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Nerd Herd: Gen Con Four-Day Gaming Convention Takes Indiana by Storm
Catherine Griffin
First Posted: Aug 04, 2015 03:28 PM EDT
Gen Con: A convention for wild costumes, gaming of all kinds, and some of the nerdiest references you're likely to find in Indiana. The four-day convention started on a high note on Thursday and continued all the way through Sunday as visitors played demo games, checked out new releases and looked at the new technology being used in the industry.
When it comes to gaming-card games, board games, miniatures and tabletop games-Gen Con is the place to go. Thousands travel from across the United States in order to attend the event. This year, the convention set an all-new attendance record with a staggering 61,423 people. Since 2010, Gen Con has more than doubled in attendance, and it appears things are only looking up.
Gen Con is a bit like the Comic Con of the Midwest. While it doesn't have as many celebrities, it does have a larger variety of games, and places where developers can test out their games on the public.
Games, in general, are a big industry-and that's not even counting video games. The focus at Gen Con was more on board games and tabletop games (think Dungeons & Dragons). But what made this convention truly interesting was the new technologies being brought to gaming.
Both 3D printers and video screens debuted at the convention. One of the companies, Hero Forge, actually prints out custom 3D miniatures that you can design for your tabletop games. There were also interactive screens on display that bring your tabletop games to life and allow you to play remotely with other people from the comfort of your own home.
With the rise of the 3D printer and computer-based games, board games are likely to see some revolutionary new modifications. However, people will always want to have something to hold in their hands-whether that happens to be dice, miniatures or otherwise. It makes it more tangible to the player.
Gen Con was a massive success in terms of both attendance and sales. For a better look at some of the spectacular things (and people) at Gen Con, you can check out the pictures we took of the convention while there.
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First Posted: Aug 04, 2015 03:28 PM EDT
Gen Con: A convention for wild costumes, gaming of all kinds, and some of the nerdiest references you're likely to find in Indiana. The four-day convention started on a high note on Thursday and continued all the way through Sunday as visitors played demo games, checked out new releases and looked at the new technology being used in the industry.
When it comes to gaming-card games, board games, miniatures and tabletop games-Gen Con is the place to go. Thousands travel from across the United States in order to attend the event. This year, the convention set an all-new attendance record with a staggering 61,423 people. Since 2010, Gen Con has more than doubled in attendance, and it appears things are only looking up.
Gen Con is a bit like the Comic Con of the Midwest. While it doesn't have as many celebrities, it does have a larger variety of games, and places where developers can test out their games on the public.
Games, in general, are a big industry-and that's not even counting video games. The focus at Gen Con was more on board games and tabletop games (think Dungeons & Dragons). But what made this convention truly interesting was the new technologies being brought to gaming.
Both 3D printers and video screens debuted at the convention. One of the companies, Hero Forge, actually prints out custom 3D miniatures that you can design for your tabletop games. There were also interactive screens on display that bring your tabletop games to life and allow you to play remotely with other people from the comfort of your own home.
With the rise of the 3D printer and computer-based games, board games are likely to see some revolutionary new modifications. However, people will always want to have something to hold in their hands-whether that happens to be dice, miniatures or otherwise. It makes it more tangible to the player.
Gen Con was a massive success in terms of both attendance and sales. For a better look at some of the spectacular things (and people) at Gen Con, you can check out the pictures we took of the convention while there.
Related Stories
Nerd Herd: Northeast Comic Con is Small, But Fun
Geek Gadgets: What to Get Your Nerd This Valentine's Day
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone