What the heck!!!

[mxyzplk]

Y'all see the news on the ENWorld front page? Wizards hasn't put any events into the schedule and is saying "we need to wait and see on the bankruptcy before we even say we're attending"?!?

I was getting set to buy plane tickets and sign up for events, but this is a terrible indicator. For Wizards themselves not to buy in? This means to me a better than 50% chance the con won't go off as planned. No way I'm sending them money if it's gonna get swiped into bankruptcy court!!!

 

[Angel Tarragon]

There is a lot more to GenCon than WotC. The two times I went, I never spent money at their booth. Plus, I played in a lot of EnWorld's pick-up games. Also, nothing quite like the Ennies.

 

[mxyzplk]

Sure, I mean, I'm not saying Wizards not being there would kill the con; I try to avoid them myself. What I'm worried about is this as an indicator - Wizards and Gen Con are pretty "tight" still, and for Wizards to say "Uh, we're not going to put in yet because of the bankruptcy" - that seems to say to me "We have some info you don't that this thing's gonna collapse in the next month and people that paid for booths etc are going to have a hard time getting their money back."

 

[Piratecat]

I don't think that's it. I think it's more likely to be "we're risk-adverse and want to make sure the show is actually going on before we commit a ton of resources."

 

[Michael Morris]

My pet theory is they have to hold out due to Hasbro corp policy.

 

[mxyzplk]

I don't think that's it. I think it's more likely to be "we're risk-adverse and want to make sure the show is actually going on before we commit a ton of resources."

Yeah, but that's pretty much the same thing isn't it? So they have probably more insight than anyone into what's going on. GC LLC had been very "Oh no, no problem here" about the whole bankruptcy thing, and saying "there's no way this will affect GC Indy 2008." Apparently, for whatever reason, Wizards isn't finding that convincing?

My point's just that if Wizards isn't sure the show's going to go on, then I'm certainly not sure it's going to go on, and thus unrefundable $750 airline tickets start looking like a much worse bet.

 

[mxyzplk]

My pet theory is they have to hold out due to Hasbro corp policy.

? What do you mean?

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

Why would Hasbro policy have changed since last year? My bet is on PC's theory. Which in turn, does make me somewhat nervous, though at least I don't have to worry about airfare.

 

[Thunderfoot]

I think there is a different issue here - Notice the the RPGA is still talking about the Finals at GenCon, that the WotC employees are still talking about getting ready for GenCon and the general "non-official" attitude is business as usual? My personal opinion is that they have more work trotting out 4e and that scheduling has been less of a priority and in order to save face, they down GenCon LLC. Also a way to stay on the good side of Lucasfilm, Ltd.

I have said it before, business is business, it isn't personal, but it sure is crappy.

 

[francisca]

There area fistful of events listed as WotC/AH in the catalog right now, an Axis & Allies tourney, and Axis and Allies casual play. Dunno what to make of that and the lack of other stuff.