Claiming to be the number one adventure game convention in North America, Gen Con became known for their multitude of family-friendly attractions including game tournaments and a massive dealer’s room. Of course, everyone with even a peripheral connection to the RPG industry tried to score an invite to the family unfriendly but really fun after-hours game company parties!
Gen Con began in Lake Geneva (hence the name) in 1968, moved around for awhile before finding a home in Milwaukee during the ’90s. As we discussed on the podcast the other day, Gen Con was one of the D&D-related properties that were spun off of Wizards of the Coast when Hasbro acquired them. Gen Con was purchased by Wizards founder Peter Adkison and moved to Indianapolis, with satellite Gen Cons appearing in California, the UK and other locations.
So what does the bankruptcy mean for the world’s oldest gaming convention? According to the company’s press release, the show’s still on for 2008. But still, not an encouraging sign for the gaming world.
Photo by Peter Verrant. (cc)
