Check out who’s going to be here at RinCon 2026! These industry stars and all-around phenomenal humans will all be presenting programming of various kinds at our event.
Kenna Alexander
Kenna Alexander is a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation, an award-winning writer, game designer, trans woman, and owner of Coyote & Crow Games. In 2018, she began designing Coyote & Crow, a game that would set a new standard of Native representation and inclusion in the hobby game space. It broke Kickstarter records, raising more than a million dollars, was nominated for a Nebula Award for Game Writing, and went on to win the prestigious Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming. Kenna continues to design games and write stories that portray Indigenous Americans in an accurate and positive light.
James Ernest
RinCon welcomes back the prolific board game designer and founder of Cheapass Games and Crab Fragment Labs: James Ernest! Previously, he’s presented panels and playtests and a plethora of programming; who knows what marvels he’ll be bringing this year?
Michael Eskue
Michael Eskue is a game designer in northern Arizona. He started designing games around 2008 and his first title (For The Win) was published in 2012. From there, he designed a few other games: Council of Verona, Darkrock Ventures, Titan Dice, and Trash Pandas. 2026 has been a big year with the release of three new games in collaboration with his wife Lisa: The Ticket Booth, Beach Bandits, and Pogo Possum Posse Poker. He’s got many more ideas brewing, so check out what he’ll have on offer at his table!
Magpie Games
Magpie Games are best known for creating TTRPGs that give players a chance to immerse themselves in dynamic, intriguing worlds in a real and meaningful way. Titles include Avatar Legends, Root, Masks, Rapscallion, Cartel, Pasion de las Pasiones, Urban Shadows, and their newest project, Fallen London. The team have dedicated themselves to shaping the TTRPG industry as a whole, working regularly with the Game Manufacturer Association (GAMA) on diversity and inclusion efforts and creating a game design team and community that lift all voices. Several members from the Magpie team will run games at RinCon – check the schedule to see who’ll be running your favorite Magpie title!