Another booth idea hit me in the shower. As Ron said, there was a bit of a problem with "Which guy belongs with which game?" While I fully support mingling and getting to know your fellow Forgites, I have something that could help expedite things.

At the back of the booth, we have a large posterboard with the names of all the games for sale, the name of the their author/GenCon rep, and a Polaroid photo of them. That way, for folks who come to the con later and miss the getting-to-know-you time will still be able to know who is who, and can get their picture on the board so we know who they are.

What do you think?

I agree with Mike. I for one, am terrible with names. By the end of the con of knew who just about everyone was, but that didn't help me on days 1 and 2. And with (hopefully) a new influx of game designers into the booth this year I may need to associate new faces with names and games. Another option is to wear name tags, but that is kind of lame.

,Matt G.

Matt Gwinn wrote: Another option is to wear name tags, but that is kind of lame.

That's a joke right? I mean given that you have to wear a badge just to get in.

I'm totally with nametags. Or something cooler if we can swing it. The best would be if you could get your name on a Forge wear item, tho.

On a side note, is it really sad that we're all geeked up about GenCon when it's still 6 months away? I'm trying to convinve myself that we're just trying to be organized.

There should definately be a schedule of some kind, but with ideas like a list of who know how to play what game and what not, it should be condensed onto one sheet, small or big. I really like the game "menu", something to hand out to people, awesome idea who ever came up with it. As far as list of games for the back wall, that could be done two ways. Either 1 big list, or let each seller produce his own on a specific size piece of paper, like 11x14. That way they can put their logo or font, along with a description if they choose.

Well, after last year, I came up with a few ideas as well. At the both last year we did have a poor set up. Since we have such a deep booth layout for this year, I suggest we create areas that people can walk into. For example, set the tables into half circles at the corners of the thing so people are walking in to something, not blocked off by chairs and peoples backs. Very inviting. Paul and I were thinking of some better way to display what is available. The problem with the rack from last year, it had stuff at the bottom that wasn't as accessable, and we had to figure out where it went all the time. We were thinking of having a table display, stationary or one that turns, that people could leaf thru things and they are within arms reach. I also think it was one idea last year to have Forge t-shirts with the logo on the front, and the names of available (for sale?)games on the back.

-Danielle

I am the epitome of uninformed opinion, being as I couldn't make it to GenCon last year. Still, here's two cents:

A really successful GenCon is going to depend on lots of people being incredibly dedicated early. One thing that I understand helped a lot last year is Ron preparing short demos of a lot of different games. Being as the person who benefits from a demo of their game is the author, here's an idea: everyone who wants to sell a game at the booth should include a short demo scenario for that game. These demos are collected, and if possible, distributed to all booth members before-hand. (Hey! Bonus prize - you get a PDF of a bunch of scenarios for working at the booth. In addition, if these could get printed, they could be sold for super-cheap - like $2 - to help defray booth costs.)

It wouldn't be hard to have a matrix of who is qualified to run each game. Make these 30 minute demos the focus of the booth, and - as Danielle mentioned - anyone who's interested in talking instead of buying gets asked at three minutes in, "So, which of these games sounds most interesting to you?" Slam that guy into a demo and keep moving.

By putting the work onus on the game creators, we can have all this stuff we keep talking about: creators submit their $100, a scenario, a brief description of their game, and a thumbnail of the cover art. With that, a "game menu" and demos for each game are done.

The name tag thing has its drawbacks - sure, it looks like you work at Wal-Mart - but shouldn't be hard to do. Print up a bunch of cardboard rectangles with the Forge logo in one corner, and let people write their own name on them. Put 'em in those plastic badge holders, and when people leave the booth, leave 'em there in a box. That way, no one loses theirs, and we know who isn't at the booth right now.

On the previous thread, I volunteered to put together the Demo Menu, and I stand by that. I'm thinking of it as something big (poster-size) so that an inviting Chat-person can glance over at it, and see who can run the game without searching for a piece of paper that's likely to get moved/lost.

I also like the idea of a more "inviting" booth space. Chat tended to overflow into the aisle last year.

About name tags ... don't the exhibitor badges have names on them (I know that general admission badges haven't for the last few years)? I guess we can e-mail GenCon and find out.

While I kinda like Clinton's idea of each creator generating a scenario that can be run by anybody, I'm a bit trepidatious about the policy becoming "If you're part of the booth, you have to be able to run everybody's game." I mean, I think Little Fears, for instance, is a great game and I'd heartily pitch it to anybody -- but I won't run it. (not only am I bad at horror in general, but I take in foster kids and it hits too close to home to be "fun").

Step 1: Find fuck-off big piece of foamcore
Step 2: Find some large-ish index cards
Step 3: Write down games, names and numbers on the cards
Step 4: Find a roll of Velcro (tm)
Step 5: ...

Okay, you can figure out where I'm going with this. Set up a grid on the foamcore, affix velcro to the cells of the grid. Label the grid with GAME, GM NAME and TIME. Affix more velcro to the cards. Voila. Instant change-able signage. You could also add a # PLAYERS field that would show how many open slots are left for that game.

Something else: Mailboxes. Just an idea I had. Sell mailbox space (free with playtest!). People sign up and get a mailbox (an envelope or a section of a divided cardbox box, whatever). They can receive messages from friends who can sign up and receive their own messages. If it sounds familiar, that's cuz it's been done before. Warning: this idea could suck, but the velcro board one is pretty good so they kinda cancel one another out, suckage-wise.

EDIT: BTW, it's insane to make a game catalog that's any more expensive than a double-sided B&W photocopy that lists each game/author/publisher/blurb/price. Hand 'em out, drop them in with other Forge booth purchases. What's with this colorized glossy hi-definition layout thing that people are talkin' about?

Hi everyone,

Following up on Danielle's point, I am very much looking forward to those little round tables spaced out over a big square area rather than a long narrow rectangle. It should create much more of a coffee-house or jazz-club kind of atmosphere, which is my model for this year.

I really want people to step into that space and feel as if they've entered a small, distinctive universe, which experientially then expands into something as big or bigger than the Exhibitor hall itself.

Best,
Ron

Ron Edwards wrote: Hi everyone,

It should create much more of a coffee-house or jazz-club kind of atmosphere, which is my model for this year.

I really want people to step into that space and feel as if they've entered a small, distinctive universe, which experientially then expands into something as big or bigger than the Exhibitor hall itself.

Best,
Ron

Here are my pics from last years Gencon

http://www.angelfire.com/games3/errantknight/gencon.html

pics 1 and 5 best show the booth area

,Matt G.

Hi, Jared.

I like & loathe the foamcore idea. The physical presence & customizablity are big pluses. However, I didn't think we were sheduling these demoes like: "Demo of octaNe will run at 14:35-14:55 at table 3, there are only 3 slots, so sign up now!" I liked how last year worked such that if we chatted with someone who mentioned that they liked the detail of RoleMaster but thought that it lacked punch, we flagged down Jake and had him run a TROS demo. I think the strength of the booth comes from flexibility in meeting the needs of the passers-by. If demoes are scheduled, I think we're gonna lose a lot of people who say they'll be back later for the demo, but never make it.

As for the mailbox, it could be cool, 'cause I know it's a service that's in demand at a con, but it could also clog up a lot of the booth area with people who are neither playing nor pitching. Just a thought.

Jared A. Sorensen wrote: EDIT: BTW, it's insane to make a game catalog that's any more expensive than a double-sided B&W photocopy that lists each game/author/publisher/blurb/price. Hand 'em out, drop them in with other Forge booth purchases. What's with this colorized glossy hi-definition layout thing that people are talkin' about?

Hey,

Phil, it's not about whether you're "wanted here." For one thing, don't let one person's comments represent "here" in your mind. And Jared, friggin' lighten up on a person who really wants to help.

I've just posted to the catalogue thread, and let's discuss all that stuff there. As for this thread, let's keep up the notions. Remember: they're all suggestions at this point. In a month or so, I'll go through it with my collecting basket and my chainsaw.

Best,
Ron

Lot's of cool suggestions here. I like Jared's idea with Mike's caveat that we only put shedules on in terms of who is going to be in. It also occurs to me that if a person is in a demo, that a flag on the chart should indicate that. Occasionally you'd lose someone in a corner playing. And it's nice to be able to just look up and see who's doing what.

This sounds like a lot of pushing carboard around to keep track of statuses. As I'm not the greatest presenter, I volunteer to push cardboard around on the sign when I'm not involved with a demo.

While the badges may or may not have name and afilliations, but if they do, they are usually computer printed in the 3 point font called shitappearance. I think we could/should have overlays for these of some sort that states that the person is from the Forge, and who they are. This could include color coded "ask me about game xyz" at the bottom as well, so a person's knowledge and play/run ability could be ascertained at a glance. Perhaps stickers so that they can be added on throuout the Con. Like merit badges.

As Clinton says, you then leave your overlay behind when you go a roaming as an extra indication that you're out, and so they don't get lost(and, of course, so your regular badge is visible again, and you don't have to carry it around). Leave it in your mailbox. Even if we do not have mailboxes for sale, we should have cubbies for each crewmember so that we don't have the problems of last year with people having to stack stuff up under the tables and in the corners. Id' feel more seure knowing I had a little space like that set aside. We should look into some sort of cheap collapsible thing that has space large enough to hold a backpack for each member.

Anyhow, we now have a BF banner, a BF sign to direct traffic, mailboxes, and badge overlay or somesuch. These will, no doubt have color and potentially themes. To avoid a cacophony of appearance on these materials, we should develop a style guide. Perhaps something simple based on Ron's "Jazz Club" idea. A set of colors, and themes, etc to use in prepping these things. Could enhance the presentation dramatically.

What's the banner going to look like?

Mike

Question. Since Ron and Clinton made it clear that this cannot use the Forge name, what actually will the official name of our polyglot booth be.

Yes, I know Jurgen will vote for Indie Gaming Ninjas...any other ideas ;-)

Ron Edwards wrote: It should create much more of a coffee-house or jazz-club kind of atmosphere, which is my model for this year.

I really want people to step into that space and feel as if they've entered a small, distinctive universe, which experientially then expands into something as big or bigger than the Exhibitor hall itself.

There's our theme for this year. Instead of gaming Ninjas like last year, we can be Gaming Improv Jazz Artists. Put a cup of java in one corner of the badge overlay, and a saxaphone in the other. With the booth title (whatever that may be; good pickup Ralph) and member name in some jazzy font. I'll put those together. :-)

I was thinking coffee, too. What's more tradtional in RPG beverages than caffein? Free cup with every purchase? The smell alone will bring people into the booth. (this might have to be done "informally" to avoid problems with licensing and the convention center concessions, if its allowed at all).

OK, now where do we get leather seats from? OK, seriously, is there some way to get reasonable simulacra. Barstools (with the high tables)? I hope at the very least that the furniture is more sturdy than last year's (guys like Knipe and myself were always in danger of ending up on the floor).

Hey, Ron, is there anywhere we can go to see what the layout will look like, what the furniture is like, and what restrictions there are on what can happen at the booth? So we don't start planning stuff we can't possibly do?

Mike

Mike Holmes wrote: There's our theme for this year. Instead of gaming Ninjas like last year, we can be Gaming Improv Jazz Artists. Put a cup of java in one corner of the badge overlay, and a saxaphone in the other. With the booth title (whatever that may be; good pickup Ralph) and member name in some jazzy font. I'll put those together. :-)

I was thinking coffee, too. What's more tradtional in RPG beverages than caffein? Free cup with every purchase? The smell alone will bring people into the booth. (this might have to be done "informally" to avoid problems with licensing and the convention center concessions, if its allowed at all).

OK, now where do we get leather seats from? OK, seriously, is there some way to get reasonable simulacra. Barstools (with the high tables)? I hope at the very least that the furniture is more sturdy than last year's (guys like Knipe and myself were always in danger of ending up on the floor).

Hey, Ron, is there anywhere we can go to see what the layout will look like, what the furniture is like, and what restrictions there are on what can happen at the booth? So we don't start planning stuff we can't possibly do?

Mike

Not to call a halt to all you hepcats, but let me quick-say that furniture and so forth is pricey; we can't bring in our own, for instance. Hell, we're not even allowed to move the stuff, literally.

As for the name: officially, it's the Adept Press, Driftwood Publishing, and two other companies' names Booth. The Forge banner will be prominently displayed, and I have no objection to calling it the Forge Booth informally, or the Independents' Booth, or whatever.

Best,
Ron

Understood, Ron. I know that both the convention center and the convention organizer can be very particular about what can and cannot be done, particularly in regards to refreshments. In my mind, my questions weren't merely "Are these good ideas?" but "Would the booth be allowed to do this?". I should have been clearer.

Seth Ben-Ezra
Great Wolf