[Deptheads] Gateway 2010 Notes

Sun Sep 12 08:17:52 PDT 2010

Perhaps we could write a Gateway "diary" entry based on the experiences of a
fictional attendee. That could be used to show that keeping an open block of
time to just "look around" can be a lot of fun. 

People who spend time browsing the flea market are also people who are not
in games who have time to browse the vendors room. Some people are "players"
and others are "shoppers" and some do both!

Harmon

From: deptheads-bounces at strategicon.net
[mailto:deptheads-bounces at strategicon.net] On Behalf Of John Paiva
Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2010 2:20 AM
To: deptheads at strategicon.net
Subject: Re: [Deptheads] Gateway 2010 Notes

RJ,

On the breaks in the schedule, I tried to implement that a few years ago and
it worked for 1 convention before people started to complain that there were
times with "nothing to do," so I don't think this is a possibility at
Strategicon conventions. 

To be truthful, the most successful dealer's rooms at cons I have run have
been based on the dealers making it a "must go to" rather than a "I'll hit
it when I have time." The dealers have to offer something that gamers can't
get just by going to their local stores on days when there is no gaming
scheduled. I have had success making games out of going to the dealers' room
(such as a puzzle or mystery where the vendors have clues that are given to
you when you do a demo or buy something, etc.), having dealer's sponsor
tournaments (everyone who plays in a tournament gets a percent off at that
dealer between this time and that time, etc.) and having "Happy Hours" where
each dealer takes an hour during the con and everything is discounted (and
we provide a schedule of who is discounted when). 

You can't herd them in, you have to make them want to go in and buy
something they can't get everyday. 

John

-----Original Message-----
From: RJ <the1ring at the1ring.net>
To: deptheads <deptheads at strategicon.net>
Sent: Sat, Sep 11, 2010 11:43 pm
Subject: [Deptheads] Gateway 2010 Notes

Here are most of my notes from the Convention, some of which involve other 
departments and are intended to be constructive.

Exhibitors Hall:
Request for Friday Night opening:   Denied!  We have lots of people just 
arriving at 5-6 pm to start setting up.  We can't really be "open" with 
carts and boxes all over and dealers unable to deal or watch their 
tables.   I was also told that dealers are too tired after all the 
loading/unloading etc to want to be open for just an hour or two.  They 
want to rest/game and get ready for the long days ahead.

Request for early opening:  Approved!   I will be modifying the Dealer Room 
hours.  Most likely it will be a 9:30 AM opening (prior to those 10AM 
games).  Closing still 7pm Sat, 6pm Sun, 3 Mon.  Comments welcome before 
final decisions made (7PM Sun?   6:30?  6:30 both?).

Request FROM dealers room: Can games be scheduled with intentional gap to 
allow players time to hit the dealers room?  Some dealers feel that are 
packed schedules are leaving no time for people to browse.  We do seem to 
get "waves" and people are often in a hurry.  Not sure if we can really do 
this in a practical way, but something to keep in mind.

Along those lines:  If there can be a game break around closing.  Maybe 
even a 20/30 minute warning call prior to room closing.   If 3-4 hour games 
started at 3 PM on Sat for example, and the next block at 7PM, there should 
be room between games to make a dealer room run before it closes.

Friday Only badges...  how many do we get?  There is no dealer room Friday 
and they are often upset they cant come in.  Do we remind them they can 
return to shop on ANY DAY when they get the badge?

Magic Players:  Complaint/Misunderstanding that they have to pay for a 
convention badge and then pay to play in the tournament.   Maybe we could 
offer a special deal - if there are spaces they pay tournament cost plus... 
$10...  to play?   Full badges have priority.  This may be important with 
the push to increase card games, and letting people know.

Boardgames:   Any advertised game should have at least one copy of the 
game.  Either the GM supplies it or we reserve it from the library (like 
our GM TBD games).  I know that Cash n Guns live could not go (left at 
home?).  My friend passed up a game and we were first on a list for 
Container, but there was no copy to play.  Would have done a different game 
that started 1 hour before had it been known.   And I don't like the "If 
you want to play, bring the game" thing...  People cant bring all their 
games, people want to play/learn games, people play games they cant afford 
(yet), etc...  the first 6 players in a 6 player game should expect to 
play, after 6, then it's someone better bring a game.

Also, had a complaint about a GM teaching Through the Ages (Neil, I 
mentioned to check the name, remember?) .   It's a long game, and he did 
not watch the players - so one new player was doing "illegal" actions, but 
was never backed up.  He also talked a player out of an action (building up 
military) to buy a card - then next turn tells him he can't use that 
card!   The player felt it was a waste of a big block of time.   Do we have 
a feedback place for that?

Coffee Cups... we are out of them.  Paper ones.  It's really my problem I 
guess, but if anyone want to get some, that would be great, since I don't 
drink coffee!  Not sure what people like for cups... or coffee...  haha.

Donuts:  Will probably do the advanced list send out again, then pre-order 
them.  I got a good price last Con by paying in advance, and they were 
ready to go when I got there.  I think that went well this time for Reg/BG 
also.

Um...  where to sign up for stuff...  guess that already covered...  can we 
put a note on any sign we put up whose department the sign is from?  The 
Pandemic LARP was not clear where to sign up, and I did not know where to 
send people..  LARPs?  Special Events?  Board Games?  At Penthouse?

OK... one more Email and I think I am done for a bit... really....

RJ

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