)
I love and Talislanta and had to see what new cool thing was out.
For Talislanta I got the out of print Sarista book ($5! What a steal)
Talislanta Menagerie
(NOTE: If you don’t own Talislanta you’re cheating your self. This game rocks! Tons of support for the game is provided by Morrigan Press)
The brand new Atlantis: The Second Age
And the highlight of the booth (besides Scott and his wonderful staff) was meeting the artist that help define the look for Talislanta, P.D. Breeding-Black
She inspired me to do ART again…not just for roleplaying games but art for the sake of art itself. I even managed to buy a few original pieces from her.
Speaking of art, during our trip through artist alley we saw a lot of really talented artist but one in particular caught my eye.
Patrick Peirson has a unique style and theme for his work that made him stand out from the crowd. The guy is a true renaissance man and all around nice fellow.
I ran into a con buddy named David Salisbury. David is an English fellow who has supported GODSEND Agenda by carrying it in his shop. Those in the know recognize David as the man who wrote the game Victorian adventure game Dark Continent (http://www.darkcontinentrpg.com/). He’s always a delight to talk to and we caught up on one another’s lives since we only really meet at conventions.
I finally got to meet face to face with Ross Winn. He helped me out with GODSEND by writing a few things. We had lunch and talked about everything from roleplaying, cyberpunk, to Prince and industrial music. I love this guy…he’s my brother from another mother.
Swung by and picked up Great White Game’s Necessary Evil finaly. This is a really cool looking book.
Found a copy of XID’s Providence in a bargain bin (always wanted this one)
Picked up a bunch of heroclix for my Friday nigt game.
Bought A TON dice
Beyond the people I met and the games that o bought the one highlight of the GenCon convention was going to Deliria: Faerie Tales for a New Millennium LARP. The game was fantastic and the people I played with there were excellent. The vibe was wonderful and really invigorating. I’ve owned Deliria for a while and was interested in how it would actually play out, the system was good and easy to learn but what made the game for me was the sense of wonder it created.
Deliria (from Laughing Pan Productions) gave me something that’s been missing in post “gothic punk” fantasy for a long time. Deliria gave me a sense of wonder, personal empowerment, and most importantly some of my mojo and enthusiasm back about the hobby. I wish I could remember all the people I met that night and thank them all.
Kevin DiVico and Burton Taylor were wonderful host that night and ran one kickass game, they helped me find what I was looking for…my ennui is gone. Thanks fellas!
The next day I met Phil Brucato and talked even more about deliria…I think I’m hooked. Deleria is like crack and I’m a tweaker. This game was hittin’ and stickin’ like grandma’s chicken.
Deliria is a great game and I’m glad I bought the book. I run two games a week; GODSEND Agenda on Fridays and Talislanta on Sundays…I’m gonna have to find a time to run another game during the week and LARP!!!
Anyway, I just figured I’d share my experience with you all. There is more out there than the big three publishers, take a look.
Don’t cheat your self, treat yourself.
Oh and by the way, here are a few pictures of my adventures there
CLICKY (http://www.godsendagenda.com/jerry.htm)