R.A. Salvatore: Dorks and Sports Panel
Friday 3/22, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (Eastern Time) Wyvern Theatre
Many who call themselves dorks want a high wall around their culture keeping everyone out. Jocks or athletically-minded individuals in school might have terrorized those who played Magic or Mario, but some nerds have responded by heaping just as much abuse upon those among us who happen to enjoy a sports contest or two. And that’s just wrong. It’s perfectly normal for a guy or a girl who likes playing with elves and orcs to also enjoy a baseball game or, Cthulhu forbid, the Olympics. In this discussion of individuals who happen to be both geeks AND sports fanatics, we’ll talk about the similarities between sports and nerd culture -- from the dedicated cosplayers to the unholy obsession with stats -- and how we nerds should embrace sports fans as kindred spirits, not shun them as enemies.
Panelists include R. A. Salvatore, Greg Tito (Senior Editor, The Escapist), Jason Schreier (Kotaku), Rob Zacny (Freelance Journalist), Sean Sands (Gamers With Jobs).
The Future of D&D
Saturday 3/23, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm (Eastern Time) Cat Theatre
D&D Next is coming! Hoards of fans have already signed up for this monumental playtest and are helping to shape the next iteration of the Dungeons & Dragons game. Don’t miss this chance to hear how fan feedback is impacting the tabletop roleplaying game and where we’re at in the design process. In addition, you’ll get the download on D&D’s digital future including exciting new games like Neverwinter—the free, action MMORPG from Perfect World Entertainment and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition by Beamdog. And maybe, just maybe, a very enticing new D&D offering coming soon to the digital space will be revealed.
Panelists include Mike Mearls, Senior Manager, D&D R&D and Chris Perkins, D&D Senior Producer.
The Art of the Dungeon Master
Sunday 3/24 4 pm – 5 pm (Eastern Time) Sphynx Theatre
Dungeon Mastering, like wine tasting and equestrianism, is a fine art. It takes a variety of skills—story-weaver, actor, lawyer, arbitrator—to sit behind the screen with confidence, style and aplomb. But fear not. These skills can all be learned and our expert Dungeon Masters plucked straight from the D&D R&D department will be on hand to answer your questions. Need tips for DM’ing with D&D Next rules? Have some rules that need adjudication? Want help building encounters and campaigns? A Q&A session will follow the panel discussion. All levels of Dungeon Masters welcome.
Panelists include Chris Perkins, D&D Senior Producer & “Dungeon Master to the Stars," Mike Mearls, Senior Manager, D&D R&D, and Scott Kurtz of Table Titans.