Gen Con 2025: Top 5 Games Played

There is no way that I could even scratch the surface of playing all or even a majority of the games played or demonstrated at Gen Con, but of the games I played, these are my Top 5: 

5.  Starfinder first edition: Paizo

I love the setting for Starfinder and the system works for me. I have played Starfinder every year I have attended Gen Con.  I have always enjoyed the people I have played with in the Paizo ballroom, and even better, the DMs for Starfinder have always  been A+.  When I went to play, I knew what I was getting, and I wasn't disappointed.  

 

4.  Thunder Road Vendetta: Restoration Games

First, lets start by saying the people at Restoration Games are awesome and enthusiastic.  I had three different people demonstrate how three different games were played at this booth, and they all made the demonstration clear and fun.  Thunder Road Vendetta is a raucous game.  One might think you simply drive your three cars to the end of the board first and you win.  Oh, if it were only that simple.  There are hazards, helicopters, and a hell of a good time!  The best part of this game are the domino affects of crashes and hazards.  Play it with friends and be prepared to shake fists, taunt, and laugh.  

3.  Starfinder second edition: Paizo

When you've got something good, you go with it, right?  Well, Paizo isn't sitting back and watching as things change around them.  They released the second edition of Starfinder at Gen Con this year, and I am not disappointed.  Same fun, same general idea, more streamlined, and now is compatible with big brother, Pathfinder.  I am making the switch, sorry first edition.  

2.  Rumble Slam: TTCombat

Sometimes you can have a good game, but the person teaching it makes it a great game.  That was the case for Rumble Slam.  We had a young employee introduce us to this game, and he was awesome.  Is Rumble Slam good?  I have no idea, but the employee made it great!  He called out the moves, did the moves, and played announcer.  It was hilarious and fun.  If I purchase this game or have the opportunity to play it again, I am inspired by the TTCombat employee, and I will totally ham it up with all the good wrestling calls.  P.S. It is a fun game and really easy to figure out.  Have fun with this one! 

1.  Dragon Bane: Free League Press

This game has been out for a couple years, but continues to sell out game play at Gen Con.  I got lucky and one of my friends had an extra ticket, so we went adventuring.  First, as mentioned above in other games, the person teaching/leading a game can sometimes make it great.  That was the case here.  We had a pro DM who connected with the group right away.  We also had a table of eager players wanting to learn the system.  Dragon Bane is a streamlined system with some cool features like on a failed die  roll, you can give yourself temporary conditions like sickly, exhausted, and disheartened for a reroll.  Spells are not recorded with slots, but with a bank of willpower points.  Kinda cool.  It was fairly easy to learn and we played an adventure with a satisfactory ending.  (No Photo, I was having too much fun!)

Games played or demoed at Gen Con: 

Goats and Goblins, Fortune and Famine, Splendor, Earth, Mandalorian Adventures: Clan of Two, Starfinder first edition, Rumble Slam, HardWar, Fortune and Glory: the Cliffhanger Game, Starfinder second edition, Dragon Bane, Bo Jackson: Battle Arena, Thunder Road: Vendetta, First Exposure Play Hall 

Gen Con 2025: StarFinder 2nd Ed. panel

On Saturday morning in Room 245 of the Indiana Convention Center, excited fans filed in to listen to a panel of StarFinder creators to discuss what is new and give a little hint of what is coming. Many fans could barely get comfortable from all the excitement, but for good reason, StarFinder second edition to be released next month (for sale at Gen Con), and there was a lot to share. 

First, the panel discussed the new products from the second edition including the Core rulebook, a deluxe adventure, "Murder in the Metal City," a new novel by Tim Pratt, Era of the Eclipse, and a new card game.  Many of us in the audience hadn't had a chance to see these items, so it was good to hear what we could expect.  

Next the panel of StarFinder creators shared that a new adventure based on the online game, Warframes, will release as a pdf in October.  It is designed it be a quick adventure of two hours for your combat-heavy groups and a few more hours for your role players.  

The new book by Tim Pratt, Era of the Eclipse will fill in some gaps between eras that will help fill in the timeline of StarFinder.  I purchased the book and will give a review here on Seeking Positivity in the Galaxy later. 

Then the panel got to some new, unannounced content.  They began by showing a trailer for a new video game to come out on Kickstarter titled StarFinder: After the Light.  Panel members described it in the vein of Balder's Gate, but most interestingly, it appears that it will have a romance component which should be interesting.  

A couple new book covers were revealed in the panel discussion.  First, was the cover for a new book of Galactic Ancestries.  Of course, not much could be said, but one panelist revealed that he is working on a race of oozes, and another panelist noted that several Pathfinder races will be included with expanded ancestries from other planets.  This book is designed to continue the canon of the StarFinder galaxy which when asked, will connect to the original first edition books.  It was noted that the rich information from the first edition books are still relevant even thought the stat blocks and other game mechanics are not.  The other book cover which depicts a space battle with some really cool purple lightning magic shooting across one side and space ships on the other side, does not have a title.  The panel couldn't really say much about this book except that it is an adventure book and think haunted space station/gas station.  There is a lot that could go into that, so we wait.  

In the Q/A session, a fan asked if ship combat is still in playtest.  The simple answer is yes, but they are close and they want to be sure to get it right. Finally, an audience member asked about new classes.  There are new classes being discussed weekly, so we can expect to see some new classes.  

At the conclusion of the panel, many fans, understandibly, rushed to the stage to meet the creators face to face.  This is what Gen Con is all about.  

My Top 5 Gen Con Moments

Gen Con is a massive gaming convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.  This year was my third time attending the convention, and I learn something new each year which makes the next year even better.  It is the second time that I have presented at the Trade Day, attended by librarians, educators and gaming entrepreneurs including game designers, and game store owners the day before the convention opens.  I presented with my friend and Teachers in the Dungeon podcast cohost Dan Reem as we discussed strategies to integrate game stores, schools, and public libraries in building gaming communities.  The presentation went well, and like the previous year, we gained a good amount of insight from our audience.  

It was a great way to start the convention.  Then, Thursday morning came and there were 4 full days of a gaming convention!  Here are my Top 5 moments of the 2024 Gen Con: 

5. Hanging out with friends:  I was fortunate to attend the convention with my good friends Dan and Marc who are a part of D&D games that I play at home, and we also work together.  We had time to hang out with our friend Adam Watson of Kentucky Educators for Role Playing Games.  We played game demos, ate at the food trucks, played a little pinball, and walked the show floor looking at new games and art.  I also had the opportunity to visit with Michael Witwer, co-author of Art and Arcana; Margaret Weis, co-author of  DragonLance; listener, Gabriel from Bucky Productions; Dan Crawford of Kings and Cabbages; Ryan Calhoun of Cephlopod Studios and more.  Meeting up with friends is quickly becoming a top reason to attend Gen Con. 

4. Starfinder by Paizo:  In 2023, I had the opportunity to play a Starfinder game which was an enjoyable experience and kept me interested in this RPG system.  I purchased the core rule book and the beginner box.  So, in 2024, I signed up for another game, but this year, I used the beginner box to create a character for the game.  I sat down Thursday morning at 8:00am for a 5 hour gaming session, and I had a wonderful time.  The game was led by an experienced GM from Salt Lake City, and I played with two young men from southern Indiana.  The boys hadn't played Starfinder before, but were experienced D&D players.  We all had a great time learning the system, and our GM was super patient in helping us to have fun and learn the game.  I am a believer and happy to find a science fiction RPG I enjoy.  I went to the Paizo booth later that afternoon and continued to build my Starfinder collection of books.  

3. My new favorite game:  In 2023, I visited the Czech Games HQ where they host their store, demos, and game playthroughs.  I played Galaxy Truckers, which I love, but I had my eye on a new game titled The Lost Runes of Arnak.  I never had a chance to play Arnak in 2023, so I had to wait another year to try this out.  On Thursday night in 2024, I finally had the chance to learn how to play The Lost Runes of Arnak, and it has quickly become my favorite game to play!  Besides the cool archeology theme, I love the combination of worker placement and deck building.  I had a chance to play this game several times (see Moment #2).  This is a highly recommended game if you are in the market.  

2. Late-night games:  We were fortunate in 2024 to have an onsite hotel room which was a first for us.  This opens up several opportunities for evening activities in addition to a chance for downtime during the day.  We discovered the open gaming area where players can play games all hours of the day and night.  It was here that we played The Lost Ruins of Arnak in addition to Grand River Glass works.  Dan, Marc, Adam and I all played late into the night Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.  This open gaming room is where the essence of Gen Con is realized.  

1. 50 Years of Dungeons and Dragons:  This by far was the highlight of 2024.  There were many activities with the creators and stars of Wizards of the Coast.  I attended the 50 Years of D&D in history books with Michael Witwer, David Ewalt, Jon Peterson and Ben Riggs moderated by Matt Forbeck.  This was a great discussion of many turning points of the game through the years.  The United States Post Office was on hand to release the D&D stamp set which went on sale Thursday, August 1.  I was also able to secure a ticket to pick up the 2024 Players Handbook which was offered for sale a month prior to its general release.  D&D also had a massive presence throughout the entire convention with live plays, a ballroom of games, and several panel sessions.  

This convention is an amazing spectacle of table-top gaming.  If you plan to attend in 2025, be sure to secure your badge early as the 2024 convention was completely sold out.