Episode 249: The Road to IndiCon 2026

In this episode, James discusses his preparations for IndiCon, shares insights on planning gaming projects, and highlights what makes a great gaming event. He emphasizes the importance of good games, access to designers, and the power of community in enhancing the hobby experience.

keywords

board games, IndieCon, gaming events, game design, community, project planning, sports board games, game development, gaming industry, event tips

Chapters

00:00 Packing for IndieCon: Essential Gear and Games

01:09 Selecting Games for Short Events and Travel

02:29 Packing Light vs. Packing Too Much

04:32 Introduction to the Episode and IndieCon

04:54 Recap of Last Week's Episode and Project Adjustments

06:08 Using ChatGPT for Project Brainstorming

08:39 Developing a Wrestling Federation Project

09:51 Storytelling and Building Rivalries in Projects

11:59 Pivoting Plans and Flexibility in Projects

12:20 News from Stone Mountain Press and New Releases

13:42 Upcoming Baseball Games and New Releases

15:01 Print vs. PDF Models and Industry Trends

16:47 New Baseball and Sports Games on the Horizon

17:57 Exciting Developments in Horse Racing and Tennis Games

19:21 Updates from 49 Sports Games and New Seasons

20:00 Struggling to Get Games to the Table

20:57 Running a Baseball Tournament with Payoff Pitch

23:26 Highlights from the Tournament and 1986 Baseball

23:38 Getting Ready for IndieCon and Milestone Episode

24:30 Live Show Plans from IndieCon

25:52 Top 5 Elements of a Great Gaming Event

28:23 The Importance of Designer Access and Conversations

31:05 Creating Space for Conversations at Events

32:04 Choosing Signature Sites for Gaming Events

34:17 Signature Sites: Hotels, Museums, and Unique Locations

36:05 The Power of Community and Like-Minded People

37:46 Anticipating a Great IndieCon Experience

39:33 Upcoming Milestones and Future Plans

41:00 The Value of Live Events and Community Engagement