This is our previewsode for Gamehole Con 2025... the XII-ening. On this episode, we get you ready for everything you need to know... and the things you don't know you need to know.

Mentioned in the episode:

• The first Wardens of the Eastern Marches adventure (link)
• The rising phoenix of RPEX (link)
• The Dragonbane tourney, The Sinking Tower (link)
• Castles and Crusades for Kids (link)
• Badge Quest with Ron from PAGE (link)
• Portland Oregon Trail (link)
• Playing in Someone Else's Sandbox (link)
• The Beautiful Mess of 5E (link)
• You Should Write a Book about RPGs (link)
• Adventuring in Parenting: Raising the Next Generation of Gamers (link)
• Munchkin: Design Issues, Expansions and Imagery with That Steve Jackson (link)

And don't forget the auction!

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On this episode, your hosts Ben and Quarex get a chance to speak with Madison area illustrator, game designer, and charity biker John Kovalic! In addition to being the artist of the long-running comic strip Dork Tower, John has illustrated Apples to Apples, Munchkin, Kobolds Ate My Baby, and Chez Geek.

For the last several years, John and... let's face it, this is really his crew of friends who run Dorkstock, which is a celebration of all things that John loves with gaming.

But also: you can attend Game Con Junction at the fabulous Marriott East in sluggery Louisville, KY from October 31 to November 2 this year! This charity con is run by Dukes of Highland and Nerd Louisville, and it has a lot of great events you can still sign up for! Check it out.

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Everything you wanted to know about applying to exhibit at Gen Con but you were too afraid to ask! (Or read.)

• Gen Con Exhibitor Page
• New Exhibitor Application
• Appendix A: Exhibitor Rules and Regulations
• Fern Expo
• Table covers and podiums

"Let Them Eat Thomas Paine" taken from Dillinger Four's "Versus God" album (link).

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On this episode, we're talking with Lyla Fujiwara (link) and Ethan Yen (link), who are both amazing game designer in their own rights. However, Ethan and Lyla are the driving forces behind the POC Industry Dinner and related seminar events!

Over the course of a half hour, they help explain the impetus behind the dinner, what they're doing in year 2, and where they envision the POC Dinner expanding in future years. And you're a convention organizers who is looking to foster this kind of offering, they're totally worth reaching out to!

Check out their events at Gamehole Con this year:

• Game Design for You https://www.gameholecon.com/events/event/28632
• Project Communication 101 https://www.gameholecon.com/events/event/28634
• Narrative Storytelling in Nonlinear Systems https://www.gameholecon.com/events/event/25909
• Freelancing 201: Progressing your Tabletop Career https://www.gameholecon.com/events/event/28633
• Writing Games for Convention Play https://www.gameholecon.com/events/event/28636
• Let's Get Physical https://www.gameholecon.com/events/event/28631

And don't forget their games!

• chainXlink
• Prequel
• Fetch My Blade
• Estate of Play
• Musical: the Karaoke Musical TTRPG
• Stonewalkers adventure path for the Cosmere TTRPG

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All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray... but we won't be feeling forlorn on some Madison autumn days!

Gamehole Con is being held from October 23-26 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI, and both your hosts will be present this year. To help you prepare for your own trip to the capital, we are reviewing the best ways to travel, the sliver of a hope at lodging, the parking situation, and the food & drink...

... to say nothing of the gaming and special events. We even hear there's a charity auction, even if Quarex hasn't been able to attend it yet.

You won't want to miss it!!

Referenced in the episode are:

• Wardens of the Eastern Marches adventures
• Trouble at Mossbeard Mill adventures
• Shadowdark adventures that aren't sold out yet
• Dark Matters in Monroe, MD with Bill Slavicsek
• Learn to Play Melee with That Steve Jackson
• Drinks with Authors and Game Designers IV
• Farm: A Miniatures Adventure with That Zeb Cook
• A Panel on "When Nostalgia Meets Gaming"
• A seminar on being a "Nerd for a Living"

And let's not forget the Gamehole Con Collectors' Auction for Charity on Saturday from 3-6 pm.... or the Shadow Scar adventure "The Auction" earlier that day in the West Lobby Hallway at 10 am.

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At the prompting of a dreamer, your host Ben checked out a convention in Northern Virginia called Final 3 Con, which focuses on social deduction games like Blood on the Clocktower, Werewolf, and Mafia. Ben had a great time, and we've sat on this interview... until now.

And if you want to hear just how fun and unique Final 3 Con 2025 was, you can listen to our interview with convention organizer Emily.

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From May 1 to September 2 of this year, your hosts Quarex and Ben made it to the following conventions:

• Congress of Gamers, Spring Session
• Des Moines Con ... or was it Des Moines Comic Con?
• Living Dead Weekend
• Origins Games Fair
• EGG Con
• Gen Con
• Otakon
• Once Upon a Con... buckle up for the drama
• NOVA Open

Games and groups highlighted include:

• Love, Career, Magic by Wonmin Lee
• 1490 Doom by Buer Games
• Goblins and Growlers in Richmond, VA

And let's not forget the dreamer dispatch from Kristine, who attended Kublai Con in San Francisco Bay Area! Submit yours using our Google Form!!!

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