Game Fest '04 (rant)

[cczernia]

About a year ago I posted this:

A couple weeks ago I attended both Sundays of Gamefest at Gametowne and was amazed by the support this store gave to the gaming community. I have never seen anything like it.

I must have been blind and deaf because I don't know what happened this year. Now that I've been buying/playing at GT for a year and familier with the staff and regulars I was shocked and appalled by the lack of support by the gaming community. There was a community there... the Game Towne community. Perhaps I was niave in thinking that Game Fest this year was going to be as good if not better than last, and year before.

In the two games I ran, and the one I played only 1 person did not have a GM ticket (free entry for anyone who runs 2 or more games). Last year we had 3-4 players with tickets in Uhlan's games. Count Zero warned me but I stuck it out in hope that Game Fest would come through. I even ran full fledged d20 Fading Suns because the d20 community is so large and vast that certainly they would be interested. I also ran vampire and I quickly discovered that there is only 1 vampire player in San Diego. Or maybe it is only 1 vampire playing in San Diego who shops at Game Towne. Or, it was 1 vampire player who was aware of Game Fest. Or 1 vampire player who cared.

So it seemed consistant with all the games. Lack of interest with the exception of the regulars who are waiting for a game at 6, showed up to another game that got cancelled ex ex.

So, I ask why did this happen? I constantly hear of the "golden age of Game Fest" where GMs had to turn players away. Certainly, the almost complete lack of advertising had something to do with it. Or perhaps the lack of a webpage.

So, I hope that next weekends games by Uhlan, Devlin, and maybe even BoC will spark enough interest to salvage what remains of Game Fest. And I also hope that Mordraine manages to pull off Sandicon because it would be great to see a rpg convention that is supported by the community and could start a new golden age of roleplaying.

[Lowly Uhlan]

Sorry to hear that Game Fest bummed you out. I think that the complete lack of any kind of online resources for the store or the event really hurt the turnout. And yeah, sounds like the game you ran last night got hit hard by the nachos. But that will happen in any game where there's an open call for players. What else did you expect? If there was a bigger turnout all you would have gotten would be more geeks. Gamers that are good players, decent people on a social level, and bathe regularlly, are actually in pretty short supply.

The whole signed GMs as players is pretty trivial. Why should that matter? I'm not trying to defend any of the nachos or attack you, but anyone who is thinking "Should I really go to Game Fest?" might choose not too. You're finished running games there but I'm not. Did they have better events in New Mexico? If there are say, 30-40 people who are signed participants of the event (the kid who played in the vampire game that wasn't a GM had player number 13) that sounds like a turnout that you won't get in a whole lot of locations anywhere. It was Game Fest, not Gen Con.

There's also the matter of players that are set in thier ways and the locations where they play. I play at GT, some won't play at a game shop at all. I'm really dreading the idea of running demos at Game Empire, but it will be the required course of action to promote the games the games I promote. There's some big-ass nachos up there. Another example of someone (me)being set in thier ways. It's kind of pointless to place high expectations on the gaming community showing support for anything as a whole. Shit, expecting them to read a few pages of background for a game they're playing in is a stretch. Expectations are fertile grounds for disappointment.

[cczernia]

Nor did I have high expectations. The actual game I ran I felt went fairly well. Not perfect but they had high and low moments and if I was running those same games, say for the One Shot group I would change very little and expect a similar outcome.

My dissapointment comes from the turnout. In New Mexico we did have a rpg club through the university and always get a lot of new people. This is of course in a town of 90,000 of course. People who were interested would show up to check it out. Sunday was worse than Saturday with hardly anyone there when we started.

Ideally, I was hopping for 1-2 familier faces from people I had gamed with, 1-2 GT regulars and 1-2 new non regular players who wanted to see Game Fest. Either way I would have liked to seen at least 2 players (non GMs) show up to each game.

It begs the question, what is the point to Game Fest? Can it really be called a convention for San Diego?

However to bitch and rant is a pointless endouver and I ask myself what can I do to make it better. To get more people to show up? Not simply people from these boards or from Game Towne but from all over San Diego and the surrounding area. I don't want people saying "Man, Game Fest kicked ass 4 years ago." I want people to say "Man, that was the best Game Fest ever, I can't wait until next year!"

I look and listen to people out there and discover that Game Fest is a lost cause. I've remained optomistic but my faith is starting to slip.

[Lowly Uhlan]

However to bitch and rant is a pointless endouver and I ask myself what can I do to make it better. To get more people to show up? Not simply people from these boards or from Game Towne but from all over San Diego and the surrounding area. I don't want people saying "Man, Game Fest kicked ass 4 years ago." I want people to say "Man, that was the best Game Fest ever, I can't wait until next year!"

I look and listen to people out there and discover that Game Fest is a lost cause. I've remained optomistic but my faith is starting to slip.

Fair enough. If even 1 player that I don't game with regullarly shows up for my games I'll be happy. If it's a good player that will be a bonus (*ahem* mordraine, BlanchPrez, Cthulu, Foxbat, opwonder, I know Skyman can't make it *ahem*). Otherwise it's a good old boys club of my regular gaming group.

[smartmonkey]

I stopped by yesterday to purchase a copy of Game of Powers for Nobilis - cos I'm a completist bastage - and you couldn't even -tell- gamefest was going on. They had a few tents set up out back, and the small cluster of gamers at the tables - practically nothing. The dad chewing out his eight year old son for missassembling his klingon cruiser was classy. *nods*

Anyways.

[Count Zero]

Gamefest used to be really impressive but it has fallen by the way side. I don't blame the participants though. I blame the organizers. They only advertised to those people who came into the store and sent out mailers to previous attendees. Fact of the matter is that didn't work. They used to advertise the thing in Dragon for god's sake. Hell, last year I had set it up so you could sign up on the website for games and events, but they let the website go down because they don't realize the value of the internet. That is why it always got a bigger turnout. There was decent advertising. To be honest the people they have organizing it, lack the skill and understanding how to run and plan an event. That is the problem.

It still could be good... there could be a good turn out. There is still a week left. The players from this board to show up and play... god forbid people from this board might think about showing up. :twisted: I am organizing Twilight Imperium (Settlers of Catan meets Master of Orion computer game). Tuesday at 6 pm and a Tribe 8 demo this Wednesday. I would love to get the chance to finally game with some of the guys on this board.

[Skyman]

Chalk it up to whatever you want but it's a sad thing to see such an event not get much attendance. It's a unique event to have running for a week. As for Nacho's...hey they were there. Not the bag of Nacho's but some.

[Gotetsu]

I just thought I would toss in my 2 cents here. :)

I think Count Zero is right. Poor advertising and lack of a Web Page can attribute to a LOT of this year's lack of "success." However, take that with a grain of salt, as I have never been to GF before. :oops:

I just know that I am looking forward to trying out A/State :2guns: and playing some HERO http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/muscle.gif on Saturday. :D

[Wintermute]

I went to game fest once. I was about 13. My character died about 5 minutes into the game. I sat around for the next 5 hours 'til my ride got there. I never went back. :)

[smartmonkey]

I went to game fest once. I was about 13. My character died about 5 minutes into the game. I sat around for the next 5 hours 'til my ride got there. I never went back.


Oh god! You're the kid whose character Neuro killed in the wine press, aren't you?

[/in joke]

[devlin1]

The dad chewing out his eight year old son for missassembling his klingon cruiser was classy. *nods*

That's worth the price of admission right there.

[Skyman]

I went to game fest once. I was about 13. My character died about 5 minutes into the game. I sat around for the next 5 hours 'til my ride got there. I never went back. :)

That's rough. My first experience of GameFest was when I was 16, I think, was playing Star Trek as a red shirt and not dying...Amazing :shock: It was the only game I could get into at the GFest. I thought some of the folks there only wanted certain players to play their game and felt excluded. Kinda sucked since I forked over my allowance to get in. I don't think it has anything to do with their present predicament but I do think sometimes the folks can be kinda exclusionary and brush off folks when they should be more open to share the spirit of the games to the uninitiated. Just calling them Nacho's is crap :?

[Count Zero]

I stopped by yesterday to purchase a copy of Game of Powers for Nobilis - cos I'm a completist bastage - and you couldn't even -tell- gamefest was going on. They had a few tents set up out back, and the small cluster of gamers at the tables - practically nothing. The dad chewing out his eight year old son for missassembling his klingon cruiser was classy. *nods*

Anyways.

I know which guy you are talking about and I wasn't even there that day. His kid is cool... and doesn't deserve to be treated the way he is... it happens every Gamefest... I may have to beat him some day.

Jonathan

[devlin1]

I know which guy you are talking about and I wasn't even there that day. His kid is cool... and doesn't deserve to be treated the way he is... it happens every Gamefest... I may have to beat him some day.

There a cover charge for that, or is it included in the price of admission?

[smartmonkey]

I know which guy you are talking about and I wasn't even there that day. His kid is cool... and doesn't deserve to be treated the way he is... it happens every Gamefest... I may have to beat him some day.

I'll bring the mace spray. He's definitely a canidate for a faceful. *nods*

[Barrier Peaks]

I worked at Game Towne's Carlsbad store in the early or mid-nineties. The Game Fests at the other stores (Carlsbad and Parkway Plaza) were never quite as large as the ones that were held in Old Town.

In Carlsbad, I seem to remember having a good deal of trouble getting GMs to run events. We had a good turn-out for M:tG tournies and WH40k, and I think we even had a crowded Jyhad (VtES) tournament, but the RPG scedule was pretty barren.

Sorry to hear it was lacking this year. I might've dropped in, but my schedule is already overfull. Game Towne is a good 30-40 minute drive from my home, nevermind my workplace. The logistics aren't as simple as they used to be, nor am I as young or full of pep.

GenCon SoCal will be a good opportunity, though. I enjoyed it last year, but I expect that my GenCon Indy experience next week will make SoCal seem small and insignificant by comparison. Doesn't matter, though, because it's important to support local cons.

Anyone else headed to Indy next week?

Gary

[Gotetsu]

Ok, I need to ask a n00b question: What is the cost of Game Fest?

[Count Zero]

Ok, I need to ask a n00b question: What is the cost of Game Fest?

If I remember right it is about 25-30 bucks for the week... not quite sure though.. never had to pay... I run too many events...

Jonathan

[Gotetsu]

So, yer saying I might have to pay $25 to play 2 games with 2 people that I normally game with anyways??? :screwy:

[Count Zero]

So, yer saying I might have to pay $25 to play 2 games with 2 people that I normally game with anyways??? :screwy:

But if you come in first place in a game you get a $10 gift certificate

Also, you get the chance to try games you might not normally play.

Jonathan

[Gotetsu]

That's all well and good, but on my limited fundage, I may have to reconsider...

I never realized there was a cover. Guess that shows how naive I am. I figured GT held these things to promote their business. Hrmmm... :?

[Count Zero]

That's all well and good, but on my limited fundage, I may have to reconsider...

I never realized there was a cover. Guess that shows how naive I am. I figured GT held these things to promote their business. Hrmmm... :?

Hehehehe.... You can just show up for a day... it is like 5 bucks and they don't really stop you from playing if you haven't signed up... you just can't win prizes then

Jonathan

[Chulainn]

If I remember right it is about 25-30 bucks for the week... not quite sure though.. never had to pay... I run too many events...

Jonathan

Yeah...Uh Huh...Okay....Definatly not worth it in my book.....$10 gift certificate or not.

C

[Gotetsu]

Hehehehe.... You can just show up for a day... it is like 5 bucks and they don't really stop you from playing if you haven't signed up... you just can't win prizes then

Jonathan

What, do they give out prizes for role-playing? Cuz that's pretty much all I'm planning on doing...

[devlin1]

[quote:7d104d7667="Count Zero"]Hehehehe.... You can just show up for a day... it is like 5 bucks and they don't really stop you from playing if you haven't signed up... you just can't win prizes then

Jonathan

What, do they give out prizes for role-playing? Cuz that's pretty much all I'm planning on doing...[/quote:7d104d7667]
I've never played in a "tournament," but as I understand it, in tournaments there are winners. How they're selected, I don't know. It circumvents the notion that nobody "wins" a roleplaying game by proving that some people do, in fact, lose.

[Gotetsu]

Well, I guess I will just show up. If someone asks me to pay anything more than like $5, I'm gone. I can't justify paying to play an RPG or two.

[cczernia]

So, yer saying I might have to pay $25 to play 2 games with 2 people that I normally game with anyways??? :screwy:

It is $25 a week or $7 a day. I do beleive the final Sunday is $5. So, if you wanted to attend both days it would be $12.

Normally this is worth it. It is less than a movie and you are entertained for twice as long. However, this year has been poorly organized with no one showing up so it is more like you are sitting in with a group who plays with each other anyway.

Hopefully, this weekend will be better.

[cczernia]

[quote:b5641079e7="Gotetsu"][quote:b5641079e7="Count Zero"]Hehehehe.... You can just show up for a day... it is like 5 bucks and they don't really stop you from playing if you haven't signed up... you just can't win prizes then

Jonathan

What, do they give out prizes for role-playing? Cuz that's pretty much all I'm planning on doing...[/quote:b5641079e7]
I've never played in a "tournament," but as I understand it, in tournaments there are winners. How they're selected, I don't know. It circumvents the notion that nobody "wins" a roleplaying game by proving that some people do, in fact, lose.[/quote:b5641079e7]

Every game is awarded a 1st place for the $10 certificate. Most RPGs are figured by voting for best roleplayer (Uhlan went crazy on this and played a hell of vampire for someone who hates the game so much :P )

[devlin1]

Every game is awarded a 1st place for the $10 certificate. Most RPGs are figured by voting for best roleplayer (Uhlan went crazy on this and played a hell of vampire for someone who hates the game so much :P )

What? So does that mean I have to pick a "winner" for my game too? Screw that. I'm rolling a die.

[cczernia]

[quote:58f12b0241="cczernia"]
Every game is awarded a 1st place for the $10 certificate. Most RPGs are figured by voting for best roleplayer (Uhlan went crazy on this and played a hell of vampire for someone who hates the game so much :P )

What? So does that mean I have to pick a "winner" for my game too? Screw that. I'm rolling a die.[/quote:58f12b0241]

It's your game. You can choose winner however you want. But it is Hero, it should be an extremely complicated method. Nothing is every done by just "rolling a die" :P

[smartmonkey]

3d6+10+1 per player. Take result, compare to players ages. A match wins. In case of no match, the player with the age closest to the die roll wins. Ties should be resolved in single combat, using dicebags.

[cczernia]

3d6+10+1 per player. Take result, compare to players ages. A match wins. In case of no match, the player with the age closest to the die roll wins. Ties should be resolved in single combat, using dicebags.

SM, assuming all 6 places were filled and we used this method would you even qualify to win???? :twisted:

[smartmonkey]

Yep. 10+3(assuming all 1's)+6 players =19.

WGASA?

[cczernia]

Yep. 10+3(assuming all 1's)+6 players =19.

WGASA?

Well, all the other players under 19 of course. :)

[smartmonkey]

Well, sucks to be young, don't it?

http://www.edromia.com/dude2.jpg

[cczernia]

You'll smoke a turd in hell for that!...

....
....
....
WHAT??? :shock:

http://www.czernopkins.org/dude3.jpg

[Lowly Uhlan]

[quote:e14290a6e8="cczernia"]
Every game is awarded a 1st place for the $10 certificate. Most RPGs are figured by voting for best roleplayer (Uhlan went crazy on this and played a hell of vampire for someone who hates the game so much :P )

What? So does that mean I have to pick a "winner" for my game too? Screw that. I'm rolling a die.[/quote:e14290a6e8]

Dude, the guideline I use is the best roleplayer (most involved, most in character, succeeds at the adventures objectives) gets it. I keep score the same way I award XP in my normal games.

[Lowly Uhlan]

Another way to score RPG tournaments is to have the players vote on the MVP.

[MarktheAnimator]

xx

[cczernia]

Still, it's what you make of it. I'm having fun.

You are right, and for the most part I've enjoyed the games I've played at GF. However, I ask, what is the point to GF. Most of the people I played with were people I normally play with or regularly see at GT. If I wanted to run a one shot with those people it would just be a matter of getting those people together.

With the exception of Paul I didn't meet anyone knew. Of course this could be a false perception on my part as everyone was new last year.

[BreakfastOfChampions]

Perhaps as a goal to next year's game fest, instead of handing out free passes to the GMs (which there seem to be too many of) They could do the following:

1) Advertise more
2) Keep their web site up
3) Give discount tickets to people who bring more players (in addition to the GM compensation?)

[devlin1]

GF last year was pretty large
I normally associate the acronym "GF" with "girlfriend," so this statement is, y'know, funny. To me.

Hope she went on a diet!

[cczernia]

[quote:ae57f26a8f="MarktheAnimator"]GF last year was pretty large
I normally associate the acronym "GF" with "girlfriend," so this statement is, y'know, funny. To me.

Hope she went on a diet![/quote:ae57f26a8f]

:lolup:

[BreakfastOfChampions]

I thought the same thing, but for some reason, something -- call it 'taste' -- kept me from responding

[Gotetsu]

[quote:2fd270820f="MarktheAnimator"]GF last year was pretty large
I normally associate the acronym "GF" with "girlfriend," so this statement is, y'know, funny. To me.

Hope she went on a diet![/quote:2fd270820f]

OMG! Get outta my head! I thought the exact same thing when I first read that! :lol:

[cczernia]

Perhaps as a goal to next year's game fest, instead of handing out free passes to the GMs (which there seem to be too many of) They could do the following:

1) Advertise more
2) Keep their web site up
3) Give discount tickets to people who bring more players (in addition to the GM compensation?)

I agree. There a lot of things that could be done but I don't think Game Towne people are interested. CZ had a lot of problems with this and he use to work there :shock:

It would be awsome if we had the enthusiasm and ideas for San Di Con mixed with the resources and establishment of Game Fest we could have a truly awsome local convention.

Note: not that I don't think San Di Con won't be awsome, but it will take a few years for it to became truly awsome.

[devlin1]

I thought the same thing, but for some reason, something -- call it 'taste' -- kept me from responding
Taste.

Right.

This from the guy who suggested using a sex doll as a gaming miniature.

Nice try, reprobate.

[BreakfastOfChampions]

[quote:7a6af982b9="BreakfastOfChampions"]Perhaps as a goal to next year's game fest, instead of handing out free passes to the GMs (which there seem to be too many of) They could do the following:

1) Advertise more
2) Keep their web site up
3) Give discount tickets to people who bring more players (in addition to the GM compensation?)

I agree. There a lot of things that could be done but I don't think Game Towne people are interested. CZ had a lot of problems with this and he use to work there :shock:
[/quote:7a6af982b9]

Are they tired of running it? Are they just tired of CZ (No offense, but well, it happens)


It would be awsome if we had the enthusiasm and ideas for San Di Con mixed with the resources and establishment of Game Fest we could have a truly awsome local convention.


I agree. However, I'm not even sure that's been explored. But I havent' been to yon meetings, so I'll just shaddup now.


Note: not that I don't think San Di Con won't be awsome, but it will take a few years for it to became truly awsome.

Agreed. Again, I hope it does great, and I'm willing to help out, but I do get a slight itch of 'not built here' syndrome. But again, if anyone can pull it off, Mord and Winter can, so I'll just shaddup.

[Gotetsu]

This from the guy who suggested using a sex doll as a gaming miniature.

Actually, I'm the one who suggested the sex-doll. He just took it and ran with it... :D

[devlin1]

Hang on, hang on... I know he suggested something seemly. Let me find it.

[devlin1]

I thought the same thing, but for some reason, something -- call it 'taste' -- kept me from responding
Taste.

Right.

This from the guy who suggested using a nude mannequin named "Honey" as a gaming miniature.

Nice try, reprobate.

[Note: I'm guessing on the nude part. Seems reasonable.]

[cczernia]

Are they tired of running it? Are they just tired of CZ (No offense, but well, it happens)

Well, I think CZ got so excited with changing the game store that he overwhelmed them. I don't want to speak for him though. I can say that anytime I've tried to ask the manager about the running of GameFest, or the webpage he would say "I can't talk about it" and had this look like I was talking about about his momma.

This is the impression I got from the Game Towne staff is that they don't want to change anything. Game Towne and Game Fest are perfect as they are and if it isn't broken why fix it and the last thing they want to hear is criticism on how to make things better. Perhaps I'm wrong but they certainly do give an impression.

[BreakfastOfChampions]

[quote:1f0f3a56b9="BreakfastOfChampions"]I thought the same thing, but for some reason, something -- call it 'taste' -- kept me from responding
Taste.

Right.

This from the guy who suggested using a nude mannequin named "Honey" as a gaming miniature.

Nice try, reprobate.

[Note: I'm guessing on the nude part. Seems reasonable.][/quote:1f0f3a56b9]

Nude?!?! what are you, some kind of fucking sicko?

[cczernia]

[quote:42f4178d7a="BreakfastOfChampions"]Perhaps as a goal to next year's game fest, instead of handing out free passes to the GMs (which there seem to be too many of) They could do the following:

1) Advertise more
2) Keep their web site up
3) Give discount tickets to people who bring more players (in addition to the GM compensation?)

I agree. There a lot of things that could be done but I don't think Game Towne people aren't interested. CZ had a lot of problems with this and he use to work there :shock:

It would be awsome if we had the enthusiasm and ideas for San Di Con mixed with the resources and establishment of Game Fest we could have a truly awsome local convention.

Note: not that I don't think San Di Con won't be awsome, but it will take a few years for it to became truly awsome.[/quote:42f4178d7a]

[BreakfastOfChampions]

[quote:c2aaca47e3="BreakfastOfChampions"]

Are they tired of running it? Are they just tired of CZ (No offense, but well, it happens)

Well, I think CZ got so excited with changing the game store that he overwhelmed them. I don't want to speak for him though. I can say that anytime I've tried to ask the manager about the running of GameFest, or the webpage he would say "I can't talk about it" and had this look like I was talking about about his momma.

This is the impression I got from the Game Towne staff is that they don't want to change anything. Game Towne and Game Fest are perfect as they are and if it isn't broken why fix it and the last thing they want to hear is criticism on how to make things better. Perhaps I'm wrong but they certainly do give an impression.[/quote:c2aaca47e3]

Taking over someone else's baby requires tact, diplomacy, and a large calibre handgun. And that's when you're dealing with co-workers! Volunteer efforts and such well, can get a little wacky. Not to mention we are dealing with gamers here, who, statistically speaking, are perhaps a couple standard deviations, and a few non-standard deviations, from the norm.

Combine this with. "Damn, you can't do anything right, can you?" and that handgun comes into play fast!

[cczernia]

[quote:4a443e3640="devlin1"][quote:4a443e3640="BreakfastOfChampions"]I thought the same thing, but for some reason, something -- call it 'taste' -- kept me from responding
Taste.

Right.

This from the guy who suggested using a nude mannequin named "Honey" as a gaming miniature.

Nice try, reprobate.

[Note: I'm guessing on the nude part. Seems reasonable.][/quote:4a443e3640]

Nude?!?! what are you, some kind of fucking sicko?[/quote:4a443e3640]

I don't know. Seems reasonable to me, too.

[BreakfastOfChampions]

I don't know. Seems reasonable to me, too.

Of course. You *have* one, don't you!?!?

[cczernia]

Taking over someone else's baby requires tact, diplomacy, and a large calibre handgun. And that's when you're dealing with co-workers! Volunteer efforts and such well, can get a little wacky. Not to mention we are dealing with gamers here, who, statistically speaking, are perhaps a couple standard deviations, and a few non-standard deviations, from the norm.

Combine this with. "Damn, you can't do anything right, can you?" and that handgun comes into play fast!

Exactly, which frustrates me even more. Basically, there is nothing I can do except buy a handgun and rant. Not into handguns (I leave those to the more violent, insane members) so I'll just rant.

[devlin1]

Nude?!?! what are you, some kind of fucking sicko?

Yesssssss....

[cczernia]

[quote:351a654938="cczernia"]

I don't know. Seems reasonable to me, too.

Of course. You *have* one, don't you!?!?[/quote:351a654938]

"Yes, they should, but if the legends surrounding the nude mannequins are correct, remember that they do not reveal themselves quickly and never all at once."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm not saying anything. I didn't say anything then, and I'm not saying anything now."

[BreakfastOfChampions]

[quote:142d88006c="BreakfastOfChampions"]Taking over someone else's baby requires tact, diplomacy, and a large calibre handgun. And that's when you're dealing with co-workers! Volunteer efforts and such well, can get a little wacky. Not to mention we are dealing with gamers here, who, statistically speaking, are perhaps a couple standard deviations, and a few non-standard deviations, from the norm.

Combine this with. "Damn, you can't do anything right, can you?" and that handgun comes into play fast!

Exactly, which frustrates me even more. Basically, there is nothing I can do except buy a handgun and rant. Not into handguns (I leave those to the more violent, insane members) so I'll just rant.[/quote:142d88006c]

Question: Is the GM to player ratio better this year?

[cczernia]

Question: Is the GM to player ratio better this year?

From my experiences from Saturday and Sunday I would say no.

[BreakfastOfChampions]

[quote:e53d8427f9="BreakfastOfChampions"]

Question: Is the GM to player ratio better this year?

From my experiences from Saturday and Sunday I would say no.[/quote:e53d8427f9]

Still too many GMs, huh? I hedged my bets there (and an outside contract came up) so I didn't sign up to run any games. Might go on Friday and Sat to play some though.

[devlin1]

The Jovian awaits.

[Count Zero]

[quote:cbc6782554="Count Zero"]Hehehehe.... You can just show up for a day... it is like 5 bucks and they don't really stop you from playing if you haven't signed up... you just can't win prizes then

Jonathan

What, do they give out prizes for role-playing? Cuz that's pretty much all I'm planning on doing...[/quote:cbc6782554]

Yes they do.

Jonathan

[Count Zero]

Are they tired of running it? Are they just tired of CZ (No offense, but well, it happens)

Actually, the big thing is they really don't see it as a money making opportunity. It is more of something neat they do for players. While it is cool that they see it as something for the players, the key is that it could be both.

The website to them is more of a hassle than useful (they don't recognize the value of the internet).

Jonathan

[Count Zero]

Well, I think CZ got so excited with changing the game store that he overwhelmed them. I don't want to speak for him though. I can say that anytime I've tried to ask the manager about the running of GameFest, or the webpage he would say "I can't talk about it" and had this look like I was talking about about his momma.

Actually what I kept getting about the webpage was that the owner was on vacation in China (literally) and would get around to it sometime when he got back. Like I said earlier, they don't see the value of a web page, so they aren't worried about. Really all the manager for Game Towne does is make sure that everything is in stock and the store looks good. The manager there really couldn't organize anything outside of that.

As to the changes I attempted to make... they weren't really that drastic, it was crazy things like a new release rack and keeping the activities board up to date... oh, and organize the terrain cabinet.

I realize now that I got caught between the owner and his wife as they tried to manage the store and had different ideas. Kind of stressful and not fun at all.

Jonathan

[BreakfastOfChampions]

[quote:3e125ef8c8="BreakfastOfChampions"]
Are they tired of running it? Are they just tired of CZ (No offense, but well, it happens)

Actually, the big thing is they really don't see it as a money making opportunity. It is more of something neat they do for players. While it is cool that they see it as something for the players, the key is that it could be both.

The website to them is more of a hassle than useful (they don't recognize the value of the internet).

Jonathan[/quote:3e125ef8c8]

Well, without online ordering, the value of the website is an intangable, which some people cant' and won't quanitify.

Considering the number of 'free entries' and gift certificates they offer, its no wonder they don't see it as kind of a loss, or a kind of charity operation -- an RPG 'pity fuck' if you will.

But I digress. On very first blush, Sandi-Con and GameFest compliment each other quite nicely. GameFest has resources, but a sense of burden making the fest successful and Sandi-Con is trying to get resources. Again, this is all at first blush, and a mere observation.

[MarktheAnimator]

xx

[devlin1]

Yes, well, all defensiveness aside, GameFest was-- for me-- two days of hectic gaming followed by two pieces of cake. The truly lame part was that with the exception of the one other player in LU's Conan game, everyone I gamed with was someone I gamed with anyway! My only consolation is that I was essentially paid $20 (at least, twenty GameTown Fun Dollars) to participate.

Also, I was very impressed by the guy who won all the D&D games. I've heard he's the best D&D gamer ever. Like, he rolls really well.

[mordraine]

Wish I coulda gone. Would've loved to play in the a|state game especially! The horrors of scheduling conflicts will never abate in my life!! AAUUGH!

But on the plus side, Toronto was pretty neat.

[BreakfastOfChampions]

Yes indeed. Scheduling conflicts are a total pain

[devlin1]

The A/State game was oppressive and frightening-- but enough about Erik....

Seriously, it was fun. Good times. Even if Erik and I almost came to fisticuffs over a particular issue. :x

Glen, where the hell were you that you couldn't make it, huh?

[cczernia]

Seriously, it was fun. Good times. Even if Erik and I almost came to fisticuffs over a particular issue. :x

Good thing John was there to ref you guys. Sent you to the corner and count to 10. Who know what would have happened if he didn't step in. You would have started acting like "board gamers" :P

[devlin1]

Good thing John was there to ref you guys. Sent you to the corner and count to 10. Who know what would have happened if he didn't step in. You would have started acting like "board gamers" :P
Before GameFest, I never realized how violent and polarizing an activity Robo Rally really is.

[BreakfastOfChampions]

The A/State game was oppressive and frightening-- but enough about Erik....

Seriously, it was fun. Good times. Even if Erik and I almost came to fisticuffs over a particular issue. :x

Glen, where the hell were you that you couldn't make it, huh?

Last weekend was Disneyland and Practice on Sunday
This weekend was a Workshop (6 hours of classes!!!) and near-death on Sunday

[devlin1]

Yike. Well, near-death seems a reasonable excuse. But you missed the cake!

[BreakfastOfChampions]

Like I *need* cake.
Well, like I needed 6 hours of Charleston lessons.

[Gotetsu]

Like I *need* cake.

Gasp! We ALL need cake! :shock:

[Neuro]

and near-death on Sunday

Huh?

[BreakfastOfChampions]

and near-death on Sunday

Huh?

My apologies. Forgot the <hyperbole/> tag.

[Lowly Uhlan]

Also, I was very impressed by the guy who won all the D&D games. I've heard he's the best D&D gamer ever. Like, he rolls really well.

What a fucking loser. I've hated that guy since I first saw him.

[Gotetsu]

Was that the jarhead that stole your chair?

(No offense meant to my ex-jarhead buddies here on the forums) :D

[Lowly Uhlan]

So there was this fat guy who sat at the boardgame table for all 10 days (most likely). Went off on another player over reading a card. Later that night another guy went off (at the same table) saying "Don't help me! let me play my turn!" Then stormed out of the room.

Was messing around with devlin during a/state. Everyone thought we were really going to fight, :roll: it was kind of made into a big deal. Guess it wouldn't have been if I was sitting at the boardgame table.

That stuff, along with watching the people present at the awards ceremony with devlin made me really, really embaressed to be a gamer. I swear to God that half of them have bona-fide retardation.

I'm glad Game fest is over.

Did score 40 bucks worth of free shwag though.

[Lowly Uhlan]

Was that the jarhead that stole your chair?

(No offense meant to my ex-jarhead buddies here on the forums) :D

No it was a guy that rides a 1980 Honda. Bald head, always wears all black. The guy that stole my chair was a boardgamer that I watched pick up other peoples' stuff and use it or hand it to someone else like 3 times.

[devlin1]

Ha! D&D Guy was great. In fact, that whole "after party" was great, LU-- I don't know what you're talking about. It was worth it for that guy's socks alone.

D&D Guy won every D&D prize-- all but one, that is. I was talking to the kid who won that lone First Place D&D award about D&D Guy.

"Wow, that guy sure won a lot of those games! He won, like, all of them!"
"Almost. I won one."
"Right. Cool. But he must be a really great D&D gamer."
"Yeah. Well, he won all those games, so--"
"Like, he must roll really well."
"...Yeah."
"And stuff."

It was a brief conversation, but fraught with meaning.

[Lowly Uhlan]

D&D Guy also won the D&D Intro event. He's probably been playing for 20 years. Maybe he can teach me how to play!

[devlin1]

D&D Guy also won the D&D Intro event. He's probably been playing for 20 years. Maybe he can teach me how to play!
That's like taking a karate class with a bunch of five year olds, then braining them with a two-by-four. Those intro D&Ders never had a chance! They were fools to go up against D&D Guy.

[Skyman]

[quote:d12ef80858="Lowly Uhlan"]D&D Guy also won the D&D Intro event. He's probably been playing for 20 years. Maybe he can teach me how to play!
That's like taking a karate class with a bunch of five year olds, then braining them with a two-by-four. Those intro D&Ders never had a chance! They were fools to go up against D&D Guy.[/quote:d12ef80858]

D&D Guy sounds like the Star Wars Guy...you know that kid that was video taping himself doing a Darth Maul with a mop handle. Most fantastic and yet disturbing :roll:

BTW: My money is on LU for the fisticuffs with Devlin1.

Well I'd like to have a moment of SBD for the passing of another Game Fest....*sniff*....till next year everyone :wink:

[smartmonkey]

BTW: My money is on LU for the fisticuffs with Devlin1.


Shit, my money is on LU vs. teh chair stealing bastard.

[devlin1]

BTW: My money is on LU for the fisticuffs with Devlin1.


Um, yeah. No doi.