Quest Portal Goes to GenCon 2025: A First-Timer’s Dive into Nerd Nirvana

From Reykjavik to Indianapolis, from a single day at the office to the heart of the biggest TTRPG convention in the world. Here’s what it’s like to be thrown straight into the dragon’s den.

One Day at the Office, Four Days in the Dream

I’d been with Quest Portal for exactly one day before I found myself in a taxi with two of our founders, heading to Keflavik Airport. Our destination? GenCon. The mecca of tabletop role-playing games. The beating heart of dice, dragons, and cosplay. The place where fandom and industry meet in a glorious, chaotic celebration.

Most new hires ease into things. I got handed a badge, a carry-on, and a deep dish pizza in Chicago before barreling south to Indianapolis, wide-eyed and jet-lagged.

Day Zero: Controlled Chaos and the Cult of Community

We arrived a day early, which meant we got a glimpse behind the curtain. The Indiana Convention Center was buzzing with last-minute builds, vendors racing the clock, and the unmistakable hum of anticipation. Our first contact? Chaosium, of course. Mike Mearls was there, embodying the brand’s delightful disarray. (“We’re not called Ordarium,” someone quipped.) We leapt in to help. Setup became a team effort, a bonding exercise, and a not-so-subtle flex of Icelandic scrappiness.

Meetings, Mysteries, and the Magic of Scale

That evening, the networking began. Industry dinners. Quiet talks. Teasers we can’t quite share yet. But what I can say is this: GenCon was very, very good to Quest Portal. Keep your eyes on this space.

And then, the storm hit.

The Convention Begins: Demoing Dreams in the Chaosium Room

For most of the con, we had a spot in Chaosium’s game room. It was an incredible vantage point: we got to demo our tools, chat with fans and newcomers, and even run a few impromptu sessions. Our brilliant COO/CFO Gummi ran The Cursed Farm from Age of Vikings twice and stepped in when a no-show left a table without a Game Master. In classic Keeper (Game Master) fashion, he conjured a Call of Cthulhu session on the spot, powered by Quest Portal and a bit of friendly table banter from yours truly.

We were also positioned next to an Italian team demoing RuneQuest: Warlords, a slick RTS computer game adaptation. The synergy was real. Fans bounced between screens and dice, thrilled to see tables come alive in multiple mediums.

Sanity Loss, Card Towers, and 70,000 Nerds

I’d read the numbers. Heard the tales. But nothing prepares you for 70,000+ TTRPG fans under one roof. Coming from a country of 380,000, it was like wandering into a fantasy city that had sprung fully formed from a collective imagination. I took sanity damage at least three times just trying to process the sheer scale of it all.

There were cosplay parades, spontaneous drum circles, sprawling vendor halls, and a literal city of playing cards built for charity and gleefully demolished. Every corner held something remarkable.

Chaosium Turns 50, and We Were There

One of the highlights? Chaosium’s 50th anniversary party. Hosted in a smoky basement bar, it was the kind of night that felt like a story unto itself. I found myself elbow-to-elbow with legends of the industry—not just the new wave of actual play stars, but the old guard. The writers and designers whose modules shaped my early campaigns. I even chatted with one designer whose work I was re-reading for an upcoming game. Surreal, moving, unforgettable.

Leaving the Dungeon… For Now

By the time the con wound down, I was exhausted in the best possible way. It felt less like attending an event and more like reaching a milestone in a campaign—the kind you remember with longing and tell new players about.

Saying goodbye was hard. But the good news is, we’re all just one virtual session away from reconnecting. And you can bet I’ll leap at any chance to return.

If you’re headed to GenCon 2026, keep an eye out. I’ll be the one grinning like it’s his first time... again.

TL;DR

I joined Quest Portal, then immediately went to GenCon. It was overwhelming, exhilarating, and unforgettable. We ran games, made connections, helped Chaosium set up, demoed our tools, and soaked in the glorious chaos of 70,000 fellow fans. I left tired, inspired, and ready for more.

Next Steps

• Check out Quest Portal’s Pro Campaigns to bring your game group to Gen Con-level collaboration.

• Want to run The Cursed Farm or another one-shot? Find several on Quest Portal’s Marketplace.

• Try running your next con game with Quest Portal and see how effortless it can be.

FAQ

What’s the best way to prepare for GenCon?

Bring comfortable shoes, a flexible schedule, and an open mind. The best moments are often unplanned.

Is Quest Portal planning more convention appearances?

Yes, in general, but we don't have anything specific planned. Follow us on social media and our blog for announcements about upcoming events.

Can I try the demo sessions you ran at GenCon?

Yes! We ran Age of Vikings: The Cursed Farm. This quickstart adventure is free on our Marketplace.

Is GenCon worth it for first-timers?

Absolutely. Whether you're a Game Master, player, or just curious, something unforgettable awaits you.