Opraveno 27. 6. 2023
What feels like ages ago, we started attracting people from abroad and were working on the broad support of an English program and international attendance. And then… COVID happened. Despite that, we are happy to welcome you, and there is still plenty of fun to be had, even if you don’t speak Czech!
GameCon is a 4-day summer event for anyone who loves fun and non-computer games of any kind: board games, tabletop RPGs, LARPs, Wargaming, social games, party games, or anything similar or in between. On top of that, we also throw some parties and concerts since we consider GameCon to be both a convention and a festival, so we actively support both of these aspects of the event. It doesn’t matter if you are a hardcore or a casual gamer – we have plenty for anyone. Check out one of our videos to see what we mean!
Traditionally, every year from Thursday to Sunday in the second half of July (see the main page).
(It’s always the second weekend from the end of July, but some people find it difficult to calculate. ;))
In Pardubice, Czech Republic (it's less than an hour by train from Prague) – the exact address is Gorkého 2573.
To get to the place from the train station, you can take the bus n. 6 (the destination is a bus stop named „Dukla, KD“), or you can go on foot and take this route. If you're traveling by car, there is a small parking lot available in the compound, or you can park on the nearby streets, but please be considerate of the locals.
First of all, please find „Infopult“ (= Info desk) and register as soon as you arrive. You can find it on a map of the compound. You can't attend anything without confirming your registration here first. The Info desk is open from 8:30 am (on Thursday from 12 pm). It closes at 9 pm on Thursday and Friday, at 8 pm on Saturday, and at 5 pm on Sunday.
If you have any problem or question at any time, you can always ask at the Info desk; we'll be happy to help.
In order to attend, you need to:
Unfortunately, our web is currently not multi-lingual, but it should be possible to go through everything using standard page translation offered by all contemporary web browsers.
Our younger visitors should keep an eye out for age restriction tags in the activities. These serve (with just a few exceptions) more as guidelines – if you feel mature enough for the game despite not meeting the age requirement, let us know, and we will see what can be done. If you are under 15, your legal guardian must sign our attendance consent form.
To attend an activity you signed up for, go to the shared meeting point 15 minutes in advance. The shared meeting point is marked as the symbol of three people on the map.
Feel free to visit our board game hall or a concert – none requiring speaking Czech. :)
Although we had to back off from active support of the English program, there are nonetheless some English activities every year (offered by us or our visiting foreign GC friends) – and many activities might be accessible to English speakers even though they are officially played in Czech.
Check out program sections and look for activities described in English (it helps to turn the automatic page translation off first) and/or activities having the „Eng only“ label. There are usually at least some RPGs and Epic board games in English.
Especially in Epic board games and Action games sections, many activities are accessible for English speakers even though it is often not stated in their descriptions. Just check out what you like and ask us (preferably on Discord, but you can also contact us via e-mail or Facebook).
GameCon wants you to offer YOUR favorite games and activities!
Let us know what you’ve got, and we will find a place for it! Players will then come on their own, don’t worry about that. :) (You can contact any of us anywhere – we will pass it on to the relevant person.)
If you need help, or an explanation, or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Our official communication channel is an e-mail info@gamecon.cz.
Discord is our preferred way of communication, though. Just come to our server. Don’t mind the Czech; just write in English; we will respond either way. :) (RED users are GC organizers; the „chit-chat“ channel is for chatting, and „otázky a pomoc“ means „questions and help“)
We have a Facebook page and an Instagram page as well, so feel free to contact us there if you wish, but our response time might be a bit slower.
GC is entry-free; you pay only for services (accommodation, food, etc.) and for specific activities you choose (most of them, some are free as well – mainly the whole board game hall and lectures). The price of a game varies between 2–10 EUR, and the price of the accommodation varies between 10–17 EUR per night. The price of food varies from 3–5 EUR per meal. You will find all the service prices in the registration form and all the activity prices under the specific activities themselves.
The accommodation is located next to the main GC building. Rooms have 1, 2, or 3 beds; there are duvets and pillows present along with the bed linen. There are shared toilets and bathrooms on each floor. In the registration form, you can make a reservation only for one bed (not the whole room). Each participant needs to fill out their own form. However, in the form, it is possible to add who you want to share your room with, and we will try to make that happen. Unfortunately, there is only one room key available, so please leave it at the reception desk anytime you leave the accommodation.
We offer the possibility to order breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner, but it needs to be done in advance in your registration form. Once your meals are ordered, there are multiple options to choose from at the place. You will find the menu here. Vegetarian options are available, but there is a limited amount of portions for each meal. However, there is usually enough for everyone interested if you don't come too late. Breakfast is served from 8 am to 10 am, lunch from 12 pm to 2 pm (on Sunday from 1 pm to 3 pm), and dinner from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, so make sure you don't miss them!
There is also the possibility to cook for yourself since there are kitchens available on each floor of the accommodation, but you'll need to bring your own dishes. There is a fridge, a microwave, and a kettle in each kitchen; there is no cooker available, though.
Info desk („Infopult“): Do you need any assistance or information? The Info desk is the place to go. If there's an emergency or it is already after the opening hours, the Info desk can be reached at +420 735 513 899. Or you can find anyone in the RED GameCon T-shirt.
Medic: Are you or someone else hurt? There is a GameCon medic present at all times. Their number is +420 735 540 479, or you can ask at the Info desk. You can also call the Czech medical crisis number, which is 155 (or 112 for general emergencies).
Kindred Spirit: Have you experienced an uncomfortable situation / are you not feeling well and do want to talk about it? In that case, please contact our Kindred Spirit. You can call the number +420 705 943 002. On the other side of the line, there is Míša, who will be happy to help you. Really. And everything you tell her will stay confidential unless you'll wish otherwise.
Color coding is present on wristbands and on GC T-shirts. RED marks the main organizers. We will be happy to help you with anything. ORANGE marks other staff (mainly the Info desk workers and the board game instructors). They can help you with their area of responsibility and direct you to other people you might need. BLUE marks gamemasters or volunteers. Most of them can provide you with assistance or contact other staff members. Any other color marks regular visitors – some regulars might be able to help you, and asking doesn't cost anything – we are a friendly community. :)
If necessary, the participant may be expelled from an activity by a gamemaster or from the festival by an organizer without any reason or compensation.
The Czech Republic is a very safe country (it is in the world's top 10), and GameCon is an event with a kind community, so you don't have to worry. :) However, although there is no history of theft on GameCon, it's better to be safe than sorry, so be wary of your more valuable possessions.
