Gen Con Indianapolis, North America's largest annual consumer hobby game convention, has set a new record in companies registered to exhibit at the show with more than 300 exhibitors signed up some six weeks before the start of the show.  Pre-registrations by gamers are up by 20% over last year indicating that the show, which will be held at the spacious, 620,000 square foot Indiana Convention Center, will likely set a new attendance record during its 2004 run from Thursday August 19 through Sunday August 22.

Among the highlights of this year's show will be Upper Deck Entertainment's newest life-size, walk-through environment, True Heroes.  Upper Deck is also launching its Pro Circuit game tournament at Gen Con Indy.  The main event at the Pro Circuit will feature the new Upper Deck Marvel and DC trading card games -- with gamers competing for a top prize of $10,000.

Wizards of the Coast is also continuing its celebration of the Thirtieth Anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons at Gen Con Indy with a variety of events including a D&D Retrospective Exhibit, a D&D dance party, and plenty of opportunities for fans to meet D&D designers, authors and artists.