Mark goes to GEN-CON

Hello Everyone:
        Let me begin by saying that this year's GEN-CON was the first
one I ever attended. Boy, was I impressed. All the wonders of the gaming world
under one roof. Needless to say, I am going back next year. I arrived at the
Wisconsin Center with my girlfriend Gina around 9:00 in morning. After getting
registered we walked around the upper level to find out where the Full Thrust
events were being held. We finnally found a game being run by Mike Miserendino
( a cool guy BTW). I planned on playing a Human Vs. Kra'Vak game later that
day, so Gina and I waited for the Main Hall to open so we could shop. At 10:00
we got in and parused the many boths. I had a list of stuff I wanted to find:
1. A Video of the first "Legends of the Galactic Heros" Movie (I know, its not
available in the states, but I was hoping an Anime fan could make me an offer
on a copy). 2. GW "Space Fleet" Minis (I couldn't find them.) 3. Full Thrust
Minis (NO PROBLEM!!! I got ahold of a FSE
Superdreadnaught--a very nice model)
4. Legal Babylon 5 Merchandise (I found some stuff that looked pretty
bootlegged to me). 5. Info on "The Babylon Project" RPG from Chameleon
Ecclectic (It supposed to come out in October). 6. Meet Jon Tuffley (See
below)

Eventually time for the FT Game arrived and Gina and I went back to the
gaming halls.  One thing I didn't know about GEN-CON is that you could
(and in somecases, have to) pre-register for games.  Although  Gina and
I thought that there was going to be no way for us to get into this
game, we signed on as alternates.  Two pre-registered players didn't
show, so there was a place for both of us on the human side. We were both FSE
teamed with a couple of new players who played NAC. Our
opponents, were a bunch of Kra'Vak players--things didn't look good.
While we were playing, a few people came and went (amoung them Allen Goodall).
Then I noticed one gentleman with a camera who paying close attention to the
game. I read his name tag and was out of my seat in a
nanosecond--it was Jon Tuffley.  When I introduced myself he said "Oh!
Your the chap with the Web Page." We talked about the future of FT and other
GZG (in between turn segments). He autographed a copy of the FT rulebook that
I picked up just for the occassion. It made my day.
(BTW, the Kra'Vak won--typical.)

        The stuff I bought at GEN-CON:
        1. An Illuminati Pin--which I wore during the game (Is the
conspiracy involved in the Kra'Vak Invasion? FNORD!) 2. A New Anglian
Confederation Insignia Pin (one of many such pins Jon
brought with him from Great Britian and Geo-Hex was selling.  I'd ask
Mike Elliot about these things, they are very nice). 3. Another copy of the FT
rules (see above). 4. A copy of the "Voidstriker" space wargame (I'll review
it later). 5. New Full Thrust FSE minis: 1. SDN 1. BC 1. CE 1. DD (2 per
package)

        I think next year I'll pre-register (it's cheaper) and sneak in
my own food and soda (3 BUCKS FOR A BLOODY COKE!!!). That and I'll go for two
days instead of one. (You CAN'T see it all in one day!)

Later,

> At 09:17 PM 8/12/96 -0600, Mark wrote:

> I think next year I'll pre-register (it's cheaper) and sneak in

Hi, Mark. Sorry I missed you at the con! I agree about the cost of food. I
bought one coke in the dealer's room for $4 (I got a cheap plastic glass with
it, which I made a point of keeping; for $4 I'm going to keep the bloody
glass!). After that I sneaked food and pop (soda in the US) into the con. Mind
you, you really didn't have to try too hard to sneak the stuff in. A friend of
mine (Martin) walked in with pop in his hand and no one stopped him.

Oh, by the way, my friend Chris says that it was good to meet you. Chris isn't
on the list (at least not yet) but he's playing in my PBEM game as the second
Nipponese destroyer squadron commander. Chris was a last minute
fill-in when Leann decided she wasn't up to the con. Maybe I can
convince him to go next year; he certainly had a good enough time.