After discussing the lack of an OSR-related booth, I got to looking closer at the Exhibition Hall map and the Exhibitor list.
Maybe I'm just missing them, but it appears that there are quite a few "regulars" that aren't on the list. Again, maybe I'm somehow overlooking them, or they have a presence but just not in the Exhibition Hall but - so far - these names (some really big ones, others smaller) cannot be found:
Asmodee has a number of booths, but they operate under a bunch of different names.
____________________________________________________ Alec Usticke, Unofficial Gen Con Indy Facebook Discussion Group
These ones stick out to me because they're pretty prominent, and because I personally enjoy their products. It's kind of sad they're not there. Anyone else see any prominent names missing this year?
@bithlord - I hadn't realized that they hadn't been there for a few years! I thought they were there in 2015 (when I went last) but I guess they weren't. Still, they're a big name in the industry, and it's a little surprising they're not there. But if they haven't been there in a few years, I guess those in attendance aren't as shocked at their absence.
Asmodee not so secretly owns about 1/6 of the whole exhibit hall. lol
It's too bad the Troll Lords won't be there. Our group discovered Castles & Crusades because of Gen Con years ago and pay it often. They always had god deals on their wares and are always fun to talk to.
It is silly that WotC abandoned Gen Con.
Burning Wheel is there (booth 2051).
Kobold Press is going to be there running game and seminars. They normally "share" a booth with Paizo, but their name is never listed. I'm not sure if that's the same this year.
Fat Dragon Games is another that I noticed was not on the list. Too bad they make so excellent printable terrain items.
Wish Mindworm Games would come back...
Frog God Games not going to be there.
I'm glad that Burning Wheel will be there...I must have overlooked them.
@trace_sl - that was one I saw missing and forgot about. Yeah. That one stinks! I wish FGG was going to be there!
Frog God makes incredible products. Silly they won't be there as well.
Geek Chic won't be there.
It's been several years at this point, but I still miss Cloud Kingdom Games. Used to love stopping by their booth to do the riddle.
The cards are printed on *terrible* cardstock. The dice, are generic cheapy tiny plastic dice that you would expect in a dollar-store board game, not "premium" like they indicated. They lied through their teeth when promoting the kickstarter.
And, to top it all off, leading up to it (and continuing on after it) they removed ALL support / files for their old Paranoia from their website with no forewarning.
The fact that they eventually delivered a budget product doesn't give them any benefit in my eyes.