MD-VA-DC Game Day - 10/2/04: Crunch Time Approaches - Volunteers Needed!

[GM Iago]

Heya Old One,

I chatted some with Laurel down at DreamWizards. She said it is possible (though it would be a very tight fit for anything over 100 people when you're trying to RPG which is true). She even suggested trying to use the University of MD's facilities so it seems that might be the best option at the moment especially since things are looking positive for all that option.

Just to keep you informed.

-Iago

 

[Old One]

You should...

Um, considering the number of people willing to run D&D, mayhaps I ought to run one of my considered alrentatives.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but occasionally I do hear some people talk about other games here.

Psion,

Some of the most popular games at other EN World Game Days are alternative systems...once we get to the "Sign Up for Games" portion of this, I think you might find some good interest in one that you listed.

~ Old One

 

[Old One]

Thanks!

Heya Old One,

I chatted some with Laurel down at DreamWizards. She said it is possible (though it would be a very tight fit for anything over 100 people when you're trying to RPG which is true). She even suggested trying to use the University of MD's facilities so it seems that might be the best option at the moment especially since things are looking positive for all that option.

Just to keep you informed.

-Iago

Iago,

I appreciate the follow-up! I think U of M is probably going to be the best bet. We will see what the availability looks like when Xath gets back to us.

~ Old One

 

[Dexterward]

Hey Gang,

The University of Maryland (College Park) Stamp Student Union looks like an excellent potential venue:

http://www.union.umd.edu/building/

It is fairly centrally located, with easy Metro and Beltway access, has ample parking and has a variety of on-site food. More importantly, the U of M Gaming Guild seems interested in working with us.

Unfortunately, 8/28 is Freshman Orientation...and will the prospect of lots of Co-eds does Old One's heart good...it will be a zoo ! Therefore, we should look at possible alternative dates, including:

8/14 - This is the weekend prior to GenCon and that may not work for some. There isn't likely to be much else going on, however.

9/18 and 9/25 - Away football games for U of M (critical for parking success)

I am open to suggestions, so let 'em fly!

~ Old One

Old One,



I would suggest 9/25 as the target date. That way we have plenty of time to organize this beast! Plus it gives time for the DM/GMs to write and play test their adventures.



What's the next step? I looks like a lot of people on the boards are willing to do the work, but I can see us reinventing the wheel if we don't start appointing people to specific tasks. I have organized events in the past, and I can tell you from experience that they can spiral out of control real fast. The best approach is to set up a small group of people to organize the event, and make sure that the workload gets split fairly evenly among the organizers.



Just my two cents,



Dexterward

 

[threshel]

Just to chime in on the date, the 25th of September works the best for me.


J
PS Hi Destan and Troll Wizard (who I should've noticed was in the same town, that's what I get for skimming).

 

[MarauderX]

Dexterward is correct, though this hasn't been in play that long. We could go ahead and assign tasks, and the earlier the better, but who knows what might change in a few weeks.

As far as a date, we might be at the whim of the UMD location and the gamer club. Besides, we won't be able to please everyone.

We do have time to recruit more players and find out how many GMs we will need.

Trying to think ahead, do we have an idea of the current tasks(getting the word out) and things that will need to be done the day of (setting up the space, printing directions, etc.)?

 

[bill2825]

Old One,

(1) I am willing to DM/GM. I can run D&D 3.5 (have a good scenario picked out) and may be able to run StarWars d20 (have to look at possible scenario)

(2) I would prefer to DM/GM an afternoon slot.

(3) I am not willing to help organize/schedule/coordinate the game day, work is a killer for me so I would not be as available as is likely needed.

(4) It sounds like UMD is the best location. As for date, I would push for the 9/25 date because I am not available on the 9/18 date and also because it provides the time to coordinate.

As 9/28 is one of my normal game days, there would likely be 4-6 others who would be joining me. I would just have to bar a couple from the game I run so they can expierinence other sadistic brands of DM/GM!

Bill

 

[GM Iago]

Bah! Players!? We don't need no stinkin' players!

Oh wait...maybe we do...and the more the merrier.

At least starting up a list of possible Arrangement Positions is certainly a good idea. Several have already been mentioned. Lets see if I can recap some without looking back to the old posts:

Site Arrangement - Xath (this is just in terms of arranging the use of the site; this also revolves around the idea of using the University of MD)
Site Arrangement - ???? (for the day of the convention)
Advertisements - ???? (I could see multiple people in here depending on area. We seem to be fairly well spread out)
Game Organization - ???? (Organize the DM/Player lists including which games and systems the DM/GM will be employing)

I don't think directions will be too bad. UofM's website has directions and maps along with Mapquest and other such places (though some helpful hints from the locals would be welcome).

Can anyone else think of anything else cause I'm sure I missed a bunch?

I'd be willing to organize the games/DMs/Players

 

[Old One]

Tasks and Organization

Dexter and Marauder,

As soon as we get get the date/venue locked up...we will absolutely get a core group together to organize and make things happen. I have put together big, mutli-venue, multi-day events before and know how tough it can be (10,000 people over 3 days at 3 locations - yuck ).

Major Tasks (as I see them) will include:

(1) Date and Venue selection - In process

(2) DM/Game/Slot Assignment

(3) Publishing DM/Game/Slot list with game description (system, level, # of players, special materials needed).

(4) Player sign-up (on-going coordination and updating)

(5) Map/Directions/Parking Instructions

(6) Layout Board/Table Numbers for Venue

I know there are others...

A quick thought on "outside" advertising (ie, game store flyers, etc). The rooms we are looking at in the U of M student center look like they will hold 75-100 people. If we combine the response here (board members + some of their players/DMs) with Guild members from U of M, we might fill things up pretty quick. I would rather keep it close to the vest until we get an idea of how many people sign up from EN World and U of M Guild. Then, if we need more players...we can cast a wider net.

~ Old One

 

[SinisterMinister]

Organizing:

Anybody know how to set up a wiki? It's a brilliant organizing tool. I'd volunteer the player that set up ours but his family just had an addition. (Baby number two= end to any thoughts that you can still have a life, Old One.)

For the unititiated: A tiki is essentially a web site that anyone can easily post to and edit. We use it for our campaign (see the link below) and it is not pretty but it is incredibly useful.

Tormenet

Who says I have no time to do such a thing? If there is need for some webspace and a webapp to organize this shindig, I'd be more than happy to oblige. I can give a few people admin rights to configure the thing.

Please email me if you'd like to take me up on the offer: charlie AT cordova-family DOT com