GenCon 07 started off with a bang:

THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition

Say those words to certain groups of dedicated players and you might have to run for your life. They are the words most feared by many 3.5 players as rumors have ebbed and flowed over the past year or so. WotC did a very good job keeping a lid on the project until now. Even I didn't get the feeling that this would be the year until the night before I left for the con, when a final clue fell into place.

THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT was Thursday evening, the first full day of the convention. However, word had slipped out earlier thanks to some internet goofs and leaks, so most people were prepared for the news. Whether they welcomed it or not was another story.

New editions of any game, like the recent Star Wars Saga Edition, are tough on players. More often than not, it causes old books to become obsolete and incompatible, forcing everyone to buy their libraries again. This is actually the core of most complaints - more than just changing the rules, which RPG players regularly do anyway....house rules anyone?

A new edition of D&D is even more challenging. Without getting into the technicalities of the gaming world too much, suffice to say that since D&D has provided avenues for other companies to make related products, this affects far more than a single game at a single company.

Aside from the regular, evolutionary rules changes presented over the course of the convention, D&D 4th Edition will also feature an extensive online component. This includes the launch of the D&D Insider that incorporates the new online versions of Dungeon and Dragon magazines. There will also be impressive online tools and features - such as MMO-like character generators to create a virtual miniature to play on a virtual tabletop or dungeon via the internet. You don't have to use any of it if you don't want to, and it will be subscription based (price TBA).

Returning to the rules aspect, it turns out that the new Star Wars Saga Edition showcases and tests out many concepts and rules that will likely be featured in 4E. Not all rules will translate, and many new ones will be introduced, but it's a start.

But, the show wasn't all about D&D. It was just overshadowed by it at times.

As usual, there were great seminars - if you could find the actual location, since the locations on the tickets, and often in the books, were flat wrong.

The flow through the dealers hall was radically different this year. It was cool having the art show up front. It was weird having WotC in a corner, the electronic section was annoyingly loud and the flow was just inconvenient. The flow of the aisles was chopped up by too many big booths or walls or whatever. And I felt sorry for those exhibitors in the shadow of the Spoils bus. For some reason, the whole show felt a bit....cluttered. Like trying to get through a room with too much stuff in it.

Lots of kids, especially on Sunday, which featured a special pricing scheme for families to attend.

There were prizes for costumes worn in the dealer's hall. One winner was a Gammorean Guard that was very well done. Must've been very hot, though.

I had lots of freelancer related meetings, which is always good. Should be a busy year.

Among my own purchases (sorry, too tired for links - just google them):

The Infernal Contraption card game from Privateer Press.

Rivers and Caverns from Dwarven Forge...after much convincing from my wife.

Hardcopies of Temple Quarter and Thieves Quarter from The Game Mechanics / Green Ronin.

The Savage Worlds of Soloman Kane RPG from Pinnacle Entertainment, which includes their Savage Worlds rules. This is one of the best looking RPG books I've ever seen. Also picked up their new, conveniently small and thin Savage Worlds Explorer's Edition RPG rulebook.

A collection of minis, including some of Reaper's new prepainted plastic versions (I've got no time to paint my own).

Caught up on Aaron William's PS238 comics. Also attended an amusing seminar featuring the Artist Guests of Honor, like Aaron and the legendary Larry Elmore.

Met the leading host from the Pulp Gamer podcast. Speaking of podcasts, there was a whole podcasting track. So, if you're into that sort of thing, keep an eye on the gaming podcasts for what I'm sure will be extensive GenCon coverage and debate about 4th Edition.

Picked up the directors cut of The Gamers.....still waiting for The Gamers: Dorkness Rising to actually be released in theatres or DVD.

Bought Piazo's GameMastery Campaign Workbook to track what will likely be my last 3.5 campaign, though it may switch to 4th edition....we'll see.

Met with a ton of old friends.

That's enough for now...it was a great and very interesting show.

Oh wait, a couple of links:

Star Wars Saga Edition and 4E discussion

All of the WotC videos - including the announcements.

4E compiled FAQ

Ok, That's it for now.

Sterling