Reflections on Gen Con

Thoughts on North America's largest tabletop gaming convention

Earlier this month, I attended Gen Con, the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America, with my brother Matt. Matt, who’s six years older, was a huge influence on my early love for games like D&D, Magic: The Gathering, and Warhammer—interests that came full circle for me in my late 30s. Gen Con wasn’t really on my radar until recently, but after spending a couple of years at New York Comic Con and diving deeper into the history of D&D, I knew it was time to check it out.

Gen Con has an interesting history. It was founded in 1968 by Gary Gygax, the creator of D&D. The first event was held at the Horticultural Hall in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and attracted just 96 attendees—a modest start for what would become a cornerstone of the gaming world. The name "Gen Con," short for "Geneva Convention," cleverly ties back to both the original location and the famous international treaties. Originally a small gathering of wargaming enthusiasts, Gen Con quickly became a central hub for the burgeoning RPG community, particularly with the rise of Dungeons & Dragons.

Over the years, Gen Con has grown beyond its tabletop roots to include a wide range of gaming genres, from board games played in living rooms around the world like Settlers of Catan to collectible card games (if you’re looking to bet on which cards might become the next Pokémon in 20 years, keep an eye on Lorcana). After its sale to Peter Adkison, the former CEO of Wizards of the Coast, in 2002, the convention moved to Indianapolis in 2003, where it has continued to thrive. The move has also had a significant economic impact on the city, with the influx of attendees providing a major boost to local businesses.

One of the standout aspects of Gen Con is its focus on organized play and competitive gaming tournament - while I was there, half of one hall was taken up with a Magic: The Gathering compeition. These events attract players from around the world, offering significant prizes and prestige, and further solidifying Gen Con’s reputation as a key destination for serious gamers.

My experience at this year’s Gen Con underscored what sets it apart from other conventions like Comic-Con. The crowd was just as enthusiastic, but the focus here was squarely on the games themselves. Everywhere I looked, people were deeply engaged in playing—whether they were demoing new games or participating in ongoing sessions of Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer, and more. Every table and surface in the convention center was occupied by people immersed in gameplay. Unlike Comic-Con, there’s no glitz or glamor—no big movie announcements or celebrity sightings—just a pure celebration of gaming culture in its most hands-on form.

Stay tuned.