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Gen Con 2025 DM Signup
Welcome! Thanks in advance for your interest in DMing at Gen Con 2025 for Baldman Games. Without DMs and helpers like you, shows like this would not exist. I’ve always said that even when you’re DMing, you’re gaming, and that is never a bad way to spend the day. We’ve drummed up some of the best benefits we can to entice you to swap over to the dark side of the DM’s screen.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a LOT (seriously, a LOT) happening this year, some of which is different than last year. Please read things completely before filling out your DM application.
Go directly to the signup form
DMing is a great way to give back to your hobby, and we have some really great rewards that make helping out even easier – plus it’s a great way to attend the show and save some serious $$. You can earn a free badge to the show or even a spot in one of our hotel rooms next to the convention center (a huge perk). It’s also a great way to make new friends and immerse yourself in the show community, more than a casual attendee ever could. Our DM pool organizes events most nights of the show to help build camaraderie and let everyone blow off some steam after a long day of gaming. Our judge retention rate is extremely high, so fair warning: once you work for us, you’ll probably come back and do it again next year.
Now for some show terminology:
- Badge Level: If you DM at Badge Level, you’ve worked enough to earn a free badge to the show. This badge is paid for by the Baldman Games staff. You need to have created an account in the Gen Con registration system before registering with us. You will then provide us your email address attached to that account, and we take care of the rest. You’ll receive an email from Gen Con when the free badge has been assigned to you and can transfer any tickets or housing you’ve already got on a paid badge and seek a refund for it.
- Room Level: If you DM at Room Level, you’ve worked enough to earn a spot in one of our hotel rooms. These rooms are for four nights (Wed. night to Sat. night), and we put three to four (see details below) people in a room. We do our best, though, to put you in a room with the roommates you prefer whenever possible. So if you are unsure about staying with strangers your first time, then get a couple buddies to DM with you, and we’ll put all of you in a room together. We all win!!
- Slot: This one confuses a lot of people and is a very old term from the RPGA days. A slot is the same as saying a shift. In the case of Gen Con 2025, a slot is four hours long. Every event and day is put together using slots so events line-up nicely, start and end at the same time in relation to each other, and help you put together a schedule that fits your needs easy as possible. The slots in our main D&D play space are numbered so the first slot on Thursday at 9am is called Slot 1. The last slot that runs from noon to 4pm on Sunday is Slot 11. In the Expo Hall where our demo games (D&D and Avalon Hill) are located the first slot on Thursday at 9am is called Slot B1. The last slot that runs from Noon to 4pm on Sunday is Slot B11.
- Slot Zero/Slot 0: So if the first slot is called Slot 1 then what the heck is Slot 0? Slot 0 is any game that runs before the show itself, allowing our DMs to see a game they will later from the player’s perspective. Usually these are done so DMs can prepare to run a better game. Seeing things from a player’s perspective then preparing it is a huge help for some. Sometimes these are also special DM-only events done as rewards for them helping out. Regardless of whether you get to play an event before the show or not, you are always expected to be prepared when the show starts and it is game time.
- Judges: “Judge” is just a fancy word for “DM.” It is a remnant from a bygone era, but we are so used to saying it that sometimes it slips through. If we say “judge,” we mean “DM or other type of gamemaster.”
Now on to some event specifics:
- The D&D eXPerience @ Gen Con: This is our premiere experience event at Gen Con. Players in this event get a set DM, table, and show exclusive content. This event is run by our established, best-of-the-best DMs. In order to be considered for this, you must be a Level 3 or higher DM in the Herald’s Guild (a.k.a. a “Blue Shirt”). If you are new, this is the event you want to be running someday. The top of the D&D DM mountain. Do a handful of shows for us and knock our socks off, and you too can be part of this awesome group.
- D&D Legends of Greyhawk Event: This is our standard 2-hour or 4-hour event at the show. Perfect for new and experienced DMs. We aim to run in 1.5 hours for a 2-hour game or 3.5 hours for a 4-hour game so you have a little time at the end to gather up your stuff, hit the bathroom or food court really quickly, and get back for your next slot (or if your last slot for the day, run to the Dealer’s Hall).
- D&D Learn to Play Event: This is our 2-hour (90 minutes of play) fast-play event. It’s still a 4-hour shift of work, but you’ll run the same adventure twice in that time. It is fast-paced and a lot of fun. It makes for a great time and is very popular at the show. It’s an excellent opportunity for newer DMs as preparing one mini-event for repeated play is a lot easier then a 4-hour one.
- D&D Demo: This is a 20-30 minute quick demo for as many players as we can rope into trying it from 9am to 7pm each day (so make sure to watch slot times – they are different). Everything is provided (map, minis, not-so-mini minis, pregens, dice, etc.) for you to create an awesome experience. We’ll also make sure your area manager creates opportunities for you to take breaks as needed between tables. NOTE: This will take place in the main convention hall, NOT in our D&D play space.
- Grim Hollow (from Ghostfire Games) – Join us for the launch of their new Organized Play program at the show. This is D&D 5th ed., with the same slots and benefits as running Legends of Greyhawk.
- Avalon Hill Boardgames: Spend some time teaching/playing HeroQuest, Betrayal at the House on the Hill, Talisman, new games, and card games with some exciting players. NOTE: This will take place in the main convention hall, NOT in our D&D play space.
- HQ: You will get to know this gang well as the show goes on. These are my minions whose job it is to take care of all the little things going on around you at the show so you don’t have to. Their job is to make sure you have everything you need, so all you need to do is focus on your game and give your players a fantastic time. They are long-time DMs and staff members, most of whom have been doing this 10+ years – and some closer to 30. We usually have a few open spots each year for office admin and reception here. This is great for example if you want to help DM and get a free room but your significant other doesn’t DM. We can put them to work earning a room in another fashion, and you can still share a room together. We have many couples who do this.
Well, hopefully that was helpful in getting you up to speed on what we are about and how you can help us help you. Now on to the nitty-gritty details that hopefully will now make more sense to you.
For Gen Con 2025 everything at the show (outside of HQ staff) works on 4-hour shifts. This means the show has 11 slots from start to finish (unless you’re doing retail or HQ) as listed below:
D&D Events Schedule (Lucas Oil – West Lounge) – Schedule A
| Thursday Jul 31st | Friday Aug 1st | Saturday Aug 2nd | Sunday Aug 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 9am-1pm | Slot 4 9am-1pm | Slot 7 9am-1pm | Slot 10 8am-Noon |
| Slot 2 2pm-6pm | Slot 5 2pm-6pm | Slot 8 2pm-6pm | Slot 11 Noon-4pm |
| Slot 3 7pm-11pm | Slot 6 7pm-11pm | Slot 9 7pm-11pm |
D&D Demos and Avalon Hill (Demo Hall) – Schedule B
These run on a schedule that’s slightly condensed towards the middle of the day to accommodate show floor hours. Some of this time at the beginning and end will be setup/breakdown. Your area manager will work with you to ensure that you still have ample opportunities for breaks between games so you can grab some food, hit the restroom, etc. Yes, we know they overlap in the middle – run a bunch in one day and you win.
| Thursday Jul 31st | Friday Aug 1st | Saturday Aug 2nd | Sunday Aug 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot B1 9am – 1pm | Slot B4 9am – 1pm | Slot B7 9am – 1pm | Slot B10 9am – 1pm |
| Slot B2 Noon – 4pm | Slot B5 Noon – 4pm | Slot B8 Noon – 4pm | Slot B11 Noon – 4pm |
| Slot B3 3pm – 7pm | Slot B6 3pm – 7pm | Slot B9 3pm – 7pm |
Retail Booth (Exhibit Hall) – Schedule C
These run on a schedule that’s slightly condensed towards the middle of the day to accommodate show floor hours. Some of this time at the beginning and end will be setup/breakdown. Your area manager will work with you to ensure that you still have ample opportunities for breaks between games so you can grab some food, hit the restroom, etc.
| Thursday Jul 31st | Friday Aug 1st | Saturday Aug 2nd | Sunday Aug 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot C1 10am – 2pm | Slot C3 10am – 2pm | Slot C5 10am – 2pm | Slot C7 10am – 2pm |
| Slot C2 2pm – 6pm | Slot C4 2pm – 6pm | Slot C6 2pm – 6pm | Slot C8 2pm – 6pm |
HQ Staff (Lucas Oil – West Lounge) – Schedule D
HQ Runs on longer schedules so we do not change staff during slot swap (we like a little chaos but we don’t want ‘ALL’ the chaos).
| Thursday Jul 31st | Friday Aug 1st | Saturday Aug 2nd | Sunday Aug 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot D1 8am – 4pm | Slot D3 8am – 4pm | Slot D5 8am – 4pm | Slot D7 8am – 4pm |
| Slot D2 4pm – Midnight | Slot D4 4pm – Midnight | Slot D6 4pm – Midnight | – |
Benefits
Payment: We compensate all of our DMs and staff. You’re doing work – you deserve a fair return. How you get compensated and where it goes is a decision left to you for most event types. Here are your options for that:
- Paid to DM: For standard 2- and 4-hour adventures, you will be paid per ticketed, seated, and confirmed player at the table per the payment schedule below. Avalon Hill and Fast Play events are based on slots worked, not players seated. This payment will happen approximately 6-8 weeks after the conclusion of the show once Baldman Games is paid by Gen Con. You will be responsible for your own badge and accommodations (if required).
- PLEASE NOTE: You must be eligible to work in the United States for the paid option (I need a valid US Tax ID# for your 1099). This is not something that is negotiable.
- Benefits as Compensation: What you earn at the show will to go towards your badge and hotel. You will not be cut a check at the end of the show (but neither will we hand you an invoice if you don’t make enough to cover everything). A minimum of 4 slots will get you Badge Level, and a minimum of 7 slots will earn you Room Level.
Non-Employee Compensation: Regardless of which benefits option choose above, you are doing work for hire. You are not an employee of Baldman Games LLC or Gen Con LLC at any time. This is why you get to pick when you run, what you are running, etc.
Pay Schedule for Gen Con 2025:
- 2-hour Learn to Play / Standard AL event – $4 per ticketed and seated player
- 4-hour standard AL event – $8 per ticketed and seated player
- D&D eXPerience – $10 per ticketed and seated player (per 4-hour play session)
- D&D Demo – Benefit option only (still counts towards badge/room)
- Avalon Hill – $30 per slot worked
Code of Conduct
Please make sure you have read our Code of Conduct and ask any questions you may have before filling out this application. By submitting it you are agreeing to follow the rules and guidelines contained within them.
Events running at Gen Con 2025
Introduction to D&D (1.5 – 2-hour game) – This is a brand new Learn to Play adventure (details later). You’ll run this twice in a 4-hour slot. 1st and 2nd-level characters, campaign-agnostic.
[NEW!!!] Legends of Greyhawk – Campaign Launch (3.5-hour game) – A brand new Organized Play campaign – we have 4 adventures in general rotation at the show (Hommlet/Nulb/Shadow/Sword) – all for levels 1-4.
The D&D eXPerience Tracks A & B – [NEW!!!] Hommlet Track (3.5-hour games in three different slots) – A Legends of Greyhawk preview trilogy that premiered at MCC set around the Village of Hommlet.
The D&D eXPerience Tracks C & D – [NEW!!!] City of Greyhawk Track (3.5-hour games in three different slots) – A new Legends of Greyhawk trilogy set in the City of Greyhawk.
Avalon Hill Boardgames (20-30 minute demos) – Show peeps the ropes on Heroquest, Betrayal at House on the Hill, cards games, and brand new games not even out yet.
Ghostfire (D&D 5E) – Launch of the brand new Grim Hollow OP campaign from Ghostfire Games.
Registration Form
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