Adkison's Gen Con report

[Tsyr]

I truly believe that Peter Adkison cares about gamers and wants GenCon to be an extremely successful, well-loved event in gaming.

I also believe that Peter Adkison is a business man. The first few years of any business are crucial. If GenCon UK was just going to be a money sink for him for the next few years...well, like it or not, you can't afford that in a new business.

With time and with success I bet we'll see the triumphant return of GenCon Europe. But only when it's feasible from a business standpoint.

You know, all of this reminds me of this great job I had. Free snacks, free soda and lunch was on the company every day, we ordered from local takeout places. We closed the phones down an hour a day and had LAN parties for that hour. We had great perks and benefits, extremely flexible schedules, tons of time off. We went to Cons and played games on company time. Lots of playtesting and the like. It was great...right up until they went under. To this day, I wish they had kept a few of their perks and used that money to stay in business.

I learned my lesson the hard way.

If Peter Adkison needs to hold off on hosting GenCon Europe until he can afford it...then I applaud him for having the guts to do what was needed.

Cedric

Ion Storm?

 

[Pramas]

GenCon needs more GMs/DMs.

The programs created to get people to run games at GenCon need to be better advertized or inproved.

I agree with that.

When I first went to GenCon in 1989, there were a ton of different games to play. GMs with no connection to the publishers just ran games that they liked. I ran an Ars Magica tournament for four years straight because I liked the game. Over the past ten years the number of games seems to have dropped, and its become more and more incumbent on publishers to organize things. However, publishers often concentrate on demo games, in the hopes of acquiring new players. I'd like to see more GMs step up and run cool games for experienced players. Some of my best GenCon memories are games of this kind and I'd hate to see them go by the wayside.

 

[FungiMuncher]

GenCon needs more GMs/DMs.

The programs created to get people to run games at GenCon need to be better advertized or inproved.

This was my first GenCon, and I had a blast. I'm hoping to return next year.

I also volunteered to run two games for the RPGA. While I enjoyed running them, it was also enough of a hassle that I'm really on the fence as to whether I want to run next year. I'd like to hear about some incentives to get me off of that fence.

FM

 

[Dinkeldog]

I also volunteered to run two games for the RPGA. While I enjoyed running them, it was also enough of a hassle that I'm really on the fence as to whether I want to run next year. I'd like to hear about some incentives to get me off of that fence.

FM

I ran four and not only did I not have to pay for the 4-day badge, I didn't have to wait in that line. Well worth it to me.

 

[Brown Jenkin]

Reposting from other thread since this seams to be more official.


I will go ahead and give my good and bad.

Good:
1. The Indiana Convension Center was large enough to handle Gen Con unlike Milwaukee.

2. Clean bathrooms throughout the Con.

2b. Clean bathrooms throughout the Con. (this needs repeating)

3. Wide variety of food from vendors spaced fairly well.

4. Excelent and friendly staff at the Boardgame/Miniatures hall at least.

5. Enough hotel space. Yea, no more driving 10 miles to our hotel.

6. Breakfast buffet at the Embassy Suites.

7. Friendly people of Indianapolis

8. Restaurants open past 9pm and Bars open later than 1am.

9. The friendly staff at most of the booths. Special kudo's to Mongoose.

10. No broken escalators and requirements to walk up 2 large stories to the Dealer Hall.


Bad:
1. Event and Ticket lines. I am taking Peter at his word that attendence blew out all expectations and that this will not happen again. If it does then I will join the chorus of boos.

2. Food not availible at night. Please take a lesson from Origins and arange for 1-2 vendors to be open 24hrs.

3. Please provide better directions on how judges should deal with turning in tickets.

4. Please provide free electricity to judges groups who need computers to run events.

5. Please provide larger and more clearly marked open gaming.

6. Please make araingements to cut off autograph lines at the correct point and make araingements for everyone before the cutoff to get one.

7. Better organization needed at the loading docks so everyone can get in and out in a reasonable amount of time.

Overall:
Since I preregistered and avoided the lines I will give it a 8 1/2 out of 10 for my personal experience. Now if it would only last another 2 days so I could do everything I wanted.

 

[Storminator]

I agree with that.

When I first went to GenCon in 1989, there were a ton of different games to play. GMs with no connection to the publishers just ran games that they liked. I ran an Ars Magica tournament for four years straight because I liked the game. Over the past ten years the number of games seems to have dropped, and its become more and more incumbent on publishers to organize things. However, publishers often concentrate on demo games, in the hopes of acquiring new players. I'd like to see more GMs step up and run cool games for experienced players. Some of my best GenCon memories are games of this kind and I'd hate to see them go by the wayside.

One of my friends decided this year he wasn't going to play in any sanctioned events, and I followed his lead.

I didn't sign up for anything, and I played my brains out. Next year I'll run a game too, but I'll just snap up some ENWorlders to fill out the slots.

Pentern Andnkinsnon really should work on the open gaming area, as open gaming seems to get a lot of use.

PS

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Pentern Andnkinsnon really should work on the open gaming area, as open gaming seems to get a lot of use.

You missed an 'n'.

 

[francisca]

Next year I'll run a game too, but I'll just snap up some ENWorlders to fill out the slots.
PS

Pick me! Pick me!

 

[Dinkeldog]

2. Clean bathrooms throughout the Con.

2b. Clean bathrooms throughout the Con. (this needs repeating)

Not at the bathroom I used.

Not that I'd hold PA personally responsible for that (or the foulness coming from the Indy sewer system).

 

[Storminator]

Not at the bathroom I used.

Not that I'd hold PA personally responsible for that (or the foulness coming from the Indy sewer system).

Smelling the sewer all over town was pretty nasty. Especially after a dozen hours of gaming, a couple cups of coffee and no food.

PS