BaltiCon will be all-digital again this year, and I’m happy to be on some programming, including a great focus on ttrpgs and gaming this year.
Here’s my schedule:
Saturday, May 29th
1pm – Mount Washington
Love the Setting, Hate the System
Lisa Padol, Christiana Ellis, Michael R. Underwood, Daniel M Ford, Adam Beaton
What are your options when you love the setting of a particular game, but the rules don’t fit with what you want to run? Let’s talk about system hacks, house rules, game conversions, setting-agnostic rulesets, and when to move on to something else.
4pm – Pride of Baltimore
Good First-Time RPGs (that aren’t D&D)
Christiana Ellis (moderator), Lisa Padol, Jennifer R. Povey, Michael R. Underwood, dave ring
Are you interested in trying role-playing games, but want to try something with simpler rules, more focus on narrative, or in a different genre? We’ll discuss great newbie-friendly RPGs that explore the range of playstyles and stories at the gaming table.
Sunday, May 30th
10am – Watertable
What Makes Video Games Genre?
Bugsy Bryant (moderator), Tee Morris, Michael R. Underwood, Phoebe Barton, Adam Beaton
Video games frequently tap into an audience’s love of science fiction and fantasy, but too often don’t go beyond superficial genre trappings (alien invasions, magical combat, etc.). What are the games that successfully engage with SFF ideas and themes through story and gameplay mechanics, and how can creators further develop genre storytelling in games?
2:30pm – Mount Washington
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
L. Penelope (moderator), Michael R. Underwood, Devin Randall, Mary Fan, Nicole Givens Kurtz
Marvel Studios has been pushing boundaries and navigating into uncharted territories with their Disney+ series, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is no exception, touching on everything from systemic racism to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to fan privilege. How has the series worked with MCU canon as it explores the direction of Captain America in a post-Rogers world? What themes does the series share with WandaVision, and what might the future hold for Sam and Bucky?