The longest-running tabletop gaming convention in the nation is making a habit of shattering records.

Why it matters: Gen Con, which has been held in Indy since 2003, has become synonymous with summer and is the city's largest annual convention.

• It was a driving force behind the city's expansion of the Indiana Convention Center and addition of a 38-story Signia by Hilton hotel after convention leaders warned the event was outgrowing Indy and needed more space.
• Gen Con has agreed to stay through at least 2030.

Driving the news: When Gen Con opens its doors Thursday, it will mark the start of the biggest event in the convention's nearly 60-year history.

• Last year was its first-ever sellout, and officials started the week by announcing they did it again in 2025.

The big picture: The biggest Gen Con ever arrives amid a global gaming boom that started in the late 2010s as the rise of crowd-funding allowed more developers to get in the game and millennials took to tabletops to disconnect from their devices.

• The industry got another boost during the pandemic as families stuck inside searched for new ways to spend time together and entered the worlds created by brands like "Dungeons & Dragons" or "Warhammer" to escape.
• Research suggests that gamers who got into the hobby during lockdown are sticking around.

What they're saying: "This incredible growth reflects the enthusiasm and increasing interest in the tabletop gaming community, and we are delighted to welcome thousands of attendees to celebrate our shared love for games," Gen Con President David Hoppe said in a statement.

Yes, but: Developers and publishers are bracing for a potential crash caused by President Trump's tariffs because many tabletop games are made overseas.

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Despite recent criticism of Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, Gov. Mike Braun says he has no plans to appoint a special prosecutor.

Why it matters: It would take legislative action to enable Braun to replace Mears, but the governor seems to have softened his stance on Mears slightly after placing the blame for recent violence squarely on the prosecutor.

• "I don't think we're there," Braun told reporters last week about pursuing legislative action to replace Mears. "I think that there's going to be enough proactiveness; I'm hoping."

Catch up quick: Mears was elected prosecutor by the Marion County Democratic Party in a 2019 caucus to replace Terry Curry, who resigned for health reasons.

• Immediately, Mears ruffled conservatives by announcing he would stop prosecuting low-level marijuana possession charges.
• That sparked talk among Republicans of "noncompliant" prosecutors.

Yes, but: Mears was re-elected in the 2022 general election.

Between the lines: IMPD called in the State Police for help over the violent July 4th weekend in Indy.

• Braun blamed the violence on Mears and Mayor Joe Hogsett and said on July 16 that holding "noncompliant prosecutors accountable" was on his agenda.

Reality check: Mears told reporters after a hearing two days later that he'd never had a conversation with Braun.

What they're saying: "I'm hoping the cue is being taken by the folks within the jurisdiction ... " Braun told reporters last week. "But we're not going to just stand by idly and do nothing if things don't get measurably better."

The other side

🏀 Officials provided a sneak peek of the Noblesville Boom's new home court.

• The Arena at Innovation Mile is a $93 million, 123,000 square-foot venue with room for 3,500 fans during Boom games and a capacity of 4,200 for other events.
• Formerly the Fort Wayne-based Indiana Mad Ants, the rebranded Pacers G League affiliate will release its schedule in September.

📚 The state received $500,000 — its first major donation to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library since announcing it would cut state funding for the program and seek private donations to support it. (IndyStar)

🐶 Mixed-use buildings, a restaurant and dog park are planned for Westfield's Lantern Commons area. (IBJ)

🧀 Carmel Italian restaurant Tre has closed to be reimagined as a Spanish tapas spot called Matador, opening next month. (Indianapolis Monthly)

We're finally getting a break from the heat today, but don't get used to it. Heat streaks are becoming a way of life in many U.S. cities, including Indianapolis.

Why it matters: Prolonged heat — as much of the U.S. has experienced this summer — is particularly hazardous to human health.

• Extreme heat's effects on the body tend to be cumulative — stressing people and power grids.

Driving the news: The average number of annual extreme heat streaks rose between 1970-2024 in 80% of the 247 U.S. cities analyzed in a new report from Climate Central, a climate research group.

Zoom in: In Indianapolis, the number of heat streaks increased from four to six over the decades.

The latest: We just survived our fourth heat streak of the year — an eight-day stretch of scorchers.

Reality check: The latest heat streak last year didn't arrive until mid-September.

Go deeper

From the moment she made Indianapolis her home, Venezuela-born visual artist Mary Mindiola has worked to provide opportunities for other Latina creators in Central Indiana.

Why it matters: That passion led to her co-founding Indy Latina Artists alongside Puerto Rican painter Mirvia Sol Eckert in 2022.

Zoom in: We asked Mindiola how she'd spend her Best Day Ever in the Indianapolis area.

☕ Breakfast: A quick trip from her place in Lawrence for a cup of coffee and whatever else looks good at Coffee at the Crossing in McCordsville.

• "It's fairly new … and it's a little trolley train," she said. "So it's very cute, and the coffee is good."

🚲 Morning activity: A bike ride heading south on the Monon Trail.

🍲 Lunch: Filling up on Cajun and Creole cuisine at Yats.

The rest of her best day