[Deptheads] Demographics

[mike fryer]

> 1. What do we what to learn from the data?
> Do people attend events hosted by different depts, if so what? (are there
> RPGers who also play Board Games)
> Once collected how could this information be used?



> What games people can't get into due to too much demand? I stopped by the
> RPG rooms at one point, there was a game that had so many people it split
> into two games. Good solution when there's room, which there was, so I think
> it was Monday.
>
Not applicable to RPG since we can't find out how many people would have
signed up for a six player game that is full. Board gaming already has this
info as part of their payout sheets.

>
> Are the same people playing in the same game when offered multiple times?
> May only apply to Board Games, but who knows?
>
> What games compete for players?
>
I don't see how you can come up with this data.

>
> What games ran at one time and not at a different time? Also, if it runs at
> the same time across cons, what might have caused the decline? (ex. A
> competing game)
>
> What games didn't happen? Was it no players, or not enough players? Again,
> has it run successfully in the past, if so, what might be the cause?
>
> For RPGs and possibly other depts, What game system didn't run or needed
> more sections of? What GMs games didn't run or need more sections of? The
> latter does depend on the GM's willingness and ability to run more sections.
>
This type of info is already discussed between me and the GMs.

>
> One use of this, to warn GMs that a particular event may not get approved
> or get revoked due too many being offered at time of submission, and may
> only be or remain scheduled as space permits. Or may get rescheduled to a
> different time slot as space permits. This is a challenging issue and I
> don't envy any dept who would be affected by this concept.
>
My policy on this is that as long as a GM is on time and prepared, there are
no penalties for a game not running. Changing this will have a drastic
negative affect of the dept. I have spent a lot time reassuring GMs about
this policy.  If there are problems or complaints with a GM, I handle those
accordingly. I have asked a GM not to submit anymore games, I have also
encouraged a GM not to submit at the peak times. Please remember almost all
GMs spend much more than the 8 hours needed for a badge on creating the
adventure and are very disappointed when their games don't run. Further
penalties would not be helpful.

>
> Another is to justify reducing the number of the same event, particularly
> if there are multiple tournaments.
>
> 2. What do we need on sign-up sheet?
>
If we can have sign up sheets that are usable from the website, it would be
the greatest help.  80% of my prep time is doing those !@#$% sign up sheets.
If you can work with me to have useable sheets, I am will to collect any
info you want and get my desk monkeys to enter the data.

>
> Con name and date
> Game name
> Game Genre/Category (at minimum for annual awards) or System
> Day and Time starting
> Experience Level
> Event Type (payout type)
> List containing spaces for name, badge number, and a check box for who
> played.
> For games with limited space, alternates. Our current signup sheet handles
> 30 names. I would say that the alt list be at least as many as the main
> list, provided the main list is less than 15. After all, if you get enough
> alts for a whole separate game, you have a good argument for another section
> of it.
>
> 3. What do we need on end-game sheet?
> For RPG, having everything on the sign up sheet would work best.
>


> Con name and date
> Game name
> Game Genre/Category (at minimum for annual awards) or System
> Day and Time starting
> Event Type (payout type)
> List of First, Second, and Third place with separate columns for place,
> name, badge number, signature, and amount
> First Round # players
> First Round # games
> First Round Time played
> Second Round, repeat
> Third Round, repeat
> These 9 answers can be in a 3x3 grid to save space.
> Total Time played
> GM name, signature, date
> Notes.
>
> Questions - All participants can be listed by badge #; their name and badge
> # should be on the signup sheet for any cross-referencing.
> # players who brought the game
> Who got turned away due to lack of space/game? Circle which.
> Were there other games that compete with this? (include games that pulled
> people away mid-event) List game and time scheduled, who left for it, if
> possible.
> Who were new to the game?
>
> 4. Pre-reg suggestions
> Have the ability to be added to an alt list. This brings up a slew of
> issues. Assuming we can figure out the code behind this, my proposal would
> be. You can be an alt in as many games as you wish in the same time slot.
> Each time a person tries to add to an event in the same time slot as an
> event they are an alt in, they get a list to prioritize the events they've
> signed up for in that slot. This gives people the ability to  show their
> true interests. Enough people show the same interest, might be time for
> another section of the event. This also gives the dept head the opportunity
> to see if they can pre-emtively remedy the request. As soon as a person is
> approved for an event in a time slot, all alts below that event in their
> priority list become "interested in".
>
Not something that I would want to use for RPG dept., we don't allow most
game to fill up in pre-reg.

>
> Have the ability to state that if there was room, I'd be in this game.
>


>
> Alternatively, we could also add if it were at a different time, you never
> know, a game may get more traffic off peak.
>
> Have the ability to request more games from this system.
>
> Have the ability to request more games with this GM.
> We tried this and got nearly zero response.
>


> 5. Post-con processing.
>
> You do not have to be in LA to do the data entry, we will get the data to
> you somehow. :)
>
A data entry page on the website would be a great way to have many people
enter data. Having every dept sending in a spreadsheet would require someone
to merge the documents.


> 6. Other suggestions
> Digital
>
> Bar code
>
> Have a questionnaire at the sign-in table in all depts. "Was there a game
> you wanted to play, but was full?  If so, which one and what time?" "What
> game would you like to see offered?" Badge number required to process.
> We tried this and got nearly zero response.
>


> More alt slots on limited space games.
>
 I think RPG is the only dept to use alt spaces, and having more people
being turned away from a game is not something we need. Very rarely do we
every have a full game with alts have so many no shows that more alts would
have helped. Also alts are not used much because people would rather have a
definite seat in a game. Most often it is used by a group of people who want
to play together and the game does not have enough opening for their group.

>
> 7. Notes
>
> The rule, no badge, no play will be enforced. This brings up the problem of
> friday night. Short of having the Reg Desk open until midnight, this is what
> I came up with; for events starting between 9pm Friday and 8am Saturday,
> names must be legibly taken for players with no badge. If any player with no
> badge places in an event, they must purchase a Friday or Full Con badge by
> end of Saturday to keep their placing and any payout claim. This means that
> the players placing below them must be informed of the possible adjustment
> and payout at end of game. This emphasizes that sheets must be complete. If
> a player has no badge number on the sheet for a Friday night event, they
> would forfeit possibly without knowing it by end of Saturday. This is also
> the only time that payouts may have to back enter player data.
>
> We are also seriously considering incomplete forms will not count for GM
> hours. If they can be completed by the time reimbursements shuts down, they
> will be accepted. We have to get serious about this process.
>
> While I was in the RPG rooms I got several comments on me trying to get the
> badge numbers of the players. Once they heard why, I got at least two "about
> time" and a couple of "good idea". Also, I heard there were a pile of GURPS
> games offered from the people I was talking to, but my understanding is that
> all or nearly all ran.
>
Anyone who wants to do anything like this in the RPG dept. WILL contact me
first.

>
> We encourage anyone to look around the convention, you only need a badge to
> actively participate in our events, not watch. Security is not necessary at
> this point.
>
>
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