Origins: Why no Wizards????

[Zaruthustran]

I don't know about Origins, but Wizards is going to PAX this year. And bringing everything that they're bringing to Gencon.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=rpga/news/20070530a

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_Arcade_Expo

It's a good time to be a tabletop gamer that's also into videogames. Or a videogamer that's also into tabletop games.

-z

 

[Warbringer]

I don't know about Origins, but Wizards is going to PAX this year.

-z

It's on their doorstep. Be kinda silly not to go

 

[kenobi65]

What kind of good decision is it to not go to a major con?

Or am I on crack and Origins isn't the 2nd biggest game con anymore?

No, you're right, it's still the second-biggest gaming convention.

But, as others have pointed out, it's in relatively close proximity (both in distance and time) to GenCon Indy. And, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that a fair number of people attend both.

Regarding Penny Arcade Expo: my understanding is that WotC was looking for a West Coast convention to get into in a big way, after GenCon SoCal ended. And, PAX was looking for someone to help them expand their RPG presence. The only downside, it seems like, is that PAX is just one week after GenCon Indy.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

It seems to me that PAX has a different - younger? - audience to GenCon. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Wizards of the Coast considered them sufficiently distinct events to ignore their proximity.

 

[Zaruthustran]

It seems to me that PAX has a different - younger? - audience to GenCon. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Wizards of the Coast considered them sufficiently distinct events to ignore their proximity.

Yep -- average PAX attendee is 24 years old. And PAX draws not only tabletop gamers, but videogamers and PC gamers as well. Bit of a different audience, though there's plenty of crossover, of course.

And kenobi, you're spot on with "west coast show" conclusion.

The proximity in time is a bit of an anomaly this year; there was a 2-week difference but then Gencon had to move, I think, because of NASCAR extending an event. Next year should be better.

-z

 

[Glyfair]

But, as others have pointed out, it's in relatively close proximity (both in distance and time) to GenCon Indy. And, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that a fair number of people attend both..

True. For quite a while Origins was the East Coast convention. Even when they started rotating general locations, every other year they were on the East Coast. GenCon was the central U.S. convention. Now I suppose they seem pretty similar.

Of course, back in those days there was the huge GAMA/TSR feud that had Gary and Avalon Hill sniping back and forth.

 

[Toben the Many]

As far as the RPGA goes, I know that the pulled out of Origins last year, but in that year, the Origins gaming reg increased their ticket sales of RPG games without the RPGA being there. Thus, the RPGA have returned this year, not wanting to miss out on the action.

A "strained" relationship between WotC and GAMA is no secret. I also heard that it's Origin's proximity to Gen Con causes WotC to have to pick between the two. There is also a bit of rivalry between Origins and GenCon. By having them so close together, the cons are forcing people like WotC to choose which place they are going to.

 

[CharlesRyan]

What kind of good decision is it to not go to a major con?

Or am I on crack and Origins isn't the 2nd biggest game con anymore?

I'm not saying I agree with the decision, but keep this in mind:

For a small to mid-sized company, going to a big con involves a few people putting in a few days or weeks of prep work and four or five days of show time. At the end, they'll probably sell enough stuff to at least break even on the effort.

For a company WotC's size, going to a big con involves a cohort of people putting in months of prep time and a week or more of show time. At the end, sales will not make a significant dent in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars spent.

For a company this size, going to a big show is a major marketing initiative, which means it competes with other marketing initiatives for resources. It needs to provide a real marketing benefit, or it just makes sense to put those resources into something more productive.

Does Origins provide that bang for the buck? WotC doesn't seem to think so. They may or may not be right, but either way their decision was made on a rational basis.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

For a company WotC's size, going to a big con involves a cohort of people putting in months of prep time and a week or more of show time. At the end, sales will not make a significant dent in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars spent.

Wouldn't this be the effort needed to dominate a big con? To go to Origens, they need to comp a dozen of their volunteer reps who were going anyway, mail them some banners and buy a table. But they wouldn't be the star of the show then, they would just have a presence.

Not to say that a company of their standing neccassarily should be satisfied with a presence. If you are the king of the industry, it's ok to not want to go anywhere without making that clear. But its a matter of wanting, not the only way they can go to a con.

 

[Maggan]

A "strained" relationship between WotC and GAMA is no secret.

Hmmm, it seems to be for the former D&D brand manager.

/M