Ropecon () is a role-playing convention held annually in Finland. The convention is one of the largest non-commercial annual events of its kind, having reached a record of "over 5900" attendees in 2022. The current venue is the Messukeskus Helsinki convention centre in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland.
Ropecon hosts a wide variety of different types of games, including role-playing games, live action role-playing games, collectible card games, miniature wargames and strategy games. The event also has lectures, panel discussions and other presentations covering different aspects of gaming.
Ropecon is organised by the Ropecon Society, a joint venture of several Finnish role-playing associations. The practical arrangements are made by the unpaid members of an organising committee and hundreds of voluntary workers at the convention. Any profits are used to support various other role-playing activities.
The name "Ropecon" comes from the Finnish language word "roolipeli", meaning role-playing game, but is also a nod to the English language word "rope", a vital piece of equipment in classic dungeon crawl role-playing games.
The Finnish culture ministry supported Ropecon in 2013 with funding.
The 2020 and 2021 conventions were turned into online events because of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Ajankohtaista koronasta | Ropecon 2021/ Helsingin Sanomat has described Ropecon as Europe's largest volunteer-run role-playing event.
List of Ropecons Year Venue Guests of honour 2023 Messukeskus Helsinki Roman Lappat, Shut up & Sit Down Podcast 2022 Messukeskus Helsinki Avery Alder, Vlaada Chvátil 2021 Online 2020 Online 2019 Messukeskus Helsinki Lynne Hardy, Jon Hodgson 2018 Messukeskus Helsinki Alex Roberts 2017 Messukeskus Helsinki Monica Valentinelli, Anna Westerling 2016 Messukeskus Helsinki Claus Raasted, Ross Watson 2015 Dipoli, Espoo Michelle Nephew, Jason Morningstar 2014 Dipoli, Espoo Luke Crane, Jason Soles 2013 Dipoli Kevin Wilson, D. Vincent Baker 2012 Dipoli Peter Adkison, Larson Kasper 2011 Dipoli Frank Mentzer, Erik Mona 2010 Dipoli Keith Baker, Friedemann Friese 2009 Dipoli L. Scott Johnson, Suzi Yee, Malik Hyltoft and Antti Malin 2008 Dipoli Greg Stolze, Chris Pramas and Peter S. Andreasen 2007 Dipoli Robin D. Laws, Emily Care Boss and Jakob Rune Nielsen 2006 Dipoli Kenneth Hite, Bruno Faidutti, Olle Jonsson and Tobias Wrigstad 2005 Dipoli Greg Stafford, Bill Bridges and Claus Raasted 2004 Dipoli John Kovalic, Erick Wujcik and Emma Wieslander 2003 Dipoli Jonathan Tweet, Ramon Laan and Martin Ericsson 2002 Dipoli Justin Achilli and Eirik Fatland 2001 Dipoli N. Robin Crossby and Tuomas Pirinen 2000 Dipoli Steve Jackson and Richard Dansky 1999 Dipoli Mike Pondsmith and Rick Priestley 1998 Dipoli Ray Greer and Mark Rosewater 1997 Paasitorni, Helsinki Greg Costikyan 1996 Paasitorni Tom Dowd and Andy Chambers 1995 Messukeskus HelsinkiA joint event with Assembly demo party. Sandy Petersen 1994 Paasitorni Steve Jackson
References
External links Official website of Ropecon