What is Gen Con? Your Guide to the Biggest Tabletop Weekend in North America

Gen Con has a habit of making my birthday and holiday shopping lists months earlier than planned. Every year my social feeds fill with new releases, demos, and games that suddenly jump to the top of my wishlist

If you're not familiar with it, Gen Con is the biggest tabletop gaming convention in North America and the longest running tabletop gaming convention in the world. What started in 1968 as a small war gaming convention has grown into one of the largest celebrations of tabletop gaming anywhere

Today, tens of thousands of gamers descend on Indianapolis every year to play games, meet designers, discover upcoming releases, and celebrate the hobby. While SPIEL Essen may have the advantage when it comes to sheer size, Gen Con has become the place where publishers announce new games, showcase upcoming releases, and give players their first look at what's coming next. And if you're wondering whether people are interested, it sells out!

I've never made the trip to Indianapolis, yet I love following Gen Con from afar. For me, Gen Con isn't about being there (hello, social anxiety). It's about discovering what's next

One of my favorite parts is watching games I've followed for months, or even years, finally get the spotlight they deserve. Seeing a game like Tenby go from a successful Kickstarter to being showcased is incredibly exciting. At the same time, Gen Con is only one piece of the hobby. Plenty of fantastic games come from publishers that never exhibit there, and they're just as deserving of your attention. Some of my favorite discoveries have come from smaller publishers, Kickstarter campaigns, and designers who are quietly creating something special

So instead of trying to cover every announcement, I put together a list of the games already on my radar. Some I've played and happily recommend, some are new releases I'm excited to add to my collection, and a few are expansions I'm doing my best to resist buying (today 🙈)

everything is alphabetized because that's just easier for everyone

Games I've Played and Recommend

These are games I've played and either already reviewed or have a review coming soon. Whether you're looking for your next favorite game or just trying to decide what deserves a closer look, these are the ones I'd happily recommend

Ada's Library (read the review)

A cozy 2 player set collection game that's perfect for book lovers and anyone looking for thoughtful decisions without a heavy rules teach. I’ve gifted these to some of my bibliophiles

Alphabet Code

A fun word deduction game that's easy to teach. I like to think of it as a friendlier version of Turing Machine. It scratches that deduction itch without feeling nearly as intimidating. It’s twin, Digit Code is available at Board Game Arena

Anomia

We played this game so much during college. I’m so excited to see it resurface. It's fast, chaotic, and guaranteed to make someone forget the simplest word imaginable 

Azure

A great 2 player game I’m debating to add to my collection. It’s probably the best abstract game I’ve played in a while. The rules are simple, but every decision feels important

Beer Mug Dice (read the review)

Tiny beer barrel dice, plenty of laughs, and just enough push your luck to keep everyone rolling one more time. It's also small enough to throw in a bag and play almost anywhere

Canal House

If you like tile placement and spatial puzzles, this one deserves a look. I picked it up while visiting the UK last year, so it's exciting to finally see it getting more attention in the US

Desperate Oasis

A tense 2 player survival card game where every decision feels important. It's surprisingly addictive, and the artwork gives the whole experience a lot of personality

dnup

Quick to teach and quick to play. Though it supports 2 to 5 players, I'd recommend it with 4 or 5 where the card shedding really shines

Flamecraft Duels

If you enjoyed Flamecraft but wanted a dedicated, streamlined two player experience, this absolutely delivers. It keeps the cozy charm while adding more tactical decisions. I tried not to buy it... I really did. But between the art, the dragons, and the gameplay, I never stood a chance. I do wish we had backed the Kickstarter though, the deluxe version is ridiculously charming

Flip 7 Vengeance

Takes everything that made Flip 7 fun and adds even more chaos. Great if your group enjoys messing with each other and laughing about it afterward. If not, don’t! Flip 7 is great already

Forest Shuffle: Dartmoor

If you already love Forest Shuffle, this is an easy recommendation. More animals, more scoring opportunities, and more reasons to get it back to the table. Plus some new fun twists. We have both, and are looking to add the new America version 🙈

High Society

One of Reiner Knizia's classics for a reason. Every auction is full of tough decisions, and the roaring twenties artwork is fantastic

Le Chocolat

A light 2 player puzzle that's easy to teach and satisfying to solve. It's short enough that you'll probably want a rematch immediately. We’ve been playing it as best of three

One Round?

Lives up to its name. You'll almost certainly play more than once. If you enjoy Just One or So Clover!, this deserves a spot on your shelf

Orapa Mine

Think Battleship meets drafting and lets you play with up to 5. You're trying to uncover diamonds while reading your opponents, and it creates some surprisingly tense moments

Pirates of the High Teas

Pirates... and tea. Honestly, that was enough to get my attention. Thankfully, the beautiful artwork is backed up by a genuinely fun game. Very light and fun. It makes you want dessert!

Qork

A small game with loads of personality. Roll two dice and get ready to either cover your friends’ corks or make sure yours escapes the cup. Don't let the size fool you. This one gets surprisingly loud and competitive

Questline

Imagine Fantasy Realms with a narrative adventure layered on top. That's what first caught my attention, and after one play I immediately wanted another

Tacta

Clean, elegant, and full of interesting tactical choices. It can be played almost anywhere, but you'll want a little extra table space for the best experience

Tenby (read the review)

I've been recommending this one since its Kickstarter days, so seeing it showcased at Gen Con is incredibly exciting. It's still one of my favorite drafting games thanks to its colorful presentation and rewarding decisions

Tenpenny Parks: Collector's Edition

This is a great worker placement game. It offers plenty of meaningful decisions without becoming overwhelming, which is exactly why this collector's edition is so tempting. I can’t wait for this one to be available, so I can purchase my own copy

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – Trick Taking Game

If you loved The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick Taking Game (read the review), this is the natural next step. Think of it like The Crew. The Quest for Planet Nine was excellent, but Mission Deep Sea refined the formula in all the right ways. That's exactly how this feels

Games I'm Excited to Play

These are the titles I'll be following closely throughout Gen Con and hoping to add to my collection next:

• 14ers

• Ace of Spades

• Bookshelf

• Cross the Line

• Fendeceology

• Flip Pick Towers

• Forest Shuffle: Smoky Mountains

• Gazebo

• Hanami Deluxe Edition

• Mind the Lines

• Pyradice

• Ra: The Dice Game

• Railway Boom

• Tap4

• The Bird

• The Crew: Journey to the End of the Earth

• The Ticket Booth

• Tulikko

• Wingspan Pocket

Expansions I Know I Shouldn't Buy

Not because they don't look great. The problem is I already own enough games that deserve more table time. That doesn't stop me from wanting these anyway

• Captain Flip: Isla Bomba

• Castle Combo: Out of the Oubliette! ← we got this one already. We opened it and stared at it

• Earth: Animal Kingdom

• Forest Shuffle: Dartmoor – Exmoor

• Tenpenny Parks: Innovation

• The Gang: More Players ← interested on how this would play at more than six. I feel like more than four it’s sometimes really difficult

Upcoming Games to Watch

These haven't been released yet, but they're absolutely worth keeping on your radar

• Earth Express by Inside Up games

• Excursions by Kinson Key Games

• Perennial by Flatout Games

The Wishlist Grows

Whether you're heading to Indianapolis or following along from home like I am, Gen Con is a reminder of why this hobby is so exciting. There are always new games to discover, new designers to support, and occasionally a game that makes you immediately rethink your shelf space. And yes, my wishlist is already longer than it was before I started writing this