This will be my first year attending Gen Con, "the best 4 days in gaming." The convention takes place this week, from August 14-17, in Indianapolis. Gen Con is the original, longest-running, best-attended, gaming convention in the world. Last year, the 46th event, the attendance record was set at 49,000. However, all indications point to this year breaking the attendance record again.
I will be arriving in Indianapolis on Tuesday evening. I will do my best to take lots of pictures and share some tweets. You can follow me on twitter at: @darylmandrews
Meanwhile, I can't help but think ahead to all the amazing games I will get to see, demo, and maybe even purchase. Really I have been thinking about this for weeks. Reading reviews, watching videos, and chatting online with friends. After doing so much research, it just makes sense to share my TOP 10 list. I have decided to include two lists. The first list is my Top 10 games I am considering to purchase. The other Top 10 list will be games that are not for sale, but I want to see/demo.
TOP 10 Games (for sale) at GEN CON:
10) Diamonds (Love trick taking games - anything designed by Mike Fitgerald has my attention)
9) Consequential (Sounds really innovative. I love the app integration and legacy mechanic)
8) Abyss (Love any game designed by Bruno. Plus the box cover is awesome!)
7) Lords of Xidit (Loved Himalaya. I enjoyed the play test when I saw it in April)
6) Imperial Settlers (Ignacy Trzewiczek is a brillant designer. Rules look solid)
5) Hyperborea (I wish I could afford this game. From the designer of Kingsburg. Looks great)
4) Five Tribes (Again, anything designed by Bruno I usually enjoy. Played in April and I loved it)
3) Sheriff of Nottingham (Been on the search for original Brazilian game, Robin Hood. Must have)
2) King of New York (I love the idea of smashing around a map of NYC. Cant miss with this)
1) Panamax (Not many great med-heavy euro games coming out. This looks like my kind of game)
Next10 Honorable mention:
City Hall (on the bubble)
Subdivision (on the bubble)
The Battle of Kemble's cascade (on the bubble)
Argent: The Consortium (on the bubble)
Chimera (came down to this or Diamonds)
Fief: France 1429 (Im not a war game guy)
Battle of the Five Armies (Im not a war guy)
Epic Resort (Love the art but need to try the game first)
Tortuga (already out)
Dead of Winter (already out. Kickstarters delivered)
TOP 10 Games (for demo only) at GEN CON:
10) Bomb Squad (Im interested in trying this game due to the timer aspect of the game)
9) Scoville (Im a sucker for all games featuring Josh Cappel's art)
8) Gold West (I don't know much about this game - but I am interested.
7) Steam Works (Wow - I guess I love TMG. I will be in room #137 a lot at Gen Con)
6) Aqua Sphere (Im a sucker for Feld games. And yes the first 5 games on this list are TMG.)
5) Colt Express (You had me at 3D train)
4) X-Com (Designed by friend Eric Lang. Hopeful App integration game will be awesome!)
3) Pay Dirt (Designer of Alien Frontiers. Great designer + Great Art = I want)
2) Castles of Mad King Ludwig (Really fun game. I love the spatial building of the castles)
1) Kanban: Automotive Revolution (Next to Panamax, this is my most wanted game
Honorable mention:
The Walled City (Im bias. I like it. Im really excited for people to experience the game)
