Program Guide abbreviation GAME
The Gaming Track primarily runs out of the Hilton.
Unlike other tracks, most of the events here are specifically games being run in time slots. Most (not all) have specific number of limited slots available. Sign-ups are handled via the Dragoncon Gaming page available at: http://gaming.dragoncon.org .
Using the sign-up page is the best way to guarantee slots for a game. Once you register, you will get an e-mail prior to the gaming sign-ups going live. Often this will allow access to see what is available so you can begin to plan your schedule.
If gaming is your primary activity at the con, you should plan your schedule accordingly. Gaming slots run in set four-hour intervals, with a one-hour break between the afternoon time slot and the evening time slot to allow for dinner. Most games will conclude with enough time to get to the next game session. Note some games will take a brief break during their session to allow for restroom breaks, a quick snack, etc.... but do not rely on this, it is up to the person running the game. A few games have longer time slots.
There is a fee to sign up for a game, this has been $3.00 per slot for some time. There is a general Board Gaming Pass you can buy for $5.00 that will allow access to a library of board games which are provided for open gaming.
Once sign-ups go live, many slots fill quickly.. however some games do not fill out at all. Many people like to sign up for games that already have a few slots filled to help guarantee there will be attendance. Note that many people running games do not have their games in at the time sign-ups go live, so check back periodically, you will find many games listed later that were not there when it first opened.
If you do not sign up in advance, you can sign-up in the con. Gaming sign-ups usually open down in the main gaming hall (bottom floor of the Hilton) Thursday Night for a few hours, and re-opens Friday morning. At this time the organizers put up large easels showing what games are being run. You can sign up for any game that has available slots. Alternately you can purchase "generics", which are tickets that can be used for any game (the cost is the same). Please be aware that if you show up for a game with generics, preference will be given to people who have an actual ticket for that game. Also, should a game you sign up for not run, the ticket for that game can be used as a generic in any other game. Please have your tickets with you when you show up for your game, someone will be by to collect them.
- Board Games - Board games are run on specific tables in the Main Gaming Hall downstairs in the Hilton. Some of these will be tournaments with only winners advancing to later sessions.
- Miniature Games - Games involving miniatures - run on specific tables in the Main Gaming Hall downstairs in the Hilton. Some of these will be tournaments with only winners advancing to later sessions.
- Collectable Card Games - Cames involving collectible Cards. Some of these will be tournaments with only winners advancing to later sessions. Some formats such as Booster Drafts may require purchasing cards to participate.
- Role-Playing Games: Role-playing games come in two flavors: Campaign and Non-Campaign. Both of them "Muster" in special rooms (more on that below).
- Campaign games usually are part of a persistent world that require having an approved character in that world beforehand. However, some of these are specifically tagged as starter or introductory games that will assist in this process. Examples of campaign games are D&D "Living Forgotten Realms" or Dave Arneson's Blackmoor.
- Non-Campaign games are obviously everything else. However, be aware that a few of these games are ongoing games, read the description for games before you sign up. Some games request GM approval before they allow you in, and some have held slots from previous years.
- Exceptions: There are a few games that are special cases:
- Shadowrun - Shadowrun does not muster with the other games (see below) and has its own room adjacent to the non-campaign RPG mustering room.
- Cheese Grinder - The Cheese Grinder is a special kind of D&D (or Pathfinder in recent years) that is run in a corner of the main gaming floor on the bottom floor. They have their own website ( http://www.thecheesegrinder.com/ ) regarding the special rules or cases each year. They are run by the same group of people, and employ a number of high tech aides such as computer-assisted battlefield maps. Be aware the purpose of this game is to slaughter characters, and they expect you to bring your most over-powered ridiculous characters so they may be slaughtered. It has no specific time interval, basically when you show up your character must be approved then you are placed in a waiting area until someone dies. Once that happens you take that person's place then you take their place. You stay until you die (or you voluntarily leave).
- The RPG Muster: The muster is a process you go through for Role-Playing games that has become almost akin to a ritual tradition. First off it is important to note that Campaign and non-Campaign games have different muster rooms. The game will not be run in the muster room, this room is only used at mustering time. Go in, grab a seat, and be a few minutes early. When the time slot begins (name of older gentleman who does the mustering) will verify that all the GMs are present, then call off their games. Anyone there for that game is asked to go with them and they are all sent to a specific table in one of the rooms down the hall. (note these notes are written assuming things stay as they have been since gaming moved to the Hilton, if this changes revision will be needed). If there are too many, preference is given to those with actual tickets. If there are not enough, they will put that game on hold for a moment to see if stragglers arrive or if others with generics wish to jump in. This will repeat for all the games, then they try to find a game for everyone without a game. This done, the mustering then ends for that session.
- RPG locations - the games that muster are usually assigned a table in one of the rooms just down the hall, there are about eight tables in each room with placard with a letter on them indicating which table is which. Note with the advent of tablets, laptops, smartphones etc. the tables near an electrical outlet are in high demand, and gamers who arrive first sometimes will change the letters placards to get the table nearest to a prized outlet. Suggestion - if such a convenience is important to you, it is a easy thing to bring along an extension chord and small power strip allowing easy connection at any table.
- Time Slots: The standard time slots are:
- 1: Friday 9am - 1pm
- 2: Friday 1pm - 5pm
- 3: Friday 6pm - 10pm
- 4: Friday 10pm-2am
- 5: Saturday 9am - 1pm
- 6: Saturday 1pm - 5pm
- 7: Saturday 6pm - 10pm
- 8: Saturday 10pm - 2am
- 9: Sunday 9am - 1pm
- 10: Sunday 1pm - 5pm
- 11 Sunday 6pm - 10am
- 12 Sunday 10pm - 2am
- 13 Monday 9am - 1pm
- 14 Monday 1pm - 5pm
- Note some games run longer than a standard time slot, 6 hours or even across two time slots. Some are tournament style games where the winners advance to later (reserved) time slots. Some are continuance games, where the game will be split across mulitple sessions. Some of these may require participating in the earlier session. The notes for the game listing should indicate whether this is the case.
- Prizes - some games have prizes provided by the game company, or by the GM. In cases of indie games this might be the same entity.
- In addition, usually most games conclude with a vote on who was the "mvp" or "player of the game" or whatever. This can be done by mutual agreement, or by a vote of the players, or assigned by the GM. Regardless of the method, the winner usually receives a token of some kind.... in years past it has been a "dragoncon coin". This coin can be kept as a souvenir or exchanged in the dealer room for $5 towards a purchase.
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