What you need to know about this year's Gen Con
Gen Con 2016 is expected to bring in more visitors, more exhibitors and more money for Indianapolis' economy than it did last year.
The four-day gaming convention, Aug. 4-7 at the Indiana Convention Center, is on pace to sell a record number of badges, beating last year's attendance of 61,000, according to a news release.
It's also the city's biggest annual convention, expected to generate $71.7 million, said Chris Gahl, senior vice president of marketing and communications at Visit Indy, the city's tourism arm. That is about $1 million more than the estimated economic impact of the NCAA Men's Final Four in 2015.
Indy costume maker creates everything from stripper clothes to Chewbacca
Here are five things you should know about Gen Con 2016:
1. Want to go? You can buy a badge for one day or the entire convention.
Go to www.gencon.com to register and buy your badge. Single-day badges are $75 each; four-day badges are $120. Kids younger than 8 get in free. Avoid the high prices for your family, and go on Aug. 7's Family Fun Day — a family four-pack of badges is $45. The badges will be picked up at will call when you go. The exhibit hall will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 4-6 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 7, but gaming will go on 24 hours a day at both the Indiana Convention Center and hotels.
2. Sun King Brewing has released an official Gen Con beer for the past five years.
This year's version, 20-Sided Rye, will be tapped at a party at 5 p.m. Aug. 3 on Georgia Street, with live music and entertainment.
3. Part of Gen Con will be happening at Lucas Oil Stadium this year.
Some of Gen Con 2016's events have expanded into Lucas Oil Stadium, most notably the convention's popular True Dungeon game, played in a life-size dungeon, not a gaming table. This year's True Dungeon game will take players through lava caverns and an underground city.
4. Watch or participate in the 31st Annual Costume Contest and Parade.
If you're at the height of your cosplay game, you could win in one of seven categories: child, groups, anime, fantasy/historical, game character, potluck or superheroes/sci-fi. There's an eighth category set aside for professional costume makers. The parade through the convention center begins just after 3 p.m. Aug. 6, and the contest follows at 4 p.m. Enter here.
5. Gen Con will benefit a local Indianapolis charity.
Each year Gen Con selects a charity that will benefit from a number of events throughout the convention. This year, organizers have chosen homelessness outreach program PourHouse. The convention will raise money through a charity auction and an event called "Cardhalla," in which a card tower will be created and then people can demolish it by throwing money at it. Last year, Gen Con raised more than $40,000 for The Julian Center.
Call IndyStar reporter Amy Bartner at (317) 444-6752. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.