Gen Con Behind the Scenes: Training the Next Wave of Tabletop Designers

Step inside the creative engine of Gen Con 2026 as Kathleen Mercury—designer, educator, and champion of young creators—shares her passion for shaping the next generation of game designers. In this interview, she dives into her work with the Game Design Academy, how the program empowers students to build, test, and pitch their own games, and why fostering creativity at an early age matters for the entire tabletop community. Whether you’re attending Gen Con, dreaming of designing your first game, or just love seeing the behind‑the‑scenes magic of the hobby, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.