[Deptheads] Re: Computer Room Tourneys

[Michael Russell]

Ok I don't comment here much, but this one I feel very strongly about,  
namely making the cons attractive to family and kids.  I have been  
going to these cons sense 1982 and now as a small percent owner I  
really feel we need to do more to get the families back in.  Back in  
the mid 80's and through the 90's there were a lot more family games  
like Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Risk ect., and there for the  
hole family came to the cons, which increased attendance. And now 20  
years later I see a lot of those "kids" at the cons with their  
families. So I think adding more family games back in, which is  
something I have been pushing for in that last year will really  
benefit the cons in the long run.  If we stop trying to attract kids  
and family like Pat said the cons will die a slow death.  I really  
agree with what Victor said about parents that just bring their kids  
to the con and not get a badge.  While working the registration desk  
last con I saw dozens of parents come up and pay for their kids to go  
to the con, but did not get a badge for them self, they were just  
going to watch. If we could hook them in with games they liked as a  
kid (The family type games), then that adds to  the attendance, which  
is what we need to do.

As for a new name for the computer room, I would go with Video Zone,  
it just has a better ring to it.

Mike
On Feb 8, 2008, at 6:28 PM, Victor B wrote:

> To be fair...............
> Robert looks bad because he was not being politically correct.
> Of course we have families that attend. He never said we did not- he  
> just implied that the convention does not have the facilities or  
> staff that the other conventions do that cater to kids . How many of  
> the families that show up are staff? How many are convention  
> regulars? Having kids show up and being set up for many kids are not  
> the same. Basically all of this debate is based opinions that  
> parents reading our website and seeing "video game lounge" would not  
> want to attend because strategicon would appear non-family oriented.  
> The families that come are not going to be turned off  by a room  
> named "video game lounge". In fact many families that atend a  
> convention (as mentioned) want to get their kids off of video games.  
> Why would you bring your kids to a convention to get them off video  
> games and then watch them hang out in the video game room playing  
> video games? The room name is not your concern for a family oriented  
> con. The programming available for you kids and tweens is. The  
> teenagers are ok.
> Best tween event we had last year was the live-action fighting  
> circle. They stayed packed for hours on friday and saturday and  
> always had people there. People like to smack each other with padded  
> weapons or watch 2 other people do it. Good event.
>
> Robert's statement is correct- We are basically saying "just bring  
> your kids". We do have mundane token kids events as he mentioned and  
> nothing special or a draw. No kid guests.. The wiggles are not  
> attending. We don't have a storytime room or daycare attendants like  
> other conventions. Liability and security issues are real and we all  
> know in this day and age a lawyer is 1 step behind a mishap.  
> Catering to family requires more than we have now which is just some  
> games and a volunteer watching the kids.
>
> That being said .....
> Patrick is also correct.
> We want to attract more families (not just the parents who bring the  
> kids along) and we hneed to ave to have actual programming and set  
> up for tweens, not just run some kids games. Tweens are our future.
> I understand kids at con. Trust me I see the most of them during the  
> weekend and I WELCOME them.
> There are many ccgs that are from kids tv shows and japanese anime  
> and every convention we have 1 or 2 that pile up the players in big  
> numbers. We have had over 125 in one event before. We will have 200+  
> in may for a pokemon regional.
> The problems is not the kids (7-14 year olds). The issue for me is  
> finding something for the parents to do that are not into gaming and  
> are just dropping off kids.. I do makeshift parent's lounges . I put  
> a veggie platter in there with water and cups and peanut butter  
> crackers with science fiction/fantasy show themes playing as music.  
> They loved it. Funny when you have to cater to many parents who are  
> not into gaming but their kids love pokemon, naruto, magic or  
> pirates etc.. I also took the time to talk to them as a group and  
> explain the convention and showed a few of them the boardgames where  
> alison, karl, patrick and others were there to meet and greet them.  
> Their smiles and upbeat attitude make non-gamers feel like they are  
> at a friend's house. They also like seeing the miniatures and of  
> course the dealer's room. Even rpg hq gets questions about rpgs and  
> are friendly and helpful. When they come back between tourney round  
> I hear it. All this usually gets a few parents to join the  
> convention for the day andsome for the whole weekend.
>
> We need a department to handle kids and tweens and all liability  
> issues, logisitcs and programming for them. And those brave souls  
> will need plenty of drinks before and after the con.
>
> Strategicon is a fun friendly family oriented convention full of  
> wonderful people.
> That is why I fly 3000+ miles to startegicon 3 times a year. You guys.
>
> Now let's get back to positive energy and enthusiasm for the con.  
> Someone paint a smiley face on grinch robert and lets get ready for  
> a weekend of fun.
>
>
>
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