What keeps you from going to GenCon?

[DragonLancer]

Cost, distance and the fact that I'm in another country.

 

[The_Gneech]

My yearly pilgrimage is to Dragon*Con (well, except for this year, but NORMALLY it is) ... and more than one big con a year, unless I have a dealer table, is prohibitively expensive.

-The Gneech

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

septic tank. i just paid $4500 for a new septic tank.

What a crappy reason.

*cough* Sorry.

Last year was my first GenCon, and I loved it. My gaming group pitched for my 40th bday and paid for everything except eats. But because of the accident I was in this past January, I lost all my leave and wasn't able to save any cash. So this year... no GenCon for me. And I think that sucks.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I went twice back in High School when it was in Milwaukee. I loved it, but I have not been able to justify the cost since then. In addition there is the work vacation time issue and leaving the SO with the kids while I go game for a few days. At some point when the kids are a little older I am hoping to get my gaming group, which has scattered throughout the Northeast US, to all go to GenCon together.

 

[Enkhidu]

I hate spending money on entry fees - its one of the reasons I generally dislike seeing sporting events in person. I just don't feel like I;'ve gotten anything out of it when I'm through. Conventions fall under that umbrella.

 

[sword-dancer]

The Ocean, the cost and the fact that I´ve to pay my flat.

 

[Sammael]

Plane tickets alone would cost me around $500-600. Considering I earn $600 a month as a computer programmer (and that's considered a pretty good salary around here), there is no way I could afford $2000 for a couple of days at a convention. That, and I have too much work to do.

Not that I wouldn't go if I had money to burn...

 

[Mapleaxe]

New baby (our first) coming in September, so all my vacation time and free money is focussed on that right now.

That aside, though, I haven't gone since they moved to Indianapolis. I'm orginially from the Milwaukee area, and I went to Gencon every year from 1990 until 2002. It was relatively cheap for me because Milwaukee's still an easy drive from here, and I could overnight at my parents'. But honestly, the last couple years that I did go, I'd gotten kind of burnt out on the experience--I enjoyed the shopping part, but I hadn't had a good gaming experience at the con in years, and I really more looked forward to seeing friends in Milwaukee more than anything else. So I haven't had a real burning desire to go back to Gencon after it moved.

 

[Desdichado]

Every year I get closer and closer to going. Since the move to Indiannapolis, it's relatively close to me (about five hours by car) and I have friends who go that I could crash with, or even friends who live in Metro Indy that I could crash with.

But I always wonder what I'd really do there -- it seems the main reason to go is to play games (and I've got gamedays for that, plus my regular group) or buy product, but I don't really do much of that anymore, and I've got plenty I want to buy that's still in regular stores.

My cost vs. expected benefit analysis always comes up just a trifle short.

Plus, I've had personal conflicts that have made it a moot point the last three years running (move over GenCon weekend, a wedding, family coming into town, etc.)

 

[JimAde]

I hate spending money on entry fees - its one of the reasons I generally dislike seeing sporting events in person. I just don't feel like I;'ve gotten anything out of it when I'm through. Conventions fall under that umbrella.

I feel the same way. I've actually been to GenCon quite a few times back in the day, but never paid to get in (I was volunteer labor). I just couldn't justify paying to get in, even when the con was local to me. Now that it's a long trip away I'm not even interested.