take turns making up a module and running the game as DM. That same group, started in Junior High, played consistently through the beginning of college. We branched out into the various versions of AD&D, Marvel Super Heroes, Call of Cuthulu, Top Secret, Gamma World, etc. But always came back to our origins. So that makes it 25+ years of gaming (on and off), I guess.

What are some of your all time favorite games?

I have always liked the table top RPGs. I mentioned D&D, Marvel Superheros, Call of Culthulu, Top Secret, and Gamma World. Some were better suited to our group as we tended to be more KODT’ish (ala Hackmaster) in our approach, which is why Gamma World never seemed to go over as well. I let my gaming fall off in college, and then got married so gaming pretty much took a hiatus for several years. About 4 or 5 years ago I got back in when some of my old High School gaming crew got me involved in a group that meets 3 or so times a year under the guise of Kwakcon, we play a lot of D&D but other games as well, like Shadowrun. I am rather fond of Munchkin (which explains the Duck) and some of the more modern German board games. I got really addicted to Diablo II a few years back and am currently in a 12 step program, it is difficult, but I am surviving one day at a time.
I am forever a D&D fan, though…

What game(s) are you currently playing?

The Kwakcon group focuses on D&D mostly, but other RPG and RPGA variants like Shadowrun have made an appearance.
My wife and I home school (well actually she does most of the work) and our local homeschool circle of families meets regularly for “Game Nights” where the emphasis is on German strategy type board games from Mayfair games and the like, Settlers and its variants are very popular. Quick card games like Munchkin, Bohnanza, Apples to Apples, etc are also prevalent.

Any favorite gaming moments or stories you want to share?

Probably my most obstinate moment was at a gaming marathon in High School. One of the member’s parents had a timeshare condo and we all invaded for a weekend of non stop gaming. About 3 AM when everyone else (about 12 or so) had crashed and only 5 of us were playing (the rest had been killed off) a particularly brutal game of Top Secret. I made the bonehead move peeking around a corner only to get my head blown off by the DM’s antagonist with a double barreled shotgun. The argument ensued, because I was convinced that my character had the reaction time and reflexes to flinch back around the corner. The DM did not agree, to which I yelled at the top of my lungs “I MOVED!” Several people recalled hearing just those words in their sleep the next day. It wasn’t until much later (7 years, dang it) in some of my engineering physics classes that I realized I really couldn’t have moved, oh well.
My first “job” with TD was manning the check in station out front. After set up on Wednesday night they ran a few VIP groups through. I had showed up for work and they sat me down out front and said here talk to the people and run the booth. As I was sitting there this guy walks up and asks if I can watch his backpack while he goes through. I hesitated, then said sure, what is your name. “Peter,” he responds. “Peter who…,” I reply. “Adkison,” he says with a somewhat puzzled look, then leaves to go in. I must have sat there for an hour before I picked up the Gencon program and realized who I had just treated like a “nobody.” I have to admit Peter always seems to remember me, I wonder why that is….

How did you become involved in True Dungeon?

From the time I started gaming until 2003, I had never been able to attend Gencon. I would pine away at advertisements for the Con. I was always too young, broke, and or busy. When Gencon moved to Indy I decided I had to at least attend once. Since it was my first time, I figured I would volunteer and see some of the stuff that goes on the background. It is Gencon’s Wes Carpenter that suggested I work with this new bunch of gamers putting on the “live-kinda interactive dungeon thing.” I showed up and was put to work in the check in area. For two days I never got farther in the “dungeon” than the exit room. On Saturday I started giving the “on deck” speech and taking guys into the prep room to watch the video. A request to find Jeff (harassing players somewhere behind the scenes) was my first trip “into the breach” so to speak, I was mesmerized by the view through one of the many peep holes in the walls, but still had no clue what the actual dungeon was like. For the last TD round of the Con, I asked the group if I could tag along and watch (yes, I still had not been in the dungeon proper, yet). When the intro video started in the darkened room with the ambient soundtrack running in the background. I couldn’t help the big grin on my face and the looping “this is so cool” running through my head. Needless to say I was hooked. I have never actually played, however.

What are some examples of work you have done on True Dungeon that people might recognize?

I just signed on to do what ever was necessary, much of what I do is lost in the effect. I have assisted a lot with DM reference materials, setting up and troubleshooting the AV stuff, helping run the build crews. You know, what ever it takes. I have had a hand in some of the later module planning sessions and am currently working on improving the technology of our special effects with Lance (sound, lighting, etc.). If I do my job right, the players will never see what I have done, and that is what we want, I think. If you see the small laminated “rules” cards the DMs carry around, that is my one visible contribution.
Oh, yah. I DM, too. I also try and assist Lee and Jeff with DM training, rules adjudication, and anything else I see that needs doing (it suits my nosy nature).

What is your favorite thing about True Dungeon?

Like Tom, my favorite thing is the creation of the event. From planning, to fabrication, to construction, it is a great time. The people involved in True Dungeon (and True Heroes) are first rate, and a blast to work with. The entire process appeals to my former life in stage theatre, DJ work, and sound reinforcement. Plus it is just so darn cool!
I love watching the groups come together and watching the players “suspend disbelief” even for just an hour or two. Tom said it best: “In reality you are walking through a bunch of coroplast walls ziptied to metal poles, holding a flashlight. It is our job to make those walls feel like stone, and make those poles disappear and transport you into a real dungeon. “ I am glad I can help the players (and watch them) loose their sense of reality and have that environment become real. If you haven’t been there, words just do not do it justice.

What’s your favorite True Dungeon moment or story to this point?

There have been great moments observed as a DM, but for me, my favorite moment still goes back to the first time after working the entire week, stepping into the dungeon, in the dark, with the music in the background. The video started and I got a cold chill down my back, “this is so cool, I thought, I am finally really in the adventure after 25 years of it being in my head.” And I wasn’t even playing….

Without giving away any secrets, what are you most looking forward to with the new module?

The same thing I look forward to for each module, I want to see how the players react to our efforts. I can’t wait for them to see all the new stuff, the old stuff re-vamped, and next step in scale from before.

What do you do in the real world?

I am an Engineer and Biochemist/Geneticist by training. I work for a large pharmaceutical company in the midwest as a Pharmacokineticist, supervisor, and Systems Validation Coordinator. I am a Scout Leader, Dad, Husband (to a very patient gaming widow), and of course, a long time gamer.

What are some of your other interests outside of gaming?

Other than work and Boy Scouts, I have also been involved in producing charity concerts with a group called Wizard’s Productions (Wizard’s, hmm, go figure). Our concerts have raised good money that has been donated to good causes. Right now, I seem to find myself in the process of perpetually renovating a 110 year old farm house in Indiana (by myself, with some help from a good friend and fellow gamer). Someday, I hope to actually live there….

Any other interesting tidbits you would like to share with us?

Did I mention the Duck….?