On this episode, we're joined by a very special guest — Alex Kammer, the principal owner of the only convention bold enough to call their exhibit hall a dealer hall... GAMEHOLE CON! We had the best time talking everything gaming with Alex, including Gamehole Con 1, Gamehole Con 12, the other conventions he attends, and what the Gamehole Con's bar mitzvah might look like.

Important links:

• Get your Gamehole Con badges before they sell out! (Log in is required.)
• Gamehole Publishing's new living RPG campaign, The Wardens of the Eastern Marches, including their new adventure paths by Alex, Joshua Hoyt and someone named Ed Greenwood
• The End of Everything, Alex's epic 5E D&D adventure that properly brings the Cthulhu mythos into 5E
• The rest of Alex's RPG publishing pedigree on RPG Geek

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Our recap of Origins 2025, the 50th anniversary of this esteemed convention — a celebration you might have missed if you blinked — all delivered to you hot and ready in thirty minutes or less.

Get your Origins Merch here: https://www.originsgamefair.com/origins-merch-store

And see how Quarex helped JP Coovert become a better GM! https://youtu.be/68Kcdi4WHU0?si=mTMrscwUV58xUbW-

You won't want to miss it.

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Both Ben and Quarex were at Origins Game Fair for all five days of this historic 50th anniversary, and we spoke with so many great exhibitors. On this episode, we highlight some of the exhibitors who have new releases or awesome events at Gen Con, too. Thanks to:

• Matt from Motley Kids, where kids can be kids at Origins, Gen Con (check out the event schedule), and other midwestern conventions
• Aly, Richard, and Michael with Kess Co, who was demoing Tamagotchi Collection ahead of its Gen Con release
• Chris at Capstone Games, who was showing off new Gen Con releases like Tea Garden, Meltwater, and Up and Down

You won't want to miss it.

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Both Ben and Quarex were at Origins Game Fair for all five days of this historic 50th anniversary, and we spoke with so many great exhibitors. On this episode, we highlight some of the exhibitors with cool and future releases on display at Origins. Thanks to:

• Bobby and Ted with Cavernwire Games, who were selling pre-sale copies of their new game Vine, coming to Kickstarter in July
• Jim from The Museum of D&D, who was showing off what this nonprofit is looking to do in Orlando
• David from Recycled Realms, who was selling bespoke wargaming terrain — contact him to commission your next boss scene
• Theresa and John from Geekify. who sell books, maps, and other ephemera at great prices
• Cheyenne from Action Fiction, who was demoing Goblin Cave, which is coming to crowdfunding later this year

You won't want to miss it.

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Both Ben and Quarex were at Origins Game Fair for all five days of this historic 50th anniversary, and we spoke with so many great exhibitors. On this episode, we highlight some of the publishers with new and newish releases at Origins. Thanks to:

• Sabrina at Ludoliminal Games, who was releasing an early GOTC candidate "Uh Oh Dino"
• Heather at 9th Level Games, who just released the second edition of the Nazi-punching space opera Rebel Scum
• Breeze at Zephyr Workshop, whose Second Ignition of AEGIS: Transforming Robots beat the tariffs across the sea
• Josh from Arc Knight, whose Mimic Dice delight Quarexii and Actual Human Children alike
• Eric from Escape Mail, who braved the U.S. border to show off The Shackleton Series Box Set for your next game night

You won't want to miss it.

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Are you ready for the 50th anniversary of Origins Game Fair? It's here on Wednesday morning!

EVENTS!

• Origins Events: https://tabletop.events/conventions/origins-game-fair-2025
• Games on Demand: https://tabletop.events/conventions/origins-game-fair-2025/schedule/1695
• Blood on the Clocktower: https://tabletop.events/conventions/origins-game-fair-2025/schedule/7160
• Builders of Baldur's Gate: https://tabletop.events/conventions/origins-game-fair-2025/schedule/6909 
• They Keep Killing Thomas: https://tabletop.events/conventions/origins-game-fair-2025/schedule/5354
• Poker Peril: https://tabletop.events/conventions/origins-game-fair-2025/schedule/8587
• Grimdark Future: https://tabletop.events/conventions/origins-game-fair-2025/schedule/8991 

GAMES!

• Origins New Games List: https://www.originsgamefair.com/featuredproductstry
• Raising Chicago: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/330579/raising-chicago
• Please Don't Burn My Village: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/438119/please-dont-burn-my-village
• Slambo: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/435357/slambo
• Wine Cellar: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/411033/wine-cellar
• Uh Oh Dino: https://ludoliminal.com/products/uh-oh-dino-board-game
• S'mores Galore: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/419206/smores-galore

INKUBUS: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19mVPb8Rhp/

PIN BAZAAR: https://www.originsgamefair.com/pin-bazaar

NORTH MARKET: https://northmarket.org/

GRAETER'S: https://www.graeters.com/neighborhood-locations

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On this episode, Ben and Quarex interview Josh Berling, who is the other TOVA auctioneer for the Gen Con Live Auction (link), as well as the magician behind the Valhalla charity auction on Saturday night in the Indiana Convention Center. Josh weaves tales about his first auction experience in Milwaukee, his favorite auction memories throughout the years, and why you'll want to be in the audience for the auction this year.

But first, we also talk about the return of the Origins Consignment Shop (link), although for reasons that confound us, Big Mallet Auctions didn't look at our recording schedule to determine when to stop accepting items. Still: worth checking out at Origins 50.

You won't want to miss it.

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With Origins coming up this month, Quarex and Ben help you prepare for all the fun you can have at the 50th anniversary show. Highlights include:

• Tournament of Pieces (link)
• Paint and Take (link)
• Origins Special Guests (link)
• Attend trade day (link)
• Game Based Education Therapy Conference (link)

And don't forget:

• Watch Quarex play “Heart of Darkness” with Origins special guest Andrew E.C. Gaska (link)
• Get tickets to our live recording on Thursday at 8 pm (link)

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While your hosts Quarex and Ben are gearing up for the 50th Anniversary of Origins next month, there are still plenty of things our dreamers want to know about Gen Con.

We're talking shoes, shots, bags, and lockers. We're talking about our wish lists and dreams for the exhibit hall. We're talking thieves of yore and the shuttering of the forums.

Most importantly -- we're talking the likelihood of another sell out—because the easiest way to miss out on the best four days in gaming is to wait too long to buy that badge.

Important links:

• Exhibit Hall Policy
• Locker Room Talk
• Exhibitor List for 2025
• "I'm the map, I'm the map"
• Update for the Gen Con 2023 Heist
• Shuttering of the Gen Con Forums

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