More than 300 people attended Genericon XV—RPI’s science-fiction, anime, and gaming convention—last weekend, making it the largest turnout ever in the convention’s history. “We had more people the first night than we had [total] at last year’s Genericon,” said Jason Wodicka, chair of Genericon. Last year 174 people attended.
Attendance was so high that at one point the supply of materials for attendance badges ran out. I had to wait for my badge to be available.
The expansion of Genericon into other areas of interest, such as comics, and the addition of new events, such as anime trivia, likely attracted new participants to the convention.
Many of those attending Genericon came for a unique experience that you can’t find at many other larger conventions. “The role playing is always fun. We have systems here you won’t find anywhere else. How many places can you find role-playing games run by the guy who made it?” said Stuart Dunsmore ’01, who drove three hours from Pennsylvania to come here. “I like the fact that I get to try [out] a new game, so I [can decide] whether to buy it,” said attendee Barb Bel.
Genericon also has a much friendlier atmosphere than many similar conventions. “Coming here is a bit more personal. You don’t have to stand in lines,” Dunsmore said.
A short fan-fiction story called “The Eye of Argon” perhaps was the best (or worst) part of Genericon this year, depending on how you look at it. The event consisted of participants reading as many lines as possible from the story without getting any of the words—many of which were misspelled—wrong and without cracking up and laughing. The winner of the contest amazingly read through the last three pages of the text—almost 210 lines—without making a mistake. (The story can be read online at out http://ftp.logica.com/~stepneys/sf/eyeargon.htm.)
The anime showings were organized surprisingly well at Genericon XV, with very few changes in the original schedule. Showing the anime in DCC lecture halls rather than traditional video rooms removed visual obstructions to the viewers. The schedule also permitted spectators to get a few hours of sleep in between series’ showings without missing an episode.
Most of the video game events at Genericon were fairly new, with a variety of systems, and also pads for the Dance Dance Revolution game, in which people score points by matching dance steps. Other gaming offerings included traditional board games, role-playing games—some of which were written by Rensselaer students—live-action role-playing games, the famous eight foot Axis and Allies board game, and Clay-O-Rama, in which participants made their characters out of Play-doh.
Other Genericon highlights this year included panel discussions including discussions on text-based games and online MUD-type games, fan-fiction, and “American Animation That Doesn’t Suck”—in particular, the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon—and karaoke in DCC 308 both Saturday and Sunday at 4 am in the morning,
This year Genericon’s organizers also did an exceptional job at bringing in more vendors, tripling the number working at the convention from two to six. “[I like] the idea of getting a wide range [of attendees]. I had a pretty good time [vending at Genericon]. I will probably go as a guest [next year] to actually see what’s going on here,” said Don Busha, a new vendor this year.
Usually most of the wares sold at Genericon are related to gaming, but this year’s convention featured a number of anime and science-fiction products. As a Star Wars fan myself, I delighted in having the opportunity to purchase a very nice Return of the Jedi shirt while perusing Genericon’s wares.
More than a year’s worth of careful planning and preparation went into the planning of Genericon XV. “We’ve had wonderful guests and wonderful vendors. Everything has been the best. I’ve had a wonderful time having fun [running Genericon],” said Wodicka.
“I have been impressed [with Genericon XV]. Everything was put together well for Genericon. The attendance, of course, knocked everyone over. When it goes off as smoothly as it did, it’s impressive,” said attendee Zackary Bedell.
Just a few years ago Genericon was much smaller and not very well-organized. “It’s the same [Genericon] spirit ... with the better organization, better planning, we’ve grown [significantly] in the last two years,” said Wodicka.
During “Chat with the Chair,” Wodicka named Tim Sweeney as the chair of Genericon XVI. Changes suggested by attendees for next year’s convention include persuading more artists whose works are exhibited to attend, more promotion for Genericon at stores and other conventions, running events during long anime-only stretches, improvements in late-night programs, improvements to the Genericon program grid, and outside schedules of what’s playing in video rooms.
Editor’s Note: Staff Writer Carl Ober contributed to this story.
