Quote from: Koltar;976899Maybe you should start going.

Those that continually choose 'NOT' to go to conventions to me are very similar to those 'BNG' or Bitter non-gamers that Pundit mentions from time to time.
Going to a convention at least shows an attempt to meet more gamers, make friends, maybe try a new RPG - all the fun stuff. (and oh yeah there might be costumes and dancing going on)

- Ed C.

That's about the dumbest logic I've ever read as far as a reason to go to a convention goes. I should go because otherwise you'll think I'm a "bitter non-gamer"? :rolleyes:

I don't need to meet any more gamers and have plenty of friends and RPGs. Plus, and this is the amazing thing, I could do all that for free if I want to and have done so many times. No need to pay an entry fee and hang around a lot of guys with poor understanding of personal hygiene.

Another reason not to go: I won't have to meet or play a game with "Koltar."

The only thing worse than people talking shit about not going to conventions is people who have never been to one talking shit about conventions.

Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;976945The only thing worse than people talking shit about not going to conventions is people who have never been to one talking shit about conventions.

And the only thing worse than that is old farts who assume not going to a convention now means someone has never gone to one. Your turn.

Quote from: Dumarest;976948And the only thing worse than that is old farts who assume not going to a convention now means someone has never gone to one. Your turn.

The only thing worse is people who act like going to conventions... or not going to conventions... is some sort of moral virtue.  Don't like conventions?  Don't go.  Like conventions?  Go.

Also, git offa mah lawn.  After you fetch me a beer, that is.

Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;976969The only thing worse is people who act like going to conventions... or not going to conventions... is some sort of moral virtue.  Don't like conventions?  Don't go.  Like conventions?  Go.

Also, git offa mah lawn.  After you fetch me a beer, that is.

Pretty much what I said originally. The only thing worse than misreading and overreacting is outright hypocrisy and declarations of what is worse than what. Oh wait. :confused: I'm gonna have my dog unload on your lawn just in case.

Go to your free con and raise your freak flag high.

The con I actually pay money for is GaryCon.  And it's a blast; I have fun for four full days.

It's also about 1800 people, which helps.  I'm kind of dreading GenCon due to the very size; I'm probably going to spend the entire time hiding in the historical miniatures area.

Well, I'm planning on dropping off a few of my fellow gamers at GenCon this year, however am not planning to attend myself. Almost my entire gaming group is going though, ...except for my son.

This is the busiest year since 2006 for me though for gaming shows. Been to U-Con in Detroit last Thanksgiving, GaryCon for the first time this year in March, Yay!, and uhh... made my sixth appearance at Origins in Columbus back in June, I really should post up a few pix here and an after-action report from Origins as I met a lot of gaming friends, and got to checkout some awesome new gaming stuff. Seems board wargaming is making a comeback, and attendance is up significantly at Origins this year as well, with a unique headcount of 18,001 on the Monday following the show, so it's growing as well. One thing of interest i did note, is HMGS the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society has completely pulled out of Origins, and I didn't see any HMGS wargaming events, and was looking for them. HMGS has five shows of their own that they run now though, including the World Boardgame Championships in Pennsylvania... so it seems like they are just their own independent organization now, and they have a pretty sizable grog following..

Quote from: Kravell;976872I ran DCC two years ago. Those games are always fun. What adventures are you running?

Bride of the Black Manse and The Hole In The Sky.  I've run them both and I think they would be great for convention play, and I'll be running both twice at GC.

Of course, I've never gamed at a convention before, so what would I know?  I'm sort of jumping in with both feet, here.  God knows what I'm getting into.

Stupidly, I haven't actually signed up for any gaming sessions myself, yet, and I heard a month ago that most of the DCC tables were full  I've been too preoccupied being ready to run mine.  I'm hoping my status as a Judge for Goodman Games will give me a chance to jump in if there are no-shows, but I have no idea how this works.

For those of you down on Gen Con or conventions, I have no opinion, since this will be my first time at GC and it's been decades since I went to any convention.  I'm not even a D&D fanboy, but I'm still a little psyched to be going to what's a kind of ground zero for role-playing.  Even if it really isn't, or if it's been ruined by commercialism or cosplayers or whatever.  I know it won't be like some kind of even nerdier Burning Man.  Or maybe it will be but in all the wrong ways.  Guess I'll find out!

I'm not going, but then I've never been able to go.

The only difference is, this is the first year I never really felt like going.

I'd like to go to a con, but not a huge one. GaryCon would be a fun one for me, but the expense is just beyond my budget.

Quote from: Harlock;977272I'd like to go to a con, but not a huge one. GaryCon would be a fun one for me, but the expense is just beyond my budget.

I'll admit it's pricey.  I have friends in the Twin Cities I travel with so that's not too bad; sharing a room runs about $50 to $75 a night, and there's food expense at the con, plus the $65 for admission.

It's easily several hundred dollars when the dust settles.

But honestly, any convention is like that.  They have just plain gotten pricey.  Railroad historical society conventions typically are around $200 just for the admission.

Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;977347I'll admit it's pricey.  I have friends in the Twin Cities I travel with so that's not too bad; sharing a room runs about $50 to $75 a night, and there's food expense at the con, plus the $65 for admission.

It's easily several hundred dollars when the dust settles.

But honestly, any convention is like that.  They have just plain gotten pricey.  Railroad historical society conventions typically are around $200 just for the admission.

This is something that gives me pause. Throughout the year I have about 10 or so conventions I can go to within a 100 mile radius of where I live, including the three in my own hometown, all of which have gaming and other interesting attractions. However, spending a weekend away eats up my paycheck with motels, food, admission, and other purchases. I've had some success with trading GMing games for admission price, but still money must be spent.

GaryCon is a BIG DAMN DEAL for me, which is why I save up all year for it.

There is a winter gaming con in the Twin Cities I'm thinking about, but I have friends there as well.

It's a tradeoff.  Nothing is free.

Garycon sounds like something I would like to attend.  I finally went to GenCon a couple years ago, and it was honestly a bit overwhelming.  I would like to go again, but definitely something I would go with friends and maybe family next time.  I did enjoy it a great deal, but I spent money like water (I budgeted a grand to blow on the con, and had no issues hitting that mark).

Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;977347I'll admit it's pricey.  I have friends in the Twin Cities I travel with so that's not too bad; sharing a room runs about $50 to $75 a night, and there's food expense at the con, plus the $65 for admission.

It's easily several hundred dollars when the dust settles.

But honestly, any convention is like that.  They have just plain gotten pricey.  Railroad historical society conventions typically are around $200 just for the admission.

Oh, it's not just the convention itself, it's the nearly 18 hour drive. I'm old enough now to want to split that up. The extra night in a hotel by myself and fuel costs drives the price up another few hundred bucks.

ETA: I can book a nonstop flight from Dallas for $188, but that still means driving 4.5 hours to Dallas, long term parking and 9 hours of gasoline. I will someday try Chupacabra Con in Round Rock Texas. 4 hour drive is all that is.