Laser, high powered microwave & particle beam weapons: fiction yesterday becoming reality today. Fact vs. fiction, what is the near-term potential? Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., physicist, NSDM staff
Description:
Long the weapon of choice for science fiction authors and screenplay writers, fictional, so-called "death rays" have done everything from burn up electronics to blow up planets. And that's not even addressing the sharks question. With the deployment of operational laser weapons, these are no longer entirely science fiction. This lecture will discuss current developments in directed energy weapons, attempting to separate fact and potential from fiction and fancy, and project their near-term use as both combat weapons and terrorist tools. Presentation will delve into the physics of these systems. Presented by Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., a submarine officer with 12 years' experience at the Naval War College and with BS and MS degrees in physics, now on the NSDMG staff.
Genre has always explored a better future, world, and society. Join our panelists as they discuss how writing diverse genre can be a means of resistance in today's world and why you should do it.
Description:
Featuring: Cat Rambo, J. B. Garner, Khaldoun Khelil, Jason Sanford
Build more immersive TTRPG worlds by answering hilarious questions about fantasy's most famous monsters. Do owlbears lay eggs? Are dragons actually lobsters?
Description:
This panel of artists and game designers examine the monsters in fantasy RPGs through the lenses of zoology, anatomy, and ecology. Discover the hilarious and ridiculous ways animals survive, especially with wizards wandering about. Tell new stories guided by the razor's edge of survival in every forest, ocean, and desert. Reduce your prep time as you discover the internal logic of your favorite fantasy worlds. It's gonna be wild.
Dodoborne: Everything you Wanted to Know or Ask About Dodos!
Summary:
Join Isaac, Rowan, and Joe from Dodoborne: A Daggerheart Actual Play Podcast as we talk all things Daggerheart, Dodoborne, and otherwise!
Description:
Dodoborne started in late 2024 by four friends stepping into the world of Daggerheart, and our adventures have taken us far and wide! The crew will talk about the podcast and answer questions from fans. Merch may even be thrown to the crowd.
Renegade Game Studios and the Royal Court of Princess Donut has gathered Matt Dinniman and Jeff Hays to answer questions about Dungeon Crawler Carl from Crawlers just like you!
Dungeon Crawler Carl RPG: Crawler Creation Chaos with Matt Dinniman & Jeff Hays
Summary:
New Achievement! You became another person! Join Matt Dinniman and the team at Renegade Games Studios as we discuss how to create characters in the brand new Dungeon Crawler Carl Roleplaying Game.
Description:
Join Matt Dinniman and Jeff Hays of Dungeon Crawler Carl, the team who worked on the RPG from Renegade Game Studios as they walk us through the Dungeon Crawler Carl Roleplaying Game's character customization. Participants will be able to provide ideas and help the panel create a new Crawler!
Dungeon Crawler Carl in Hobby: Early Access Showcase
Summary:
Reward: You are invited to a panel about the latest inventions (games, toys, accessories) within the Dungeon Crawler Carl universe.
Description:
Hosted by Renegade Games Studios, Matt Dinniman and his partners give insight into all things Dungeon Crawler Carl coming to the hobby space in 2026 and beyond!
You worked hard on your manuscript and want it polished for submission to an agent or for self-publishing. We'll wade through the process and have a Q&A to help you decide on your editing options.
Description:
International writer/editor Zharel Anger will provide information to assist you in having your novel edited within your available budget. Questions will be taken in order to assist your personal situation. If you are not a new writer, you may attend to add your experience to the knowledge given out :)
Discover history's most epic quests to inspire your next TTRPG, like a zombie plague of flesh-eating fungus or the Ice Age giants that saved a shipwrecked Russian crew.
Description:
Build better games through history! These stranger-than-fiction, real-world adventures would be right at home in your next TTRPG. Gain inspiration and compelling structures for your next dungeon run, hex crawl, or monster hunt. Featuring Book of Extinction, a bestiary of extinct animals resurrected for 5th Edition.
European challenges: Russia/Ukraine, economy, immigration, evolving US relations. Overview of the next 20 years, how will this affect the continent & the world? Panel by Merle Robinson w/NSDM staff.
Description:
Europe is confronting some of the most critical challenges it has faced since the Cold War, with immigration changing demographics and with it fundamental cultural individualisms, with their long partnership with the U.S. entering a phase of tumultuous relations and reexaminations, with an industrial base struggling to reconcile with a climate agenda, and with a growing concern over Russia in light of the ongoing Ukraine war and energy considerations. How will Europe evolve over the next 20 years, and how will this affect the policies and politics, the economies and the security balance of European states, of the continent, and of the world? Panel by the National Security Decision Making Game staff, 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.