The Con scene, 2009

Summertime means convention time for game hobbyists and the industry the supports their addiction. While there are conventions all year round all over the country, the big four game conventions are concentrated in the summer months and have all settled down more or less permanently towards the middling parts of the country -- or at least the East Coast.

While each con has its area of emphasis, just about any kind of game can be found at all four of them and they all include open gaming areas.

The Big Four cons are:

Origins Game Fair

June 24-28

Columbus, Ohio

http://www.originsgamefair.com/

Emphasis: Board games

Notes: Descendent of the Origins Game convention started by Avalon Hill

Historicon

July 16-19

Lancaster, Pa.,

http://www.historicon.com/

Emphasis: Historical miniatures

Notes: Originally a regional convention, this has grown into the de facto national convention for historical miniatures gamers.

World Boardgaming Championships

Aug. 3-9

Lancaster, Pa.

http://www.boardgamers.org/

Emphasis: Competitive play of board games

Notes: Originally AvalonCon, this became an independent production after Avalon Hill was bought out by Hasbro. Takes place at the same site as Historicon. There are also "pre-cons" starting the weekend before the main convention begins.

Gen Con

Aug. 13-19

Indianapolis, Ind.

http://www.gencon.com/

Emphasis: Role-playing and collectible card games

Notes: The oldest national gaming convention.