SimuCon 2024

SimuCon is a yearly gathering in St. Louis near Simutronics headquarters usually taking place near the end of the summer.

OFFICIAL dates for 2024 are Wednesday, August 7 through Sunday, August 11, 2024 at the Sheraton Westport Plaza Hotel. Room reservation link Room reservation link here.

2024 Schedule

Main Schedule

All times CST (CENTRAL TIME)

Day	Time	Activity
Wednesday August 7th
	3:00 PM	Lend a hand with setup and hang out (Check-in starts on Thursday)
Thursday August 8th
	All Day 9:00 AM	Check-in and Socialize Coffee, Tea, and Water
	12:00 PM	Lunch break (on your own)
	1:00 PM	Builders Faire - Player Submission Event
	2:00 PM					Monster Mayhem - a Card Game
	3:00 PM
	4:00 PM	Live Alteration Sessions *				D&D Session 0 **
	5:00 PM	Live Alteration Sessions *
	6:00 PM	Dinner break (on your own)
	7:00 PM	Droughtman's Challenge *				D&D One-Shot **
	8:00 PM
	9:00 PM					Sip & Paint - Miniatures
	10:00 PM	Builders Faire - Player Submission Event - Recap		Reviewing Suggestions Forum		D&D One-Shot **
	11:00 PM
	1:00 AM	Quiet Hours - Volume down, liquor bottles away
Friday August 9th
	All Day 9:00 AM	Check-in and Socialize Coffee, Tea, and Water
	10:00 AM	Builders Faire		Live Alteration Sessions *		D&D One-Shot **
	11:00 AM	Live Alteration Sessions *					Blood on the Clocktower
	12:00 PM	Lunch break (on your own)				Lunch with Staff (perk)
	1:00 PM
		Gemstone		Dragon Realms
	2:00 PM	Adventure!		PANEL: Tangibly furthering your roleplay
	3:00 PM	Premium Character Customizations		Informal Q&A, Announcements
	4:00 PM	Creature Feature - Data & Design
	5:00 PM	Crafter's Corner		PANEL: Player run - PvP and You
	6:00 PM	Dinner break (on your own)
	7:00 PM
	8:00 PM	Raffle Prizes				D&D One-Shot **
	9:00 PM	Droughtman's Championship *
	10:00 PM	Blind-folded Duskruin Endless Arena Run *		Blind-folded PVP *		Jackbox Games	Crafts
	11:00 PM
	1:00 AM	Quiet Hours - Volume down, liquor bottles away
Saturday August 10th
	All Day 9:00 AM	Check-in and Socialize Coffee, Tea, and Water
	10:00 AM	Live Alteration Sessions *				D&D One-Shot **	Munchkins Tournament
	11:00 AM	Live Alteration Sessions *					Blood on the Clocktower
	12:00 PM	Lunch break (on your own)
	1:00 PM
		Gemstone		Dragon Realms
	2:00 PM	Bug or Assist? Squish or Persist?		PANEL: Player run - Advanced PvP
	3:00 PM	Gemstones!		Live Dev & Raffles
	4:00 PM	New Area! New Lore! Wait, what is this list? (Associated w. Builders Faire)
	5:00 PM	Combat Flourishes		PANEL: Player run - Crafting
	6:00 PM	Dinner break (on your own)
	7:00 PM
	8:00 PM	Costume Party / 80s Night		80s General & Movie Trivia		D&D One-Shot **
	9:00 PM			80s Music Trivia (Name That Rune)
	10:00 PM			Karaoke		PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT DEADLINE
						Jackbox Games	Crafts
	11:00 PM
	1:00 AM	Quiet Hours - Volume down, liquor bottles away
Sunday August 11th	All Day 2:00 PM	Socialize/Clean up! Rooms Close - Con Ends!

For the Live Alteration Sessions:
- First come, first served! There are several sessions scheduled, and everyone is allowed to claim one alteration but they MUST make it to one of these sessions.

*This event requires a laptop or use of one of the workstations provided in the main conference room to access the game.

**D&D One Shots: You must pre-register for a session in the Box Office. It is strongly recommended to attend Session 0.

Event Color Coding:
This event is in the main conference room.
This event is in Breakout 1.
This event is in Breakout 2.
This event is in Breakout 3.

Streaming Schedule

The following Gemstone IV panels will be streamed. All times CST (CENTRAL TIME)

Streaming link: TBD

Day	Time	Panel
Friday August 9	3:00 PM	Premium Character Customizations
Friday August 9	4:00 PM	Creature Feature - Data & Design
Saturday August 10	2:00 PM	Bug or Assist? Squish or Persist?
Saturday August 10	3:00 PM	Gemstones!

Attendee List

Prime Players

• Azanoth
• Dergoatean
• Desorceri
• Eruheran
• Ghommpikk
• Madmountan
• Liras
• Maylan
• Mourdeyan
• Obsalyn
• Raelee
• Ramladu-GS4
• Roblar
• Rozy
• Vadya
• Yavs

Platinum Players

• Ashanor
• Valmos
• Brahm
• Cadance

Shattered Players

• Sue
• Drekoi
• Omrii

Game Staff

• Aergo
• Haxus
• Ivry
• Kaonashi
• Lydil
• Marstreforn
• Mestys
• Nyxus
• Tago
• Thandiwe
• Valyrka
• Xeraphina

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does SimuCon cost?

Attendance badges cost $40 when purchased in advance. Tickets are available at the door, but will be more expensive. Please see the Ticketing section for more details.

Where do I sign up?

Ticketing will likely be handled via the play.net Box Office when available. Please see the Ticketing section for more details.

Who organizes SimuCon?

Typically GameMasters from Gemstone IV and DragonRealms are the official organizers. However, many players pitch in to plan unofficial events or to offer support. All work is strictly volunteer, so please be sure to thank your organizer team!

What is it like to attend a SimuCon?

SimuCon is a gathering of players and GameMasters for Simutronics games, including Gemstone IV and DragonRealms. The convention includes several events, as listed in the 2024 Schedule, that are planned by both players and staff. In-between events, attendees typically gather at conference tables similar to a large LAN party to play. Board games and other activities are frequently available as well.

How many people attend SimuCon and when do they show up?

SimuCon has experienced a growth spurt over the past three years or so. A current rough estimate would be 100 attendees (GS and DR combined) over the course of the weekend. The main convention days are Thursday through Sunday, although several people arrive on Wednesday and stay through Monday. The convention room is typically setup by Wednesday evening.

What equipment should I bring?

Bring your laptop/computer so that you can play Gemstone during the convention. Internet access and power strips are typically provided. Note: It is not recommended that you leave your equipment unattended in the conference room.

Will I need a car?

Many attendees never leave the hotel. However if you are planning to explore St. Louis, a car is recommended as public transportation options are slim. Lyft and Uber are both operational in St. Louis and are ideal for single trips. For any excursions listed in the schedule, carpool options may be available. A shuttle may be available to and from your hotel for airport travel, but don't forget to bring cash for a tip!

Is SimuCon family friendly?

In general, yes. Some attendees do bring children but activities in the convention room may be of limited interest to them. Note the Attractions section listed below for additional kid-friendly activities available in St. Louis. Please expect to encounter explicit language and consumption of alcoholic beverages, which will increase in the late night hours.

What is the weather typically like?

Missouri is nicknamed "Misery" for its hot and humid summers. For a current local forecast, click here: https://www.ksdk.com/weather

Do I need to bring food or beverages?

Depending on funds available, basic snacks will be provided. You are generally on your own for meals and can purchase food at the grocery or restaurant options listed in the Dining/Eating section. SimuCon is strictly BYOB. Alcohol can be purchased in most grocery stores and gas stations in Missouri.

What should I wear?

SimuCon is casual attire unless the schedule for a specific event indicates otherwise. Some events may encourage costumes or themed attire.

Is there a pool?

YES, pack your bathing suit! The Sheraton Westport Plaza has an indoor pool, and their sister property the Sheraton Westport Chalet has an outdoor pool. The Chalet's outdoor pool is very close and is a popular day time destination for attendees. All facilities at both hotels are available to any guest staying at either hotel. There is even a poolside bar with snacks and beverages (open Friday through Sunday), and towel service is available. It is recommended that you pack sunscreen ahead of time, because the hotel and nearby shops do not stock any. It is also recommended that you bring pool noodles, because pool noodles are wicked cool.

Visitor Information

The convention is typically held in the St. Louis area, home of Simutronic's headquarters. While the host hotel may very, it is usually held at one of the many convention spaces at or near the Westport Plaza. For specific details on the official hotel, please see the below accommodations list. Also below are some nearby shops and other information for visitors. All distances calculated from the host hotel.

Accommodations

Name	Distance	Address	Link
Sheraton Westport Plaza (Official Hotel)	onsite	900 Westport Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146	Group Discount Booking Link
Sheraton Westport Chalet	onsite	191 Westport Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146	Booking Link
Staybridge Suites	0.3 miles	25 Progress Pkwy, St. Louis, MO 63146	Booking Link
Comfort Inn Suites	0.7 miles	12031 Lackland Rd., Saint Louis, MO, 63146	Booking Link
Residence Inn St. Louis Westport	0.6 miles	11918 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146	Booking Link
Farfield Inn and Suites St. Louis Westport	0.6 miles	11918 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146	Booking Link
Courtyard by Marriott St. Louis Westport	0.7 miles	11888 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146	Booking Link

Dining/Eating

Name	Type	Distance	Address	Link
Drunken Fish	Sushi	onsite	639 West Port Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146	https://www.westportstl.com/tenant/drunken-fish/
Fuzzy's Taco Shop	Baja Tacos	onsite	302 West Port Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146	https://www.westportstl.com/tenant/fuzzys-taco-shop/
Kobe Japanese Grill	Japanese/Hibachi	onsite	645 West Port Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146	https://www.westportstl.com/tenant/kobe-steakhouse-of-japan/
Starbucks	Coffee	onsite	111 West Port Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146	https://www.westportstl.com/tenant/starbucks/
Trainwreck Saloon	American/Grill	onsite	314 West Port Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146	https://www.westportstl.com/tenant/trainwreck-saloon/
Westport Social	Bar/Games/Karaoke	onsite	910 West Port Plaza Dr. St. Louis, MO 63146	https://www.westportstl.com/tenant/westport-social/
Jovick Brothers Deli	Deli	onsite	318 West Port Plaza Dr. St. Louis, MO 63146	https://www.westportstl.com/tenant/jovick-brothers-deli/
360 Westport	Rooftop Bar & Lounge	onsite	111 West Port Plaza, Suite 1200 St. Louis, MO 63146	https://www.westportstl.com/tenant/360-westport/
Soda Fountain Express	Modern Diner	onsite	147 West Port Plaza Dr St. Louis, MO 63146	https://www.westportstl.com/tenant/soda-fountain-express/
O'Fallon Brewery	Beer/American Food	0.3 mi	45 Progress Pkwy, Maryland Heights, MO 63043	http://www.ofallonbrewery.com/
Giola's Deli	Sandwiches	0.8 mi	11855 Adie Rd, Maryland Heights, MO 63043	https://www.gioiasdeli.com/

Off-Site Dining

For attendees who want to explore St. Louis cuisine, local players recommend the following restaurants.

Name	Type	Distance	Address	Link
DD Mau	Vietnamese / Bao	1.3 mi	11982 Dorsett Rd, Maryland Heights, MO 63043	http://www.ddmaustl.com/
Gobble STOP Smokehouse	BBQ Poultry	2.8 mi	1227 Castillon Arcade Plaza, Creve Coeur, MO 63141	http://gobblestopsmokehouse.net/
Nudo House STL	Ramen / Japanese	3.0 mi	11423 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63141	http://nudohousestl.com/
Dave & Tony's	Premium Burgers	3.2 mi	12766 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63146	http://www.daveandtonys.com/
Taqueria Durango	Mexican	3.5 mi	10238 Page Ave, Overland, MO	https://www.facebook.com/TaqueriaDurangoSaintLouis
Nick & Elena's Pizzeria	Pizza/Italian	5.4 mi	3007 Woodson Rd, Overland, MO 63114	https://www.facebook.com/NICKnELENAS/
Sugarfire Smokehouse	BBQ	6.0 mi	9200 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63132	https://sugarfiresmokehouse.com/locations/mo-olivette/
Salt + Smoke	BBQ	9.0 mi	501 S Main St, St. Charles, MO 63301	https://saltandsmokestl.com/
BEAST	BBQ	17.1 mi	4156 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110	https://beastbbqstl.com/
Pappy's Smokehouse	BBQ	18.7 mi	3106 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103	https://www.pappyssmokehouse.com/
Bogart's	BBQ	20.8 mi	71627 S 9th St, St. Louis, MO 63104	https://www.bogartssmokehouse.com/
Broadway Oyster Bar	Cajun	23.7 mi	736 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102	http://www.broadwayoysterbar.com/
Ted Drewes	Famous local frozen custard	21.6 mi	6726 Chippewa, St. Louis, MO 63109	http://teddrewes.com/
Bombay Food Junkies	Vegan Options	5.2 mi	3580 Adie Rd, St Ann, MO 63074	https://www.bombayfoodjunkies.com/
Hi-Point Drive-In	Burgers	12 mi	1033 McCausland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63117	https://hipointedrivein.com/about/
Bar Louie	Bar & Grill	8.4 mi	1650 Beale Street Suite 180, St. Charles, MO 63303	https://www.barlouie.com/
Sauce on the Side	Calzones	9.2 mi	7810 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, MO 63105	https://sauceontheside.com/
Blueberry Hill	Landmark restaurant / Americana	9.4 mi	6504 Delmar Blvd, University City, MO 63130	https://blueberryhill.com/
Fitz's	Local root beer & burgers	9.3 mi	6605 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130	https://fitzsrootbeer.com/

Shopping/Groceries

Name	Distance	Address	Link
Target	5.9 mi	12275 St Charles Rock Rd, Bridgeton, MO 63044	website
Costco	13.3 mi	200 Costco Way, St Peters, MO 63376	website
Schnucks Dorsett (Grocery Store)	1.5 mi	2030 Dorsett Rd, Maryland Heights, MO 63043	website
Walgreens	1.6 mi	12509 Dorsett Rd, Maryland Heights, MO 63043	website
BP Gas Station	0.3 mi	11988 Westline Industrial Dr, St. Louis, MO 63146
ALDI	2.6 mi	11745 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141	website
Trader Joe's	2.4 mi	11505 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141	website
D&J Liquor	1.5 mi	1914 McKelvey Rd, Maryland Heights, MO 63043

Attractions

Most attractions are a 15-30 minute drive from the hotel. For tourism information, click here: https://explorestlouis.com/

Name	Description	Address	Link
The Gateway Arch	Oh look, it's the Arch	200 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63102	https://www.gatewayarch.com/
Busch Stadium	Cardinals Baseball Stadium	700 Clark Ave, St. Louis, MO 63102	https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/ballpark
Forest Park	Large public park, home to several free attractions	5595 Grand Dr, St. Louis, MO 63112	https://forestparkmap.org/
St. Louis Zoo	Free zoo, located inside Forest Park	Government Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110	https://www.stlzoo.org/
St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station	Opened Dec. 2019, the otters and spitting fish are worth the admission, skip the wheel	201 S 18th St, St. Louis, MO 63103	https://www.stlouisaquarium.com/
St. Louis Art Museum	Free art museum, located inside Forest Park	1 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110	https://www.slam.org/
Creve Coeur Lake Park	3.4 mi from the hotel. Trails, kayak rentals, Go Ape	13725 Marine Ave, St. Louis, MO 63146	website
The Muny	Outdoor theater, located inside Forest Park	1 Theatre Dr, St. Louis, MO 63112	https://muny.org/
Missouri Botanical Gardens	Outdoor garden	4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110	http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/
Anheuser-Busch St. Louis Brewery	Main brewery, offers tours	1200 Lynch St, St. Louis, MO 63118	https://www.budweisertours.com/locations/st-louis-missouri.html
City Museum	Architectural Anomaly/Interactive Art/Climbing Museum	750 N 16th St, St. Louis, MO 63103	https://www.citymuseum.org/
Grants Farm	Free wildlife park with tram tours and free beer	10501 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123	https://www.grantsfarm.com/home.html
The Butterfly House	Indoor butterfly pavilion	15193 Olive Blvd, Chesterfield, MO 63017	http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/visit/family-of-attractions/butterfly-house.aspx
Science Center	Kid-friendly interactive museum, includes IMAX and planetarium	5050 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110	https://www.slsc.org/
Magic House	Kid-friendly interactive museum, includes magic	516 S Kirkwood Rd, St. Louis, MO 63122	https://www.magichouse.org/
Fox Theatre	Historic theater, offers tours	527 NORTH GRAND BLVD., St. Louis, MO 63103	https://www.fabulousfox.com/visit/tours
St. Louis Neighborhoods	Shopping/Nightlife/Exploring	Various	https://explorestlouis.com/things-to-do/neighborhoods/
Live Music Venues	St. Louis is known for its blues and jazz scene	Various	https://explorestlouis.com/discover/st-louis-music-lovers/st-louis-live-music-venues/
Casinos	Gambling	Various	https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g44881-Activities-c53-Saint_Louis_Missouri.html
Cahokia Mounds	Ruins of the largest prehistoric civilization north of Mexico, 30 min drive from hotel	30 Ramey Street Collinsville, IL 62234	https://cahokiamounds.org/
A Gathering Place	Massages within walking distance of convention center	12140 Lackland Rd, St. Louis, MO 63146	https://www.agatheringplace.com/

Ticketing

Ticketing is handled through the play.net Box Office page. Be sure to click on the Details button in the Box Office to view the specifics of your selection. To attend, a badge is required and all attendees must display their badge at all times while in the official event rooms. Badges can be purchased at the door, but will be more expensive.

Non-Attendee Options

Non-Attendee Goodie Bag: $40

• 4x RPA orb (account attuned)
• Chronomage Spheres, 1x per town
• Urchin Guide, 90 days
• Adv Guild Vouchers, 20 uses
• Quest Orb, 1 use

Friend of the Con: $5

Friend of the Con: $50

Extra Special Item: $40

This an ADDITIONAL special item!

• A unique Spirit Beast available only at SimuCon 2024!

Attendee Ticket Options

Badge (Option 10 in the Box Office): $40 Base Price

All attendees must display their badge at all times while in the official event rooms. Includes:

Attendee Goodie Bag

• 4x RPA orb (account attuned)
• Chronomage Spheres, 1x per town
• Urchin Guide, 90 days
• Adv Guild Vouchers, 20 uses
• Quest Orb, 1 use
• Special Attendee-only Scripted Item! (account attuned)

Extra Special Item: $40 Add-On

This an ADDITIONAL special item!

• A unique Spirit Beast available only at SimuCon 2024!

Character Portrait: $250 Add-On

A rendering of your character, copy to be provided to you and included in your character's LOOK in game.

Provide your character's full LOOK description.  Include as much detail as possible to convey to the artist a clear vision of your character.

• You may note one or two items that you want specifically depicted.  If you prefer a certain pose, specify it.

You will be provided with a composite sketch and allowed one round of revision before the final product is completed.

Images will be delivered in the following formats -

• Low res:830x1080 (to fit within the Wiki upload file size limit, if you want to display your image there)
• High res:2400x3000 pixels. (print size of 8x10)

Custom Room: $250 Add-On

Purchaser will work with a GM to create a unique room that will be deployed to all instances of the game.

Custom Siegery Set: $200 Add-On

This package contains:

• 1 repair / carrying case
• 1 (choice of) castle or fortress
• 1 siege weapon
• 3 soldiers
• You can design the appearance of each piece, and we will write custom messaging to match!

D&D One-Shot Game: $5 Add-On

Participate in one of the Elanthia-themed One-Shot campaigns. You will receive a pouch of dice to play the game with!

Lunch with Simutronics: $150 Add-On

Participate in the small group lunch on Friday at noon with DR PM Lyneya, GS PM Wyrom, and Simutronics CEO Skippy, and Chris in Billing.

Sip & Paint: $50 Add-On

Join professional 3D artist Jonathan Bombard as he guides you through an evening of painting your very own miniature! Each step will be explained and demonstrated, along with some helpful tips and tricks to bring out the best in your statue.

This price includes a unique to SimuCon 2024 collectible statue only available through the box office, as well as all of the supplies you'll need to complete it - you just need to bring your own booze! Registered guests who want to get a lot of paint time in may wish to bring a hair dryer, but it is not required. You may also bring your own painting supplies if you wish.

Simu Swag: $50 Add-On

SimuCon branded bag containing:

• 2024 Ceramic Mug
• 2024 SimuCon T-shirt
• ... and other stuff!

See Also

• Official Simutronics Discord Server
• DragonRealms Simucon Page (DR's Wiki Page)