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General Forge Forums => Conventions => Topic started by: Ron Edwards on July 11, 2004, 10:38:29 PM

Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Ron Edwards on July 11, 2004, 10:38:29 PM
Hi everyone,

Here's the list! If you thought you were on it and you're not, contact me ASAP. If you still want to be on it, you're pretty much shit out of luck unless we've talked about it already.

I'll post the booth # and other information tomorrow.

PRIMARY SPONSORS
Adept Press (Ron Edwards), Driftwood Publishing (Jake Norwood), Ramshead Publishing (Ralph Mazza), Burning Wheel (Luke Crane)

Each of these has one or more extra folks as well (Mike Holmes, drozdal, e.g.).

BOOTH ASSOCIATES ("booth monkeys" to the peanut gallery)
Tom Fitch, Dave Michalak, Scott Knipe, Andy Kitkowski, Julie Stauffer

$100 BUY-IN
Dog-Eared Designs (Prime Time Adventures) + 1 badge (Matt Wilson)
BTRC (EABA et al.) + 2 badges (Greg Porter, John Kolb)
Twisted Confessions (Fastlane) + 1 badge (Alexander Cherry)
Bob Goat Press (Conspiracy of Shadows) + 2 badges (Keith Senkowski, Kevin)
Custom-Built Games (SNAP) + 1 badge (Gordon R. Landis)
Incarnadine Entertainment (Excelsior) + 1 badge (Michael S. Miller)

$200 BUY-IN
Half Meme Press (My Life with Master, Nicotine Girls) + 2 badges (Paul Czege, Danielle Hall)
Chimera Creative (Dust Devils, Nine Worlds) + 1 badge (Matt Snyder) Behemoth3 (Masters & Minions) + 1 badge (Tav Allison)
Lumpley Games (kill puppies for satan) + 1 badge (Vincent Baker)
Digital Alchemy + 1 badge (Dan Ridenhour + another)

I might have left someone or another out by accident, but will correct it if necessary.

Best,
Ron
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Andy Kitkowski on July 12, 2004, 05:48:59 PM
Cool.

So... should we use this thread to discuss what we should be doing in advance with this info in terms of preparation, organization, etc?

We've got a thread on the logistics, a thread on the feel... I'll stick my neck out here and ask what we (each tier of participant: Booth Money, 100 Dollar, 200 Dollar buy-in folks) should do with this info, in terms of Con Preparation and the like.

Thanks!
-Andy
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Ron Edwards on July 12, 2004, 06:47:54 PM
Hi Andy,

Good question. Let's talk in this thread about how we'll meet up and get ourselves organized by the time the con starts.

I'll be arriving around noon on Wednesday August 18th. I expect to walk into the hall, locate the booth, and start putting up some promo stuff like the Forge banner.

Furniture should be there. (Note: there will be a discussion about this soon.) I'll start wrangling it around. I expect other folks to join me and start putting up their own promo stuff and stuff like Paul's bookshelf.

During this time as well, we need to get pamphlets and flyers ready, to set up a demo schedule for the primary sponsors, and to make a title/price list to use at the cash register each day. We need to get everyone at least marginally familiar with the look and feel of every game at the booth.

The Diana Jones Award will be given out on Wednesday evening, and I'll be there. Fellow exhibitors are welcome to attend. (Details to follow.)

So, the real question is hooking up on Wednesday. Clearly, I won't be in my room much, so that won't be a good way to get me. We'll need to get everyone's cell phone known to everyone else.

What matters is that we not have people showing up on Thursday going "duh, what, where." It's OK to arrive on Thursday, but you should hit the ground running, and you should expect to see a booth humming in action right from the very first moment the hall opens.

And so on. Comments, questions? Who's planning on arriving when?

Best,
Ron
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Ron Edwards on July 12, 2004, 06:49:23 PM
Ooops! Mistake #1. Add Juergen Mayer to the "booth associate" list.

Best,
Ron
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Matt Wilson on July 12, 2004, 07:19:53 PM
Mr. Holmes himself (Mike, not John) has offered me a seat in his car, so we'll be driving down I believe on Wednesday. I'm happy to chip in with whatever needs doing after we arrive.

I also hereby volunteer to be a cell phone contact guy, ready to receive and deliver calls chock full of righteous info.

Side Note: I've arranged a room with Luke and his posse, but he's not due in until Thursday, so I need a place to camp Wednesday night.
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Luke on July 12, 2004, 09:40:26 PM
Just confirming what Matt said.

Dro and I will be arriving Thursday morning right before the booth opens. I expect there to be a blank space on the booth wall for the BW banner and an empty space on the shelf (at eye level) for the Monster Burner and the few remaining BW sets.

also, i'll be starting another thread about the Forge booth Menu.

-L
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: alchemist on July 13, 2004, 02:41:03 AM
Ron,

A few quick comments/questions...

1. The 'other' person from Digital Alchemy will be 'Rick Calvert'.

2. Do you have a booth number yet?  curious where we are, and I want to post the news on my website so my customers can find me. ;-)

3. Do you know how big the tables are going to be?  Im planning on printing and laminating a few maps (created with my software) and making them available for anyone to use in the booth when demoing their games if they want to.

Thanks,

Dan Ridenhour
Digital Alchemy
sales@digital-alchemy.net
http://www.digital-alchemy.net
http://www.cartoforge.com
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Ron Edwards on July 13, 2004, 10:51:18 AM
Hello,

Looking at my first post, it's hard to see that Behemoth3 is listed as one of the $200 buy-ins because I apparently didn't hit "return."

Also, to correct that listing, Tav is getting his own GenCon badge, so the listed badge is going to one of three people he's named to me. We'll work out the others later if necessary.

People are emailing me with a certain amount of anxiety about badges and names. Therefore, publishers, please double-check, so I can do it all at once: are the names above correct? Exactly who do you expect to have badges at the booth, which you have or haven't paid for? The listing about is how I understand it, and if there's anything vague about the listing (e.g. Mike Holmes!), then it's on you to fix it.

Remember, if you just expect "Oh yeah, Bob will have a badge" and don't double-check, then you might be totally stuck, because I'm not gonna bother with it. And do not assume that I already know what you think I know about your badge expectations.

Best,
Ron
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Matt Snyder on July 13, 2004, 11:12:14 AM
I'll arrive Wednesday, likely around 5 p.m. local time. I will be with a friend who does have a cell phone.

Unfortunately, my friend and I have hotel reservations far from downtown (near airport, I think), so I'll be "commuting" each day. If you're looking for a couple roommates, let me know!
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Keith Senkowski on July 13, 2004, 11:18:50 AM
Hi,

I'll be in Indy some time  in the afternoon depending upon city (meaning Chicago) traffic.  I will more than likely have some floor space available at our room.  We are staying at the Econo Lodge Downtown, which according to the map is in walking distance.

Keith
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Paul Czege on July 13, 2004, 11:46:01 AM
$200 BUY-IN
Half Meme Press (My Life with Master, Nicotine Girls) + 2 badges (Paul Czege, Danielle Hall)


This is exactly right (although it shouldn't be read as suggesting Nicotine Girls is anything other than a free game at the Half Meme Press website). Danielle and I will be arriving Wednesday afternoon. I'll have the game shelf unit, which I'll need help unloading, and a banner.

Paul
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Matt Snyder on July 13, 2004, 11:51:01 AM
Ah! Thanks for the inadvertent reminder, Paul.

Quote
$200 BUY-IN
Chimera Creative (Dust Devils, Nine Worlds) + 1 badge (Matt Snyder)

Ron, this is correct. I have already contacted you about getting a second badge at the con on Wed. or Thurs.
Title: Re: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Michael S. Miller on July 13, 2004, 12:24:44 PM
Quote from: Ron Edwards
Incarnadine Entertainment (Excelsior) + 1 badge (Michael S. Miller)

That is correct, except I'm changing the name of the game to With Great Power . . . to steer clear of tradmark issues. I'll likely arrive in Indy between 3 and 5 pm Wednesday to help with the set-up.
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: lumpley on July 13, 2004, 12:54:28 PM
I'll be there Wednesday night with some puppies, some Dogs in the Vineyard, some Matchmaker, maybe some Good Knights, and PLUS a couple of younger brothers too.  

Ron: they've got artist badges, no need for you to think about 'em at all.

But I mention it because we're in the Luke's room boat with Matt Wilson.  Where will we stay Wednesday night?  Anybody have crash space for three?

-Vincent
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Matt Snyder on July 13, 2004, 01:54:21 PM
Hey, guys, I just re-did my reservations at the Econolodge downtown, so I'm good there. It's a good 14-15 blocks away at least, but it sure beats the 15 miles I did have.

Vincent, Matt -- that room is open to you on Wednesday night. It ain't the finest digs in town, but it's a place (alas, a floor) to sleep on at least. Just PM me if you're interested.

If you let me know in advance, I can bring along some pillows, blankets and sleeping bags as needed. We're driving in, so we should have some room.
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Tav_Behemoth on July 13, 2004, 02:19:00 PM
The Behemoth3 crew--expected to consist of Tavis Allison (myself), Nat Sims, Brian Stith, and Sang Lee--will be arriving Thursday morning. Nat and I will head off to run the first round of our tournament, and Brian and Sang will bring our stuff to the booth:

- a banner
- copies of Masters and Minions Horde Books 1,2, and 3
- 4x6' cards with monster illustrations that can be given out as freebies
- maybe some Frisbees with monster illustrations, also as freebies

Has there been a description of the specs for banners that I missed?

Also, should we start separate threads to familiarize one another with the look, feel, and pricing of booth games?
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Ron Edwards on July 13, 2004, 02:52:30 PM
Hiya,

For familiarity with the games, let's start merely by visiting every available website for all of them, via the username profiles at the Forge. Although I'm being a little lazy in asking you all to forage for them, I'm pretty sure that will be fairly easy.

We'll take it from there in a little while.

For banners ... well, we have FIVE $200 buy-ins PLUS the primary sponsors. That's nine banners, people!! Plus a general Forge banner, making ten.

I dunno about you, but I'm getting a little worried. Clearly people who've already sprung for big-ass banners want to use them. Clearly we have limited space.

The good news is that the space isn't actually tiny - it is three booth widths, after all. And the current thinking on booth layout will be way better for banner space than last year - no boxes, for instance, and the purchase point will be at one end instead of back & center.

So ... maybe we're not that bad off. Still, if you haven't made a banner yet, I suggest keeping it small - anything smaller than standard poster size should be just fine. We also might (dunno yet) have to practice some trading-out of the bigger banners, if we have to. Pretty sure not, but that's at least one option.

Best,
Ron
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Matt Snyder on July 13, 2004, 04:49:15 PM
'Cause Ron's lazy (not really):

Each entry has publisher title with "point man" in parentheses. I hope I didn't miss anyone or goof up a link. Editing's a bitch on the Forge! ;)

PRIMARY SPONSOR GAMES

Adept Press (http://www.adept-press.com/) (Ron Edwards)
Adept Press (http://www.sorcerer-rpg.com)
Trollbabe (http://www.adept-press.com/trollbabe/)
Elfs (http://www.adept-press.com/elfs/)

Driftwood Publishing (Jake Norwood)
The Riddle of Steel (http://www.theriddleofsteel.net/)

Ramshead Publishing (Ralph Mazza)
Universalis (http://universalis.actionroll.com)
(Robots & Rapiers (http://universalis.actionroll.com/Robots_Rapiers.htm)?)

Burning Wheel (http://www.burningwheel.org/) (Luke Crane)

$200 BUY-IN

Half Meme Press (http://www.halfmeme.com/) (Paul Czegel)
My Life with Master (http://www.halfmeme.com/master.html)
Nicotine Girls (http://www.halfmeme.com/nicotinegirls.html)

Chimera Creative (http://www.chimera.info) (Matt Snyder)
Dust Devils (http://www.chimera.info/dustdevils/)
Nine Worlds (http://www.chimera.info/nineworlds/)

Behemoth3 (http://www.behemoth3.com) (Tav Allison)
Masters & Minions (http://www.behemoth3.com/mnm/)

Lumpley Games (Vincent Baker) (http://www.septemberquestion.org/lumpley/lumpley.html)
kill puppies for satan (http://www.septemberquestion.org/lumpley/puppies.html)

Digital Alchemy (http://www.digital-alchemy.net) (Dan Ridenhour)
Cartoforge (http://www.cartoforge.com/)

$100 BUY-IN GAMES

Dog-Eared Designs (http://www.dog-eared-designs.com) (Matt Wilson)
Prime Time Adventures (http://www.dog-eared-designs.com/games.html)

BTRC (http://www.btrc.net/) (Greg Porter)
EABA (http://www.btrc.net/html/eaba.html)

Twisted Confessions (http://www.twistedconfessions.com/) (Alexander Cherry)
Fastlane (http://www.twistedconfessions.com/fastlane.php)

Bob Goat Press (http://www.bobgoat.com/) (Keith Senkowski)
Conspiracy of Shadows (http://www.bobgoat.com/products/cos/index.php)
 
Incarnadine Entertainment (http://incarnadine.indie-rpgs.com/) (Michael S. Miller)
With Great Power . . .  (http://incarnadine.indie-rpgs.com/excelsior.html)

Custom-Built Games (Gordon R. Landis)
SNAP

(Sorry, Gordon, couldn't find a link. Let us know more!)
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Jürgen Mayer on July 13, 2004, 05:32:49 PM
I'm hitting the city on tuesday at 6 pm (so if anybody is in town early, I wouldn't be averse to a gaming night - if not, I prolly can make good use of the time to get rid of my jet-lag). This means I can meet with Ron at his hotel on Wednesday morning, as soon as he's there, and I'll be available for booth setup and other preparation work the whole day.
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Matt Gwinn on July 13, 2004, 06:33:22 PM
Janet and I will be in town on Tuesday.
We're not working the booth this year, so we can enjoy our honeymoon, but we will be available from time to time to help out.  And we would be willing to game on Tuesday if anyone else who is around.

,Matt
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: smokewolf on July 14, 2004, 12:21:14 PM
Hey guys, sorry I am a little late. I just got all of my info and $ to Ron yesterday.

I am Keith Taylor with 93 Games Studio. My partner (Andy Williams) and me will both be attending as $100 buy-ins. We will be pushing 'The Swing', no pun in tended. I will be up there Thursday morning bright and early.

You can find information about us at www.93gamesstudio.com . Let me know if you need any information about us or The Swing. I have a demo version of the game up at our site, it contains only setting information and NO rules. The Swing uses a very realistic game engine, so I figure most of the demo-ing will be done by myself. But if you would like to give it a try, PM me and I will get you a copy of the rules.

Also, Andy lives in Indy and he does not live far from the center, so he can put up one extra person for the duration. Let me know if someone needs a place to crash.
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Ron Edwards on July 14, 2004, 12:27:12 PM
Ooohh! I've been trying to find someone who lives in Indianapolis. Keith, can you have Andy contact me by email?

Best,
Ron
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Tav_Behemoth on July 14, 2004, 12:31:20 PM
Guys, I'm as busy as a one-lipped man at an an ass-kissing contest right now; the chance that I'll be able to read enough of your sites, excellent as I'm sure they are, to do justice to your game is slight. And I freely admit I'm much more ignorant of your work than I'd like -- and I'm the most indie-savvy member of the Behemoth3 team.

I'm going to start a thread in Publishing (since it might be of interest to non-conventioneers as well) giving one-liners on what my game is, how to pitch it, and how to segue into selling your game. If other folks do the same, I can promise all Behemoths will have read at least that much!
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: smokewolf on July 14, 2004, 12:44:43 PM
Why not have everyone pm me with the basics that would go on a sell sheet? I will compile them into a readable cheat sheet.
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Tav_Behemoth on July 14, 2004, 12:48:43 PM
I'll do that as well when time permits, smokewolf, but in my case at least there's pitches people can make in person that can't be made publicly and/or are more difficult to express on paper.

Here's (http://www.indie-rpgs.com/viewtopic.php?t=11995) the link for the pitch thread.
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: jrs on July 15, 2004, 01:23:30 PM
Quote from: Ron EdwardsThe good news is that the space isn't actually tiny - it is three booth widths, after all.
Hey Ron,

I seem to recall that the original plan was the booth would be an endcap like last year which is two booth widths.  And, that's what it looks like it is according to the exhibit hall layout at the GenCon site.  Was a change made in the booth size/configuration?

Julie
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Ron Edwards on July 15, 2004, 02:02:37 PM
No, I just typed "three" instead of "two." Anyway, it's a really long curtain thing. Lots of room, if we all stay nice and reasonable.

Best,
Ron
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Matt Snyder on July 15, 2004, 02:08:59 PM
Looks like we've got a great spot, and it's in the the "Quiet Zone." I'm not sure what that means, but it appears to be a suite of booths cordoned off from the floor (presumably with large cloth curtains?).

Also, there are large numbers of open gaming tables and chairs on the floor -- in the far corners, basically. I am not aware if this was available last year, but it might be useful for "overflow" demos.
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: smokewolf on July 15, 2004, 02:17:37 PM
BTW, Ron, as soon as I get hold of Andy I will have him email you (he works odd hours).
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Ron Edwards on July 15, 2004, 02:22:37 PM
Hiya,

As I understand it, the Quiet Zone is not cordoned off or visually separated from the rest of the floor. However, no booth with sound systems are in it or bordering it, and no speakers/TVs/etc can be directed toward it.

Matt, as I am somewhat foolish, can you post the booth number here please? Dan Ridenhour has been especially patient about that ...

Best,
Ron
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Matt Snyder on July 15, 2004, 02:30:33 PM
Absolutely! We're booth 1141. I that situates us in the center-rear. It's also somewhat near a concessions stand (according to the map). I actually think that's a good thing for traffic, and it's not so close as to cause problems.

My guess on the Quiet Zone thing was just a guess. The "no-noise ordinance" makes sense. I had no info beyond a line on the convention floor map, which I interpreted as a curtain.

Anyway, our neighbors include Mongoose Publishing. And we're across from Ad Astra Games (of course) who share with Final Sword and TimeLine LTD. Also across the way is a group called Gorilla Games, which I could find nothing about online.

Visit here for full details: http://www.gencon.com/displayindy.aspx?file=indy-exhibit-hall
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: alchemist on July 15, 2004, 03:05:03 PM
Quote from: Ron EdwardsMatt, as I am somewhat foolish, can you post the booth number here please? Dan Ridenhour has been especially patient about that ...

Best,
Ron

Ron,

No problem... I actually looked it up based on 'Adept Press' yesterday on the GenCon site.  But its good to see the same booth number her on the forums confirming my guess. ;-)

Thanks

Dan Ridenhour
Digital Alchemy
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: alchemist on July 15, 2004, 03:31:54 PM
The Digital Alchemy contingent consisting of myself (Dan Ridenhour) and Rick Calvert will be arriving on Wednesday afternoon.  Currently we have reservations at a Super8 (anyone have any suggestions for good places to stay?)

Products
- Cartoforge: Gamemaster for Palm OS*
- Cartoforge: Gamemaster for Windows*
- Cartoforge: Gamemaster Deluxe Edition (Both Palm OS & Windows)*
- Cartoforge: Dungeons
- Some of our older products may be present as well, depending upon stock.

* Denotes products to be (hopefully) released at the convention.

Displays
My Displays consist of 30" wide full color laminated foam core with grommets so they can hang from the back crossbar, and from each other... Ill need a 30" wide vertical space on the back curtain.  Hopefully thats not too big.   Btw if there are folks who havent printed banners yet, this is a great modular way of doing displays.  basically 30x20 sheets of foam core laminated and grommeted on all 4 corners... you can hang them from the top bar or from each other with 'S' hooks.  

Extras
Among other things, my software produces miniature scale maps for use with miniatures in RPGs.  Im planning to make a variety of these maps (as soon as I know the demo table sizes) and bring full color laminated copies for anyone in the booth to use to enhance their demos. Basically cross promotion, make the most of your demos and refer customers who ask about the maps to my software.  if anyone has any requests for what they would like a map of...  PM or email me.

Thanks,

Dan Ridenhour
Digital Alchemy
sales@digital-alchemy.net
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Mike Holmes on July 15, 2004, 03:35:00 PM
Wow, that does look like a good place to be. Not only the nearby concession stand, but just a few rows north to what looks to be 68 open gaming tables.

Anyone know the deal with those? Is it legal to run demos there?

Mike
Title: [GenCon 2004] The folks who'll be there
Post by: Nev the Deranged on July 25, 2004, 08:00:10 PM
I just got confirmation of my rooming situation, so I'm there. I plan to arrive as early as possible Thursday. It's about 4 hours from here, I plan to leave no later than 6am, in my own vehicle. I don't know how long check in will take, not to mention finding my way from there to the Con itself. I'm hoping, with luck, that I will be available to help with anything by Noon on Thursday.

**EDIT** On second thought, if parking near the Con is available, I could show up there and help out as soon as I arrive, since it doesn't really matter when I check in to the hotel. The other people I am staying with will be there by Thursday night, and will have already checked in, so if I can come directly to the Con, I could actually be avilable to help right away and not bother wasting time at the hotel. **/EDIT**

With that in mind, I just need to know where I should go and/or who I should talk to, as far as checking in, finding whomever is in charge, and being put to work.

However, I could be there as early as Wednesday afternoon if I could be assured of a place to sleep for the night and a place to park. If that's available and it would be worthwhile for me to be available to help with setting up on Wednesday, let me know and I will adjust my travel arrangements.

Thanks ^_^ Looking forward to booth monkeying.