Wizards & Blizzards
Convention Reports
We’re big fans of gaming conventions and the communities they bring together. There’s something special about gathering with fellow gamers for a weekend of shared tables, new experiences, and memorable moments.
​
Our convention reports are designed to help people discover events that might be a great fit for them — whether they’re considering attending their very first convention or looking to add another one to their yearly rotation.
Each report reflects a real attendee’s experience. It’s a snapshot of what it felt like to be there — the energy, the games, the community, and the overall vibe. While no single report captures everything, we hope these perspectives give readers a meaningful sense of what they might expect.
​
We’d love to publish more of these reports, and we need your help!
​
If you’ve attended a gaming convention and would like to share your experience, we invite you to submit a report. Your words might be exactly what someone needs to feel confident about showing up and joining the fun.
Overall Experience
Gary Con continues to stand out as one of the most meaningful and community-driven tabletop gaming conventions in the United States. What began as a memorial gathering for Dungeons and Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax, has grown into a lively convention hosted by Gary’s son Luke that still celebrates “a life well played.” Held at the Grand Geneva Resort, the event blends a deep respect for the origins of the hobby with a vibrant, modern gaming culture.
Its greatest strengths lie in its strong sense of community, unparalleled access to influential figures from the early days of tabletop gaming, and the consistently high-quality play experiences available across all systems and badge levels.
At the same time, the convention’s continued growth—now reaching approximately 4,000 attendees—has introduced a number of logistical challenges. These include space constraints, distributed venues, parking limitations, and the natural strain placed on facilities and infrastructure. While organizers have made thoughtful efforts to address these issues, they remain important considerations for attendees.
Overall, Gary Con delivers a uniquely rewarding experience, particularly for those who value connection, tradition, and immersive play. With continued attention to infrastructure and logistics, it is well positioned to remain a cornerstone event in the tabletop gaming community.
Why This Con Is for You
Gary Con is the place where I reconnect with more friends from the gaming community than anywhere else. Year after year, it serves as a central gathering point—a reunion of sorts—for groups who make this an annual tradition. For many attendees, it’s not just a convention—it’s a scheduled opportunity to come together, roll dice, and reconnect in the heartland of Dungeons & Dragons.
One of the most unique aspects of Gary Con is the opportunity to engage with members of the original TSR era. More than at any other convention in the U.S., attendees can sit at tables with creators and early contributors to the hobby. These individuals return year after year, sharing stories, running games, and offering a living connection to the origins of tabletop gaming.
The convention supports a wide range of play styles. Whether you prefer old-school systems or modern editions like 5th Edition, there is strong representation across the board. This diversity ensures that players of all backgrounds and preferences can find meaningful experiences.
Beyond the games, the convention offers a vibrant and social atmosphere. The charity auction is consistently well attended, and the vendor hall continues to grow each year, offering a wide variety of unique items. Throughout the venue, tavern spaces and gathering areas create an environment where conversations, storytelling, and new connections happen naturally.
At its core, Gary Con is a celebration of gaming and community—a place where there is always a seat at the table and a new adventure waiting.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
Gary Con’s continued growth—now reaching around 3,000 attendees—has introduced some logistical complexity. The convention has expanded across multiple venues both on and off the main resort property, which can change the overall experience. For attendees who prefer a highly centralized convention, where everything is easily accessible within a single building, this setup may feel less convenient. Traveling between locations can require additional planning, and some offsite venues are not always easily walkable, particularly depending on weather conditions.
That said, experiences vary. Many attendees reported that the shuttle system was reliable and made it easy to move between locations, minimizing the impact of the distributed layout.
The social dynamic is another consideration. Gary Con has a strong returning community, with many attendees reconnecting with established groups each year. For newcomers or those attending solo, this can initially feel somewhat insular or difficult to break into. However, the community is generally welcoming. With a bit of initiative, most attendees find it easy to join games, meet new people, and quickly become part of the experience.
​
​
Ticketing Process
Gary Con uses Tabletop Events for game registration, a widely used platform in the tabletop gaming community. While the platform has some inherent limitations, these are not unique to Gary Con. The convention employs a tiered badge system—Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Silver—which determines when attendees can register for games. To maintain fairness, only a portion of seats are released during early registration windows, ensuring that all attendees have access to a variety of games regardless of badge level.
Despite these efforts, registration can be highly competitive. Popular games often fill within seconds of becoming available, creating a fast-paced “first click” dynamic. This can be frustrating, but it is largely a function of demand and platform limitations rather than event policy.
In practice, most attendees are still able to find excellent games. Across badge levels, players reported positive experiences and access to high-quality sessions.
As a game master, I ran a 12-hour session split into three games, with tables primarily filled by attendees holding Silver badges. These sessions were among the highlights of the convention, reinforcing that great experiences are available to everyone.
​
​
Theme and Community
Gary Con is, at its heart, a celebration of old-school gaming, held in honor of one of the co-founders of the hobby. This legacy shapes the tone of the convention and is evident throughout the event. At the same time, the convention balances tradition with inclusivity. Both old-school systems and modern editions are well represented, creating a space where different generations of players can connect through a shared love of gaming.
One of the convention’s greatest strengths is the presence of influential figures from the early days of tabletop gaming. These individuals actively participate—running games, sharing stories, and engaging with attendees.
Their continued involvement creates a unique bridge between the origins of the hobby and its present-day community. For many attendees, this opportunity to connect with the “old guard” is a defining and memorable part of the experience.
Facilities
The Grand Geneva Resort provides a distinctive and memorable setting, with architectural character that enhances the overall experience. However, the layout can be complex, with multiple levels, stairways, and interconnected spaces that may take time to navigate comfortably.
For attendees with mobility challenges, this design may present additional difficulties. Parking continues to be a challenge as the convention grows. New measures, including paid parking and expanded shuttle services, were introduced this year. Feedback suggests that the shuttle system worked well overall, helping to connect distant lots and offsite venues.
The expansion of gaming spaces beyond the main lodge introduced additional movement between locations. While some attendees preferred to stay within the main hotel, others reported that the offsite experience was smoother than expected.
Maintaining restrooms and managing temperature control at this scale remain ongoing challenges. The convention experienced a wide range of weather—from a blizzard at the start to temperatures in the 70s by the end—which contributed to inconsistent room temperatures. Some spaces were quite warm, while others were noticeably cool.
While these issues are largely outside the control of the organizers, they highlight the limitations of the current facility as the event continues to grow.
​
​Food Options
The Grand Geneva Resort has made a strong effort to meet the food demands of a growing convention. Multiple food stations are set up throughout the venue, and carts circulate regularly during gaming sessions, providing convenient access to meals and snacks.
Several on-site restaurants offer additional options, with generally efficient service and dependable quality. While the food is not a primary draw of the event, it provides solid and reliable sustenance for long days of gaming.
Tavern spaces and beverage stations contribute to the overall atmosphere, reinforcing the social and communal nature of the convention. Attendees are unlikely to go hungry, though after several days, the limited variety may begin to feel repetitive, prompting some to seek offsite alternatives.
​
Travel and Accessibility
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is not served by a major regional airport, making travel planning an important consideration. Most attendees flying in use Chicago O’Hare International Airport, located about 75 minutes away by car.
Driving is a common option for many attendees. Madison is just over an hour away, Milwaukee is roughly two hours, and the Twin Cities are about a five-hour drive. Travel times from other Midwestern locations vary.
A key logistical challenge is that many attendees arrive with a vehicle that remains parked for the duration of the convention, placing additional strain on parking capacity.
Because the convention is not located in a major metropolitan area, public transportation options are limited. Unlike conventions in larger cities, there are fewer alternatives such as direct transit or readily available airport connections, which can make travel slightly more complex.
​
​
Closing Thoughts
Gary Con remains a uniquely rewarding convention that successfully blends the history, community, and ongoing evolution of tabletop gaming. Its greatest strength lies in the people—both the longtime contributors who helped shape the hobby and the passionate players who continue to carry it forward. While the convention’s growth has introduced logistical and infrastructure challenges, these are largely a reflection of its success rather than shortcomings in vision or execution. The organizers have made clear efforts to adapt, and in many cases, those efforts are already paying off.
For those who value connection, shared experiences, and a deep appreciation for the roots of gaming, Gary Con continues to deliver in a way that few other conventions can. With continued attention to scale and infrastructure, it is well positioned to remain a cornerstone event in the gaming community for years to come.
Overall Experience
This was the first in what looks to be a series of conventions under the OSR Con name, hosted in suburban Boston. For a first run, the organizers did a great job putting together a small, regional event that still managed to draw some out-of-town attendees. The focus here was very clearly on the gaming itself. This wasn’t about spectacle or scale—it was about spending a full day at the table, often reconnecting with old friends while also making new ones through play. That balance of familiarity and openness gave the event a strong sense of community right out of the gate.
Similar to what we’ve seen in other well-aligned spaces, the strength wasn’t in size but in shared intent. People showed up to play, and the event delivered on that in a straightforward, effective way.
Why This Con Is for You
It’s right there in the name—OSR Con. This leans heavily into the Old School Revival, with a lot of games in that style being played throughout the day. The vendors and the crowd felt in sync, which made the whole experience cohesive. Over the course of the convention, I got to play DCC, Hyperborea, and AD&D—all in a single day—which gives you a good sense of the focus on the OSR space. There was definitely more of a rules-as-written vibe from many of the players I sat down with, which may appeal to folks who enjoy that style of play. One unexpected (and kind of funny) theme—maybe it’s the proximity to the Atlantic or just being in New England—but almost every game I played in involved being on a ship at some point. A lot of attendees were casually using nautical terms that were completely foreign to me, coming from the cornfields of the Midwest. It added a unique regional flavor you don’t always see at other conventions.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
If you tend to prefer more modern systems or lean toward a heavier narrative/RP style of play, this probably isn’t the place where you’ll find a lot of that. OSR Con is pretty firmly rooted in old-school systems and play styles, with an emphasis on mechanics, rulings, and a more traditional approach to the game. If that’s not your preference, the overall offering may feel a bit limited.
​
​
Ticketing Process
Like most conventions, OSR Con used Tabletop Events and followed a two-stage registration process. Founder-level badge holders were able to register for games a week in advance, with reserved spots held back for general admission badges, which opened the following week. The check-in process on-site was a little slow and could have benefited from a few more hands during the morning push of attendees. Aside from that, both the ticketing and day-of experience went smoothly—especially considering this was the first run for the convention organizers
​
​​
​
Facilities
The convention was held at the Chelmsford, Massachusetts Elks Lodge, and the space fit the event really well. The smaller setting held the crowd at just about the right size by the end of the day. I asked the organizers and they had sold around 120 tickets—enough to make the hall feel full and active, while still leaving plenty of space between tables and room to move around comfortably. They also opened up the members’ bar area in the back over the lunch hour, which gave people a place to step away from the tables and spread out a bit. That was a nice touch as the day went on. The bathrooms were kept clean throughout the day—though it felt like the men’s room might have gotten a bit more of a workout than the women’s. There was also a small reception area off the main lobby where a special guest game was held. I played one session there, and it was great to have a quieter, more intimate space compared to the main hall. The décor itself wasn’t really geared toward a gaming audience, but there was ample parking, and plenty of nearby hotel and food options. Overall, the space matched the size and scope of the convention really well.
​
​Food Options
There was an on-site kitchen open over the lunch hour, though the process was a bit challenging—understandably, as this isn’t the type of event typically run at this venue. Orders were taken from a limited menu and prepared on-site by the Elks Club staff.
Food came out in batches based on when orders were submitted, so it wasn’t uncommon for meals to arrive at different times—sometimes after others at your table had already finished eating. This is likely something that will smooth out over time as the event continues to run.
For dinner, the organizers arranged a nice discount with a local pizzeria that delivered to the venue, which was a solid option. There didn’t seem to be any issue with attendees bringing in outside food, although the venue did reserve beverage sales for themselves. Overall, compared to many places we’ve played, this was a solid setup. There are also decent food options nearby, and with about an hour break between games, it was pretty easy to step out and grab something locally if preferred.
​
Travel and Accessibility
Chelmsford sits near the New Hampshire border on the outer ring of the Boston suburbs. It’s about an hour from Logan Airport by car, which makes renting a vehicle pretty much a necessity. There are hotels nearby, with a few within walking distance of the venue, but being in a suburban area, accessing most other services is easier with a car. Most attendees were local, but there were definitely some folks who traveled in. I wasn’t alone in flying out specifically for this convention—I connected with at least a couple of other gamers, one from the Midwest and one from Texas, who made the trip just for this. As the convention grows, it’ll be fun to look back and recognize some of the people who were there in year one, especially as new attendees discover it in the future.treasures.
​
​
Overall Experience
Adepticon is a large, well-established convention devoted to miniature wargaming and hobbies, with an emphasis on official Games Workshop tournaments and play. Warhammer of every flavor is the dominant gameplay but BattleTech, Star Wars, and many other games are enthusiastically represented as well. The convention also serves as a leader in the other major aspect of miniatures – modeling and painting – devoting a good part of the schedule to hands-on seminars with some of the global leaders in the hobby. Adepticon is home to the Golden Demon competition – a contest of painting and bashing of Games Workshop models that draws entries from around the world and sets the standard for achievement in the hobby.
Why This Con Is for You
Adepticon draws attendees from around the world who are devoted to every aspect of the wargaming hobby – tournaments, friendly play, open table play, miniature painting, terrain display and more. As a hobbyist myself I didn’t participate in play but took several seminars and found a role playing game in the event schedule. The tournaments were fairly well organized though there was plenty of confusion every morning as players and teams tried to find their check ins.
The organizers were friendly and well intended and for the most part got players to their tables. Every tournament had a waitlist however so there were plenty of players waiting for any unclaimed seat. The 40K team tournament particularly has a long and proud history, with banners dating back over twenty years hanging from the ceiling. Adepticon has clearly built a warm community around Warhammer that makes me want to get my army up to snuff and build a team. The Golden Demon display and terrain showcase are always spectacular and worth waiting in line to get a close look at the submissions.
​
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
If you are more interested in roleplaying games or card games the offerings here are slim and sold out quickly. I heard from our Pirate Borg game master that the con is interested in growing the number of RPGs offered in the future. But this con is for miniature war gamers and painters and anyone interested in either aspect of the hobby.
​
​
Ticketing Process
Adepticon has a robust website and uses Cvent to manage badges and game registration. A word to the wise – this convention sells badges and game tickets all at once, with individual fees for all game tickets. Some hobby seminars are higher cost due to supplies involved. The convention is first come first serve and if you want to get into high interest tournaments, you should get in the Cvent queue well before the event opens – I logged in over 15 minutes early and was number 1,427 in line.
The friendly tournament tickets were already sold out as well as many individual games by the time I checked out. Also, know that the costs of the event add up quickly when totaling badges, tickets and swag – we each spent about $500 out of the gate. However, the swag bag with your badge is excellent as many vendors launch new games and products at Adepticon. The Cvent app made navigation at the convention itself easy and fast.
​
​​
​
Venue and Accommodations
Apart from the gate security, the Baird Center was a fantastic venue for Adepticon. It was definitely a step up from the previous facilities in Schaumburg, Illinois with wonderful spaces for gaming, hobbies and seminars. There are several hotels attached to the Baird Center and many more within a mile of the venue. We were about a mile away and were able to drive and park or use ride shares when the weather was bad. Milwaukee in March is unpredictable so if you are traveling, be prepared for snow, rain or warm spring weather.
​
​Food Options
The convention hall had typical fast food fare that was expensive and adequate and there were many bars around the center. There were also a few food carts also available in the convention center and many restaurants in the area. The security entering the convention hall seemed most focused on keeping outside food out of the building, which was annoying given the limitations of the onsite food offerings.
​
Travel and Accessibility
Milwaukee is served by a small airport for regional travelers and is two hours from O’Hare Airport in Chicago. The drive from the Twin Cities is under five hours so we were happy to have our own wheels for all our Adepticon treasures.
​
​
TotalCon
Marlborough, MA. February 19-22, 2026 Dan Berube
Overall Experience
Total Con is a great experience every year. I have been going for a long time. It includes many old school games as well as new role playing games and a giant room of board games. The convention hosts tournament play of several board games including Catan, Ticket to Ride and more.
Why This Con Is for You
TotalCon is a smaller but well-run convention with a great welcoming vibe. The hotel is large enough to accommodate everyone. Role playing game rooms are many with four or five tables in each so the games aren’t crazy loud. Plenty of 1st and 2nd edition DnD as well as a bunch of Hyperborea. Staying on site is great.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
I’m not sure if there is a ton of Pathfinder, if that’s your cup of tea but many other games are represented. There is one larger room dedicated to "organized play" which I believe is Adventure League.
​
​
​
Ticketing Process
Same as most, buy a general admission or a "total gamer" which gives you earlier access to games. Tabletop events handles it.
​
​​
​
Venue and Accommodations
The convention is held at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center. The hotel is well stocked and located on a major route, so anything you need would be within a mile or two.
​
Food Options
If you stay at the hotel, breakfast included every morning. There is also pub style food in the bar area of the hotel.
​
​
Travel and Accessibility
The convention is two and half hours west of Logan Airport in Boston. Manchester Airport is closer for those flying in, about an hour north of Marlborough.
Founders and Legends
Lake Geneva, WI March 15-18th 2026 Chip Pearson
Overall Experience
This is a highly curated, intimate convention with roughly 40–50 participants, creating an environment where it’s easy to connect with everyone and stay fully engaged. The smaller scale eliminates the chaos of larger events, making it simple to navigate both the space and the schedule while fostering a strong sense of community.
​
Attendees are well taken care of, with shared meals and buffets that reinforce the social, communal atmosphere. The entire experience feels intentional and personal rather than overwhelming or impersonal.
​
At the heart of the event is the Incarnate tournament, with this year’s chapter titled Frostbite. While Incarnate appears at other conventions, new chapters traditionally debut here in Lake Geneva just ahead of Gary Con, making this gathering the annual launch point for the evolving storyline.
Why This Con Is for You
This convention is an excellent fit for players who enjoy collaborative, team-based gameplay in a structured, tournament-style setting. You’ll be part of a group working together under multiple DMs, facing the same scenarios as other teams and competing to earn the highest score. The Dungeon Masters they get for the event are impressive- Keith Urban, Sir Andrew Scott Perry and Zeb Cook represent pillars from the games history while Kesey Dionne, TJ Storm and Amy Vorpahl are great examples of a newer generation who also run amazing games.
​
Success comes from a mix of strategy, creativity, and teamwork. Each scenario challenges you to solve riddles, navigate dangerous situations, and overcome powerful enemies—all while maximizing points and efficiency.
​
If you enjoy cooperative problem-solving, a bit of competitive pressure, and the satisfaction of executing as a team, this event delivers a uniquely rewarding experience.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
It’s worth addressing the elephant in the room: this is an expensive event. For many attendees, this isn’t just a casual weekend—it’s their annual vacation. Instead of spending on traditional getaways like beaches, theme parks, or resorts, they’re choosing to invest that time and budget into this experience.
​
Because the event is so thoughtfully curated and well catered, the cost reflects that. If price is a significant barrier, this may simply not be the right fit—and that’s an important consideration going in.
​
The tournament structure can also feel restrictive. The schedule is fairly fixed, the format is structured, and you’ll be playing with the same group of players throughout the event. For some, that consistency is a strength—but for others who prefer more flexibility or variety in their gaming experience, it may feel limiting.
​
Additionally, arriving without a team can be challenging. The event is very team-oriented, and without an established group, it can feel a bit isolating at first. Finding a team with an open seat isn’t guaranteed, though it does happen. I was fortunate in my first year to join a team that had an opening, which made the experience immediately welcoming—even down to being included enough to wear a team jersey. Not everyone may have that same smooth entry, so it’s something to be aware of as a first-time attendee.
​
​
Ticketing Process
The ticketing process itself is fairly straightforward, with registration handled through Tabletop Events. Once you’re in, however, your experience becomes closely tied to the structure and schedule of the tournament.
​
What the ticket provides goes well beyond basic entry. Attendees receive thoughtfully put-together swag bags, custom jerseys with their names on them, and unique keepsakes like rings. Meals are catered, reinforcing the all-inclusive, communal feel of the event.
​
Importantly, the ticket also opens up access to accommodations tied to Gary Con, which begins immediately after this event concludes. For many attendees, that connection is a significant factor in planning, allowing them to seamlessly transition from one convention to the next without relocating.
​
While the price of admission is high, it does come with a range of benefits that extend beyond the core gameplay experience—especially for those intending to attend both events as part of a larger trip.
​
​​
​
Venue and Accommodations
The convention is held at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, the same venue that hosts Gary Con. The setting adds an extra layer of appeal, with a design influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright that gives the space a distinctive, upscale character.
​
For an event of this size, the facility feels more than spacious enough. Games are hosted in private boardrooms and ballrooms, which enhances both comfort and immersion. The overall atmosphere leans into a sense of quiet comfort, reinforcing the intimate and curated nature of the convention.
​
Meals are partially included, with breakfast and lunch provided through buffet vouchers distributed by the event. Dinners, however, are left open, giving attendees the flexibility to explore on their own or gather with friends in smaller groups.
​
​
Travel and Accessibility
Getting to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is relatively straightforward, though it’s not especially central for most travelers. The drive is about five hours from the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, roughly 75 minutes from Madison, and about an hour from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
​
While Lake Geneva does have a small municipal airport, most attendees traveling from farther away will likely fly into Chicago and then make their way to the resort by rental car or rideshare—often at a significant cost.
​
For those driving in, parking at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa was plentiful and convenient. There was no issue finding a spot during the event, which made arrival and daily logistics easy for out-of-town attendees.
​
​
Final Thoughts
This convention offers a uniquely focused and immersive experience that stands apart from larger, more chaotic events. It’s intentionally designed for a specific kind of player—someone who values teamwork, structure, and a shared narrative experience over casual or drop-in play.
​
For the right attendee, it can easily become a highlight of the year and a cornerstone of their convention calendar. For others, the cost, structure, or team-based format may be limiting.
​
But for those who fit its style, this event doesn’t just deliver a weekend of gaming—it creates a memorable, communal experience that sets the tone for everything that follows at Gary Con and beyond.
GenghisCon
Aurora, CO February 19-22nd 2026 Alex Kammer
Overall Experience
I had a tremendous time. They have created a wonderful community and the show is all about gaming. The energy reminds me of early Gamehole Cons.
Why This Con Is for You
If you are into smaller and more intimate RPG intensive cons, this is a must attend. While they do have a small Dealer Hall with a number of national and local vendors, this show is all about the actual gaming. Their attendance is around 1,200 – 1,300. Finally, they have a nice number of well-known industry Guests. It is always fun to see these people at smaller and more intimate events.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
If you want a “big” show experience, this will likely not satisfy. While they have plenty of great RPG games and a robust miniatures room, if you are super into board games and/or CCGs, you might be disappointed.
​
​
Ticketing Process
They use the Table Top Events service. The process is buying a badge and then registering and paying for individual ticketed gaming events separately.
​​
Facilities
The Hyatt Aurora
​
Theme of Con
GenghisCon enjoys a very celebratory vibe that is all about the fun and camaraderie of the wonderful RPG hobby. They do have other event types as well, but the main theme that comes through is the focus on community, especially the RPG one.
​
Food Options
The show is located in a Hyatt and while that restaurant is not bad, there are several good restaurants within reasonable walking distance.
​
Travel
Aurora, Colorada is a suburb of Denver and is just 15 minutes away from the Denver airport. This makes getting there really easy.
Con of the North
Bloomington, MN February 13-15th 2026 Matt Raskin
Overall Experience
I wasn't sure what to expect walking into Con of the North this year. I knew the numbers going in: over 1,600 gaming sessions, nearly 500 unique board game titles, nearly 500 RPG sessions, a brand new venue twice the size of the old one. But numbers don't really tell you what a convention feels like.
What it felt like was this: everywhere you looked, people were playing games. In the scheduled rooms, in the hallways, at tables pushed against the walls in corners of the lobby. And they were smiling. That sounds simple but it's genuinely what stayed with me. Not the programming or the logistics or the vendor hall. Just the constant, almost overwhelming presence of people doing something they love together. It was a celebration of the hobby in the most literal sense, and being surrounded by that much shared joy for a full weekend is something I wasn't quite prepared for.
Con of the North is Minnesota's longest running gaming convention, 33 years old this year, and that history doesn't feel dusty. It feels earned. This is a community that knows exactly what it is and doesn't apologize for any of it.
Why This Con Is for You
If you love tabletop gaming in any form, this convention belongs on your calendar. The variety is hard to overstate. More than half the sessions were board games, with modern favorites like Arcs, Root, and Leviathan Wilds alongside hundreds of other titles. The RPG programming was equally deep, with strong organized play from Twinheim Gaming and MNPOP plus a staggering range of indie games from Pirate Borg to Candela Obscura to Monster of the Week. If you wanted to try something you'd never heard of before, there was almost certainly a table running it somewhere in that hotel.
The Friday and Saturday night epics, the multi-table Pathfinder special, over 100 Adventurers League sessions, newer systems like Daggerheart and Mothership for the curious. There was something here for every kind of player. It was also great to see local studios showing up and running games. Wyldwolf Games, a Minnesota RPG studio known for running immersive professional campaigns, was there bringing their particular brand of storytelling to the convention floor.
There was even a dedicated computer gaming room running all weekend. Every era of gaming represented under one roof.
But what really sets Con of the North apart is the community woven into the fabric of it. This wasn't a convention that tolerates its community. It was built by people who genuinely care about bringing gamers together, and you feel that difference from the second you walk through the door.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
Con of the North is completely and unapologetically focused on playing games. If what you love most about conventions is celebrity panels, autograph lines, cosplay competitions, or the spectacle side of fandom, this probably isn't your weekend. Every bit of energy here goes toward getting people to the table, and it does that one thing extraordinarily well.
At roughly 1,600 attendees this convention lives in a comfortable middle ground. Large enough to offer serious variety. Intimate enough that the hallways never feel overwhelming and you'll start recognizing faces by Saturday afternoon. If you've ever felt lost in a massive expo or understimulated at a small local con, this is probably the sweet spot you've been looking for
​
​
Ticketing Process
Registration was handled online and the process was about as painless as it gets. Preregistration runs from July through December at $60 and bumps to $70 in January. On-site badges are $80 for the full weekend, $70 for Saturday and Sunday, or $60 for Sunday only. Every game is included with your badge. No per-event ticketing, no generic tickets to juggle. You sign up for what you want and show up ready to play.
Badge pickup is on-site only with registration opening at 11 AM on Friday and 7:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday. The volunteers at the desk were genuinely warm and went out of their way to recommend sessions worth catching while you were there. It was a small touch but it set the tone for the whole weekend
​​
Facilities
This was Con of the North's first year at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bloomington after spending two decades at the Crowne Plaza in Plymouth. The new venue is a significant upgrade in space and even in this first year it felt like a natural fit with plenty of room to grow.
The Magnetron staff in their purple vests and the orange and yellow vested volunteers were easy to spot and genuinely happy to help. The space was clean, comfortable, and well laid out for a weekend of gaming. There's food and coffee on-site, a grab and go option if you're between sessions, and yes, warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in. That's just the DoubleTree way.
​
Food Options
The on-site food was solid, and admittedly I didn't eat a lot, but there were several stations scattered throughout making it easy to grab something between games. Everything looked exactly as you'd expect from a hotel convention setup. Nothing that's going to blow your mind, but you're not going to go hungry either. For anything more exciting the Bloomington area has plenty of options within a short drive, but honestly with games running until 2 AM most people seemed perfectly happy to stay put and get back to the table
​
Travel
The DoubleTree sits right off I-494 near Highway 100, about 10 minutes from Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport with a hotel shuttle running between 5:30 AM and midnight. Parking is plentiful with overflow next door if needed, so driving in is completely stress free.
For Midwest folks this is a very drivable weekend trip. Roughly five hours from Milwaukee, six from Chicago, three and a half from Des Moines, about four from Madison. If you can grab a room in the hotel I'd strongly recommend it. Rolling out of bed and walking straight to your first session is one of those small luxuries that makes a whole weekend feel different.
One honest heads up: this is mid-February in Minnesota. It will be cold. Pack accordingly. But if you're the kind of person willing to brave a Midwestern winter to play games all weekend, you're exactly the kind of person who belongs here.
Dirty 20
Burbank, CA January 312026 Dinah McLean
Overall Experience
The Dirty20 experience is one of fun, friendliness, and creativity. There was a wide variety of games held in 15 different spaces throughout the Titmouse offices. The schedule was oriented around maximum game time, with lunch and dinner orders coming to the tables while we played and relatively brief breaks between games. Even so, there was time to connect with friends I didn’t play with, peruse the amazing art and other cool items in the silent auction, and explore the halls of this very cool animation studio.
​
The biggest highlight of this convention was our host, the Titmouse Foundation. The vibe for the day was kicked off by a fleet of welcoming and charming volunteers who checked us in, helped us find coffee and snacks, handed out gift bags and, throughout the day, offered help in ways that went above and beyond. The people running this event were combination of Foundation employees, scholarship recipients, and their partners and friends, and they were all, across the board, entirely lovely. Their commitment to making Dirty20 a positive experience shone through in ways big and small throughout the day.
​
Why This Con Is for You
If you enjoy creating a collaborative, cinematic story while playing an RPG, then this is a great convention for that. Throughout the day, my GMs and fellow gamers were playing with character voices, bringing us into worlds with music and story, sketching characters and game elements in addition to the maps and character sheets provided. I’ve lived in LA for over 22 years and have always been surrounded by creatives—this is the convention where it seemed like they were comfortable letting that part of themselves truly shine. If you like bringing your kids to conventions, they also had a separate kids badge as well as spaces, games, and fantastic GMs on deck for the under-18 crowd. Finally, I noted an intentional level of psychological safety available to players at this convention that might be rolling in on various neurodivergent and/or gender spectrums, and that felt very welcoming.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
If you prefer a more traditional or even old-school approach to your games, this convention might not be for you. Gaming options leaned more towards DnD 5e, newer indie games, or other homebrewed concoctions where the “rule of cool” is favored for the rules as written. Also, even though these were some of the coolest offices I’ve ever seen (see below under Facilities), they are still, at the end of the day, offices. If you’re going to Cons to get out of your work environment, then this one might not be your vibe.
​
Ticketing Process
Badges and tickets ran through TableTop.events, so if you’re familiar with that platform or have an account, then getting a ticket is pretty straightforward
​
Theme of the Con
“Level Up for Chaotic Good!” The Titmouse Foundation creates scholarships to support young, underserved artists in the animation industry, and all profits from Dirty20 went towards that effort. I also happen to know that some badge discounts were offered to artists as a way of making sure they felt welcomed and centered at this event.
​
Facilities
So, okay. On the one hand, yes, we were playing in an office building, mostly in conference rooms. On the other hand, I was not ready for how fun, cool, and absolutely saturated in art and creativity these offices are! Everywhere you look, on every floor, there is art—original, painted interpretations of famous movie posters framed in every hallway. Murals on every floor. Even the bathrooms have pop culture images on every stall, with toys and doodads adorning the sinks. On top of all this creative inspiration is a level of care, with every conference room stocked with everything from art supplies to post-its to a mini-fridge of waters & sodas.
And then there’s the vans.
When you walk into the front doors of Titmouse Studios, you enter a foyer flanked on the right and left by these dope, painted vans that have been built into the walls. BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE. The gold and brown van holds a bar behind its fantastically-muraled exterior. And behind the purple van is the gaming room of my Gen X dreams: purple lighting, a built-in GM screen, trippy Beholder wallpaper. It’s a feast for the eyes of any visitor to the studio, and a real treat for anyone who gets to play here.
​
Food Options
Breakfast included coffee, tea, and donuts; lunch was a choice of sandwiches from Ike’s Love and Sandwiches; dinner was an entrée and side from local food truck, The Viking Truck. For lunch and dinner we made our choices from a list of about eight options, wrote down any dietary restrictions, and volunteers picked up our orders and delivered our food in our games.
​
Travel
For those coming a fair distance, the good news is that Titmouse Studios is less than 10 minutes from the Burbank Airport, one of the easiest places to travel through in the whole country. The bad news is, not every city flies directly in and out of Burbank, so you get to choose—do you want to make a stop on the way to Burbank and extend your travel time, or fly directly to LAX, which is a solid 45 – 90 minutes away by car? Once you’re in town, there’s an abundance of affordable hotels near the studios in Burbank and plenty of free parking at the venue for anyone coming in with a car.
Wizards and Blizzards
Saint Paul, MN January 23-25. 2026 Rod Salm
Overall Experience
Wizards & Wlizzards is that special type of game event that simply can’t be replicated as the spirit of the organizers and volunteers drive the event. Their love of gaming with friends came through in all the many touches that they offer to the invited attendees. Touches such as the personalized name tags, shared food, easy scheduling, great venue, snacks!, friendly smiles, and the desire for all to make sure we all had a good time. Most people knew each other on a first name basis at the con, but I, who was attending for the first time and knew very few, felt like I was gaming with old friends. And would want to play with them again. I would invite anyone I met at this con to play at my home game and they would fit right in. Which is what this con really is, a home game event of immense proportions – it honestly felt like my own group of players at every table. No egos, just good play and fun to be had by all.
​
Why This Con Is for You
Boutique invite-only cons like this bring together like-minded gamers to play the games that they enjoy most. The smaller number of people enable truly meaningful conversations, you recognize people quicker, make friends throughout the event, and enjoy the types of games you want to play with masterful DM’s and high-quality players. This con is for people who truly like gaming, and appreciate the chance to mingle and meet similar people who share your specific gaming interests.
​
I particularly liked the structured game times with ample time between to reset, recharge, conversate, feed up, and find your next game. All games were slotted for four hours with an hour between (and one game on Sunday prior to clean-up). The other great feature was no games on Friday night, instead, it’s registration time with a meet and greet – great way to get that chit-chat out of the way, meet new folk, and not have to hit a game deadline after a long drive to get to the con.
​
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
If you like the crush of players of GenCon, this definitely isn’t for you. If you’re a celebrity autograph chaser, skip this one. If you’d rather talk about the big name youtubers, instead of what your player did in the last game that made you laugh out loud, again, this con isn’t for you. Authenticity is palatable here and the con isn’t formulated to pander to the glossier side of the gaming industry.
​
Ticketing Process
Absolutely no issues with ticketing. You pick your favourites games and are given the list of games you got into. You may not get all the games you wanted but you’ll get great games regardless! Hand-picked, tested, and vetted DM’s run the games they want to – ensuring a good game at every table.
​
Theme of the Con
This is a little harder to pin down for me to express. Of course, since it is in January in Minnesota the weather can be chaotic neutral and will be cold so the Blizzards & Wizards is on point (the warmth of the hosts will warm your heart and soul for many weeks afterwards). It’s a curated game experience with curated players, to give the best possible RPG experience possible in an incredible facility, so I'd say the theme is "the best possible home game you can imagine".
​
Facilities
Lots of room, great venue, inspirational in fact, and the hometown gamers/organizers really respect and appreciate what they have there. It’s a treasure.
​
Food Options
This con had asked for people to bring in food to share – that alone should tell you about the camaraderie this event builds and encourages. Enough people brought food that provided food for all for both days in a buffet of potlucks. A great option providing many choices of delicious foods hitting all the dietary restraints. Due to travel the week prior I was unable to help in this regard but greatly appreciated not having to leave the venue and search for what would be sub-par food in comparison.
​
Lots of options for hotel, easy flights, ample parking, and simple to find. Keep in mind that it’s January in a northern state - that may deter some folks from the drive, and that’s ok. The people who are willing to make the journey in -30 to play games are hard-core, dedicated players that help build the energy of the event.
PAGE III (Philadelphia Area Gaming Expo)
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA January 15-18 2026 Alex Kammer
Overall Experience
This is a relatively new and fast-growing con in Philadelphia, PA. Like most newer shows, it is experiencing some growing pains but it is an overall great show. This show fills a sorely needed regional niche as there really are few dedicated tabletop gaming conventions in this region. While acknowledging PAX Unplugged, PAX U is purely an expo. It does not have any ticketed gaming events. PAGE fills this vacuum nicely and I am sure it will continue to grow.
​
The overall vibe of the show is outstanding. If you love playing RPGs at cons, then this will be a good show for you. While they are still working out how to best use their space, the con organizers clearly have their hearts in the right place. The show is all about gaming and really nothing else.
​
Why This Con Is for You
If you are an avid RPG player, and especially a fan of older systems, this show is for you. OSR games are very well represented at PAGE. They use the nearly ubiquitous TableTop Events system so finding games and registering for games is easy. This is a classically run show, meaning that to attend, you purchase a badge and then register for each event you want, each coming at a separate cost.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
If you are really not into RPGs, this one may not be for you. Also, while it is called “Philadelphia Area Gaming Expo” the “area” is doing a lot of work here. The show is located in an older convention center well out of Philadelphia proper. It is in a suburban strip center environment and getting to and from even the closest hotels is roughly a half mile walk. Given the time of year, I would strongly recommend coming with a vehicle.
​
Ticketing Process
PAGE uses the TableTop Events system so if you have attended any other show that uses this, your login will work and you should have no problem navigating their ticketing process.
​
Theme of the Con
It is very much an RPG centric show with the emphasis on older games. If you are a big fan of newly released RPGs and event 5th edition D&D, you will find more limited options. These games are present, but the emphasis is very much OSR.
​
Facilities
The show is located in a suburb of Philadelphia at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.
​
Food Options
The show is located in an older convention center but has decent but very much standard convention fare. There are a couple of chain restaurants closeish to the convention, but I would recommend having a vehicle in order to access better food options. There are many amazing and not too distant restaurant, café, and deli options.
​
Travel
Philadelphia enjoys a nice sized and reasonable airport. The show is a 30-45 minute drive from the airport, depending on traffic.
Trekonderoga Gaming Invitational
Ticonderoga NY Dec 13-14 2026 Amy Larson Pearson
Overall Experience
First of all, let me clarify that the Trekonderoga Gaming Invitational was a private event hosted by a gaming instigator for a small group of Star Trek fans and role playing gamers at the Star Trek set located in Ticonderoga, NY. (Not to be confused with the Trekonderoga Star Trek fan event held at the same location.) We wanted to report on this event because it was such a great idea and suggests other site specific gaming events you and your friends can create.
​
The basic premise was simple and brilliant: visit the Star Trek sets created by superfan James Cawley, show up in uniform, and play the Modiphius Star Trek Roleplaying Game on the actual sets. This glorious intersection of nerdery was masterminded by our friend George, who contacted James with the (admittedly crazy) idea of renting out the facility for a full-day private event. Once that was approved, George recruited three game masters who together created a game module for three groups that would be played simultaneously on the set.
​
James is one of those rare visionaries who has built and outfitted these sets using a mix of hand-built scenery, working electronics, and even a few original-series relics. It is very clearly a labor of love. Our group was instructed to enjoy the space while being extremely careful—overenthusiasm is a known hazard when fans encounter something this special.
With a hilarious, respectful group of players, accurate uniforms, and thoughtful play, we managed to create a truly magical experience—one that took immersive role-playing to an entirely new level.
​
Why This Con Is for You
This experience is ideal if you are both a Star Trek: The Original Series superfan and a tabletop role-playing gamer. That overlap is the sweet spot that makes this event worth the effort.
​
Pulling it off does require organization. Coordinating with the venue took time, the logistics of play required dedicated game masters, and Ticonderoga is fairly off the beaten path. That said, if all of this sounds exciting rather than daunting, we wholeheartedly recommend going for it.
​
The owner and staff initially thought we were a little nuts—but once we settled into play in engineering, the holodeck, and Bones’ laboratory, they realized we were harmless, respectful, and genuinely invested. By the end of the day, they seemed open to hosting more gaming groups in the future.
​
This experience sent our group down a rabbit hole of researching other immersive locations that might be willing to host games. Star Wars? Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters? This event convinced us that immersive gaming can go far beyond D&D in a wine cellar.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
This event definitely requires a love of Star Trek: The Original Series and a willingness to lean in—Starfleet uniforms included (go-go boots and wigs optional, though encouraged if you’re me).
It also takes time, budget, and initiative. If traveling to upstate New York to play a few hours of games sounds like too much work, this probably isn’t the experience for you.
​
Ticketing Process
Booking the venue was handled largely over the phone, which initially raised some concerns about how smoothly the day would run. George spent a lot of time wrangling attendees—making sure we all had uniforms, understood how to treat the sets respectfully, and arrived on time.
​
We received regular communications from George throughout the planning process, which went a long way toward ensuring everyone had a great experience. If you’re considering running a gaming convention of any kind, a small private event like this is an excellent place to start.
​
Theme of the Con
Star Trek.
Obviously.
​
Facilities
The Star Trek Tour sets are genuinely impressive. It’s remarkable what one talented and dedicated fan can create. The facility includes the bridge, engineering, the captain’s quarters, sickbay, the transporter room, and connecting hallways—complete with lighting, screens, and sound effects.
Our group played in engineering, accompanied by the steady thrum of the warp core, which added a wonderful layer of immersion. The staff were welcoming and kicked things off with a full tour and plenty of Star Trek trivia.
The building was a bit chilly—we were there during the museum’s off-season—but no one minded.
​
Food Options
We wanted to maximize our time on set, and food and drinks aren’t allowed inside, so beverages and snacks stayed in the parking lot. When we broke for lunch, we found several nearby spots across the street that were able to accommodate our group quickly and easily.
Sadly, no replicators..
​
Travel
The Star Trek Tour is located in Ticonderoga, NY, about 90 minutes from the Albany airport and nearly a five-hour drive from New York City. George arranged lodging at the Lodge at Schroon Lake, roughly 30 minutes away.
The Adirondacks in December were absolutely stunning, and the Lodge was warm, welcoming, and generous. The bar and restaurant hosted not only our group but also locals and other visitors enjoying a winter getaway—making it a perfect home base for the event.
Pig Faced Orc Con
Bakersfield, CA October 25th 2025
George Krstic
Overall Experience
Pig-Faced Orc Con was a unique, almost boutique gaming experience—very focused, very small, and very welcoming.
The gaming was fantastic, and the vibe was even better. I was genuinely taken aback by how intimate and warm the whole event felt. Games were spread across the make-up room, dressing area, and stage of a small indie theater, which made everything feel even more engaging.
​
We also learned that the con serves as a touchpoint for both a Fresno wargaming club and the local RPG community, giving us the chance to connect with two sides of gaming culture that rarely overlap at the same event.
My crew and I will definitely be returning next year—and some of us may even be running games.
​
Why This Con Is for You
This is a very intimate convention focused on RPGs and wargames from the ’70s and ’80s, hosted by a friendly staff dedicated to making every session enjoyable. It’s grassroots and sincere—everyone attending, GMing, or organizing was simply there to have fun, tell jokes, and roll dice.
​
The crowd was multigenerational and very welcoming. I was lucky enough to play a session of Gamma World with a grandfather, his son, and his grandson—and we had a blast swapping jokes and memes across decades of gaming experience.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
It’s a very small, one-day con capped at 40 attendees, and it’s focused on old-school and retro-school games. This year’s venue was a small warehouse/community theater in the middle of the Bakersfield desert with no walkable food options (though a small snack café was available on-site).
​
Ticketing Process
Tickets were available through Tabletop Events for $5 each, and all individual game sessions were free. Tickets were also available at the door.
​
Theme of the Con
Old-school through and through. If there was an old TSR game you always wanted to try, chances are someone was running it at PFOC. Despite being complete strangers, we were welcomed like long-lost friends. And after the small adventure of driving out and finding the venue, it almost felt like we were being congratulated for completing a quest to discover one of the nerdiest gaming events out there—and honestly, it felt great.
​
Facilities
Originally held in a library in Northern California, PFOC has grown enough that the organizers needed a temporary new venue. This year, it took place at The Empty Space Theater in Bakersfield. Though small and rustic, it was a blast playing on a stage set for that evening’s Dracula production. The organizers mentioned they’re looking for a larger venue next year, but it will remain somewhere in Bakersfield.
​
Food Options
There was a small pop-up café on-site with limited offerings. Everything else required a drive, with most options being fast food due to the industrial area. The brief breaks between sessions didn’t leave much time to wander off.
​
Travel
Bakersfield sits roughly halfway between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, making it a bit inconvenient for many travelers. For most of us, it was about a two-hour drive north of LA. Parking was limited, but workable thanks to the low attendance cap.
Gamehole Con
Madison, WI October 16th-19th, 2025
Chip Pearson
Overall Experience
Gamehole Con continues to be my favorite convention of all those I attend. Alex and his crew set a high standard that I wish more conventions would follow. The facilities are well appointed, the volunteers are incredibly helpful, and events run smoothly with no obvious glitches. The attendee mix is excellent—lots of locals, plenty of folks from around the Midwest, and a strong national and international presence.
​
Attendance this year was estimated between 6,400 and 6,500, which makes it a substantial and energetic event. There’s strong representation across card games, board games, historic miniature wargames, and of course, tons of tabletop RPGs. In addition to True Dungeon, the convention launched its own organized play program, Wardens of the Eastern Marches. While I didn’t participate, everything I heard was positive, and players seemed to love it.
​
The charity auction was another highlight: full of great items, entertaining to watch, and raising money for a good cause.
​​
​
Why This Con Is for You
You like playing games—full stop. This con attracts a wonderful cross-section of the gaming community. A number of TSR alumni from the OD&D, AD&D, and 90s eras were present, running games and chatting with attendees. They were relaxed, friendly, and incredibly generous with their time.
The age range is equally broad: from original-era gamers to kids under 10. There’s even a dedicated kids’ track, making it easy to bring children or grandkids. Grognards and blue mohawks mix together effortlessly throughout the weekend.
​
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
If your priority is celebrity sightings, autograph sessions, or photo ops with famous personalities, you may walk away disappointed. While there are some well-known YouTube and online personalities present, Gamehole Con is firmly gaming-first, not celebrity-focused.
​
​
Ticketing Process
Gamehole Con uses its own proprietary registration software, and it works very well. You can register yourself, family members, and coordinate games with friends easily. Aside from occasional external issues (such as AWS outages), the system supports the convention seamlessly.
​
The pricing philosophy is smart: badges are modestly priced, but each game carries a fee. This keeps the con accessible to people who simply want to attend and join open pickup games. Tickets generally start at $2, with higher prices for premium events or games run by special DMs.
​
​
Theme of the Con
The heart of Gamehole Con is simple: playing games and making friends. The organizers curate excellent game sessions and also provide lots of additional activities. The charity auction was lively and meaningful, the Friday night party brought everyone together, and the inaugural Mad Orc 5K gave fitness-minded gamers a fun way to participate. The con excels at creating opportunities for people to connect.
​
​
Facilities
The event takes place at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI—a classic civic convention complex built in the 1980s. It’s a bit dated, but functional and spacious. This year marked the first time the con expanded into the New Holland building, which came with a few growing-pains that will no doubt be smoothed out in future years.
​
There’s ample room to move around, though restrooms—like at any convention—get busy and could use more frequent upkeep by day’s end. Parking is abundant and free, and the organizers have been working with the city to demonstrate the event’s economic benefit. Interestingly, Gamehole Con has become Madison’s second-largest tourist event, making it a major boost for the local economy.
​
Food Options
The Alliant Energy Center’s built-in food options are fairly standard for an aging convention facility. Fortunately, Gamehole Con has found a great solution: a lineup of food trucks with outdoor seating in a pleasant pavilion area. With October trending warmer in recent years, this setup should only get better.
​
Nearby restaurants can get crowded, especially those within walking distance. We opted for a supper club about ten minutes away and were seated immediately—prime rib and old fashioneds included. Because so many attendees drive, there are lots of options within a short radius, including downtown and the university area.
​
A standout convenience is the RV parking with electrical and water hookups. We stayed on site in our rig at a very reasonable cost, and we saw plenty of trailers, vans, motorhomes, and even tents close to the entrance. It’s the only convention I know of that offers RV accommodations right on site.
​
​
Travel
For us, coming from the Twin Cities, Madison is an easy four-hour drive. The city does have a regional airport, but it’s small, and some travelers may find better flight options into Chicago, followed by a two-hour drive. As mentioned earlier, on-site parking is abundant, making this a particularly easy convention to attend by car. The venue sits right off a major highway and is straightforward to access.
Arnecon
Saint Louis Park, MN October 10th-12th , 2025
Amy Larson Pearson
Overall Experience
ArneCon is a young convention in its third year in the Twin Cities, honoring the legacy of Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Dave Arneson. As a St. Paulite living only blocks from the Arneson family home, I’m always interested in learning more about the game’s Minnesota roots. The convention is supported by the Arneson family and highlights how the game grew out of Arneson’s original Blackmoor group.
​
Attendance is intimate—somewhere between 150 and 300 people. It’s hard to estimate because games are spread across many smaller rooms, and the hallways stay fairly quiet. The focus is on old-school games and special guests, including people from the original Blackmoor table. This year’s guests included Sandy Petersen, David Megarry, Ronin Wong, Justin Alexander, and more.
The vendor hall is small, but if you want real conversations with an indie creator, this is the place—publishers actually have time to chat.
​
Why This Con Is for You
Although ArneCon is small, I’ve played nothing but high-quality games there over the years. The players have consistently been generous, engaged, and friendly. The GMs were well prepared and ran fascinating sessions. For example, Ronin Wong ran a playtest of Mutant, a pioneering sci-fi game created in 1972 that never found a publisher. And yes—we played it on Dave Arneson’s original game table, a converted ping-pong table. How cool is that?
​
This is the con for you if you want serious, focused gameplay and a chance to explore the history of tabletop RPGs while connecting with thoughtful, passionate gamers.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
ArneCon is all about the games, so choose your sessions carefully and keep an eye on late additions. I joined Justin Alexander’s Mothership game at the last minute and pulled a few friends into it—absolutely worth it. But if you’re hoping to shop, the vendor hall is sparse and mostly limited to books. And if you want a high-energy convention with spectacle and big events, this quiet, low-key con may feel a little sleepy.
​
Ticketing Process
ArneCon uses Tabletop.Events. It has the usual limitations of that platform, but it works well enough. My schedule changed several times—multiple games were cancelled—but I was able to pick up replacement games that were added later. Don’t get too attached to your schedule; be flexible and check for updates. The con hosts communicated about late-added games very well.
​
Theme of the Con
ArneCon leans into the historical roots of the hobby—Blackmoor, OD&D, Dungeon, and the legacy of Dave Arneson. That said, there are plenty of DMs running modern games as well, and it’s wonderful to see the throughline from the earliest days of the hobby to the present.
​
Facilities
The convention is held at a DoubleTree in Minneapolis in October—a beautiful time to visit Minnesota. There’s plenty to do in the area, including excellent local game stores. However, the event space is somewhat spread out and confusing, and the signage had us sharing hallways with a sales training session. The hosts did their best with maps and directional signs, and they were extremely friendly. Personally, I’d love to see the convention move to St. Paul—Dave Arneson’s hometown—and into a venue that doesn’t smell like an indoor pool.
​
Food Options
The organizers improved food availability this year, with the hotel offering grab-and-go options. Still, after several years attending, I’ve learned to bring my own snacks and drinks. There’s only one bar serving everyone, and it’s not always staffed to handle the crowd. You don’t want to miss chunks of your game waiting in line, so come prepared.
​
Travel
This is my home convention, so getting there was just a quick trip across town. But traveling in from out of state is easy—Minneapolis is a Delta hub with direct flights to most major cities. The hotel seems comfortable, and there are many restaurants within walking distance. You can easily Uber in and stay onsite for the weekend. And because ArneCon is held in October, you get beautiful weather, low snow risk, and a great time to explore the city. Parking was plentiful, and the directions were straightforward.
Las Vegas Open (LVO)
Las Vegas, NV October 2nd-5th 2025
George Krstic
Overall Experience
Overwhelming, frustrating, and amazing all at once—the Las Vegas Open was my second 40K tournament, but it definitely won’t be my last. I learned a ton, met many wonderful gamers, attended some truly unique events, and even managed to grab painting classes with a few of the world’s top miniature artists.
​
Billed as the largest Games Workshop–focused event in North America, LVO absolutely delivers on scale. Walking past hundreds of tables was an incredible sight, and the sheer variety of armies and terrain alone was worth the price of admission.
​
That said, it became clear very quickly that getting even basic information was a you problem. The website had almost no usable details, the help desk had even less, and while staff and volunteers were friendly, no one seemed to actually know anything. It felt a bit like I was back in Jersey City where “Nobody knows nothin’!” I eventually discovered that befriending a con veteran was essential even find my games.
​
While the classes, game sessions, and spectacle of the armies were absolutely top-tier, the lack of organization and reliable information was an unnecessary hurdle. As a result, I’m not sure I need to return to LVO, and I may avoid future events run by this organizer.
​
Why This Con Is for You
LVO showcases an incredible number of wargames—every type you can imagine, plus a handful of RPGs and card games. The venue was massive and packed with tables, terrain, and armies of every style. Almost every tabletop wargame was represented, with an obvious emphasis on GW titles. If you’ve ever wanted to see fully painted armies clashing across beautifully built battlegrounds, this event is a must.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
It’s loud, huge, expensive, and disorganized—plus, it’s in Vegas. The con is geared primarily toward competitive players, so if you prefer narrative-focused or chill, friendly gaming, this one is probably a pass.
​
Ticketing Process
Passes and events were available through the Frontline Gaming web portal, but—consistent with the theme—core information was sparse. Many essential details had to be gathered in person on the convention floor.
​
Theme of the Con
Competitive Warhammer—40K and Age of Sigmar—is the main draw, supported by a broad range of other wargames. As a feeder event for higher-level GW tournaments, many players show up ready to compete seriously and climb the rankings. More relaxed games tended to happen after-hours.
​
Facilities
This was LVO’s first year in the World Market Center. The venue was enormous, well-air-conditioned, and never felt crowded. Food, dining areas, and restrooms were all conveniently on the same floor, so you never had to stray far from your table. With an outdoor mall across the street, there were plenty of walkable dining options ranging from casual to upscale.
The con hotel was an Uber ride away and reasonably affordable but being right on Fremont Street meant it was very loud. (If you love ’70s/’80s rock and heavy metal—as I do—you’ll be fine.)
​
Food Options
On-site cafés, food trucks, and a variety of walkable restaurants were available—and of course, this is Vegas, so excellent dining isn’t hard to find.
​
Travel
Easy access via McCarran International Airport, followed by a quick 15-minute Uber ride to the old strip. Fremont Street is only a few blocks away, and several quirky museums are nearby as well.
North Texas RPG Con
Irving Texas, 5-8 June 2025
Chip Pearson
Overall Experience
We had an amazing time at North Texas RPG Con (NTX), and I can see why it’s one of the conventions people rave about. The volunteer staff embodied true Texas hospitality—warm, friendly, and welcoming. The printed guide was deluxe, packed with useful information, and even included a complete game listing in print. Super old school! I wish I’d read it earlier, since it explained so much.
​
The con featured a wide range of great gaming systems, and the vendor hall was a treasure trove—mostly publishers, many of whom brought back issues and out-of-print gems.
​
Why This Con Is for You
This convention is all about the games. If you love playing a variety of mostly old-school RPGs, you’ll feel right at home. The gaming rooms were spacious, with plenty of elbow room and little background noise. Communication with your party was easy. On the flip side, when conversation paused, the rooms went very quiet.
​
The vibe here is special—like a homecoming. Many attendees were reconnecting with old friends, and the community energy was strong and welcoming.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
From its origins, NTX has been dedicated to old-school tabletop gaming. The official site notes:
“Originally founded in 2009 by Doug Rhea and Mike Badolato, the con focuses on old school tabletop gaming including Original Dungeons & Dragons and other pre-2000 RPGs.”
​
And the convention delivers on that promise. If your interest lies mainly in newer RPGs, you may have a harder time finding what you want. While there were a few younger attendees, the crowd definitely skews older. If you attend conventions for cosplay, spectacle, or big fan-driven excitement, this may not be your scene.
​
Ticketing Process
NTX uses Tabletop.events as well as anyone. However, there’s a two-step process I completely missed as a first-timer: first, an initial round of seat sales, and then a later wave when more tickets are released (similar to Gamehole Con). Fortunately, a helpful volunteer walked me through it.
​
The swag bags were great—I especially love my new tote bag!
​
Theme of the Con
This is, first and foremost, an old-school gaming convention. Events were spread across ballrooms, meeting rooms, and hotel suites, giving players plenty of space. It was easy to hear DMs and fellow players. Interestingly, even with 600 registered attendees, the con felt smaller because of how spread out it was. I rarely saw more than 80 people in one place at a time, though groups constantly shifted between spaces.
​
As a 57-year-old white guy with a shaved head and beard, I felt I blended right in with much of the crowd. But far from being stereotypical “grognards,” the community was incredibly welcoming and cool.
​
Food Options
Overall, food quality was solid. Food trucks, however, weren’t consistently present—which threw me off until I realized too late that their schedule was printed in the guide (pro move for next time).
​
The on-site restaurant served good meals but slowed down during peak hours since it was the only option. Adding a small service bar in the gaming area would be a simple improvement.
​
Facilities
The location works well for the convention, with plenty of good gaming spaces. That said, having traveled a lot for work, I found this Westin a little below brand standards. Still, it was clean, and the staff was very kind and helpful.
​
With only one restaurant and bar on-site, service sometimes lagged during peak times, but staff remained attentive and food was solid. Outside options were limited, since the hotel sits in a cluster of other hotels near the airport in a light industrial area—not exactly a dining hotspot.
​
Travel
Travel was easy. The hotel shuttle from DFW took just 10 minutes, and there was ample parking for those who drove.
​
GenCon Indy 2025
July 31-Aug 3rd 2025, Indianapolis, IN
Chip Pearson
Overall Experience
Wow—what a show! This is the largest gaming convention I’ve ever attended and likely the biggest event in the world dedicated to RPGs. This year was sold out. While official attendance numbers haven’t been released yet, organizers believe it will surpass last year’s record of 71,000. That’s an 8% increase in the city’s population during the event, with a heavy concentration around the Indiana Convention Center. From there, the convention sprawls into Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the Colts) and fills hotel conference rooms and meeting spaces for miles. We booked late and ended up staying 1.5 miles away at the Bottleworks Hotel—where even the conference rooms were packed. It’s massive!
​
Why This Con Is for You
The sheer scale of the event is breathtaking. There’s truly something for everyone: board games, RPGs, tabletop war games, card games, panels, and workshops. The vendor hall is enormous and diverse. We stopped by Shadowdark, Goodman Games, Chessex, and even Games Plus—the only vendor offering collectible games and modules from the TSR era. All ages are welcome, and families with kids are plentiful. Compared to other cons we attend, the crowd here definitely skews younger.
​
Why This Con May Not Be for You
If you prefer a narrower focus—say, OSR TTRPGs—it might feel harder to find than at smaller, more specialized conventions. The broad approach means some niche interests are represented more lightly. Because of the scale, I rarely bumped into the same people twice, even though I knew friends were there. Meeting up required careful coordination across a wide area. With so much happening, finding what you care about most takes effort. A better “interest finder” tool would really help surface specific gems among all the treasure.
​
Ticketing Process
This year brought a new website, and it works beautifully. Moving away from Tabletop.events, the new platform is fast, intuitive, and handles a huge amount of information: events, ticketing, maps, vendor lists, and more. One of GenCon’s best features is mailing out badges in advance—what a relief! Many conventions still require long on-site check-ins, but here, badges arrived in our mailbox weeks ahead, letting us jump straight into events.
Event registration is ticket-based. Some tickets arrive in the mail, others electronically. Depending on the DM, tickets may be strictly collected—or not at all.
​
Theme of the Con
This truly is the convention for everyone. Whatever your interest, there’s at least a little something for you—though it might be several blocks away.
​
Food Options
The Convention Center area offers plenty of bars, restaurants, and food stands inside the event halls. The food truck plaza has expanded, providing tons of excellent options. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find a beer truck or bar inside Lucas Oil Stadium, the food truck plaza, or the main ICC. Not a dealbreaker—we ended up at a great local dive, the Whistle Stop.
​
One standout: the city itself embraces the event. Restaurants, hotels, and shops were well-prepared and welcoming.
​
Travel
Indianapolis is easy to navigate. The airport is straightforward, and ground transportation is abundant. Our hotel was about two miles from the con (thanks to booking late), but Ubers were never more than a five-minute wait. Traffic was heavy near the ICC, but the city handled it impressively well.