I’m scrambling to get ready for Gen Con next week, at which I’m a guest of honor once more. Here’s my updated schedule, which includes brand-new panels showing off details on the Brave New World film pilot. I hope to see many of you there!
Wednesday
Evening: Diana Jones Award Ceremony. An industry-only event held in a super-secret location in downtown Indianapolis on the eve of the convention. If you qualify and haven’t gotten your invitation yet, be sure to drop me a note.
Thursday
10—12 AM: Hobby Games: The 100 Best. Lou Zocchi heads up this panel on the new book from Green Ronin. I’m not scheduled to be on the panel, but I may show up for fun, depending on how late I’m out the night before.
1—2 PM: Game Design: Bringing Your Concept to Life. Each game designer develops his or her own method of bringing an initial game design concept to life. Topics covered include concept development, prototype creation, playtesting sessions, pitching games to publishers, and doing everything that’s necessary to help move the process forward. Panelists will also discuss ways for new game designers to approach publishers and get their games noticed. Keith Baker, Matt Forbeck, Richard Garfield, Mike Gray, Reiner Knizia.
2—3 PM: Author’s Alley Signing. I’ll be at the autograph table in Author’s Alley with fellow Eberron authors Keith Baker and Marcy Rockwell.
8—11 PM: Brave New World Screening. I’m told we’ll have a complete trailer for the pilot, plus a full “making of” video, plus a Q&A session with the cast and crew. (I had VIP tickets for True Dungeon for this time, but I’ll be here instead!)
Friday
10—11 AM: Publishing Your Game. You’ve designed, play-tested and produced your game. Now it’s time to get it published. But what do you do? Where do you go? Who do you talk to? Come find out! Matt Forbeck, Mike Gray, Rob Kuntz, Andrew Parks, Robin Laws.
11 AM — Noon: Channeling Robert E. Howard: Adapting and Creating the Worlds of an Icon. Join key creative individuals who have helped shape and bring to life the legacy of Robert E. Howard with an emphasis on writing. The panel discussion, followed by a Q&A session, will include Mike Stackpole, author of an all-new series of books chronicling the story of Belit, the Queen of the Black Coast; Loren Coleman, author of a trilogy titled Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, and Matt Forbeck, REH scholar, editor, game designer, and author.
11:30 AM—12:30 PM: Brave New World Film Panel. Get behind-the-scenes information on the making of the film. Sharp eyes may notice I’m scheduled to be in two places at once. Sharper eyes may spot me racing between the two.
2—3 PM: 40 Years of Gen Con: The Attendees. A panel discussion amoung longtime Gen Con attendees, plus audience reminiscences. Come and share your stories, favorite games played… what happens at Gen Con, stays at Gen Con! Dave Arneson, Matt Forbeck, Ken Hite, Robin Laws, Randy Porter.
Saturday
4—5 PM: Eberron Authors Meet & Greet. An informal gathering and autograph session in the Wizards of the Coast booth. There’s another scheduled for earlier in the week, but I can’t make that one. Try me here instead.
5—6 PM: 10 No-No’s of Game Design. Ever wanted to design a game but didn’t know the best ways to do it? Well, this isn’t your panel. Designing games is as much about what NOT to do, as it is what you should do. In this panel, we’ll review different mistakes new (and experienced) game designers make. Matt Forbeck, Mike Gray, Richard Garfield, Reiner Knizia.
7:30—8:30 PM: Brave New World Film Panel. Get behind-the-scenes information on the making of the film.
