My Norwescon Itinerary
I'll be a guest at Norwescon again this year, which I think makes four or five consecutive years for me. Unlike prior years, there are a LOT of professional gaming guests this year, and the show's spotlight publisher is Wizards of the Coast, which means I used to work with a lot of them. There will be lots of Paizo people too, as well as some folks from Green Ronin and Exile Game Studios and others. Thanks largely to timitius, Norwescon is finally taking advantage of the fact that Seattle is pretty much the modern capital of tabletop gaming, and I can't wait to see how the gaming side of the show is different because of it.
Norwescon takes place April 9 - 12 at the Sea-Tac Doubletree hotel. There's usually a pretty good trade hall, lots of people in freaky costumes, and a host of fun activities. Here's a list of the panels and seminars I will be participating in at the show.
FRIDAY
The Tabloid Game (Ripped from the Headlines!)
1:00 PM (Cascade 5)
Our group of expert game masters will create a scenario before your very eyes using only a selection of tabloid newspapers. Come join in the fun and throw out a few suggestions of your own.
Erik Mona, Jeff Grubb, Andy Collins, Darrin Drader
It’s Hideous! It’s Gruesome! It’s…Perfect!
5:00 PM (Cascade 8)
What makes a truly great monster in a game? Our panelists discuss the best of the best in the gaming menagerie (or the worst of the worst, depending on your perspective), with an emphasis on the monsters themselves and not on any particular game systems statistics, and give their expert advice on how to come up with your own creations to set upon those special adventurers in YOUR campaign.
Erik Mona, Gwen Kestrel, James Jacobs, Jennifer Brozek
Playing God, Part II: Gods and Religion
8:00 PM (Cascade 8)
Part of world building is designing the pantheon responsible for the whole thing. Our game experts discuss how they go about filling the cosmos with deities worthy of a hero’s worship, and how they manage to stay upright on such a slippery slope as religion in gaming.
Erik Mona, Wolfgang Baur, Sean Reynolds, Jeff Grubb
SATURDAY
Tolkien Has a Lot to Answer For
7:00 PM (Cascade 4)
With Lord of the Rings, Tolkien established the fantasy genre and many of the current fantasy traditions. Has this now hindered the growth of the fantasy genre?
Michael Martinez, Jeff Grubb, Erik Mona
Writing for the Gaming Industry
8:00 PM (Cascade 8)
How do you write for a game? How does it differ than just writing a novel or short story? How does writing for a video game differ from RPGs or board games? What are they looking for? Our panel of Editors, Publishers, and Gaming Authors and Freelancers share what is wanted - nay! What is needed! - from writers in the gaming industry.
Mike Mearls, Erik Mona, Chris Pramas, Teeuwyn Woodruff, Jason Buhlman
SUNDAY
Lessons from the Pulps
11:00 AM (Cascade 6)
From science fiction to sword and sorcery, many of the genres celebrated in modern gaming took form in the pulp magazines of the early 20th century. Drop by for a discussion of pulp classics and how gamers can swipe classic ideas for their own gaming. Panelists have been encouraged to bring plenty of pulp magazines for the audience to appreciate and enjoy.
Erik Mona, Jeff Combos, James Jacobs, Ogre Whiteside
Game Publishing Goes Digital
3:00 PM (Cascade 7)
Pdfs “versus” print. Blogs. Online content. Podcasts. More and more gaming companies are finding a way to move their marketing, and even their products, onto the Internet. What does this mean for the future of the gaming industry? What does it mean for your local gaming store?
Chris Pramas, Donna Prior, Randall N. Bills, Jeff Combos, Erik Mona
Given the inglorious end forced on Dragon and Dungeon magazines, watching me try to contain my lingering bitterness and keep my cool during that last seminar ought to be a game within a game for everyone attending. Fun for all!
SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!
Norwescon takes place April 9 - 12 at the Sea-Tac Doubletree hotel. There's usually a pretty good trade hall, lots of people in freaky costumes, and a host of fun activities. Here's a list of the panels and seminars I will be participating in at the show.
FRIDAY
The Tabloid Game (Ripped from the Headlines!)
1:00 PM (Cascade 5)
Our group of expert game masters will create a scenario before your very eyes using only a selection of tabloid newspapers. Come join in the fun and throw out a few suggestions of your own.
Erik Mona, Jeff Grubb, Andy Collins, Darrin Drader
It’s Hideous! It’s Gruesome! It’s…Perfect!
5:00 PM (Cascade 8)
What makes a truly great monster in a game? Our panelists discuss the best of the best in the gaming menagerie (or the worst of the worst, depending on your perspective), with an emphasis on the monsters themselves and not on any particular game systems statistics, and give their expert advice on how to come up with your own creations to set upon those special adventurers in YOUR campaign.
Erik Mona, Gwen Kestrel, James Jacobs, Jennifer Brozek
Playing God, Part II: Gods and Religion
8:00 PM (Cascade 8)
Part of world building is designing the pantheon responsible for the whole thing. Our game experts discuss how they go about filling the cosmos with deities worthy of a hero’s worship, and how they manage to stay upright on such a slippery slope as religion in gaming.
Erik Mona, Wolfgang Baur, Sean Reynolds, Jeff Grubb
SATURDAY
Tolkien Has a Lot to Answer For
7:00 PM (Cascade 4)
With Lord of the Rings, Tolkien established the fantasy genre and many of the current fantasy traditions. Has this now hindered the growth of the fantasy genre?
Michael Martinez, Jeff Grubb, Erik Mona
Writing for the Gaming Industry
8:00 PM (Cascade 8)
How do you write for a game? How does it differ than just writing a novel or short story? How does writing for a video game differ from RPGs or board games? What are they looking for? Our panel of Editors, Publishers, and Gaming Authors and Freelancers share what is wanted - nay! What is needed! - from writers in the gaming industry.
Mike Mearls, Erik Mona, Chris Pramas, Teeuwyn Woodruff, Jason Buhlman
SUNDAY
Lessons from the Pulps
11:00 AM (Cascade 6)
From science fiction to sword and sorcery, many of the genres celebrated in modern gaming took form in the pulp magazines of the early 20th century. Drop by for a discussion of pulp classics and how gamers can swipe classic ideas for their own gaming. Panelists have been encouraged to bring plenty of pulp magazines for the audience to appreciate and enjoy.
Erik Mona, Jeff Combos, James Jacobs, Ogre Whiteside
Game Publishing Goes Digital
3:00 PM (Cascade 7)
Pdfs “versus” print. Blogs. Online content. Podcasts. More and more gaming companies are finding a way to move their marketing, and even their products, onto the Internet. What does this mean for the future of the gaming industry? What does it mean for your local gaming store?
Chris Pramas, Donna Prior, Randall N. Bills, Jeff Combos, Erik Mona
Given the inglorious end forced on Dragon and Dungeon magazines, watching me try to contain my lingering bitterness and keep my cool during that last seminar ought to be a game within a game for everyone attending. Fun for all!
SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!