Gen Con - The Best Four Days in Gaming

Overview

Gen Con Indy is the original, longest-running, best-attended, gaming convention in the world.

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With over 20,000 ticketed events, more than 570 game publishers and vendors in the exhibit hall, entertainers, a coin op arcade, a costume contest and parade, film festival, anime, Authors' Avenue, art show, miniatures, auction, escape rooms, LARP, RPGs, seminars, workshops, strolling entertainers, consignment store, True Dungeon, dancing, walking tours, crafts, burlesque, and more, Gen Con is a can't-miss event.

One of the highlights is the Block Party on South Street. It's just south of the convention center and will have music, food trucks, pizza, misters, and shaded tables to keep you cool, and more. Look for annual favorites like Island Noodles, Wild Bill's, and Critical Hit Soda (official mocktail sponsor) as well as local favorites (see more below).

Trade Day
Enjoy a day filled with hands-on training, industry research, and endless B2B networking opportunities. This specialized program provides a focused platform for professional growth, offering insights into gamifying education, effective marketing strategies, and community building.

Authors Avenue
This dedicated section of the Exhibit Hall is for independent authors and small press publishers of fiction who work in the fantasy, sci-fi, horror, military, or anime genres. Stop by to meet over 30+ authors and discover a new literary world to explore.

Entrepreneurs Avenue

Writers Symposium
Features the best in fiction writing and offers programming that rivals any literary convention. Authors and publishers host panels, seminars, and workshops focused on the craft of writing. The offerings here are not to be missed by any author or aspiring author—or anyone who loves books! You'll also find programming specifically designed to focus on writing for games.

Film Festival
Filmmakers from around the world gather to compete in the Gen Con Film Festival. Some travel from as far away as Australia and the United Kingdom to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis for screenings, film panels, and the awards ceremony. Films from across the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Israel, Japan, and Great Britain make it a truly international event.

Blood Drive
Gen Con is thrilled to partner with The Heinlein Society and Versiti Blood Center of Indiana again for another record-breaking blood drive. By donating blood, you make a significant difference in the lives of others, and your donation helps people in need of blood transfusions due to surgery, cancer treatment, trauma, and more.

Art Show
This annual showcase highlights the extraordinary talent and creativity of artists from fantasy, sci-fi, comics, gaming, and beyond.

Guest of Honor
Professional game designer Eric Lang is this year's Guest of Honor. He has designed, developed, and consulted on more than 400 games since starting in the business in 1996. He'll lead a Game Design Academy for both students and explorers/general attendees.

Bag Check
For the first time, Gen Con is offering on-site bag storage services. Attendees with a valid badge can use this on a first-come, first-served basis. You can access your bags, wagons, or strollers throughout the day, but there will be an additional charge if you need more space than your initial purchase. The cost for storing each bag or large item is $20. You must pick up your items by the end of the day or there will be an additional fee.

Cosplay and Costumes
Show off your cosplay in the 39th Annual Costume Contest held Saturday at 4 pm in the 500 Ballroom. Get a preview of all the creative looks during the Costume Parade winding through the convention center Saturday beginning at 3 pm.

Special Foods and Drinks

• Social Cantina is going full Mario Bros. with themed menu items and cocktails (Koopa Shell, Princess Peach, Ice Man, and Dragon Slayer) plus a sci-fi movie marathon all weekend.

• The Tap will be serving wraps and their world-famous Tap Fries.

• Sun King brings the Official Beer of Gen Con, Core Strategy. It's an apple cyzer that's similar to a braggot. The apple cider/beer combo is sure to satisfy.

• The Official Burger of Gen Con is The Burning Beast from Harry & Izzy's. It starts with a juicy steakburger, melty American cheese, Flaming Hot Cheetos, and bold ancho chipotle sauce. Don't pass on the shrimp cocktail with the "World's Hottest Dish" sauce at this booth.

• Hotbox Pizza's Official Pizza of Gen Con is Critical Chip. It packs a punch with salsa verde, fiesta corn with beans, mozzarella, jalapeños, then delivers that final hit by being topped off with a ranch drizzle and crushed Doritos.

• Daniel's Vineyard will be bringing wines and wine cocktails.

• Need a caffeine boost to carry on gaming? Visit Helm Coffee for a variety of drinks to keep your battery charged.

For 58 years, Gen Con has created a home for games and for more than a decade, it has brought its unique atmosphere to Indianapolis. With numerous programs and events for those of every interest, Gen Con has something for everyone!