(DEAL IS NOT DEAD but you must now book Mon-Sun in which case the rates start at $148/night)You must arrive on Tuesday or earlier as the price jumps for Wed arrivals.

The Tru By Hilton hotel just opened and they have rooms available for Gen Con 2021 for cheaper than the in-block rates.  Not the closest hotel but only 1 block East of the Lucas Oil Stadium.

It must be booked on Hilton.com (just search for downtown indianapolis hotels).

King rooms are even cheaper.

(Note that it says the deposit will be charged to your card but I didn't get anything charged to mine).

Of course, the big thing to check is whether or not it's refundable.

Yes, 100% refundable (although again they didn't charge me) / cancellable until the day before arrival.

Up to $253 a night.  They must have caught on. 

Edit:  I got the $253 for Wed-Sun so it appears that's what you did.  

OK, now I'm a little nervous for the future of our convention.  There was a time (ie every year) that if there was a low priced walkable hotel room available outside of the block, it would be snatched up within minutes/hours yet this deal is still available.

This is a downtown room (yes, it's a slight longer walk but you can be inside within minutes by taking the stadium route), $40/night cheaper than in-block rooms, does not require payment before arrival (I never was charged), can be cancelled up to August, and is directly from Hilton.

What's not to like?  What am I missing?

I think people are generally waiting to see what develops with things.  I considered setting a reservation, but my wife and I are not even totally sure we will go to GC next year, assuming it's on.  We might do something a bit different than usual after several years of attendance as a couple and my own attendance straight through since 2006. 

If you look, there really isn't even as much activity on the forums and such as you would see normally this time of year.  I think people just have a different set of priorities right now given the state of things.   

Also, what he said ^^^

I'm nervous about not being able to get our badges this year, actually. I've been checking compulsively to see if they've gone on sale ever since Mike said don't hesitate to buy yours this year. 

Yes, I saw the same message but I booked 2 rooms and neither charged my credit.  So, I can confirm 100% that there's no charge to the account.

I rolled my badge from last year so I'm good to go in the badge department (I 100% agree that there is now pent up demand...)

Yeah but still...it's $162! and yes you have to arrive before Wed...but it's $162 for 2Q beds ($152 for a King room I believe).

I read if you pay the flexible rate, you can cancel up to the day before arrival. The site suggested that you have to book this reservation by 9/30/2020.  They say they do charge the balance and I had to rent Tuesday to Friday. This is the cheapest we have ever gotten a room downtown (by a lot.) Thanks to Knuteski who started the post!

To clarify, I think the flexible rate (with the cancellation option) has to be booked by 9/30.

Yeah, I'll add my thanks as well.  I also booked a room as a result of this post.

I think this one is still around because it seems to a newer hotel and so it's not as well known. 
All the usual Marriot rooms I look at are gone.
All the usual Hilton rooms I look at are gone(I of course have my room at the Embassy) 
 

I just checked. The rooms are gone. Ether they noted their error, or Gencon/Indy Tour contacted them informing them of it.

Ether way I do note there are a lot of impressive deals for those who are not afraid to drive 20 min. in right now. Less then $100 for some real nice hotels on the rim. Haven't seen that in a long time.

But then again, hotels are hurting bad right now and a deal is a deal.

Will say, next year will look interesting. There was an article a couple days ago talking about a large number of hotels about to fold due to lack of guest. Many in the DT area. Which could complicate our situation.

I just checked as well and they are still available.   I have s feeling you picked a Wednesday arrival day... it has to be Tuesday or earlier to get the lower price

It's listing as 249/night now,and I tried booking Tuesday through Monday checkout.