Getting the Most from your experience at GaryCon

How to get the most from your GaryCon 12 experience  Updated September 9, 2022

PLEASE NOTE:   NO permission is given to share this ANYWHERE

I.E. - All my tips, tricks and quirks and First Timers Guide to places

PART 0 - Guide to Lake Geneva - My Favorites

I do recommend arriving early on Wednesday, especially if it your first time, you can check out the area, complete whatever items you need for the con, Check in, and most importantly, NETWORK AND MEET UP WITH PEOPLE 

While in Lake Geneva, you can stop by and see the various RPG historical places.. 

1 - The Brick at the Riveria

2- TSR Hobby Shop Dungeon Museum

LINK -  Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum | Facebook

3 - 330 Center Street, the location where D&D was created

4 - Horticutural Hall - Site of the first GenCons

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Notable places in Lake Geneva that I really Enjoy

Bittners Donuts   Lorelei Bittner's Bakery | Facebook

Directly across from Next Door Pub

I highly recommend the Bacon Maple one

Next Door Pub - excellent pizza and cheese curds

Joni's Diner       111 S Wells St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147

I try to eat my Wednesday morning meal/snack there. Good Coffee, nice place to relax

Right next to Joni's are lots of Fast Food places in the area if you have never eaten at a Culvers, give it a try, Butter Burgers and Cheese Curds

On you way into Lake Geneva, stop at a Walmart or Target for supplies. Kenosha Walmart is currently open till Midnight (was 24 hours) Also, the IHOP in Kenosha is 24 hours

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Now, if you want to bring home some meats, you have a couple of good choices

Lake Geneva Meats on RT 50 (Excellent Meat Sticks and cold cuts)

Lester's Bison Farm   Lester's Bison Farm in Salem, Wisconsin 53168 (lestersbisonfarm.com)

Lester's sells Bison, Venison, Elk, Lamb, Pork and Poultry - High quality meats

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KENOSHA Stuff 

If you are passing through Kenosha during the Day, you should stop at Mars Cheese Castle

It is a Tourist attraction with some really good stuff

For an amazing Beakfest - I highly recommend 

The Coffee Pot in Kenosha

Home (kenoshacoffeepot.com)

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If you like hiking and the condition are OK, 

Hiking the Seven Bridges Trail in South Milwaukee (wisconsin-explorer.blogspot.com)

BRING ITEMS TO GET SIGNED by the VIPs

I recommend the Art and Arcana book

Purchase on Amazon - $27.49

I have had posters, Prints, Modules, books, and many other things signed at the Con.

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PART 1 - Get a room

Ok, the key here is not to panic when the Grand Geneva sells out in 3 hours. You will have lots of opportunities to get a room or find a room mate. 

• After badges go on sale, there is always a group of people who realize that they cannot go
• After Event registration closes, there are always people who decide not to go
• Then there is when badge refund closes... 
• Finally, there is the week before when people find that their friend cannot get the time off from work and neglected to tell them

For GaryCon 11, we did not secure a room until a week before, we cancelled the room we had because we got one on site

Grand Geneva is screwing people over, if someone with the GaryCon rate cancels they now charge the full room rate of 

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Part 1A - STAYING OFF SITE

Ok, no room at the Grand Geneva, No Problem you just have to plan a bit.

As a Player, you can take the shuttle, may have a little wait, but you won't have to worry about Parking, just make sure you get over to the con about 40 minutes before your event in case of a wait on the shuttle. 

As a Game Master, I recommend you do not unpack your gaming stuff if you drove in, leave it in the Trunk or the back of the SUV. Organize what you need by day and game. That way it will be quick, I used 2 containers, one for books and one for your adventures. This allows you to get to your car and change out games / Dice / storage during the day

Drive over before 8:00 AM in order to get any Parking in the best lot. 

If you are playing in any games that end after Midnight, you will not be able to get a shuttle. 


PART 2 - Get a Badge

Once badges go on sale, you have to figure which one you want. In the past I have always gone with Gold and last year was the exception as I registered late. I went as a Silver. 

If you want to get a GOLD badge, you have be online on the date and at the exact time they go on sale, they will sell out within 2 hours

There are only 250 Gold badges and 2000+ Silver
The Gold is $215 
The Silver is $100

For Perks, see:
https://garycon.com/registration/

In Years past, you were able to choose additional Featured events and unlimited non featured events with the early gold registration. Now percentages of seats are held for each level

Lets, take the Celebrity game with 8 slots as an example...In the past, no slots would open for any GOLD or SILVER badges

Now....
Premier - 4 seats
Platinum - 1 seat
Gold - 1 Seat
Silver - 2 seats

This is based on Luke Gygax post
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Premier (Diamond Badges) 50%
Platinum (Diamond and Platinum Badges) 65%
Gold (Diamond, Platinum and Gold) 80%
Standard (All) 100%
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So, if you are a gold and missed out on a game due to the limit, you just go back on the day that the silver register and try again to get into the game.. Now you have a 2nd chance to take the seat in the game if you do it quick enough

GaryCon 8 swagbag

Note on the gold: You get a Shirt ($25), Cup ($18) and a Swagbag, I was less than impressed with the Swagbag in GC10 and this Book was also included in the bag for GC11

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PART 3 - Registering for games

Again, if you want to get into the most exclusive games you have to be live and ready to go as soon it is time to register.  I would pick your top 2 games, add them to the cart and submit as soon as possible. You can go back and add others later. 

Figure out which ones you want most and put them in order... you can use multiple browsers tabs to set games and then go one by one and place the order... 

Golds: This year if you cannot get into a game and there are open slots, just wait for the date and time for Silvers to register and try again to get into that game... Good Luck

PART 4 - NETWORKING

Find an experienced gamer to introduce you around . 

The GaryCon facebook page is a good place to get to know people. Some people blog about their experiences (like me) and some just chat... 

GaryCon facebook Group

I never mind people asking me questions, but reading the same questions over and over can be annoying

Most ANSWERS can be found on the GaryCon Website, take the time to look before posting a question... The Forums there are not always helpful

https://garycon.com/

Either before the Con, or during the Con, network with other gamers. They can provide valuable tips and introductions to people you want to meet and connect you with great people. 

I consider myself very lucky, that someone introduced me to lots of people, then I played it forward at the same Con and became instant legend.  If you are in my game, I will treat you like a old friend and walk you around, take you to a party where you will meet vendors and artists... need something signed, I will help you. 

I like to think that everyone does this. 

Sandy, Lynn, Colten, Litta, Greg, Tracey - The Greg Barry Drunken Dungeon Master Invitational

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After the game, we were talking and I said to Lynn "Wanna go meet and hang out with Larry Elmore ? ".. I know where he is, we can just go over... She said "Are you sure?" 

I never kid about stuff, I always try to pay it forward and off we went

Found Larry at (Secret Location) and I walked up.  "Larry, this is my friend Lynn" 

I have to say I enjoy the look on people faces when they meet the legends... Larry is great and takes time to sign everything for everyone.  We ended up talking for awhile

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PART 5 - Preplan and Manage Expectations

What I mean is, plan who you want to meet, what you want to have signed, and go in managing your expectations. 

My First GaryCon (8) was amazing, up until Saturday, That day really fell apart for me and only one game worked out. I was dreadfully in a subpar mood Saturday night.

My Next GC (10) was amazing, I went in with managed expectations, got into every game I wanted to and it exceeded what I had hoped for.  I was the Luckiest guy at GC10

Now I go with a list of things I want to get done and everything else is bonus

My List from GaryCon 11

1        Margaret Weis signature on latest book
2        Steve Jackson to sign my book and vinyl poster
3        Get a Signature for my Foster daughter From Joe Manganiello
4        Elmore print  - or Chromatic Kingdom poster print
5        See as many friends as possible

Lets just say, I completed 1, 2, 3, 4 and lots of 5 by midday Thursday. 

PART 6 - Bring Items to have signed

 From my first time to this past year, I always bring a few items to have signed... Luckily, I have a diverse collection and if I want something to bring with me, I can pick something up... Everyone is willing to sign stuff for everyone. 

And keep your eyes out on deals for books, I picked up Art & Arcana for about 20 Dollars on Amazon before I went to GaryCon

PART  7 - Arrive on Wednesday

Seriously, There is the Welcoming party at the Hotel Wednesday night and a movie. They had Pizza and Beer 

You can sit and relax for the day and catch up with friends. or sleep if you drove overnight

There are also Super Secret gatherings that take place. 

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I hope this serves you well, along with my Advice for attending Conventions... 

My Convention Advice

Nothing is going to go right all the time, But this will help turn an OK time into a ...

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING SPECTACULAR TIME !   

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PART  37.5 - Tips For GMS

For those running games and playing games, this section is for you. 

ALL others  - STOP READING

Most of the Guests of Honor run games during the 12:00(Noon) To 6:00 PM time slots. I try never to schedule what I run during those times.  I try to leave a slot open to wander around the Con. 

Networking with Other GMs is a great way to get into games

Keep in mind that Mid day Saturday is the Award and Hawaiian Picture in the LOBBY

I actually made it to this event last year

So, here is the secrets I go by when submitting games

1. Try never to schedule between Noon and 6:00 PM
2. Talk to GM's and find out what time they are running games
3. Leave 2 back to back hours Open per day, Try for twice a day
4. End your day at 10 every day, you will feel better and can relax before going to sleep.
5. If you run 16+ hours, you get a code for a silver badge
6. If you Run 18+ hours, you get a shirt and a Cup (good for all privileges) 
7. Unfortunately, the Greg Barry GM bonus level (28+ hours) was never approved and will not be running that many hours again

Lastly 

If you get the 20% (Now only 10% with a cap of 40 dollars off) Gary Con XI merchandise coupon, PRINT it out immediately, I think the email last year was sent with an expiration. I went to look for it before I left for the con and it was no where in my Email, or recover email... I am meticulous about my computer and saving emails, marking them with flags... It was just gone.

  

If you have any Questions, please ask...   Thank you

                  Margaret Weis, myself and some stripper movie guy in the background

PLEASE NOTE:   NO permission is given to share this ANYWHERE

The Art of Dungeon Mastering at Conventions

Practical Advice for experienced 

Dungeon Masters and Game Masters

gmbgaming GM at conventions - YouTube

Running games at conventions is completely different then running your weekly game. Your weekly game will allow for players to go and do something not planned for, they have more options in the decisions. 

Here are the top item you need to consider when running a Convention game

• Is your Adventure unique
• Is it straight forward (A to B, B to C) or flexible
• Is the goal obtainable in the time frame
• Are the Characters Pre Generated ? 
• Do you have prepared sheets in case the player does not bring one

Every game I have run has been unique from the Search for the ultimate ale, to the Assassins game. I have play tested the games before hand and have a good expectation of time. I have games with each character personality and interaction listed and some bring your own where you have no idea... 

Game descriptions 

• Does it entice players to play
• Does it convey what player can expect
• Does it set the goal, setting, or both
• Is it Adult material, PG or Everyone

Everyone struggles with this, I can be the best thing ever written and you have 4 people at the table. For example, I went to a con (2015, it has been since 2004 that I attended a con) and ran a game that was highly popular at previous cons I attended. I used the same script I have used in the past 

AD&D- So you think you have an Attitude!
Only Dwarves need apply... 13th-15th level... bring your own or be issued a generic.... The followers of the God of Attitude and Drink are sent on a quest.
Beginners welcome.
Age 13+ please.
Pregenerated characters provided.

I actually have 7 people signed up but 4 of them bailed to play in other games.  This was one that was always talked about in previous conventions, People would come up to me by late Saturday night and ask me to run this for them. When i was doing conventions 2-3 times a year, I always filled my games in the first couple of days

AD&D- AAAAHHHH

Pregen Characters Provided... I promise a truly Epic adventure that will generate stories for you to tell in the tavern

This features some of the greatest concepts and Role Play that I have ever put together.  The characters provided are all high level

and saying anything further goes would ruin the integrity of the game.

Age 15+ please.

ONLY Pregenerated characters provided.

I consider this to be one of the best adventures ever written, but I wanted this to be mysterious... Everyone who has playing this has raved about it, it has never failed to be less than epic


Typical times for playing are: 

• 2 Hours (Mini Slot)
• 4 Hours (the typical amount of time)
• 8 Hours (Double Slot)

I prefer 4 hour slots because I can run more games, typically, I do 2-4 games a day - 8 AM, 12 PM, 4 PM and 8 PM... sometimes a 12 AM.. .

Your Responsibilities as a DM / GM / Storyteller / Animator / Ombudsman

• Be on time
• Be organized
• Bring Extra Pencils
• Bring Extra Dice
• Bring Additional Characters
• Bring Character Sheets
• Bring note pads

I try to plan as if someone is walking by and at the last moment decides to play. I do not lend dice easily but I keep 3 sets with me that are expendable and losing them is no issue (You will lose dice and gain dice at conventions if you run games, it just happens)

In Addition, I always try to do the following:

• Have water and Ice Tea available at the table
• Napkins, always needed
• Gum or mints or packets of skittles

I find that if the players are on your side from the beginning, they will accept anything you throw at them or do to them. If I am running a Role Playing intense game, then I usually reserve killing for a bone headed move... 

I have no qualms about killing CHARACTERS, I prefer providing a tough challenge where they may be killed...

During the Game

• Know the Material !!!
• Be Organized
• Be Energized
• Dig deep, be unique
• Don't be afraid to try it
• Don't Dream It, BE IT !!!!!

The more you bring the game to life, the better your players will respond. I use lots of different vocals and hand gestures... many people can attest to my horrible Jamaican accent and my equally well done other accents... 

I have all my notes ready to go and it is a simple tear of a centimeter to hand it over...

Game flow is important, anything that stops the action or pauses for too long is not helping the players to enjoy the game

My goal has always been to have the most talked about game at the convention, if they are talking about it and people are standing around watching the show.. then I have done it.

If the players do something that truly amazes me, then i feel i have inspired them...

REMEMBER - It is all about the Players and the TPK

This was originally Published in August 2015... Minimum Updates have been made to the above

ADDENDUM:
With this being the time when everyone tries to give their take and posting blogs with similar titles to mine...  

I find them to be fluff pieces, tossing about names and thoughts but lacking substance and the Practical BS needed

Going to GaryCon 12.5 /13?

I am going back to GaryCon 12.5/13 in 2021

My Disclaimer:
There may possibly be some shocking content not meant for the squeamish not limited to the following –
Bad Acting, possibly coupled with Horrible Accents
Lousy Puns and Wicked Jokes
Bad Dancing
Unnecessary Die Rolls
Character Death
Descriptions of battles with implied gore
Killing of Monsters / Humans and other races
Salty Language
Adult Situations not limited to innuendo
Slaves
Implied torture / Rape
Political incorrectness

As I do not control the actions of players, I do ask that anyone offended run screaming in terror (or a Chinese Fire Drill) for my amusement and the amusement of others in the game

The above statement is now included in all my games Per Rules of the Convention (Except TOON, I am no longer running TOON at conventions for the foreseeable future)

My Promise: This will be an awesome time for all involved (except Dave, no one likes him anyway) Bring a sense of wonder and Humor and all will be magical

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I go to see the friends that I have made at GaryCon and to hang out with some truly AWESOME people

Personally, I owe no one an explanation and I am resisting a Big FU to certain people. 



I will also try not to make any comments on the GaryCon Facebook Page other than promoting my games (Under GMBGaming) I will not get involved with any discussions there


For the next GaryCon, I have decided to run some of my popular selections and a Dragonscales game 

Here is my  Submitted schedule that I will run on next year

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I will not be doing the Monty Python Flux tournament             
Sadly, The powers that be will make this a non event for me. Co Hosting an event means that I get credit for only half the event, even though we will be filling 2 tables, I may consider playing in it or running a separate FLUXX event at that time

Thursday

10:00 AM - Knight of Horrors
                  AD&D -    4 Hours

1:PM AM -  Star Trek Fluxx 

Fluxx, using the newly released Voyager version and the Original series decks

2 Hours - Judging who has the most fun... wins a copy of  Voyager Fluxx (brand new) 
                   

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FRIDAY

8:00 AM - Into the North - 4 Hours

Dragonscales RPG

This is an advanced game, (Rank 4) with New Magic items and Encounters

1:00 PM - FireFly Fluxx

The Popular card game of FLUXX with the Firefly Theme deck

Judging who has the most fun... wins a copy of the game (brand new)

                                        2 Hours

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Saturday

8:00 AM - Into the North - 4 Hours

Dragonscales RPG

This is an advanced game, (Rank 4) with New Magic items and Encounters

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16  Hours, the shortest amount of games I have ever run at GaryCon

Everything is subject to change and will change

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I am also trying to get a person to run one of my Modules AAAHhHH during Garycon so I can see how it plays out. Please let me know if you are interested


Sorry but I will not be running any TOON. I am open to suggestions and heckling

As to Why I have decided not to run any TOON games... 
With the New rules in place

Appropriate Game Content

As stated above, when you agree to run any event at Gary Con for our attendees you are doing so with the express understanding that you are running said event in a way to provide a fun and entertaining experience for our attendees. This does not include providing “shocking” or “horrifying” experiences in a game.

When submitting a game, please make sure to engage the appropriate age range selection for your expected players. Adult themed games are appropriate for adults. If you do plan on running a game that contains adult themes, it is incumbent upon each and every GM to provide a full explanation of the adult situations contained in your game in the body of the game’s event description. There simply cannot be any room for surprises when it comes to subjects that might be offensive or objectionable to our attendees.

To be absolutely clear on this subject, themes, scenarios, or encounters based on graphic violence and/or sexual content is never appropriate for a gaming event at Gary Con. This includes descriptions of rape, extreme violence, or extreme cruelty. Please let common sense be your guide in this. Some matters that might be acceptable in a home game involving consenting adults are not acceptable at a gaming convention. Violations of these edicts are violations of our polices and can result in immediate expulsion without refund as well as a permanent ban from any and all future Gary Con events and activities.

I feel it would be irresponsible of me to run a TOON game.  I find that I have to run things for Adults without any possibility of any complaints. 

I have never had a complaint about any of my games in the past but this opens up to having to have signed social contracts and divulge the secrets of games before they begin. 

Nothing good comes from these players contracts. 

I purchased a badge, but now I can’t attend. Can I get a refund?

We are sorry you can no longer attend. However there are NO refunds allowed. Please come pick up any merchandise associated with your package, or provide an address and payment method for shipping and handling costs. We hope to see you next year and have you join us as we celebrate.

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TRANSLATION: We are keeping your money and if you want your swag, you have pay extra costs for us to send it to you, in fact we won't even set aside the swag you are entitled to for pickup next year

Straight out of "How to win friends and gain influence"

GaryCon 2019... YES, going on an Odd Year

I will Pretty this page up later...


So many people have been telling me I have to go in 2019... and after being at Gencon and running into so many people.. I can confirm that somehow I will be at GaryCon 2019... it may be on a Silver badge, with lots of begging, or if I can scrape enough together to beg Luke to sell me a Gold that someone turns in before event registration.... or if a friend comes through and takes me to rep for them or find another sponsor

Anyway, Here is a list of games that I will be presenting
(subject to change if a Sponsor comes forward)

Scheduled - Toon - Foo-Fuu Toon... Catch that Bird  Thursday 10:00 AM (2 Hours)

Capture the exclusive bird to collect the key to the ACME superstore shopathon
Bring your own or use one provided
Levels Silly to utterly rediculous

No one under age 3 and a half permitted due to goofy content, ability to roll 2 6 sided dice and drool occasionally recommended... bring your best gookie!

Scheduled  Thursday 6:00 PM  

Dangerous Journeys - The Hour of the Wolf   

(4 Hours) may go an hour over

Set against the backdrop of war between Atlantis and neighboring Kingdoms that have raged for too long

"The hour between night and dawn. The hour when most people die, when sleep is deepest, when nightmares are most real. It is the hour when the sleepless are haunted by their deepest fears, when ghost and demons are most powerful, the hour of the wolf is also the hour when most children are born." -From Ingmar Bergman

Friday 9:00 AM     (4 Hours)   

(Ran 1 time at GC8 and at GC10)

Scheduled         TOON - PizzaToon / A Toon Love Story      

2 Shorts

Pizzatoon, deliver pizzas to ....

2nd feature is TBD

Levels Mild Insanity to Outright bambooled

Friday 6:00 PM  (4 Hours)

Scheduled  

Title: The Greg Barry Invitational Drunken Dungeon Master Challenge

Game System - AD&D 1st Edition

Greg will run a super secret game that will be amazing. Armed with one page of notes and a POORLY drawn map.. everything will be done improve style on the spot. You must Email gmbarry@msn.com to claim one of 8 reserved spots (2 Open Spots) , submit character preference for your custom Pregen and offer suggestions to be included in the game

Note: This may not be the greatest game, but it will be the most entertaining...

(Drunken Dungeon Master is a title and may or may not be true based on the previous game, also I reserve the right to have no more than 2 pages of notes, typed big enough to read while consuming Spotted Cow)

Complete the Survey for the Drunken Invitational Game

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K6XRYNB

Saturday, Tentative at 4:00 PM  (4 Hours)

Pirates of Dark Water, The Lost Episode  (Dragonscales RPG)

Based on the Cartoon, 

The alien world of Mer is being devoured by an evil substance known as Dark Water. Only Ren, a young prince, can stop it by finding the lost Thirteen Treasures of Rule. The evil pirate lord, Bloth, will stop at nothing to get the treasures for himself
This uses the Ward Card system as used in Dragonscales and 77 Lost Worlds, but is not set in Either Setting (Used with Permission)
Pregenerated characters provided.

AD&D The Quest for the Gate Between Worlds (4 Hours)

(Ran 1 time at GC8)

Pregens Provided

All you have do is find the gate and get past the ... 

  

Or

AD&D - 4 hours

Maidens of the Desert 

Explore the Suel Empire that crumbled 3 centuries ago and a map recently surfaced with it's location

Scheduled  AD&D - AAAAHHHH Sunday 10:00 AM (4 Hours) 

Ran twice at GC8 and once at GC10

Pregen Characters Provided... I promise a truly Epic adventure that will generate stories for you to tell in the tavern
This features some of the greatest concepts and Role Play that I have ever put together. The characters provided are all high level
and saying anything further goes would ruin the integrity of the game.
Age 15+ please.
ONLY Pregenerated characters will be used.

Monty Python Fluxx Tournament (2 Hours)

Come Play Monty Python Fluxx with 2 Crazy People (Animator Greg Barry and TIM Nepal(Alphabetically Listed , of Course) The Enchanter) Get your Tim card signed by Tim (Some, call him…. TIM) These 2 insane people will keep you entertained for the entire time you will leave in a most fitting way when the gong sounds and someone yells “Bring Out Your Dead”

( I will see if Fluxx will sponsor this and send us a copy of the game for the winner)

Sparkle Kitty NIghts

A PG-13 Card GameYou only dislike Sparkle*Kitty because you have not played Sparkle*Kitty 
What happens in the tower stays in the tower! Sparkle*Kitty Nights is an perfectly clean card game for the dirtiest minds. . Time to get ready, it's about to get naughty! , Sparkle*Kitty Nights adds So. Many. Naughty. Word. Spell. Combinations!