GENCON, the massive annual gaming convention in Indianapolis, bills itself as the best four days in gaming and it's hard to argue with that slogan. I made the trek to Indianapolis last weekend along with about 20 members of my local gaming group to enjoy the 45th GenCon, the brainchild of 'Dungeons & Dragons' co-creator Gary Gygax. The convention has grown from a tiny gathering of less than 100 people to attendance approaching 40,000 this year.


GenCon is where the major board game, collectible card game, miniature war game and role-playing game companies roll out their new products, either for purchase or in demonstration mode for products coming at a later date.

And, of course, people go to GenCon to play tons of games and meet other gamers. There is also a massive dealer's hall to buy games and other items. In short, it's a gamer's paradise.

'What impresses me the most about GenCon every year is how kind and personable everybody there is,' said Jen Hydrick of Kingston. 'It's lovely to meet somebody on the street or in a restaurant with whom you can strike up a random conversation about 'Star Wars' or 'Firefly,: or how much you really want to try the board game 'Run for Your Life, Candyman' if only you had more time at the Con.'

Jen and her husband, Aaron, have been going to GenCon for several years and both volunteered in one of my favorite parts of GenCon: True Dungeon. In True Dungeon, a group of 10 players make their way through a life-size dungeon complete with actors in costume, lights and music effects, puzzles to solve and monsters to slay.

''True Dungeon is always my favorite part of GenCon, and is the reason that I keep coming back every year,'' Aaron said.

''I have always appreciated the volunteers and the work they do for True Dungeon. After completing my first year as a full-time volunteer, I have a deep and profound respect for the people who do this every year.''

As for highlights for new games, the big hit with my game group was Fantasy Flight Games' new 'Star Wars X-Wing' miniature combat game. The basic set ($40) comes with an X-Wing starfighter and two of the bad guys' TIE fighters and all the cards and other items you need to play.

You can also buy expansion packs ($15) of more ships like extra X-Wings or other ships from the films like the Y-Wing and Darth Vader's special TIE Advanced ship. The game plays fast and fun and captures the feel of ''Star Wars.'' It releases to retail stores (including Target) in September.

I also picked up the ''Superhero Squad'' trading card game from Upper Deck. It's a great game for kids (recommended for ages 8 and up), but I've had fun with it as well. A two-player starter set is $20 and is out now.

The game features the Marvel Comics' heroes (in cutesy, smaller form from the popular ''Superhero Squad'' toys and cartoon) battling it out. The game is fast and fun and there is some strategy to how you build your deck as well.

''Dungeons & Dragons'' also had a large presence as fourth edition rolls on and the next edition of the game (still being called ''D&D Next'') was being playtested. The big announcement was that the new D&D edition will be set in the popular Forgotten Realms world.

As for ongoing D&D stuff, ''Rise of the Underdark'' is the big event right now and features a wide-ranging story featuring the drow (dark elves). ''What's really cool is that there is such a rich story and several different product offering that tell that story,'' said D&D associate brand manager Shelly Mazzanoble. ''If you're interested in comic books, video games, novels, board games, miniature skirmish games, tabletop role-playing games, we've got you covered.'' Other games to be on the lookout for that I got a peek at during GenCon include ''Netrunner'' (a remake of the old card game), the new ''Star Wars'' role-playing game (now in beta testing mode) and a surprise hit, ''Spartacus'' (based on the TV show).

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Ian Clark's Pop Culture Club appears weekly in the New Hampshire Sunday News. He is the author of two fantasy novels: 'Prophecy of Shadows' and 'Plains of the Past.' Check out his 'Nerdherders' podcast on iTunes and nerdherderspodcast. com. His email address is iclark@unionleader.com.