Running a game con.

chirine ba kal · March 22, 2018, 12:09:44 AM

Quote from: Headless;1030618Up date. So the local University which has all the space we could need is just way too expensive.

The local curling rink seems to be perfect. The ice will be out the weekend we are thinking about. And the booz will be gone.

@Jeff.
I don't know of they have curling rinks where you are looking, but you might consider local club and sports spaces as well as the librarys.

Haven't forgotten you; the resident daughter is moving out this week, and chaos reigns. More to come.

Gronan of Simmerya · March 22, 2018, 03:01:31 AM

Quote from: chirine ba kal;1030688Haven't forgotten you; the resident daughter is moving out this week, and chaos reigns. More to come.

Is this the part where we yell "DON'T DO IT!" in chorus?

Spinachcat · March 22, 2018, 03:20:59 AM

Quote from: Just Another Snake Cult;1030644Most nerds look at me like I'm crazy when I say this, but little local cons are far and away the best cons.

Agreed.

You want enough GMs and enough players with plenty of volunteers so it doesn't become a job for anyone.

300 attendees is probably the max where that is possible.

Thanos · March 22, 2018, 08:45:26 AM

Take pictures and post them!

mAcular Chaotic · March 22, 2018, 10:31:45 PM

Quote from: Spinachcat;1030714Agreed.

You want enough GMs and enough players with plenty of volunteers so it doesn't become a job for anyone.

300 attendees is probably the max where that is possible.

How do you exactly keep it little? It's not like you can stop 400 or 5000 people showing up.

Hermes Serpent · March 23, 2018, 05:05:30 AM

Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;1030858How do you exactly keep it little? It's not like you can stop 400 or 5000 people showing up.

Simples, sell tickets. I'm sure the Fire Marshal/con space will be able to provide a maximum number of people allowed in the building. Sell slightly fewer tickets and only allow ticket holders in.

Headless · March 24, 2018, 02:48:32 AM

Yeah the buildings we are looking at all have a maximum capacity. And fortunantaly everyone in charge of renting the space knows it.

I wish we had some small rooms.

Spinachcat · March 24, 2018, 04:05:18 AM

Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;1030858How do you exactly keep it little? It's not like you can stop 400 or 5000 people showing up.

Usually that's not a problem.

However, I know a couple successful cons that could easily double in size, but refuse to because the scaling would take the event from "fun hobby" to "second job".

RPGPundit · March 26, 2018, 11:01:55 PM

Well, this is a very inspirational thread!

Headless · March 27, 2018, 10:44:59 AM

Quote from: RPGPundit;1031342Well, this is a very inspirational thread!

Wanna come?

Second question. For people that have run a con or run a game at a Con.

Do you give (or recieve) guild lines on conflict resolution? Is there a code of conduct you recomend? It seams every monther there is a new thread asking for help or advice resolving some kind of conflict. We mostly can't help the people beyond a little bit of advice which boils down to, be clear about your goals and expectations, don't be a dick, don't let people be a dick to you.

Do you vet your DMs? Interview them?

Gronan of Simmerya · March 27, 2018, 01:22:41 PM

Back in the day, we did "if you volunteer to run a game, you run a game." Never had any real problems, but running the game was the responsibility of the referee, not the con. We were just there to provide a venue.

Nowadays I'd probably put in a note consisting of your three bullet points. "You do NOT want the Con Committee to get involved in what's happening in your game. Trust us."

Chirine ran rather larger cons, so I don't know if he had any problems.

RPGPundit · March 29, 2018, 04:22:18 AM

Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;1031430Back in the day, we did "if you volunteer to run a game, you run a game." Never had any real problems, but running the game was the responsibility of the referee, not the con. We were just there to provide a venue.

Nowadays I'd probably put in a note consisting of your three bullet points. "You do NOT want the Con Committee to get involved in what's happening in your game. Trust us."

Damn right.