In this inspirational talk, Stone (Mechs vs. Minions) will review 15 unique tabletop games he created over the past 15 years. He'll share a variety of tips that can be applied to your own designs.
Description:
For the past 30 years, Stone has created 30 unique and highly customized tabletop games for his family and close friends: play-by-mail game for his sons in college, a real-time rhythm card game for drum students, a social game for a wedding, and several highly personalized tabletop games for his four grandchildren.
In this talk, he'll review 15 of these games. Each one teaches a special lesson, with unique constraints shaped by the experiences of his small audience. Many of the tips and techniques can be applied to games that you create for the people closest in your life.
This talk is for all game designers interested in exploring the art and craft of creating games without the financial and time pressure imposed by corporate oversight. It will especially interest parents of young children, and anyone who has ever wanted to create a personal tabletop game for their closest friends.
250 years ago: key military, political, diplomatic, economic events as the American Revolution entered its second year. NSDM staff panel discussion moderated by Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret
Description:
1776, 250 years ago, was a time of events, great and small, as the American Revolution entered its second year. Military, political, diplomatic, economic, the Colonials struggled with what it would take to be a nation apart from Britain, while the Crown sought to hold on to control across 3,000 miles. A narrative of events and their immediate and long-term implications, panel discussion by the National Security Decision Making Game staff. Useful background for the Revolution Crisis Megagame immediately following. Moderated by Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., with 12 years' experience at the Naval War College.
How the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 changed US policy and changed the world. Panel by NSDMG staff, moderated by Merle Robinson with Capt Mark McDonagh, USN/ret. and Maj Scott Macmann, USA/ret.
Description:
The world changed on Sept. 11, 2001, especially for US citizens. Having enjoyed a decade with the Cold War over & the Soviet Union disbanded, US & pro-Western allies luxuriated in a period of reduced military expenditures and the apparent end of the nuclear balance of terror. But the attack directly in the heart of America’s largest city, destroying landmarks recognized world-over, brought to the forefront a conflict that had been back-burnered in the minds of most security strategists. The 25th anniversary of the attacks, this lecture reviews the major actions & policy changes that resulted. Moderated by Merle Robinson, retired DoD analyst, with Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., former nuclear submarine officer with 12 years' experience at the Naval War College, & Maj. Scott Macmann, USA/ret., Army Intelligence Officer, of the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
5 Minutes to Midnight - AI and the Tabletop Gaming Industry
Summary:
From science fiction to hotly debated technology, AI is here. Controversy has followed, paired with utopian visions. One thing lis clear: AI will change the tabletop gaming industry.
Description:
For over 30 years I have watched and participated in evolutionary change in the tabletop gaming business but I have never seen anything with the potential to revolutionize the way games are created and published like AI. This panel will explore the ways AI may impact our business across many kinds of work - creative, operational, executive, etc.
A panel in which industry vets Howard Tayler and Maurice Broaddus riff and ramble for 50 minutes. Come for the laughs, stay for the lore drops, leave wanting a friendship like theirs.
Description:
Pulling from their long friendship and over 50 years combined industry experience, join Howard Tayler and Maurice Broaddus as they discuss, joke, and maybe argue about anything and everything. Guaranteed affectionate chaos for 50 minutes.
A crash course for game designers and publishers on game manufacturing. Tips on component choices and the production process. Ideas for running your crowd-funding campaign will be up for discussion.
Description:
Are you a game designer looking to get your game published? Are you just interested in the ins and outs of the board game industry? Join the team from Panda Game Manufacturing for a behind the scenes look at game manufacturing.
An overview of cultural and content differences between anime and Western culture, with some advice on anime cons and recommended series with educational value.
Description:
Japanese animation isn't like Western cartoons (duh). As a parent, what should you be watching out for? How will you know what's appropriate for your kid? Brent P. Newhall of Anime Archaeology will cover cultural and content differences between anime and Western animation, and will recommend a variety of anime series that can integrate with your kid's school work.
Last year panelists discussed AI and all of its detrimental effects. Where are we now? Join panelists as they share stories of resistance and helpful resources for ethical creation in a post AI world.
Description:
Featuring: Jason Sanford, Jerry Gordon, Johannah Simon, Lark Morgan Lu
Jennifer Brozek will answer your questions about getting your work to stand out in an editor's eyes--be it short, long, or RPG fiction.
Description:
Jennifer Brozek, a wordslinger and optimist, is a multi-talented author, editor, and tie-in writer whose nominations and awards include: multiple Bram Stoker nominations, a British Fantasy Award nomination, multiple Hugo nominations, multiple Scribe Awards, and an Australian Shadows Award.
Accountability Without Callouts: Restorative Justice in Gaming Communities
Summary:
When harm happens in gaming, we default to callouts and exile. This panel explores restorative justice for TTRPG spaces: centering victims, creating accountability and real transformation.
Description:
Recently, when a creator was called out for racism, our community believed victims, cut ties, and supported those who were harmed. But days later: the person disappeared, the victims are still carrying the hurt, and nothing was repaired. We did accountability theater, and exiled them without transformation.
Gaming communities face a painful cycle. When harm occurs, we choose public callouts that retraumatize victims or silence that protects abusers - neither serves communities.
Restorative justice offers a third path. This panel explores: restorative practices in the commuinty, centering harmed people without forcing emotional labor, accountability vs punishment, when restoration isn't possible, material repair beyond performative apologies, structures that prevent and address harm, and why victims feel failed by call out culture and institutions.