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It’s time again for OrcaCon in Bellevue, WA! Join us January 10-12 for this awesome event. I’m there in my capacity as programming and diversity coordinator, as well as a panelist.

Friday, January 10th

GM’ing for New Players 4:30pm – Vancouver Room

How do you give new players the best experience possible? Hear from several GMs on how to put new players at ease and get them hooked on the hobby.

Kate Baker [M], Luis Loza, Joseph Carriker, Adam Davis, Tanya DePass

Inaugural POC Meet & Greet 6:00pm VIP room

Hosted by Tanya DePass & Brittanie Boe. Join us for a casual drop in and mingle with other POC attending the convention. No agenda, just a chill space to meet others and network (if you choose). Note: We will not have alcohol for attendees, but you may bring drinks with you if purchased at the hotel bar/restaurant.

Saturday, January 11th

Not Having Racism in Your Settings, Campaign, or at The Table 2:30pm – Vancouver Room

Tabletop is growing and expanding, and with it there’s an increased need for diversity at the table. Let’s talk frankly about why racism at the table shouldn’t be a thing you do as a GM or player. Also, let’s get real about racism in our settings and campaigns, talk about what we can do to stamp it out as much as possible in a land where elves, orcs, and dragons roam but racism seems to be a never-ending boss battle.

Tanya DePass [M], Misha Bushyager, Brian Cortijo, Dungeon Commander (DC), Graeme Barber

Queer as a Three-Sided Die 4:00 pm – Vancouver Room

Industry panelists lead discussion of gender and sexuality issues in gaming from design and publishing to game-play and community. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people are a part of the gamer community. Although the gaming community is known for its tolerance, LGBT people still often struggle to see places for themselves in the fantasy worlds we create.

Joseph Carriker [M], Katherine Cross, Bianca Anderson, Taya Steere, Tanya DePass, Jeremy Crawford

Sunday, January 12th

Streaming RPGs 101 1:00 pm – Vancouver Room

A lot of folks want to get into streaming their favorite RPG, but they often want to know how? Let’s get into some basics, like camera, streaming locally or if you’re running an online game and more.

Tanya DePass [M], Anna Cail, Amanda Hamon, Mike Robles, Bebo, Graeme Barber

Published by cypheroftyr

Tanya DePass is the founder and Director of I Need Diverse Games, a non-profit organization based in Chicago, which is dedicated to better diversification of all aspects of gaming. I Need Diverse Games serves the community by supporting marginalized developers attend the Game Developer Conference by participating in the GDC Scholarship program, helps assist attendance at other industry events, and is seeking partnership with organizations and initiatives. Tanya is a lifelong Chicagoan who loves everything about gaming, #INeedDiverseGames spawn point, and wants to make it better and more inclusive for everyone. She founded and was the EIC of Fresh Out of Tokens podcast where games culture was discussed and viewed through a lense of feminism, intersectionality and diversity. Now she’s a co-host on Spawn on Me Podcast. Along with all of that, she’s the Programming Coordinator for OrcaCon, she often speaks on issues of diversity, feminism, race, intersectionality & other topics at multiple conventions throughout the year. Her writing about games and games critique appears in Uncanny Magazine, Polygon, Wiscon Chronicles, Vice Gaming, Paste Games, Mic, and other publications.