Knights & Knaves Alehouse

Looks like Luke is starting to solicit feedback on how to handle the growth of GaryCon @ http://garycon.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1430

If you're a regular attendee, or plan to attend in the future, I recommend chiming in with your thoughts.

grodog wrote:Looks like Luke is starting to solicit feedback on how to handle the growth of GaryCon @ http://garycon.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1430

If you're a regular attendee, or plan to attend in the future, I recommend chiming in with your thoughts.

I was wondering when this would be addressed. Ironically, nearly everything Luke talks about, Doug and I have had to discuss for NTRPG con (we will max out at about 350 people, maybe next year). We are far luckier in that we don't have the history that Lake Geneva has, and we do have nearby options. But I can well sympathize with their planning for the future.

Mike B.

A nice initial reply by Luke @ http://garycon.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=16089#p16089

grodog wrote:A nice initial reply by Luke @ http://garycon.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=16089#p16089

Indeed. I like the direction he is leaning. The people saying that the con "needs to grow" are missing the point of it, at least for me. I'd prefer it it went backwards a bit, to be honest.

Welleran wrote:

grodog wrote:A nice initial reply by Luke @ http://garycon.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=16089#p16089

Indeed. I like the direction he is leaning. The people saying that the con "needs to grow" are missing the point of it, at least for me. I'd prefer it it went backwards a bit, to be honest.

High water mark was GC I, for me, followed by GC IV.

francisca wrote:High water mark was GC I, for me, followed by GC IV.

I'd probably say GC II was my favorite (it was my first), but they've all had their charms. The most recent one was probably the weakest, though, at least for me. A lot of that has to do with game selections, though

I haven't attended GaryCon, yet, but it's possible that I'll be moving to the midwest, soon, in which case I would definitely go.

For my part, the appeal of GaryCon (or any "old school" con) is playing the games that Gary created and associated games from the period. That stuff isn't easy to find at cons, and it's what makes a con like GaryCon special. I prefer a smaller, focused con over a larger, "kitchen sink" con. A lot of the popular modern RPGs (e.g., Pathfinder, 5e, etc) can be played at just about any con you name, so having those games isn't a draw, for me. I'd want to see stuff like original D&D, 1e AD&D, Chainmail, DGUTS, Tractics, Boot Hill, AH board games, historical minis, et cetera.

Being in Lake Geneva is kind of nifty, but it's not that important, to me; more of a bonus than a real draw. Stuff like costumes and video rooms don't matter to me. Special Guests and VIPs aren't important to me, at all.

Just my $0.02.

Philotomy Jurament wrote:I haven't attended GaryCon, yet, but it's possible that I'll be moving to the midwest, soon, in which case I would definitely go.

For my part, the appeal of GaryCon (or any "old school" con) is playing the games that Gary created and associated games from the period. That stuff isn't easy to find at cons, and it's what makes a con like GaryCon special. I prefer a smaller, focused con over a larger, "kitchen sink" con. A lot of the popular modern RPGs (e.g., Pathfinder, 5e, etc) can be played at just about any con you name, so having those games isn't a draw, for me. I'd want to see stuff like original D&D, 1e AD&D, Chainmail, DGUTS, Tractics, Boot Hill, AH board games, historical minis, et cetera.

Being in Lake Geneva is kind of nifty, but it's not that important, to me; more of a bonus than a real draw. Stuff like costumes and video rooms don't matter to me. Special Guests and VIPs aren't important to me, at all.

Just my $0.02.

You'd probably like Garycon, given the game mix you mention. You don't get the dress-up crowd and the focus really is on the older games (DCCRPG has a following there, but I give that game a pass). I defintely prefer the smaller size, too -- I can't see the appeal in a 10,000+ convention, at least not for gaming. The VIP thing was sort of cool at first, but I've lost whatever interest in that aspect I ever had. Of course, the K&KA contingent is also a major attraction for me!

For those that didn't see it or hadn't heard from another source, GaryCon (as well as Gary Gygax and Lake Geneva) was referenced in last night's episode of Big Bang Theory. Pretty cool.

- Wheggi

Cool!

Although, did they wave around their 4e PHB while they said it?

Well, vacation days have been approved, just got an iPass from a coworker so i don't have to stop at toll booths, fed and state tax returns have been deposited, one more day of work....then 4 days of gaming with the wife and kids + adventure prep, then a day of travel, 4 days of the con, then a day of travel, and back to reality. It's going to be a helluva a fun 10 days, if I can just make it through friday.

That’s the way to do it!

(But you should suck it up get your own iPass; sheesh!)

Man, I can't wait to fly out next week. Weekend is going to be busy getting ready myself.

Falconer wrote:That’s the way to do it!

(But you should suck it up get your own iPass; sheesh!)

If I drove the toll roads more than once a year, I would. Besides, I'm paying him for the tolls, it's not like I'm a complete mooch!

Dude, even we have the ipass, and we hardly go to Chicago.

On that note, just reserved my rental car (I left my truck in CA for my daughter, a fatherly gift to her that I'm now regretting) so I'm ready to party.

- Wheggi