I've written a follow up to my previous post about GenCon tips that is aimed at my fellow GMs, based on my three years of GMing at GenCon. Hope to see some of you next week!
1. Don't Be That GM
You know what I am talking about. The GM that judges your players based on race, gender, level of geek prowess, etc. At my second GenCon, I was psyched to play in the Laundry due to my love of Delta Green and Call of Cthulhu. The stink eye and insulting tone from the GM ended that excitement pretty quickly. I stuck around for two hours (the other players asked me to stay since the game needed three people to run), but we then reached a point when the GM asked if I was smart enough to come up with the scenario-winning idea I just presented to the team. Not my character, but if I was smart enough. This is when I stood up, wished the other players a great con and told that GM that he'd be a great story for the bar later. Remember everyone is there to have fun and that these people paid to be in your game.
2. Preparation
This goes for all GMing (that laughing you hear is from my tendency to improv while GMing). Being at the con is awesome but make sure you have everything planned for your game(s). That custom tank shell you made for your Godlike game is useless if it is 3,000 miles away and you are running your game in 10 minutes. True, you can buy a lot of things you left at home but that takes up space and funds that could go to something else like that new RPG you never heard of but now absolutely love based on the cover art.
3. Make Time
This is a tough one and one that I need to work on, as I am running at least five games this con. Make sure you set aside time to hangout with con friends, see all those people you want to see (hello Peter Davison), play in a game or two, and recharge your creative batteries.
4. GenCon Responsibilities
This one is vital unless someone else is handling all of the leg work for you or you don't want to have an official game.
5. After Game Antics
Enjoy the weekend, and the fact that family and responsibility are miles away. Accept that offer to grab a beer with the random player who just played in your game, or go offer to buy a scotch for that Game Designer that makes your favorite game and talk game theory. I have found the best stuff is the unplanned stuff.
Bonus
The most important thing is to be early. If your game runs at 8:00, show up around 7:50 if possible, talk to the players, and use that pregame time to establish the setting, field any questions and get to know each other.
Interested in joining one of our games at GenCon? Check out our upcoming events and look for our games on the GenCon website.