[Deptheads] Re: Computer Room Tourneys

Fri Feb 8 07:51:32 PST 2008

We have a large family group of 3 families worth of kids (about 8-10 of
them, ages from around 6 to 13) and 4 adults.  They have come to the last 3
cons and say that they bring the kids to get them off the video games for a
weekend.

Just an FYI

On Feb 7, 2008 10:30 PM, Robert Lionheart <spinachcat at yahoo.com> wrote:

> If you truly want to tap the family market, you need a fully funded kids
> room with babysitting / kids play volunteers.   Kubla has this and its a
> huge resource drain, but they are betting on the long term idea of a family
> oriented convention.
>
> An enhanced video game room is a double-edged situation.   While should
> bring the attention of the younger audience, you run the distinct risk of
> such an area becoming a "kids' area" when the convention is not set up with
> personnel to deal with such an area.
>
> The security issues alone are quite daunting as are equipment
> liabilities.   One time a kid goes missing due to completely innocent
> wandering and you can bet the crap will hit the fan at high speed.   While
> this may not have been an issue when only a handful of kids are present, try
> to juggle this problem with five times the number of young children.  Also,
> is ANYONE on our staff trained and licensed to monitor children in a
> commercial space?
>
> Also, I do not believe we have to aim that young at all.  The high school
> / college crowd / young adult market is very good and the older / returning
> gamer is another choice target.   If the convention wants to focus on family
> entertainment that is quite possible  BUT there would need to be significant
> changes to make that happen.
>
> To make that happen, the convention would need a much more mundane family
> game track.  Stuff that people recognize.   I don't mean members of BBG.   I
> mean people who shop at ToysRus and never heard of Catan.  I am taking
> Chutes & Ladders and games where families can play as a whole with other
> families.   You would have to Disneyesque things to a great degree.   There
> would have to be MUCH more focus aimed at entertaining the 6-10 year old and
> their parents at the same event.
>
> If you look at family marketing, you will see that the family focused
> event marketing has a major keystone - they market the idea that only people
> there are other families.  Families view this as an important factor in the
> assumption of fun and safety.   Go view advertisements for zoos, Legoland,
> Whatever on Ice and other family focused events.  They do NOT include
> single males in their marketing.   In fact, these people do not exist in
> Family Marketing World.   Last time I checked, males attending without kids
> is our main demographic.
>
> Otherwise, just saying "sure, bring your kids" is not enough to draw
> anyone.  Currently, there is NO reason to bring your family to the
> convention if you have 6-11 year old children.   We have ZERO focus on their
> needs and we do NOT have a child secure atmosphere.
>
> - Robert
>
>
>
> *Patrick Havert <patrickhavert at sbcglobal.net>* wrote:
>
> Robert,
>
> As head of marketing do you think Teen parents may look at the website?
> Come on and grow up, unless we do something that younger kids can attend
> they have no reason to go to the con and *neither do their families*.  If
> we eliminate that group for a few years, do you think they'll really come
> back?  The con is getting older, and we need it to get younger or our con is
> dying a slow death.
> I admit that teens are better, but we want people to be able to bring
> their families, if we don't let's just put up signs on the website that say
> 12+ years old only so we can eliminate any family groups with younger kids.
>
> If you can explain why lounge is better than Zone for teens, I'd love to
> hear it.  You seem pretty jaded for someone trying to get people to attend
> the con, maybe we should call it one of your names to really lower
> expectations.
>
> -Patrick
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Robert Lionheart <spinachcat at yahoo.com>
> *To:* deptheads at strategicon.net
> *Sent:* Thursday, February 07, 2008 5:14 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [Deptheads] Re: Computer Room Tourneys
>
> Oh gods Patrick, are we doing it "for the children"?
>
> That's it!  We're going with Video Game Bordello!  Halo Orgy starts at
> noon!
>
> I like the non-family connotation of Lounge because we do not want the
> Video Game Space become the Babysitter Zone.   We do not want parents using
> the con as a dump zone for their rugrats.   I am quite sure Janice isn't
> signing up for Strategicon Day Care, aka Dungeons & Diapers.
>
> We want teens, not kids, as attendees.  Kids are walking liabilities.
> Teens are walking wallets and awesome impule buyers for the dealer's
> room.  Kids are a resource drain while Teens are networking gold.   The 12+
> crowd is far far far more desirable than the 6-11 range.
>
> - Robert
>
>
>
>
> *Patrick Havert <patrickhavert at sbcglobal.net>* wrote:
>
> I agree with Janice in that Lounge has a kind of non-family connotation
> associated with it, that we do not want to foster.
>
> How about Video Game Zone, Video Games Live, or Interactive Gaming?
>
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Karl (zeotter at gmail.com)

The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it's just
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