The Ann Arbor District Library presents AADL Game Con—Saturday, April 13 from 11am to 5pm at the Downtown Library.
AADL Game Con combines two popular AADL events from the past few years: Role Playing Game Fest and the 2023 Game Designer Expo.
Game Con is a super-charged gaming extravaganza featuring gaming sessions, presentations, and a Vendor Hall. Gaming sessions will be run all day long, while a schedule of presentations on a variety of topics related to RPGs, game design, and more will be available for attendees to participate in. Check out our Vendor Hall to meet local game designers presenting their work, or find the perfect accessory for your next game night.
GAME CON PROGRAMMING
GM Like a Pro
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM • 4th Floor Meeting Room
Local Game Masters Chris Salzman, Andy Rau, and Phill Cameron will reveal their tried and true tips for running games. Stop by with your questions!
How to Run a Successful Kickstarter Campaign
1:00 - 2:00 PM • 4th Floor Meeting Room
Interested in funding your game? Local Game Designers Donn Stroud, Gordie Garwood, Al McWilliams, and Brian Beal discuss the ins and outs of running a Kickstarter Campaign for games. There will be time for questions!
Politicizing and Queering Game Dynamics
2:30 - 3:30 PM • 4th Floor Meeting Room
Game designer Avery Alder opens this talk with a question: Whose politics and experiences are we building our games around? After examining the importance of queer representation in games, this keynote will take a critical look at why representation isn’t enough. From there, Avery will explore how game mechanics and systems can be queered, subverting common structural assumptions in order to reflect a greater range of lived experiences. Examples will be drawn from the past two decades of independent tabletop roleplaying game design.
Avery Alder (she/her) is a queer game designer visiting from Amiskwaciwâskahikan. Her work includes Monsterhearts, The Quiet Year, Dream Askew, Ribbon Drive, and a host of smaller, scrappier projects. She designs games that tug at the heartstrings, challenging the ways we look at relationships and community. Click here for Avery's website.
Worldbuilding for Gamers
4:00 - 5:00 PM • 4th Floor Meeting Room
Join us for a rich discussion of how to make your created world come alive for players. Featuring panelists Avery Alder, Jim Hall, and Kevin Siembieda.
GAMING SESSIONS
Game Con features 60 and 90-minute gaming sessions throughout the day, each run by local Game Masters. The 60-minute gaming sessions take place in AADL's Secret Lab and the 90-minute sessions take place in the Multi-Purpose Room—both located in the lower level of the Downtown Library.
AADL has partnered with local GMs to offer a variety of gaming sessions throughout the day. Gaming sessions are first come, first served. Sign up sheets will be provided the day of Game Con so participants can reserve a spot at one game. Due to limited capacity, we ask participants to only sign up for a single session.
Gaming Sessions will feature a range of tabletop RPGS, including Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeon Crawl Classic, Wick and Wander, Root the RPG, and For the Queen.
60-Minute Gaming Sessions (Secret Lab)
Gaming Session: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Gaming Session: 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Gaming Session: 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Gaming Session : 4:00 - 5:00 PM
90-Minute Gaming Sessions (Multi-Purpose Room)
Gaming Session: 12:30 - 2:00 PM
Gaming Session: 3:00 - 4:30 PM
2024 Vendor List
Ace Deuce Games/Protospiel Michigan is a game development company known for its dedication to fostering creativity in the tabletop gaming community. Specializing in creating an immersive gaming experience, Ace Duece Games hosts Protospiel Michigan, a flagship event where designers, enthusiasts, and publishers converge to playtest and refine new games.
Birdtek Games is a dynamic game development company specializing in creating captivating tabletop experiences. With a focus on innovation and creativity, Birdtek Games excels in crafting games that combine compelling narratives with engaging gameplay mechanics.
Blue Spider Creations sells 3D printed items, including tabletop miniatures, dice towers, and more.
Brooklet Games is a game development studio that excels in crafting games that offer a perfect blend of strategic depth and accessible gameplay. From family-friendly fun to complex strategy, Brooklet Games' diverse portfolio caters to gamers of all ages and skill levels.
Calvin Thomas will feature a five-player co-op card game where players choose a scenario and work together to defeat it and then the boss at the end.
Chaosium is a renowned game publishing company recognized for its expertise in producing immersive tabletop role-playing games (RPGs). Chaosium's games transport players to fantastical worlds filled with rich lore and storytelling.
Chimera Illustration and Design is a powerhouse in the world of tabletop gaming, specializing in captivating visuals and artwork. Chimera's artwork enhances the gaming experience, immersing players in vibrant worlds. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, they excel in bringing game worlds to life through their illustrations and designs.
Dream Woven Games is a visionary game development studio dedicated to crafting unforgettable gaming experiences. Specializing in narrative-driven storytelling and innovative gameplay mechanics, they bring dreams to life through their games.
FirdBreign Games is a leading game development studio specializing in crafting unique and engaging tabletop experiences. From immersive role-playing adventures to fast-paced strategy games, their titles are designed to captivate, entertain, and push the boundaries of traditional gaming.
Five Houses, LLC is a game development company known for its commitment to quality and originality. Each of their games offers a unique and captivating experience, sure to delight and challenge players of all skill levels.
Flyover Games is an indie studio from Parts Unknown, Michigan, that develops games for mobile and PC platforms.
Franki Hanke is a designer and illustrator creating pins, stickers, and other everyday art. Franki's illustrations are known for their vibrant colors, intricate details, and whimsical style, adding depth and personality to the realm of tabletop games.
Galloping Goat is a game development studio specializing in creating unique tabletop experiences. Galloping Goat's titles are known for their immersive storytelling, strategic depth, and captivating artwork.
Geraldine Hamburger Industries is an innovative game development company crafting unique and entertaining tabletop experiences. Blending strategic gameplay with engaging storytelling, they create games that captivate players of all ages for endless hours of entertainment.
Gyld stands as an innovative force in tabletop gaming, crafting experiences that defy convention and ignite the imagination. Each game is a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to excellence and originality, promising a gaming adventure like no other.
Happy Slaying brings a blend of excitement and strategy to tabletop gaming in each game they create. With a team fueled by passion and creativity, Happy Slaying specializes in crafting gaming experiences that will leave players on the edge of their seats.
Horse Shark Games is an independent publisher of tabletop RPGs, immersing players in an old-school revival universe. Their games take adventurers on thrilling journeys through this world, where tools and programs left by the Computarchs await discovery. Horseshark Games also offers a curated selection of new and vintage RPG products from top publishers.
howdy riceball is an indie developer renowned for crafting nostalgic experiences for the Gameboy. He has developed a variety of games, including the Chunky Pixel Playing Cards Asset Pack, Steamboat Willie GB, and Let's Bee Friends. Each creation showcases a talent for blending nostalgia with innovative gameplay mechanics.
Palladium Books is a publisher of RPGs and board games, best known for its Rifts series and groundbreaking adaptability to various play styles and preferences. Some of their notable publications include Dragons and Gods, Old Ones, and Library of Bletherad, each offering players a unique and immersive gaming experience.
Psychoda Press is among the largest online publishers of new and vintage role-playing game products in electronic format, offering products from top publishers. With a primary focus on adventure modules and supplements, Psychoda Press caters to the diverse interests of RPG enthusiasts worldwide.
Red Heifer Games features Yacht Club, Banks, Secret Agenda, Weird Heraldry, and White Elephant: A Gift Exchange.
RoseSoda Studios is a Michigan-based indie game development team with a passion for innovation and creativity. Co-Directors and Gameplay Designers Anthony Schooley and Maggie Hartman bring their unique perspectives and love for gaming to every project.
Saving Throw Pillows produces geeky pillows for your living space made from scrap upholstery fabrics. Each pillow is a unique creation, crafted with care and a lot of fun. In addition to their one-of-a-kind pillows, Saving Throw Pillows also offers a range of other products, including dice boxes, pet accessories, apparel, and more.
Squid Related Games offers pixellated magic offering everything from puzzle and RPG games to simulation, adventure, and interactive fiction. Try Clairvoyance Fishing Club, Devil Evil, or Hot Steam.
Staghorn Games creates and sells thrilling RPG downloads that will transport you to captivating worlds. From the mysterious halls of Oddity High! to the epic quest of Chasing the Ouroboros and the enchanting folklore of Grassroots Yokai, their collection offers a diverse array of adventures to suit every taste.
Taylor Blossom is a visionary comic artist who pushes the boundaries of creativity with her unique artistic approach. Using only the Nintendo 3DS, Taylor brings her graphic novels and video games to life in a truly one-of-a-kind way.
TransPerfect Gaming is your go-to solution for comprehensive video game support, offering a wide range of services to take your gaming experience to the next level. From initial concept to post-launch and beyond, their global team of experts handles every aspect of game development with precision and care.
TTRPGkids is an ultimate resource hub for making tabletop RPGs accessible, enjoyable, and educational for kids. Their website offers a wealth of resources, from indie tabletop RPGs to D&D recommendations, tips, and tricks, creator interviews, and more.
Tusano Trading Co is the destination for handmade tavern-wares and woodwork tailored for the unapologetic nerds among us. Creator Thomas Tusano collaborates with artists and friends to craft exclusive products and décor that radiate a fantasy vibe, perfect for those who proudly embrace their obsessions.
World Champ Game Co is the design and publishing moniker for Adam Vass, a tabletop RPG designer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a one-person operation, Adam handles every aspect of game design, from writing and illustrating to publishing and distribution, all from the comfort of his own house.