Tour Status:
Tour Completed – this tour description is provided for historical/archival purposes, and to show you what you've missed!
Destination(s):
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Departure Date:
August 1, 2023 (Tuesday)
Return Date:
August 7, 2023 (Monday)
Tour Length:
7 Days
Departs From:
Anywhere
Tour Limit:
15 Participants
Price:
Main Tour - All are prices are based on single occupancy private room per person: $3,599.00 USD

See full price details.

About the Tour

Fun at Gen ConHello all boardgame geeks!  This tour is now SOLD OUT! We are still accepting Wait Listed bookings though. Please contact me at headgeek@geeknationtours.com to hop aboard!!!

Teras – Geek Nation Tours

Want to jump into some serious (or maybe not so serious) gaming of almost every description? Or maybe do some shopping and see the upcoming releases for next year? Or maybe you want to play a game from your past that fills you with nostalgic feelings of childhood? If you want to do any of this – and more – why not join us at Gen Con for the “The Best Four Days of Gaming”! ™

Geek Nation Tours always makes sure there is plenty to do prior and during Gen Con and 2023 will be no exception as we will continue to offer exclusive gaming opportunities.  Each year our tour participants get to game with the people that design, develop and produce the games they love.  But GNT wants to make this a Gen Con experience like no other, and thus has decided to invite a special Game Master to lead us into adventure each year.  We will have no less then five sessions of RPG questing and thus a complete an exclusive adventure in addition to all the great gaming at Gen Con itself.

This year Geek Nation Tours has invited the infamous scribe, world creator and novelist Graham McNeill aboard as it so happens that Graham is a huge Cthulhu fan. Graham has promised “evenings of madness, death and horror and then afterwards we will play Call of Cthulhu.” At night participants will have the chance to become immersed into a world of darkness that pits them against horrors innumerable… Will you be able to turn the tide against the insane horrors of Cthulhu as they manifest themselves upon this earth …  or become one of the insane yourself?

Graham McNeill has written over thirty novels, including The Crimson King, Vengeful Spirit and his New York Times bestsellers A Thousand Sons and the novella The Reflection Crack’d for the Black Library. Empire, the second book in his Legend of Sigmar trilogy won the 2010 David Gemmell Legend Award. He has also written for Blizzard’s Starcraft universe, and his Dark Waters trilogy for Fantasy Flight Games takes place in their Arkham Horror setting. A lifelong role-player, (GM/DM for life!) he loves nothing more than plunging his players into the madness of the Cthulhu mythos or sending them on cockamamie capers every which way in Serenity’s ‘verse.

Also this new this year Geek Nation Tours has secured a house not far from the Convention Center and will be providing unlimited transportation to and from. In this way Geek Nation Tours will continue its commitment to build community and camaraderie while going to an event or geeky place. GNT prides itself as means to create a lasting community and to better build international friendships. Many tour participants over the years have become the best of friends via our journeys and Geek Nation Tours is always striving to continue that tradition.

We can come and go as we will from our house but imagine it being more like “mom’s” house when you were a kid. You came home to game with friends while mom (this time our Geek Nation Tours representative) provided meals and a warm safe place to roll dice. Another benefit of the house is that GNT will fully stock it will snacks, food and the means to create bagged lunches… we even have the SunKing Brewery down the block so ale will flow. Each night your GNT representative will create a gourmet meal taken right from his mom’s recipes of steak, hamburgers, ribs and of course homemade apple pie. Besides this will be a private place to gather (which is at a premium during GenCon in Indianapolis) for pickup games as well as a chance to experience our own form of Cthulhu insanity…

Are you a Gen Con newbie or a veteran?  Both will appreciate Geek Nation Tours ability to make the registration process easier for all. While your 4-day Gen Con badge is included in the tour package, you will still have to register for events. To that end, we will be arranging a pre-registration conference call via Skype to help expedite the registration process and to help everyone choose the events they want. Are you slightly overwhelmed by the registration procedure? Not sure what to register for when the cart opens? Worried that you might be missing the very best in seminars or gaming opportunities? Let Geek Nation Tours ease your mind. Even before we arrive in Indianapolis, Geek Nation Tours will endeavor to make the Gen Con experience exceptional…

Further, we are proud to announce that we will be again handing out our Gen Con badges and event tickets! That’s right, no ticket pickup lines and no delivery costs for any items that are pre-registered for prior to June 10th! We will deliver them right into your eager hands. Our welcome dinners are always informative and loads of fun. They are great for newbies and veterans alike, and you are sure to leave with a smile on your face, a full belly and all the information necessary to get the most out of your Gen Con experience.  Plus, we will get right to gaming even on the first night…

Please note that we have transferred most of our tour reservations from the 2020 & 2022 cancelled events to this 2023 tour. Thus we are already approaching capacity. If you want to hop on the tour and experience Gen Con please book asap as Space IS Limited…. 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival Day (Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023) / Welcome to the Big House...

Arriving at Gen ConTour members will be arriving throughout the day and everyone will have transportation arranged to take them directly to the house. Your Geek Nation Tours representative will be waiting to greet you when you arrive with homemade apple pie. We will have a leisurely, relaxing free day to explore the area. Depending on your arrival time and your interests this can include taking in a couple of Indianapolis’ museums, which are just a short distance from the house.  Transportation will be on GNT as soon as you get there, so if you want to explore the area no need to walk...

“No museums for me! On to Gaming!!!” you say?  If you are itching to get to gaming then GNT provides. We will have our own private gaming area (or rather "areas") at the house to start rolling dice pretty much upon arrival. Participants will be encouraged to bring a favorite game or games and anything is possible really. Added to the participant favorites will be games delivered to the house by GNT and there will be a vote on what games we will have on offer...

Our Welcome Dinner will be steak, potatoes and veggies - all enjoyed as we gather to start new friendships, renew old acquaintances and revel in each others company.

Overnight Location: Indianapolis

Day 2 - Indianapolis, IN (Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023) / Two Sessions of RPG Insanity with Graham McNeill

Today we will start our horror driven ride through Cthulhu-ville as Graham McNeill will be there ready and waiting behind his Gamemaster's screen. We will have two sessions today... One in the afternoon - most likely just past Elevenses which will consist bacon, eggs, oat pancakes, jams and of course – more bacon.

Tonight’s meal we will gather outside for a bonfire and grill hamburgers. Feast upon on burgers made from mom’s recipe book and fixed up with onions, pickles, tomatoes and cheese or any other way you might want them. French fries and fresh buns will also be on offer.

Post dinner we will retire to our gaming space for yet more insane ramblings from our scribe and gamemaster. And if everyone is still sane and hungry snacks will be served while we discover arcane and evil knowledge.

That’s not all though! Tonight, we will be handing out your Gen Con weekend badges and event tickets so we will be ready to go right when the convention begins! No Gen Con event ticket pickup line or postage fees – just roll out of bed on Thursday right into the con.

McNeill‘s musings:

Overnight Location: Indianapolis, IN

Day 3 - Indianapolis (Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023) / Gen Con Day One & Some More Cthulhu Straightjacket Fun...

As we will already have our badges we will be able to jump right into the Gen Con 2023 goodness! At this point you will be ready for the spectacle that is Gen Con. If you have any questions at all, our Geek Nation Tours representative will be there at the convention with you. As a matter of fact, he will even ride to the convention with you to ensure your first day at Gen Con proceeds without a hitch. We will be starting off our Gen Con early as we head off to the opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. just outside the exhibit hall. Doors open at 10:00 am so be sure to bring a game!

Geek Nation Tours takes pride in getting people of like minds together to experience the finest in geeky events and our Gen Con tour will be no exception. We will meet each night to regale each other with our experiences, the games we played or saw, and to share other Gen Con “war stories”. Past GNT participants agree that our nightly gatherings are a wonderful part of the convention experience – a time where you can get to know other geeks and maybe hear a great suggestion or two on what to do the following day.

Not only that, you’ll be surrounded by a welcoming gaming community so you’ll have an opportunity to meet new friends and the time to discuss all those geeky things that you love. You can join us every night or you can do your own thing, it’s entirely up to you. Geek Nation Tours wants you to have the most freedom possible to “Geek Out”, so our meetings will be completely optional – you can come and go as you please. For those that can’t make the meals (because of a full gaming schedule) feel free to come later – and bring your dice – because we will have open gaming every night. Plus, we will make sure the house is stocked with good things to eat for late comers and late-night gamers…

For those that join us back at the house, this will be the second night of Graham McNeill directed Call of Cthulhu RPG goodness. This will be another night he brings you to the edge of insanity with a one-off adventure into madness, horror and death. Write home that you were one of the few people driven mad by Graham McNeill each night at Gen Con...

McNeill‘s musings:

Overnight Location: Indianapolis

Day 4 - Indianapolis (Friday, Aug. 4, 2023) / More Gen Con and Maybe a Guest or Two...

Mantic logo Osprey Games logoYou now have three days to completely geek out! You are free to experience Gen Con 2023 as you want, though there will always be a Geek Nation Tours representative on hand to deal with any questions or concerns you may have. Join a role-playing game, demo a new boardgame, or get your picture taken with a cosplayer. Your schedule should be all set at this time, but you can always choose to head back to the house and grab a game with some new friends. Lost your GNT companion?

Prior to registration, Geek Nation Tours will ask tour participants if they are interested in doing some gaming as a group. Many will be busy doing their own thing, but if you are interested be sure to sign up for any or all of these events. Some of the classics we did as a group in year’s past were D6 Gen’s “Play by Mob” event, and the famous “True Dungeon”.

Anvil Games logo

In the past, Geek Nation Tours has invited industry leaders to come and dine and game with us in the evening. We often have had the crews from Mantic Games, Anvil Eight Games and Osprey stop by for a visit. This will of course continue but those leaders will be asked to join our evening adventuring. We will still have time to mingle with them during dinner and ask them about games new and old, but they will also have to don the aspects of beleaguered civilian, cult leader, or deep one.

Of course, our Uber transportation will get us to and from the house so we can all game together… But note also, that they can take you right to the exact door of the convention centre you need or elsewhere were events are held... Uber will allow you to get as closest possible to your gaming events.

We should also mention that GNT will make sure all adventurers can keep their hunger at bay with bagged lunches of sliced meat, bread and tasty snacks. We will let you dig through the kitchen and thus you will not have to make any unwanted nongaming stops during the day.

All this and a chance to be driven insane by Graham McNeill too...

McNeill‘s musings:

Overnight Location: Indianapolis

Day 5 - Indianapolis (Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023) / Saturday at Gen Con and a Final Adventure into Cthulhu Bliss...

We will be right in the middle of enjoying Gen Con this day and you will be busy gaming, shopping or taking in the grandeur of what is Gen Con. The house will be open to all to come and go and if you are wanting a home cooked lunch and a quick escape feel free to come back "home" for a bit.

Tonight we will dine on slow cooked ribs, potatoes and grilled vegetables (we will be watching to make sure you eat your greens) and after we will conclude our Call of Cthulhu adventure. At this point we will sweep up those that have become drooling insane straightjacket bound cult members and move on to desert.

If we have time we can grab a quick pick up game or just chill and visit...

McNeill‘s musings:

Overnight Location: Indianapolis

Day 6 - Indianapolis (Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023) / Gen Con's Last Day and Fogo de Chao!

This is our last day to enjoy the spectacle that is Gen Con!  Take in some gaming or stroll through the vendor hall to pick up some last miniute purchases. Or perhaps you have had your fill and just want to hang out for some pickup games back at the house... Geek out as you will...

Tonight we will be getting together for our Farewell Dinner at one of our best loved restaurants - Brazilian Barbeque – at Fogo de Chao! Eat until your belly is full and take in their beautifully cooked meats or sample their spectacular salad bar. Whatever you eat, make sure it doesn’t make you too sleepy as we will return to the house to roll dice there…

After dinner we will take the time to bring a favorite boardgame (or perhaps a recent purchase) and teach your fellow gamers something you love. Whether you hop into boardgaming or just hang out watching – Sunday night is always an awesome night to relax with some more chill gaming back at our house. As a matter of fact, many many laughs are always heard from our tour members this evening. We cannot stress enough how fun this last night is.

Overnight Location: Indianapolis

Day 7 - Indianapolis (Monday, Aug. 7, 2023) / Departure Day but see you soon...

Today we will transfer to the airport and head home. The photos, memories and friends you made, even before hitting the convention, are yours to keep forever!

Tour Notes

Thinking about coming in early? Geek Nation Tours can help you with all your travel plans. Whether you want to visit another part of the United States prior to your arrival in Indy or if you just want to relax a bit afterwards. Let us know your travel needs and we can make sure you get the experience you are looking for.

Geek Nation Tours also takes care of the non-geek spouse with its Parallel Universes department.  There is a lot to do in Indianapolis for non-geek spouses or those that want a break from the rarefied confines of Gen Con. So, if 4 full days of gaming is not your thing, our Geek Nation representative will be available to help coordinate excursions around the Indianapolis area. Whether it is finding a mall, visiting a museum or taking in a sporting event, we are sure we can find something for all those non-geek spouses (or gamers just looking for a break).

NOTE: Attendance of special guests and celebrities is subject to change due to scheduling conflicts and professional obligations.

NOTE: COVID-19 has changed both our geek and our real worlds. Some things may never be the same and others may not be able to be offered on our tours or will have to be altered in a new post Covid world. With that said, please understand that GNT is moving forward as if the disease is already conquered, but all tours are now subject to change.

What's Included

Pre-Registration Conference Calls, All house nights and taxes, transfers to and from the airport, unlimited Uber transfers while in Indianapolis, Gen Con 4-day badges, all dinners including the exclusive Welcome Dinner and the GNT farewell dinner, Gen Con 2023 weekend pass and no line event ticket pick up, Exclusive Gaming Experiences, and Commemorative (and stylish) GNT Gen Con shirt.

Tour Price

Main Tour - All are prices are based on single occupancy private room per person:
$3,599.00 USD + $431.88 Taxes & Fees
Deposit:
$500.00 USD
Final Payment Due:
April 1, 2023
Note:

Note that we have limited space at the house. Individual guests will each have their own queen room, while couples have the first pick of the rooms with king sized beds. 

Covid Pricing note: As we move into the post-Covid era there may well be price adjustments as we move forward. It has been postulated that the tourism industry as a whole will see many price increases. While GNT strives to give the best price along with the best service and experience, we may be forced to increase tour pricing in the future.

Non-Geek Spouse Argument

Non-Geek Spousal Argument: “But there is tons to do in Indy for the whole family. Geek Nation Tours even has great non-geek spouse activities too!”

Copyright Notice(s)

© 2017 GEN CON, the Gen Con logo, and The Best Four Days in Gaming! are trademarks of Gen Con LLC. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

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