Chicago Gameday XVIII Planning Thread: Nov 10th is our date

[buzz]

I've started adding the expected number of people per event to the first post. It seems that the real issue isn't number of events, but the total number of people. Ergo, tracking the number of expected seats is probably a better gauge of whether to add an eight event or not.

The "default" of 6x7 plus 7 GMs gives us 49 people in the game area for each slot. Jacking that up to 56 seems problematic, but adding a couple seats could possibly work.

So, keep those numbers coming.

 

[Reidzilla]

<My Thoughts>

Having 8 tables is too much. I found 7 tables to be uncomfortably noisy and overcrowded last time.


To prevent players from missing out on sign-ups because they did not respond within hours of the sign-up thread being opened, perhaps we could send out a list of all of the games available a few days before the sign-up thread is opened. Also, list the date and time that the sign-up thread will be opened (preferably after 6PM) so that most everyone interested can think over if they can attend, how long they can stay, and what events they would really like to play. Sign-ups would still be first-come first-served but I think more people would be prepared to declare their choices.


At some point we allowed the GMs to have first crack at event sign-up. Would anyone mind re-instituting this? Was there a specific reason we stopped this?


What if we changed the schedule to having 3 slots @ 6 tables each?
9:30-1:30 Morning slot
1:30-2:00 Food break
2:00-2:30 Swagation
2:30-6:30 Afternoon slot
6:30-whenever Evening slot

This would give us 18 tables (4-6 players per table) with a total of 72-108 seats available throughout the day.

</My Thoughts>

 

[Trevalon Moonleirion]

buzz,

The Dark*Matter event is for 6 players. I'll get you some details once I've figured out exactly what I'm running.

 

[Pbartender]

Are there even enough chairs, particularly tall ones? Otherwise, people would have to stand to play at that table.

Dunno... That's why I was asking earlier.

Personally, I don't have much of a problem standing -- I usually end up standing when I GM anyway -- but I know other people might.

 

[FCWesel]

What if we changed the schedule to having 3 slots @ 6 tables each?

9:30-1:30 Morning slot
1:30-2:00 Food break
2:00-2:30 Swagation
2:30-6:30 Afternoon slot
6:30-whenever Evening slot

This would give us 18 tables (4-6 players per table) with a total of 72-108 seats available throughout the day.

I LIKE the idea.

But realistically the end slot would not end until at least 10:30. Which means a exit of 11:30 for Curt, et. all. (Granted, if TB42 is running Curt risks being there till 3am.) What do you think Curt?

I Know I certainly wouldn't mind trying out this idea. It would allow folks to get two games in if they showed up late, or wanted to leave early to catch a train.


FCWesel

 

[Pbartender]

I LIKE the idea.

But realistically the end slot would not end until at least 10:30. Which means a exit of 11:30 for Curt, et. all. (Granted, if TB42 is running Curt risks being there till 3am.) What do you think Curt?

I Know I certainly wouldn't mind trying out this idea. It would allow folks to get two games in if they showed up late, or wanted to leave early to catch a train.

Oop... I missed that bit.

But I agree with Floyd... It'd be worth a try. Also, if someone wants to run a longer adventure, they can always do it as a two-part spanning both the afternoon and evening slots. Plus, it'd allow the GMing fiends who want to run two games a chance to sit in on a game as a player, if they so chose.

 

[FCWesel]

So...just to examine the idea that REIDZILLA put up...

This could be what the schedule might look like... This has SIX outer tables and the private room. The tall table could be optional or replace the use of one of the other tables, to accomodate other non-gameday folks...especially if you want to keep tables total to six..



EDIT:
I like PB's idea of allowing someone to do a long game. I have done them in the past and a game that went from 2:30 till 10:30 ish would certainly be a fun time. I would (have) be up for that, certainly .


EDIT-EDIT:
My suggestion would be that the Private Room NOT be allowed for the "long session", to allow a different GM to use it each slot.

 

[buzz]

To prevent players from missing out on sign-ups because they did not respond within hours of the sign-up thread being opened, perhaps we could send out a list of all of the games available a few days before the sign-up thread is opened. Also, list the date and time that the sign-up thread will be opened (preferably after 6PM) so that most everyone interested can think over if they can attend, how long they can stay, and what events they would really like to play. Sign-ups would still be first-come first-served but I think more people would be prepared to declare their choices.

I mentioned this upthread, and agree 100%. I will definitely be doing this once we start sign-ups.

At some point we allowed the GMs to have first crack at event sign-up. Would anyone mind re-instituting this? Was there a specific reason we stopped this?

I think this adds a layer of complication to sign-up that I just don't want to deal with.

What if we changed the schedule to having 3 slots @ 6 tables each?

There's four problems I see with this.

First, your schedule completely eliminates time to shop. 30 minutes is tight for lunch. If you eliminate time for attendees to browse the store, you give GP even less reason to host Gameday. You're also inviting people who want to catch up with Gameday friends to use event time to do so, and that's not fair to other people at their table.

Second, the tight schedule means that no event can run long, ever. TB would be screwed!

Third, the 10:30pm end time commits GP to staying open much later than they normally do, and that's just not our call to make.

Fourth, as Mark can tell us, the existing setup was designed to accommodate the Metra schedule. Anyone who is taking the train to Gameday will basically have to eschew playing in the last slot. That doesn't feel right to me.

Reid, I think you've proposed this idea before (or maybe someone else did), and it's awesome initiative on your part. Nonetheless, I just don't think it's do-able.

 

[buzz]

My standalone thoughts...

The simple fact is that we have a limited amount of space. Cramming that space full of people is just not conductive to creating an enjoyable atmosphere. Seven events per slot is fine with me, as long as events max out at six players, and no more. While this may mean that we end up turning people away, I think it's just something we're going to have to accept.

The only true way around this is to host Gameday at a different venue that has more space. Unfortunately, I don't see how this will happen without someone laying out cash for the space. Not to mention, I like bringing Gameday to Games Plus. They've been awesome hosts, and they have cool stuff I can buy.

The only other expansion option I see is taking over the table by the register. GP would have to make that call, and people would have to decide if they'd be comfortable running a game amidst customers.

 

[buzz]

Actually...

Another option might be returning to four Gamedays a year. I.e., lessen demand by increasing frequency.

I dunno if that will end up biting us in hindquarters, though.