Holy Cow! Wizards delegates...

[Ghostwind]

But, Ghostwind, what if you were forced to go to other game shops? Would you be as keen to jump forward and volunteer?

This is one of the questions I asked and got no response to. I will fully admit to being dismayed about Wotc's unwillingness to address any questions regarding this program. If Wotc thinks that they can just mail me an application and then ignore me, then they will find the store I work at less cooperative about pushing their products. It would be in their best interests to take a proactive position about the program and publicly address the concerns raised by myself and others.

However, the program does offer potential for those who want to take advantage of what it offers. I just wish someone would come out and answer the many questions...

 

[Mystery Man]

I figured someone would catch that. I was in the process if editing it too.

Heh!

Seriously though, I'm curious to see if this scheme of WoTC's won't turn out to be a collosal waste of time.

 

[reveal]

This is one of the questions I asked and got no response to. I will fully admit to being dismayed about Wotc's unwillingness to address any questions regarding this program. If Wotc thinks that they can just mail me an application and then ignore me, then they will find the store I work at less cooperative about pushing their products. It would be in their best interests to take a proactive position about the program and publicly address the concerns raised by myself and others.

However, the program does offer potential for those who want to take advantage of what it offers. I just wish someone would come out and answer the many questions...

Well, to answer my own question, I didn't read the announcement closely enough.

A Delegate is required to visit 3 retail locations each month.

So it looks like you would have to visit 3 seperate locations. That would probably eat in to your 12 hour sessions at the game shop you go to.

 

[VirgilCaine]

...
Star Wars CCG
...and at least one variant of Risk...

Decipher forever man!

Risk has variants? I thought LotR was just a different map...?

 

[Maggan]

Democractic game development?

WotC seems to be working off the misconception found in these hobbies that the game development is democratic and that the fans/players have a say in what they do. While there is truth to the fact that customer reaction is somthing they need to pay attention to, this in no way resembles a democracy. This rep program seems to be based off of this misconception: That WotC cant do it alone and they need your help.

It sure is odd.

Aaron.

Hmmm, FWIW I don't think this has anything to do with letting the fans democratically design the games. Or democratically influence the products, or any such thing.

It seems to me to be just another way of doing advertising and market research.

But I still think dollars have far more say as to what WotC does, than what information the delegates bring in.

Cheers!

M.

 

[wotcmike]

questions about the delegate program answered

Answers to come.

 

[wotcmike]

questions about the delegate program answered

Hi all,

As the Wizards of the Coast Community Manager and the person who runs the Delegate program, please allow me to answer the questions posed below.

Here are my concerns regarding this venture.

1) Will I need to sign a non-disclosure agreement?

Yes you will. This is pretty standard amongst all companies that have their own intellectual properties.

2) Will I need to sign a contract of any sort?

Again, yes you will. This covers basic liability issues and states how both Wizards and the Delegate can drop the program for any reason at any point.

3) Will the hours/days required to volunteer ever be increased/decreased?

Nope. That would be stupid.

4) How often do reports need to be sent in? What if I don't send them in on time?

There is a web tool where most reports are just typed in online. The store visit reports (they are 1 page reports which ask 6 questions) are currently either faxed in or emailed in. They will also be put into the web tool soon enough. If a delegate can't get reports in for some reason (life happens guys, we all know that) they just need to let me know and its fine.

5) Can I only go to one FLGS in my city/surrounding area or must I hit every single one in a month/week/year?

Delegates are asked to visit 3 retail locations a month. This assumes within a reasonable distance of that Delegate. If there a plenty of stores in their area, I hope they will try and see different ones when they can. If there are only 3 stores in their area, they can visit those same 3 each month. Some stores may want repeat visits, others may not. That is up to the Delegate to decide what works best in his or her area.

6) What if I decide to quit?

Write me and say you'd like to quit. A few delegates already have due to busy lives. They keep all the stuff they earned, I thank them and that's it.

Of course, if a someone joined to ONLY get lots of free stuff and then quit immediately, I would probably request the materials to be returned.

In a perfect world, I would hope that WotC would tell me that the hours required will always be the same, I only need to get them reports semi-monthly, I can go to any game shop I want, I sign no contract or NDA and I can quit anytime I want to.

Well hours are the same; sending in the reports is pretty easy so I do ask to try and get them in each month (if writing 3 emails a month is too much effort, then perhaps this isn't the right program for someone); you can go to any game store you want (though sometimes stores in your area may request a visit, if it is not a bother I hope a delegate would be willing to stop by and help if they could); and you would have to sign and NDA and contract but you could quit whenever you want (and keep the stuff if you help us for a few months).

What I forsee, in my own cynical way, is:

- WotC making you sign an NDA to protect their intellectual property (this would effectively stop anyone from selling the free stuff they get).

Again, pretty much any company with intellectual property and propietary information does this. The NDA is a standard non-disclosure agreement about information (if we tell you release dates or some such thing). The product a delegate receives is what they have earned. Keep it, sell it, trade it, whatever they'd like.

- A contract must be signed even though you're a "volunteer" (again, to protect their intellectual property).

Delegates are considered premiere volunteers. Since they are being sent product we have to gather information (and W-9's) by law. Can't send stuff out without telling Uncle Sam (Delegate's are NOT taxed on the retail value of the product btw).

- The hours/days mandated are subject to change and I am required to fulfill my obligation otherwise I must surrender all free merchandise back to WotC.

Not true. The only requirement is 3 visits a month. Each visit usually runs an hour or so (at the most). Even with travel time (as long as you are going to local stores) delegates are spending about 5-6 hours a month doing this.

There are additional incentives offered if a Delegate wants to do more (demos, tournaments, sponsored staff at conventions, etc) but nothing else is required.

- Reports must be sent in weekly, otherwise forfeiture of the contract will occur (resulting in me sending back my stuff).

Not true. Believe it or not, we are human beings here (I know I am) and recognize how busy people are. Once a month is great.

- I must go to as many FLGS' as there are in my city/surrounding area to give demos. I will provide my own gas/meals/etc and will not be reimbursed since I am a "volunteer."

Again, Delegates go to the locations that are reasonable for them (they get to decide what reasonable is). You are correct, we can't reimburse gas/meals/etc. for store visits (though we do for conventions and such) so I would never expect a Delegate to go very far out of their way.

- I've signed a contract; I can't quit.

Not true.

Yes, this can be a great program for those who have the time to invest in it. If you are a person, like Ghostwind, who already spends a lot of time in a game shop.

This program has been running since July. There are currently 130 delegates across North America. Almost 800 stores have been visited, hundreds of demos have been run (and again, they are not required), and I am told that the folks in the program are enjoying it. Some do 3 visits a month (5-6 hours time roughly), some do lots of demos, some come work with us at conventions, and so on. There is only space/budget for roughly 200 Delegates at this time.

My apologies that I haven't been able to answer every question that came in from people interested in the program. It is just me (and one assistant) running it. Over 400 requests came in last week and I was getting ready to head out to Gen Con So Cal. I just got back in the office today. I hope to get back to everyone that has applied within the next 2 weeks.

But, Ghostwind, what if you were forced to go to other game shops? Would you be as keen to jump forward and volunteer?

I know that would tick me off, so I won't ask that of anyone in the program. Some delegates have gone to cover other stores when another delegate has asked for their help, but that is up to the individuals involved. We won't set that as policy.

And for those of you who are chomping at the bit on this one; how long do you think you can do this? What if you decide it's not for you? What if the hours are not worth it or you just get bored doing it? What if they make you send everything back? So the hours you already spent are pointless because you get nothing out of it (When I say nothing, I mean nothing tangible. I honestly don't see WotC giving you all this free stuff and then letting you keep it if you decide not to participate anymore)

I have worked in customer service, tech support, retail management and so on for almost 20 years now. While I would love to find excited folks who want to do this the rest of their lives, this is the real world Lives change.

I would be happy with folks who can put in a year with the program though I would understand if less time than that worked out. I'm not interested in making games "unfun" for anyone (as an old gamer myself I am very careful about that). And again, as long as someone doesn't join the program with the intent of just ripping us off, the product we send out is the reward we give the delegates for helping us out, period. Once they have it, it is theirs to do with as they will.

These are the questions I asked myself when I read this. True, it would be cool to hang out and run demos and answer questions. But will I want to do this forever, for one company? I don't get to do anything with anything "non-WotC" anymore in this case.

Says who? Most of the current Delegates we have also work with Nintendo, decipher, Upper Deck, or other companies as judges, to's, or volunteers. I have no problem with that. If you are into games, you are into games.

I can't offer this program to someone who is a full time employee of another game company simply because it would put them in a tough place of having to keep information separate, but otherwise this program is open to all. It exists to help interested gamers grow the gaming community in their area and help stores with their questions and concerns.

So, this program won't be for everyone (what is?). For folks interested in talking about games, or teaching people how to play, or expanding gaming in their area, I think it is a pretty good deal. And yes, I work for WOTC, but I was a gamer LONG before I ever came here.

Too many things could go wrong to discourage me to do this. I just don't like it...

I hope I answered your questions.

Thanks!

Mike Gills
Wizards of the Coast
Community Manager

 

[mythusmage]

Hi all.

Hi Mike!

A question for you. When you talk about retail locations are you referring specifically to game stores, or are other establishments included? Comic book stores? Book stores selling WotC product? Malls and shopping centers with stores selling WotC material? And in the last case, who would handle contacting mall owners and arranging for space to conduct demos etc.?

I thought this information would be good to know.

 

[wotcmike]

Hi Mike!

A question for you. When you talk about retail locations are you referring specifically to game stores, or are other establishments included? Comic book stores? Book stores selling WotC product? Malls and shopping centers with stores selling WotC material? And in the last case, who would handle contacting mall owners and arranging for space to conduct demos etc.?

I thought this information would be good to know.

The Delegate program exists to support core and hobby stores. This would be any store that sells any WOTC games or products including hobby stores, comic or collectibles stores, book stores, and so on.

It does not support the mass market stores such as target, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, Borders, etc. as they already have their own support programs.

The Delegate talks with the store owner or manager when they make their store visits. If that delegate is interested in running demos they make arrangements with the store themselves. Most stores jump at the opportunity to have someone teach players new games.

Hope that helps!

Mike Gills
Wizards of the Coast
Community Manager

 

[MojoGM]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for answering questions on this. I have another one:

Once the applications are submitted, how long will it be until we hear something?

Also, will we be contacted in some manner if we are not chosen?

Thanks

~Chris