This past weekend was Gen Con 2014, the largest tabletop gaming convention in the US, and it was a blast. Several of the GeekDads were in attendance this year, and we’ll be sharing photos and stories from the convention soon, after we’ve gotten home and gotten some sleep. (I’m writing this on my iPad on the plane currently.)
When Twitter feeds started filling up with #GenCon2014, some gamers who weren’t attending the convention started their own hashtag: #GenCant2014. I’m not certain, but I believe it originated with this tweet from @425Suzanne. It was soon picked up by Naked Meeple, Board Game Duel, Rolling Dice & Taking Names, and others.
It took off quickly, with people posting photos of their accommodations, the short lines, and games they were playing (such as Feeding My Kid Oatmeal).
Gen Can’t 2014 was well-attended, though official figures aren’t in yet. It was cheaper, less crowded, and general consensus is that it smelled better, too. It featured games, exclusive swag, and even cosplay. There was even a photo contest: many people and website donated prizes, and they even had a Gen Con liaison (someone attending the show) who solicited prizes from publishers at the exhibit hall.
It reminds me a lot of the Run Free Race: it’s a distributed event, one that the participants define as they go, and it grew to the point that I couldn’t keep up with all of the tweets. But if you want a good laugh, go back and take a look at the #GenCant2014 hashtag to see what you missed.
And as one “can’tventioneer” mentioned, Gen Can’t doesn’t have to end after four days. It can just keep going until next year, so it’s not too late to attend. In fact, I might just have to register when I get home. (Registration is free.)
I’ll be interested to see if Gen Can’t will be back next year, perhaps with more scheduled activities and panels? It would make for a fascinating internet-enabled alternative for those game-lovers who aren’t able to make it to Indianapolis.
Apologies for typos or incorrect links. There’s a reason I don’t usually write posts from my iPad…
Thank’s so much for writing this article. We were honored to be a part of this and had a blast promoting it. Now I’m off to help with getting those prizes given away! -Rolling Dice & Taking names
Gen Can’t was really awesome this year. I had so much fun conversing with others, making normal life into a game. I also think the photo contest was a great addition, and I’m looking forward to see if I win anything! I also donated a prize as well. Thanks for the coverage!
Thanks for bringing more awareness to our Cantvention Jonathan! It was unconventionally fun and I can’t wait seeing what happen next year.
Though next year I’m hoping to be watching what’s going on from afar while roaming the GenCon floor. Does that make me a hypocrite?
You know, I think one of the great things about Gen Can’t is that it’s a convention you can attend while also attending something else. Like Gen Con. 🙂