Gen Con has posted results about this year’s convention, arguably the largest North American gathering of tabletop gaming enthusiasts, designers, publishers and fans. According to the organizaiton, Gen Con enjoyed a healthy 50,000 gaming fans on-site at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in the four days of the event on August 4-7. These results are measurable with pre-pandemic levels and indicate a return to in-person opportunities for board gaming hobbyists.
Gen Con Seems to Beat Pre-Pandemic Numbers
The event focused on the shared love for board gaming but branched out into art contests, prototype highlights, cosplay, tournaments and the opportunity to grab an early copy of games that have not yet hit retail shelves. The hosts brand the event as a “can’t-miss” annual gathering of gaming enthusiasts from all over the world, not just the United States. Commenting on this Gen Con President David Hoppe added:
We’re grateful to our tens of thousands of attendees, exhibitors, event organizers, and local partners who made this year a truly special 55th edition of The Best Four Days in Gaming.
Gen Con President David Hoppe
Gen Con Indy 2022 is said to have generated $57.4 million in economic activity for local businesses, hotels and restaurants since it launched back in 1968. Visit Indy CEO and President Leonard Hoops welcomed the encouraging numbers that signaled the event’s recovery. Hoops said that he was looking forward to the next edition in 2023 along with all the people who attended this year and the future attendees.
Strong Turnup Among Industry Representatives
In terms of industry presence, Gen Con is definitely one of the most influential gatherings there is. While a bit out of reach to some because it’s based in the US, it brings together 530 game publishers and vendors. The event features more than 500 new game titles, and this year’s edition sold more 15,000 tickets to various events.
The Op Event Manager Stephanie Shossow said that this year’s edition was even better than the 2019 edition. This comes despite the rather strict admittance criteria, which include a proof of vaccination and a requirement to wear in-door masks. Gen Con is set to return next year in Indianapolis on August 3-6, 2023.