GenCon for players?

[jaw6]

Sorry if this is a lame question, or the wrong place to ask...

I've been trying to encourage some friends to check out various Indie games at GenCon this year, but the odd scheduling seems to be a bit of a turn off. What's the point of the "Games on Demand" blocks? How is one supposed to "book a slot"?

Thanks!

[Luke]

Hi Joshua,

I'm sure Kat or Michael will be along in a bit to directly answer your question, but I'd like to ask what exactly are you and your friends looking for in scheduling?

-L

[jaw6]

but I'd like to ask what exactly are you and your friends looking for in scheduling?

We were chatting last night, and I was (and have been) pushing for them to try more Indie games at the Con. They are receptive to the idea, but scanning the schedule was more frustrating than helpful. Snippets of conversation:

Me: "Try Sorcerer, it's great!"
Them: "I don't see Sorcerer anywhere..."
Me: "Oh? That's odd..."

Them: "I saw there was one Dogs in the Vineyard game, but it only has four slots."
Them: "Only four for 'Omac', too..."

Me: "Wait, I know I saw a bunch of events, try searching for 'indie'"
Them: "What's this 'do not register' thing? How are we supposed to work this?"


I should say, in the bright light of day, my original phrasing is a bit... impertinent? Sorry about that, late, frustrated, usual excuses...

To re-phrase a bit: There's a bit of chatter on this board pointed at organizers/demoers/booth monkeys, but can someone interpret the intent of "Games on Demand" from a player's perspective? How should I pitch this to prospective Indie gamers who want to try out a new game?

(I guess I'm saying that the current presentation doesn't sell itself well...)

[Kat Miller]

Hi Jaw6,

Here's a link to the Indie games being offered by Indie Games Explosion at Gen Con:

http://www.enter.net/~whim/Conventions/Gencon06IGE.html

There are other Indie Happenings that are not part of the explosion and I'll do my best to post  them as I find them.

You can not Register for the Games on Demand Tables.
Thus you can not be locked out of Indie gaming because all the registrations have been taken.

You'll need generic tickets for this event running from 10am-10pm thurs-sat and 10am-2pm Sun.  I have one volenteer GM per 4 hour shift manning the table.  Other guest Gms will come and go as things get more or less busy at the booth.  I'm hoping it will become a hub of indie gaming activity and a place the Game designers can hang out on their breaks from the exhibitor booth.

I hope this answers your question,
-kat Miller

[jaw6]

Maybe there's a disconnect in mode/approach, or something?

I'm seeing friends asking something like, "Yeah, okay, you've talked me into playing (Sorcerer/Burning Wheel/Dogs) - where do I sign up?" Whereas the G.O.D. feels more like, "I want to play one of those Indie games - whichever, I hear they're all good."

What it sounds like I should tell me friends is: Show up periodically at G.O.D. and ask for (game), and you might get into a game of it.

[Blankshield]

Maybe there's a disconnect in mode/approach, or something?

I'm seeing friends asking something like, "Yeah, okay, you've talked me into playing (Sorcerer/Burning Wheel/Dogs) - where do I sign up?" Whereas the G.O.D. feels more like, "I want to play one of those Indie games - whichever, I hear they're all good."

What it sounds like I should tell me friends is: Show up periodically at G.O.D. and ask for (game), and you might get into a game of it.

Nope, what you should tell your friends is "Show up at G.O.D and ask for (game), and they will make it happen, even if they have to send a runner to the booth and grab the designer."

In practice, there will be speedbumps, but that's my strong impression of what Kat and Michael are aiming for.
thanks,

James

[Luke]

Joshua,
You should also just start at the booth and churn through all the demos. All of the games you want your friends to try can be sampled right at our booth. Come early, Thursday or Friday, and just spend the day playing with us. Then you can see what you guys want more of.

There will be no shortage of games, trust me.

-L

[jaw6]

Okay... I hear what you're saying, but... I guess I'm being impertinent again... I mean, logistical issues? Are the GOD games X-minute demoes, or full games? Is there a minimum, maximum numbers of players? Simultaneous games?

I mean, what if 5 players show up, each wanting a different game? What if 30 players all want the same game?

With one big block of time, it's hard to understand the scheduling...

[Andrew Cooper]

Jaw6  (You got a real name?),

As one of the GM's holding down the fort for GoD, my understanding is that these are full-blown games.  They might be considered really big demos in some instances, like where nobody at the table has played the game before and they were just interested in finding out what the game was like.  As to logistics, Kat will weigh in at some point I'm sure.  However, here's my personal take on it.

If 30 people show up to play 1 game (say... Burning Wheel).  I'd probably send a runner down to the Forge Booth and say, "Luke!  I got 30 people who want to play Burning Wheel!  I can only handle 6.  Help!"  Somehow, I think if that many people drop in and show an interest in a single game, the designer will find some folks to make sure they get to play.

If 5 people show up and want to play 5 different games, my response will probably be, "Hey, I can GM games A, B and C and I've got GM #2 here helping me who can run games B, D, and E.  Can we settle on 2 games and then next session there will be a GM who can catch another couple of games on your list that we weren't able to get to this session."

[Kat Miller]

Andrew-
Your take on it is pretty accurate.

Joshua-

What it sounds like I should tell me friends is: Show up periodically at G.O.D. and ask for (game), and you might get into a game of it.

That's it actually.  Show up periodically see whats going on.  The Table Custodians are manning a 4 hour shift.  they can run 2 different 2 hour games during that time.  They will tell you when they next game they are running starts.  If there is a group of you.  A GM will be located to play for you should the Table Custodian be in game.

As Luke said, take your friends by the Forge Booth and demo some games first to see what they like.  If they want something longer, come up to the GOD table See whats going on.   
thats it

-kat

-kat

[Michael S. Miller]

Hi, Joshua.

The Indie RPG Explosion at GenCon this year has two parts:

1) The scheduled events are there to meet desires of gamers that you can foresee three-and-a-half months in advance. ("If I'm going to GenCon, I'm gonna want to play Burning Wheel. Aha, Luke is running this Inheritance thing. I'll sign up for it.") These are just the same as all GenCon scheduled events, so you obviously know how to use those.

2) The Games On Demand are a new thing under the sun. We're experimenting with the Games On Demand format this year in order to meet the desires of gamers as they arise AT THE CON. The way we expect it to work is:

• You and/or your friends have some free time and interest in playing an indie game--preferably something that you've already done the 15-minute demo at the booth and want more of.
• You head over to the G.O.D. table and say to the Table Custodian, "We're interested in playing Dogs in the Vineyard (or whatever), but we've only got 2 hours."
• The Table Custodian responds with "Great, sit down and we'll play." OR "I can't run Dogs, but I'll try to find someone who can." OR "I'm right in the middle of Universalis, I'll gladly start Dogs in half an hour when we're done." OR "There was another guy who wanted to play Dogs and he'll be back at 3pm. Can you make it then?" OR whatever he can feasibly do for you.
• Then, you hand in your Generic Tickets and play happens! Or maybe (due to any number of factors) play doesn't happen and the Generics are yours to keep.

My advice is: Get into a regularly scheduled session if you really want to play a specific game. If you're just looking to sample some new, cool, games, then go through the quick demoes at the booth. Once you find something you like, hang out at the G.O.D. table and try to get a game of it.

So, in short, you're absolutely right about what to tell your friends. I hope that clears up your confusion. If not, let me know.

ONE NOTE TO ANDREW AND JAMES (and anyone else under similar assumptions): You've both mentioned the possibility of pulling the designers from the booth to run G.O.D. games. While this very well might happen, DO NOT DEPEND ON IT. The designers are at GenCon on a working vacation. Emphasis on the "working." We put a bunch of time, money, & effort into being a part of the booth and our efforts need to be focused there first and foremost. Some of us may run some G.O.D. games from time to time, plenty of us will never go near the G.O.D. area. We'll help out where we can, but there are no guarantees.

[Andrew Cooper]

Michael,

I definately realize that the designer probably won't be able to come and run the game himself.  After all, he's committed to half a day at the booth and will probably spend more time than that there.  However, he might have a couple of his game's groupies hanging around the booth that he could send.  If not, I resort to plan B, which is "I can run THIS now and THAT later.  Everyone who wants THAT will have to show up later."

[Hans]

Kat and Michael:

May I suggest that those of us who are running the G.O.D. sessions post before hand someplace (the IGE web page?, here?) the list of things that they will be able to run?  This would give people like Jaw6 an idea of when they might want to try for a game.   It would not mean either they definitely WILL get a particular game (that depends on who shows up), nor will it mean they WON'T get a game not on the list (there may be other ways to arrange it at the Forge booth).  But it would be a guideline.

Hans Messersmith (Friday evening and Saturday morning G.O.D. guy)