48 Fun Facts You Might Not Know About Gen Con and D&D

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), so it’s time to celebrate the legendary history of the famous role-playing game and its connected roots to the gaming convention Gen Con! Discover 48 fun facts you probably didn’t know about Gen Con and D&D, then impress your friends at your next game night or convention trip.

1. Gen Con is the largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention in North America. 

2. Gary Gygax founded Gen Con as a gathering for tabletop war gamers in 1968. 

3. The first Gen Con had about 60 attendees, and admission cost $1. 

4. The name “Gen Con” stands for Geneva Convention, not because of the Geneva Conventions related to war, but because it was initially held in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. 

5. D&D, first published in 1974, is credited with being the first commercially available role-playing game. 

6. D&D was created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, who initially developed the game in their basements. 

7. The original D&D was heavily inspired by medieval culture, mythology, and Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.

8. In 1976, the first D&D tournament was held at Gen Con, establishing a tradition of competitive play at the convention. 

9. The famous 20-sided die (d20) used in D&D was nearly unheard of in gaming until D&D popularized it. 

10. The Advanced Dungeons & Dragons edition, introduced in 1977, significantly expanded the game’s rules and character options. 

11. The 1977 convention was held at the Playboy Resort and Country Club in Lake Geneva.

12. The “Satanic Panic” of the 1980s targeted D&D, falsely accusing it of encouraging devil worship and leading to moral panic. 

13. A D&D-themed restaurant called “The Dragon’s Lair” was once proposed by Gygax but never realized. 

14. In 1997, Gen Con was sold to Wizards of the Coast, which owns D&D. 

15. In 1999, Hasbro acquired Wizards of the Coast and with it, Gen Con.

16. Peter Adkison, founder of Wizards of the Coast, purchased Gen Con from Hasbro in May 2002, forming Gen Con LLC to run the convention.

17. Gen Con moved to Indianapolis in 2003 and has been held there ever since, drawing tens of thousands of attendees annually. 

18. Gen Con features a wide range of events, from board game tournaments to cosplay contests and industry panels. 

19. Gen Con’s Exhibit Hall features more than 500 vendors selling games, gaming supplies, merchandise, and memorabilia, and includes official D&D licensors like WizKids, Beadle & Grimm’s, and Ultra Pro.

20. The convention has a “First Exposure Playtest Hall” where designers can test new games with attendees. 

21. Gen Con hosts a charity auction annually, raising thousands of dollars for various causes. The convention has raised more than $425,000 for charity since 2003.

22. Gen Con also hosts a film festival that showcases movies and documentaries related to gaming and fantasy. 

23. Gen Con offers various gaming experiences, from classic tabletop RPGs to the latest virtual reality games. D&D remains one of the most popular events at Gen Con.

24. D&D has been translated into more than a dozen languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. The game has evolved, with several editions refining rules and expanding the game world. 

25. D&D’s fifth edition, released in 2014, has been praised for its accessibility to new players and emphasis on storytelling. 

26. D&D sessions can last hours or even span multiple gaming sessions, creating long and complex story arcs. 

27. The game has a dedicated fanbase that creates and shares homebrew content, expanding the universe beyond the official materials. 

28. D&D has influenced countless video games, novels, and movies with its concepts of fantasy role-playing. 

29. Vin Diesel, Stephen Colbert, and Joe Manganiello are celebrity fans of D&D, showcasing the game’s wide appeal. 

30. D&D’s influence can be seen in popular culture, including the TV show Stranger Things, which prominently features the game. 

31. The game’s three core rulebooks are a Dungeon Master’s Guide, a Player’s Handbook, and a Monster Manual. 

32. In D&D, players create characters to embark on imaginary adventures within a fantasy setting, guided by a Dungeon Master (DM). 

33. The game’s success has led to the creation of professional Dungeon Masters, who host games for a fee. 

34. D&D allows for extensive customization, with players able to create their characters, spells, and even worlds. 

35. The game’s lore includes hundreds of monsters, deities, and magical items, creating a rich world for players to explore. 

36. Live-streamed D&D games have gained popularity in recent years, with shows like Critical Role drawing large audiences. 

37. True Dungeon is a live-action role-play experience where players navigate through a physical dungeon at Gen Con.

38. D&D’s alignment system, categorizing characters as lawful, chaotic, good, evil, or neutral has become iconic in role-playing games. 

39. D&D has been used in educational settings to teach storytelling, mathematics, and social interaction elements. 

40. The game encourages teamwork and problem-solving, as players must collaborate to overcome challenges. 

41. D&D has a dedicated “D&D Day” day to celebrate the game, with events at local game stores and community centers. 

42. Dragons are featured heavily in D&D gameplay and are among the most popular monsters.

43. In 2019, Gen Con introduced Genevieve, the iconic friendly dragon mascot of Gen Con.

44. Fans chose Genevieve’s name in a social media poll.

45. Genevieve can be found greeting customers and posing for photos at Gen Con and regularly makes appearances in the Kid Zone and the Family Fun Pavilion, areas of the convention aimed at younger gamers and families. 

46. In 2020, Gen Con selected Rollacrit as its official merchandise partner, expanding Gen Con into a pop culture-driven lifestyle brand with trendy tees, hoodies, bags, drinkware, home goods, accessories, and gaming gear.

47. Gen Con has survived and thrived through changes in ownership and the evolving gaming landscape; 2024 marks the 57th convention!

48. The enduring popularity of D&D and Gen Con demonstrates the lasting appeal of tabletop gaming and the power of imagination.

Gen Con Indy 2024 will take place Aug. 1-4 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Fans can find more information and purchase passes at gencon.com.