GenCon SoCal: What do I get for $50?

[Dr. Confoundo]

The pre-registration info for GenCon SoCal just went up, and since I live less than 20 miles away, I thought that I'd check it out. I see that four day badges are $50, and one day badges are $18. Now those prices would be okay for a big Convention if they were run like the ones I'm used to: You pay a similar price to get a badge, and that badge lets you shop, sign-up and play in tournaments, go into the movie room, etc.

But from what I understand about GenCon, I need to purchase tickets to play in tournaments, *in addition to* paying for my badge for the day. These tickets cost what, $3-5 apiece? And so if I want to play in two tournaments a day, I'm paying another ~ $25-35 over and above the $50 I paid to get in the door?

That seems awful steep. Do I have this right?

Doc

 

[jmucchiello]

The pre-registration info for GenCon SoCal just went up, and since I live less than 20 miles away, I thought that I'd check it out. I see that four day badges are $50, and one day badges are $18. Now those prices would be okay for a big Convention if they were run like the ones I'm used to: You pay a similar price to get a badge, and that badge lets you shop, sign-up and play in tournaments, go into the movie room, etc.

But from what I understand about GenCon, I need to purchase tickets to play in tournaments, *in addition to* paying for my badge for the day. These tickets cost what, $3-5 apiece? And so if I want to play in two tournaments a day, I'm paying another ~ $25-35 over and above the $50 I paid to get in the door?

That seems awful steep. Do I have this right?

Yes, you have it right.

You are most likely paying for the playing space, seminar space, the guests of honor (Shattner, et al.), etc. Game costs are generally $3 per 4 hour session. (Or at least they were in Indy.) It also grants access to the vendor room (although I feel that should be paid by the vendors)

 

[diaglo]

hey tone,

i need $50 to make you holler.

i get paid to do the wild thing.

yes, you need to pay for the badge. and yes, if you want to go do it now. the lines suck.

 

[JDragon]

Dr. Confoundo, I agree the $50.00 to get in and then another $20-30 to games seems a bit much to me.

I actually asked a similar ? in the earlier thread about whos going to the Con.

As I stated there, I ususally pay about $40 and that covers everything except entrance into sealed deck CCG games. (which I understand the additional cost for)

My other concern is that from what I have gathered from the posts regarding GenCon Indy is that the "gaming" area is not open the entire time the con is? Is this correct or have I misread peoples accounts of the Con?

Also, what kinda "gaming" area are they talking about? Are the tables just in a large convention hall with 20 plus other tables full of gamers, or is there something to reduce the nosie? The cons I attend in Nor Cal have the con sponsered games in hotel rooms with a single game per room. Which makes elimantes the nosie and bathroom issues.

These are just a few ?'s I have to get some kind of answers to before I'm going to drop my $50, to sign up.