I have never seen them enforce having a badge hardly any place but the dealer hall. You can walk through most other areas without a badge no problem.

I guess I never pay much attention to the cosplayers. Should they be required to wear their badge in the "common" areas (ICC/hotel hallways) or after they pass checkpoints (vendor hall)? I could see how the badge would detract from their presentation. 

I have seen them check at gaming tables, at the auction, and in seminars. I've had badge checks happen in a couple of painting classes I was in. My wife teaches fiber arts classes and she had badge checks in a couple of her classes last year. It seems much more common (anecdotally at least) in the last couple of years than in past years. Again, at least in our observation.

I've seen cosplayers late at night at the con without badges. I assumed they were locals who were just happy to have an excuse to where their costume. Although one of them I did see the next day and he had a day pass then. I've also seen (what I assume to be) locals come in and roam the halls without badges in the early evening. Looked like they were just people watching. Gen Con's probably a sight to see for people who enjoy that.

Never really considered any of them to be problems, but who knows this year. Last year was really first year I noticed this other than the time with the drunken Colt's fans roaming the halls briefly. (Never been stopped so many times for photos since.)

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Alec Usticke, Unofficial Gen Con Indy Facebook Discussion Group

I can't remember a GenCon in my 17 years attending where I *didn't* see them check at least some tables in the same room as me.  Sometimes even checking me (which is fair - I frequently keep my badge in my pocket).

I always recall a time when several people used a counterfeit badge under the name "Vince McMahon".  They all* got caught, and someone official tried to blame Comic Images (makers of the WWE tcg "Raw Deal"). 

*Technically I can't say they all got caught.  But several of them did.

I hope they lock down the entire convention center with badge checks at the convention center door since badges are sold out this year. Only allow limited access into the will call area for unbadged folks.

keep in mind, people unassociated with GenCon will be staying at the hotels (although not many).  People unassociated with GenCon will need access to the convention center office for various reasons. 

It may have been laxly enforced in the past (and probably will be the same this year), but your statement is factually incorrect.

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Alec Usticke, Unofficial Gen Con Indy Facebook Discussion Group

http://www.gencon.com/attend/policies

Badge CredentialsEveryone (excluding children eight (8) and under) attending Gen Con must wear a valid badge for identification while in the convention center and surrounding hotels and during game play/events. A badge is required to purchase event tickets and allows the bearer access to the Exhibit Hall, Art Show, Anime events, seminars and other events happening in public areas during one or more days of the convention. Badges must be visible at all times to assure staff and security of your eligibility to participate in the convention.

While I may be reading this incorrectly, it seems that badges are only required during game play/events and in specific areas (i.e. Exhibits Hall, Art Show, etc.) 
 

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Alec Usticke, Unofficial Gen Con Indy Facebook Discussion Group

I stand corrected.

However it also states "Everyone attending Gen Con." I don't want to get down into the weeds too much on this, but if you're not attending Gen Con that policy obviously doesn't preclude you from using public areas of hotels and the convention center. I have no idea if the ICC hallways are considered space available to the general public, but if I'm not attending the convention and staying at the Westin, clearly I don't need to be wearing a badge to wander about the hotel.

It does say 'while in the convention center and surrounding hotels and during game play/events', not only during game play/events.  Likewise, there's also that 'and' after the specific areas noted that seems to include all public areas during the days of the convention.

That said, it will be interesting to see if staff comes down a bit harder on those without a badge, since this is the first year they've sold out (or likely will, at least - since there are still some one days available at the moment).

Because of safety issues, I'd imagine they'd almost have to do so.

ICC security didn't seem convinced by that argument being made by the woman I saw removed. However, they did offer to escort her when she then said she was just heading to registration to buy a badge. That won't be an option this year.

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Alec Usticke, Unofficial Gen Con Indy Facebook Discussion Group

"NOTE: The ICCLOS is a public facility and therefore the lobby areas must remain available and unobstructed for public ingress/egress at all times." Note the words 'public facility'. You can find that in Section 2.1 here: https://www.icclos.com/pdf/ICCLOSFacilityGuide.pdf 

There was speculation that if Gen Con rented out the whole space, it might change that but as none of us have the contract in hand, we can only guess at this point. We will all find out in about a month though!

Well, they did say no badges available for purchase on site, but...you still have to walk over to will call to get your things...and in my case, hunt down my EO to get my gm badge. Yes, I'm picking mine up on wednesday when it's all fair game, but not everyone will.

I would assume that main long hallway in front of will call is open completely. So I guess you could watch the costume parade. 'I'm waiting for an opening to get to will call, honest!'