[Deptheads] 2017 Strategicon

Tue Sep 5 11:25:34 PDT 2017

Not the same topic as Shane's GM education:

We had a number of stolen controllers this time, something that we haven't
had a problem with in the past. One was a normal PS4 controller with a
colored grip; the other was a Collector's Edition Wii U Controller. I
suspect that the thief wasn't familiar enough with consoles, and thought
the PS4 one was something special and valuable, too. It's likely that the
Nintendo Switch would have been swiped too, if it hadn't been in use from
open to close.

I'm going to encourage Console owners, moving forward, to start using wired
controllers, not wireless, and I'm going to make sure that we *really*
crack down on the kids moving controllers from one system to another. That
has caused controller confusion in the past when two similar-looking
controllers ended up being swapped and taken home by the wrong owners.

On Tue, Sep 5, 2017 at 11:05 AM, Strategicon Department Heads <
deptheads at strategicon.net> wrote:

> Message From: Shane Sauby  ssshanucon at yahoo.com
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> Just a heads up that I sent the email below to all my GMs.
>
> Shane
>
> Good morning,
>
>   I wanted to thank all of you for making 2017 a record breaking year for
> Strategicon and for making this weekend's Gateway a great experience for
> many.
>
>   I apologize beforehand, but there are several issues that I need to
> discuss with you, my GM volunteers, so this e-mail may be a bit long.  It
> is very important that you read this entire e-mail, since it touches on
> several key points that effect all GMs.
>
>   First, GMs are not allowed to play in their own events unless there is
> space.  I have had multiple complaints over 2017 of GMs refusing players
> while playing themselves.  This is not allowed in boardgames.  Going
> forward, if I receive this complaint, I will consider removing the GM from
> the volunteer list.
>
>   Second, regardless of event type, if there are enough players and copies
> of a game for more than one game, an event should have more than one
> round.  Many GMs are under the wrong impression that events need only be
> one round.  This is incorrect.  The only difference between events and
> tournaments is that winners are listed on a separate form.  That's it.  The
> organization, length, and competition should all be the same. If you wish
> to volunteer and run a game, be prepared to run at least two rounds.  If
> you are not willing to do this, please do not volunteer to be a GM in the
> future.
>
>    Third, regardless of event type, there should be winners listed, from
> at least 1st through 3rd.  This determination ideally should be made by the
> standings of the final game played.  Winners are listed in the con book
> (trust me, players care about this) and are eligible for year end prizes
> (they care about this too).  Therefore it is imperative that the
> competition conclude with a clear set of winners.
>
>   Whether an event is a tournament or not is a decision I make based on
> history.  A new game or a game that has not been run for some time will not
> be made a tournament until it has proven it can garner enough interest to
> warrant Dealer Dollar support.  That being said, if you are the GM of an
> event, and it takes more than one round due to a large turnout, you may
> find me in Boardgames and request that it be made a tournament.  I have the
> ability and budget to "bump" events into tournaments and change the size of
> a tournaments on site, and will happily do so if a game proves popular.
>
>   Co-Op games are the exception to these rules, since sometimes more than
> one person wins, or everyone wins, or no one wins, therefore multiple
> rounds and lists of winners are unnecessary.  They also are not
> tournaments, since determining who earns the Dealer Dollars can prove
> problematic.
>
>   Finally, the rule requiring a tournament or 101 for badge reimbursement
> has two purposes.  In order to get a free badge, a GM must run a game with
> a proven history of popularity (tournament) or be willing to teach people a
> game that players are interested in learning (101).  I feel this
> requirement, along with the 8 hour minimum, is fairly minimal given the
> value of a full con badge.
>
>   There are some other changes coming to the Boardgames Department in
> 2018.  The flag system will be undergoing a major overhaul and the paper
> flags that we have used in the past will be phased out.  The new system
> will better serve the purpose of directing players to starting games, while
> reducing the amount of work required in BGHQ.
>
>   Reducing the work load in BGHQ is necessary due to a low turnout of BGHQ
> volunteers.  Also, due to the need to recruit and retain BGHQ volunteers,
> the shift requirements are being adjusted.  BGHQ volunteers will earn a
> badge for 3 shifts (6 hours), badge + parking reimbursement for 5 shifts
> (10 hours), and badge + room reimbursement for 8 shifts (16 hours).  This
> change will also require the end of room reimbursement for GMs, due to the
> room allocation budget of the Boardgames Department.
>
>   Also, this coming weekend will be the GM e-mail list purge.  If you have
> not run an event in 2017, you will be automatically removed from this
> list.  If you wish to continue getting these updates, or wish to be removed
> from my list, please let me know.
>
>   Again, I cannot thank all of you enough for your time and effort in
> making Strategicon a success.  We have grown immensely over the past
> decade, and this is mainly due to the amazing work and dedication of our
> volunteer staff.  You have made Strategicon successful and I hope you all
> will continue with us on this endeavor.
>
> Thank you,
> Shane Sauby
> Boardgames Supervisor
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Deptheads mailing list
> Deptheads at strategicon.net
> https://strategicon.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/deptheads
>
>

-- 
"Would you like another drink, sir?" asked the bartender.
"I think not," replied Descartes, and promptly vanished.
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