Artfriend of the pod @jpcoovert.bsky.social is running a sale for zines and his hardback book, Dragon Town and the Darkness Below! (The adventure makes for fun bedtime reading material for your actual human children as well as a great adventure path.) Check it out -- it ends today! jpcoovert.com

Currently, the team is recovering from our escapades to PAX Unplugged and BGG Con. Don't fret -- we're releasing our live recording from Saturday night of Gen Con so you can get your convention fix over Thanksgiving week! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

As the Ventures instruct, you will want to walk, not run, to PAX Unplugged 2025! Get in line to listen to everything that you will want to know ahead of this weekend! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

While June seems like practically an end of the school year away, we already have things to do in November and December to get ready for Origins Game Fair! Listen in as Quarex and Ben handle the hot stove season of our favorite summer conventions! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

Are you looking for ways to take Gen Con experience up to 11? Look no further than the VIG badge! The window to apply closes on December 1. Go to the Gen Con VIG page to throw your hat into the ring! And if you're on the fence, listen to our latest VIG episode! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, we interview some great creators and designers who are going to be at PAX Unplugged this year, including: - Nicole from Kickstarter - Stephen from Roll For Combat - Loudmouth Leo Larynx from SRG Universe Listen in to learn more and get excited! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

Friends of the pod Wet Ink Games are Kickstarting a reprint of their great setting book, Into the Cess and Citadel. Your other host Ben picked up a copy back at Gen Con 2024, and it's amazing nightmare fuel if you're looking to run an urban fantasy RPG campaign. www.kickstarter.com/projects/wet...

Big conventions are a marathon, not a sprint. This year, PAX Unplugged is the same weekend as the Philly Marathon, which will create confusion and frustration for attendees. Listen in as your hosts provide marathon information slightly faster than the speed of Gabe and Tycho. tinyurl.com/mr2ywtwr

While PAX Unplugged updates at the speed of Tycho and Gabe, you can't wait to get ready for your trip to Philly later this month. Listen in for all your last minute prep - other than our Philly Marathon episode, releasing Thursday. You won't want to miss it. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

This episode is our autumnal evaluation of the convention that seems to have it all -- industry legends, up and comers, organized play, and free parking! It's Gamehole Con, a capital idea in Madison, WI. Listen in to see what you missed, or maybe get one last fix! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

Before Gamehole, we got to speak with Ron and Phil from PAGE (January 15-18). 100 special guests. 1000+ events. 2 of your hosts in attendance. $10 off with coupon code "dreamer". What else do you want? Get your badges now cuz you won't want to miss it! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

With Gamehole Con starting Thurs, your hosts have recorded this episode to get you hyped for the fun, games, and the wardening of the Eastern Marches. Listen in to find out about the events + seminars with tickets still for sale - because you won't want to miss it. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, we are joined by industry legend John Kovalic about his convention within a convention: Dorkstock! If you're going to Gamehole Con, why don't you head upstairs to Kammer's Farm for 4 days of peace and gaming? You won't want to miss it. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

This episode is for all the publishers out there who are interested in exhibiting at Gen Con but were too afraid And if you're not a publisher, listen in anyways! It's a window into the world of how the exhibiting sausage gets made. You won't want to miss it. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, Quarex and Ben talk with Ethan Yen and Lyla Fujiwara. In addition to being great game assignments, they are the organizers of the POC Designers Dinner at Gamehole Con, as well as a bunch of really great seminars that you want to check out this year. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, your hosts help you prepare for Gamehole Con 2025! And with the help of Madisonchlorians, we even get some localized tips and tricks from our Aimee of the Pod! Watch us for the few weeks, as we have 3 more Gamehole episodes coming out soon! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

With Final Three Con badges going on sale this Sunday at 3 pm, your hosts Ben and Quarex felt this was a great time to release our interview with convention organizer, Emily! With badges likely to sell out in hours instead of days, you'll want to set an alarm! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

Quarex and Ben, traveling to a dozen conventions each quarter so you don't have to. Listen in to find your next favorite summer convention... or to avoid the next disaster con!! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

This episode your hosts highlight conventions you'll want to check out between now and the end of the year... all in 23 minutes or less! From the the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic, the Northeast to the Southwest, and even Europe and Asia, you won't want to miss it. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, your other host Ben interviews four exhibitors from the exhibit hall floor of Gen Con 2025! Assimilate yourself to Pirate Borg! Find a new game with your Amigo! And more! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, we talk about building a convention calendar to keep track of all your comings and your gamings in 2026 and beyond. You won't want to miss it. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

No one forgot to pay the lease on the parking lots. Hardly anyone brought wagons into the exhibit hall. Even onsite bag storage went off without a hitch. We talk about the almost drama and the room for improvement for Gen Con 2026. What do you think we missed? shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On the second of our Gen Con reviewisodes, your hosts Quarex and Ben talk about everything that isn't the games -- the travel, the food, the vibes, the weather, and of course the auction. Tune in to hear if you want about Ben's TSA escapades while flying home. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

It's the week after Gen Con, and your hosts Quarex and Ben have recovered from the best four days in gaming — physically, emotionally, and professionally. We're already back with the first of our 4 eps reviewing Gen Con 2025 — and how could we not focus on the games? shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

Congratulations, dreamers — you survived the best four days in gaming! As you return to your regular schedule, your hosts discuss everything you want to know about the road to Gen Con 2026. Subscribe for updates, because Gen Con is a marathon, not a sprint. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On Gen Con Eve's Eve, Ben and Quarex cover everything about the convention you still need to know about -- from the traffic to the weather to the Stink to the food trucks. Dreamers, what songs are you listening to get pumped up for the best four days in gaming? shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

With only three days until Gen Con, our hearts are in Indy -- even if our bodies are stuck elsewhere. This ep highlights exhibitors and events worth checking out, as well as highlighting new games to try, buy or demo. Tomorrow, we preview everything else Gen Con! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

Cons within cons slip under the radar at Gen Con, like with competitive puzzling, the Film Festival, and especially the Writers Symposium. Maurice Broaddus joined us to discuss the Symptoms. It's not just for authors, and you can still get tickets for events! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

Gen Con banned luggage, wagons, and strollers not holding an actual human child... Just in the exhibit hall. They've added limited storage options on the 2nd floor of the ICC. Without much information forthcoming, your hosts try to make sense of this whole change. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

This episode we talk to Bri from the Gen Con Trinket Traders group! This grassroots movement is growing fast, and Bri educates us on trinkets, trading, and the etiquette. It's not too late to do something to participate! What trinkets are you bringing to Gen Con? shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, your hosts talk with Matt Shoemaker -- the author of Gathering of Gamers, which will undoubtedly become an instant classic in the growing field of gaming convention literature. While you listen, dreamers -- what was your favorite Gen Con and why? shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

This week, we've helped you prepare for Gen Con, except the one that everyone sleeps on: proper rest. We talk to Kevin Kulp, game designer by night and sleep consultant by day, about the importance of sleep. Because you don't want to be this guy on Saturday. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

Your hosts have helped you pack and travel to Indy. Having worked up quite an appetite, we're finding you places to eat. There's only one way to eat at #GenCon, and we walk you through all six of the only ways. bonus: diabetes, allergy, and gluten limitations. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On yesterday's episode, we talked about packing for Gen Con. On this episode, we are talking about getting to Indianapolis. No matter whether you're driving, flying, taking a train, or flapping your arms, you'll definitely want to listen in for our advice. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

With 24 days left until Gen Con, your hosts are kicking off our annual prepisodes that will help you get ready for the next four days in gaming. First up--we're talking everything you need to know to get packed to travel to Indy. You won't want to miss it shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

2 years ago, Quarex and Ben finished editing the first 8 episodes of our show. We sent the episodes to friends to ensure that the show sounded good. To celebrate year 2's, we asked Alex Kammer of Gamehole Con. He's a big enough fan of the show to join us. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, Quarex and Ben deliver our thoughts about Origins Game Fair 50 -- all in thirty minutes or less! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, Ben and Quarex talk with some publishers and event organizers who attend both Origins and Gen Con! You won't want to miss it... Or the two before it for that matter! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, Ben and Quarex continue to roam the Origins 50th Exhibit Hall in search of vendors with upcoming games. We found a bunch of brave designers showing off the releases of tomorrow! You won't want to miss it... Or the last episode, releasing tomorrow! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, Ben and Quarex roam the Origins 50th Exhibit Hall in search of vendors with new and newish games at the convention. Despite the T-word, we found a bunch of new products and even got to interview five creators! You won't want to miss it shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

Today is the first day of Origins! Whether you're traveling today, tomorrow, or the weekend, why don't you listen to this 20 minute podcast getting you excited for the best five days in gaming? Don't forget we have a live podcast recording Thursday at 8! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

We speak with Josh Berling about why you'll want to take part in the best part of Gen Con itself: the Gen Con Live Auction. He's also the auctioneer for the Cardhalla destruction on Saturday night, and and we get some great stories. You won't want to miss it. shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, Quarex and Ben start getting you prepared for: 50 fast 50 furious! 50 shades of gaming! 50 first conventions! Whatever you call it, it's Origins 50th anniversary--and you'll want to be there to see how much it's grown. (Picture from 2024.) shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, Quarex and Ben talk about how to take your kids of all ages to gaming conventions -- whether they're infants, grade schoolers, tweens, teens or beyond! Thinking about talking your kids to #OriginsGameFair? You should listen in! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, Quarex and Ben talk about how to take your kids of all ages to gaming conventions -- whether they're infants, grade schoolers, tweens, teens or beyond! Thinking about talking your kids to #GenCon? You should listen in! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, Quarex and Ben talk everything you want to know about Gen Con -- event registration, carts/lockers, an old tyme newsreel about the Gen Con bandits, and our new segment: The Sellout Lookout. Because dreamers -- it's 69 days until Gen Con!! (Nice.) shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

Quarex and Ben discuss blood drives at conventions with Joe from The Heinlein Society, who helps organize the Gen Con Blood Drive since 2005. Listen to find out how to save lives! And if you want to add a blood drive to your convention, there's great advice for you! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

Ahead of event registration this Sunday at noon ET, Quarex and Ben take some time to talk about ways to do Gen Con on a budget -- from your travel to your hotel, and even down to the food. What are some of the ways you keep your Gen Con dreams within budget? shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...

On this episode, Quarex and Ben talk with Matt from Lurking Fears about the games they run at conventions for publishers. Check out the show notes for the 300+ events they're running at Origins Game Fair and 500+ events they're running at Gen Con!!! shows.acast.com/all-year-i-d...