The Role Playing Public Radio Forums
General Category => General Chaos => : Tadanori Oyama December 18, 2014, 06:20:23 PM
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GenCon 2015 is much earlier than normal.
Convention days run July 30th through August 2nd so you'll need to update your time accordingly.
Why am I posting about GenCon 2015 when it's still over two hundred days away? Because it's only six weeks until badge registration opens, followed extremely quickly by hotel registration. Anyone who remembers hotel registration last year can tell you that being on point is paramount.
True madmen like myself have actually already begun. Hotels in the area are currently open for non-GenCon block reservations and if you are willing to pay the price you can have a safety net coming into late Janurary. Booking outside of the GenCon block is way more expensive but it gets you in ahead of virtually everyone else.
As usual this thread will serve as an anchor for the lead up to the big event filled with information, alerts, tips, and events. Anyone is free to post about things they plan to do or events they want to arrange. Given the extreme success of social netowrking in organizing RPPR fans last year I plan to leverage that again for an even better result this time around.
Set the Crash Clock!
UPDATE
RPPR Panels at Gen Con:
http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569717 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569717)
http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569751 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569751)
http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569743 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569743)
http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569694 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569694)
http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569750 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569750)
http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569673 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569673)
Ross is also doing this: http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1571666 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1571666)
Caleb is also doing this: http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1570061 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1570061)
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I was actually thinking about making this thread the other day. I'm counting the days til Gen Con, it's like a holy pilgrimage at this point.
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I was going to wait until Janurary and make it on "200 days until GenCon" but I just did the hotel reservation today so I figured I'd get on it early.
So, about that:
If you can, consider reserving a hotel room now. It is much more expensive but many hotels have no cancelation fees if the reservation is far enough out. So you can make a high priced reservation now and then try to get something from the GenCon block during normal registration.
Get something cheaper? Then cancel the high priced one. Get nothing? Then you have a back up. Housing is likely to be limited, much like last year, so consider buddying up with other gamers and visit the GenCon Community forums to look for potential roommates.
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I'm hoping to make this my first year. Then again, I just learned I have a child due June 6th. I'm a bit unsure if I'm going to be able to pull it off. Might be flying solo if I go. Might also be grounds for divorce if I go.
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I'm hoping to make this my first year. Then again, I just learned I have a child due June 6th. I'm a bit unsure if I'm going to be able to pull it off. Might be flying solo if I go. Might also be grounds for divorce if I go.
You could be slick about it: "I'm just gotta step out to get more diapers. I'll be back in about four days."
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I'm hoping to make this my first year. Then again, I just learned I have a child due June 6th. I'm a bit unsure if I'm going to be able to pull it off. Might be flying solo if I go. Might also be grounds for divorce if I go.
You could be slick about it: "I'm just gotta step out to get more diapers. I'll be back in about four days."
My own life changing bundle of joy arrived lats October so I am unsure if I will be able to swing it myself for this year for both time and money constraints (babies be expensive yo). I think I am going to buy a ticket and see about getting a room with the understanding I might thrown them back.
The new child will certainly train you for lack of sleep. If your experience is at all like mine two months would be a rough time unless you have family that can help. I think my own wife would have skipped the divorce and went right to homicide if I had left her when our son was eating every 2 hours but we did not have any support other than her or I (both families live on the other side of the country) so she would have to solo the boss fight while I had fun and that would have been a problem.
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Three weeks until badge pre-registration which will be quickly followed by hotel registration. Everyone who wants to get a room through the housing block should make sure to purchase their badge and be ready on the morning of the 27th for registration. Now, that date isn't official, that's the usual timing. If it changes I'll let everyone know right away.
Hotel registration normally goes online at 9am Pacific, 12 noon Eastern. If you want a downtown hotel than I suggest taking the day off of work to be ready.
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So the dates for Gen Con are as follows:
Event Submission: Open NOW! If you want to run a game(s) go submit ASAP!
Badge Pre-Registration: Friday, January 23 at noon (Eastern).
Hotel Registration: Sunday, January 25 at noon (Eastern).
Event Registration: Sunday, May 17. Most likely opens at noon (Eastern) if going by previous years counts for anything. Also, the event catalog will probably open up May 10, so you get a week to pick your events and set up your schedule. Finally, make sure you are sitting at your computer mashing the F5 key on May 17 to get into the events you want because they will sell out immediately!
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The new registration rules went live yesterday. For those not on the newletter here's a quick summary:
- You must have a badge to reserve a room in the housing block.
- Each badge will be randomly placed in a line for housing registration when the doors open on Sunday the 25th. The process is no longer first come first serve, you will be allowed in at your appointed time. A new entry code is generated for every two badges purchased by an account.
- There is a housing minimum, requiring a certain number of consecutive days to prevent holes popping up in hotel schedules.
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I will be there. In fact I'll be there for my honeymoon. Hotel is booked, vacation from work approved.
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Additional GenCon notes:
For those that did not hear, badge prices have risen this year. A four day badge will now cost around $90.00. That's base cost before any taxes or shipping if you have it delievered. You must purchase a badge this Friday or Saturday (the 23rd or 24th) to get into the hotel draft on Sunday (the 25th).
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Also, has anyone else notice the raise in event pricing?
I'm sure they mentioned it in the update notice but when I was filling out information for my events I noticed that the base price for a 4 hour event was $6 oppose to the $4 I recall the last time I submitted an event.
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GenCon has got to get paid son!
Sadly I myself will be unable to attend this year. I hope that the RPPR banner proudly roams the halls in August and destroys no lighting fixtures.
Hopefully I can attend again in 2016.
Tim
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Looks like I finally get to go to Gencon! Woot!
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Happy to have you! I'm always up for having more people come to the meet-up. And now that we've got social media: people who can be part of flash games.
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Just bought my badge.
Cost plus shipping and taxes come to $100.00 so be prepared for that (slightly less if you do will call).
Remember: you must have a badge to register for housing on Sunday.
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Just got my badge as well.
I currently have three rooms reserved that I can cancel. Two at the Sheraton and one at the embassy suites. I'm hoping to get a couple through the block. If anyone strikes out I may be able to help them with a room though.
I did the same thing last year and managed to pass off an extra room to Noah. This is the most stressful part of the Con.
The meetup is still going to be a friday night event this year? I'm not having anything scheduled that night this year. Hated to cut out early last year.
Marik/Josh
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It will probably be either Thursday or Friday depending on everyones schedules. Once we get closer to July and the events are locked in we'll lock in a day.
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Normally the meet-up is done on Thursday night but as Ross and Caleb often have meetings during the convention we sometimes have to change it around. Last year it worked out pretty well.
Once things firm up, especially after final Event Registration, then we'll have firmer times for the meet-up and related activities. I'll post updates anytime that something significant happens and I'm sure we'll also have notices on the RPPR facebook group and messages in the group chat when we get closer to the day.
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Run events for Arc Dream and get free product: http://arcdream.com/home/2015/01/volunteer-with-arc-dream-at-gencon-2015/ (http://arcdream.com/home/2015/01/volunteer-with-arc-dream-at-gencon-2015/)
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Boom, locked in at the Holiday Inn south of the convention hall! I'm back downtown bitches! Ain't never gonna stop this party, NEVER!
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I had to wait an hour and 23 minutes before I could try and make a reservation. By that time, all but two hotels in downtown were available. Luckily I'm rooming with Tad so that isn't a major issue but while this method is cool and all, it really limits a persons options should someone have to wait that long in line for a reservation.
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Bill and I secured a room at the JW. I will now bask in your envy.
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I got a 19 minute wait time and then the errors started. Got them for almost 2 hours and by the time I got in all the downtown hotels were sold. This was a pretty common thing according to the gencon forums.
Also there is a rumour that those who bought thier badges after 12 noon today were not queued and could log in and out of housing at thier leisure.
I had other hotels booked downtown outside the block just in case. Looks like I'll be paying for a more expensive room this year :(.
Marik
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I had to wait an hour and 23 minutes before I could try and make a reservation. By that time, all but two hotels in downtown were available. Luckily I'm rooming with Tad so that isn't a major issue but while this method is cool and all, it really limits a persons options should someone have to wait that long in line for a reservation.
I think each block of times also has a block of open rooms assigned to it. Took us awhile to find a room that could accept 4 people, but when it went away, by the time the next housing block opened there was more.
Overall I think it amounts to the same wait and need for luck, it just doesn't crash the poor servers trying to accommodate so many nerds at once.
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Soooo.... after most of a day of looking at Forum posts crying out in anguish over the problems with the random housing system (because once I see an internet arguement, it's difficult for me to turn away...) I had this thought:
GenCon moves to a randomized system to make housing more fair and evenly distributed, and there are people that are complaining they didn't get the room they wanted because their virtual dice didn't give them a better time.
RNJesus has finally found a way to hate gamers IRL.
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Ouch. Honestly I'd have been screwed if I hadn't gone in as a group with some other guys, we got a really lucky draw. But since last year everything fell apart as well I don't see this as being any more of a problem.
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GenCon moves to a randomized system to make housing more fair and evenly distributed, and there are people that are complaining they didn't get the room they wanted because their virtual dice didn't give them a better time.
RNJesus has finally found a way to hate gamers IRL.
I wouldn't have a problem with any of that. I've gotten rooms the last two years with the system without too many problems. This year the three in our group had the following times. I had 19 mins, my friends had 1 hour 48mins, and 3 hours 30 minutes.
I should have been able to snag a downtown hotel based on my position in the queue. Unfortunately myself and several others were getting error messages when we tried to connect. I hit refresh for 1 hour and 29 minutes until my friend got in on his slot and told me there were no more downtown hotels available.
I wouldn't have complained if I was just given a late time. The problem is them giving me a primo registration time and then saying "yoinK" you can't use this because our system has bugs. That's a little bit of a kick in the teeth.
Luckily I was prepared and have three rooms booked in the downtown core outside the block. So the problem won't stop my vacation or anything it will just hit me in the pocket book for 6 nights hotel outside the block, at a difference in rate of $70 a night. So all in all I should have been able to save $420 but couldn't.
Lastly they messed things up and allowed folks who bought thier badges after the housing block had opened to not need a queue position. So yesterday if you bought your badge at 12:01 you could have skipped the queue times and logged into housing and booked ahead of everybody else who were following instructions.
Anyways thats my vent. It's done with and I'll still have a great time and I won't complain about it anymore. I did put my name in the for a VIG badge today, because the money I would spend on VIG would be approximately cancelled out by the amount I would save by being able to book through the VIG housing block.
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My wait time was around an hour and 19, got in late (had to call my finance and have her log in and try to find something), made multiple calls as different hotels became available/lost availability to co-ordinate options, and finally agreed to just eat the cost of not being able to share a room, having to stay a mile away.
Then Bam, on a whim I searched for 1 room, 4 adults, and the JW showed up again. At hour 2. and I got it. As this is the first year I had to mess with the GenCon housing block directly, and hearing the horror stories of years past, it did not seem that bad. After reading the complaints, I realized how lucky I was that A) I had no errors when people before and after me did, B) The line jumpers did not seem to ROFLpwnt the system hard enough to cause too much damage, which suggests a small oversight that was fixed, and C) By sheer stubborn refusal I got a room I wanted despite my sub-optimal (but still not horrible) place in line and so many factors that are being blamed as to why they can't get a room.
In Call of Ctuthulu this would be seen as a series of luck rolls modified by a behind-the-screen Computer Use roll. Next year my dice will probably be not so lucky.
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What Marik is describing is more or less what I felt last year when I registered: cheated. It's one thing to have a bad draw or to be late for registration, it's something else entirely for the system to break and cause you to fail.
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I'm not disregarding anyone's feelings. Some of the stories I have read and I feel for them. I hope that some groups overbooked themselves and as they consolidate plans downtown rooms get dumped and ready for pickup. No system is perfect and can match every lifestyle. A first-come, first serve starting at a set time is impossible for me and my current job to manage, it causes me to rely on others in the group to make sure there is space for me. A random que was better in that I had a shorter gap to find coverage so I could leave and either come back or not, depending on the time.
However, the question that needs to be asked is how many people who felt cheated before/did not know how to navigate older systems get a decent room this year? How many first timers will have a more memorable experience because they get to experience more of GenCon, and less Walk/Cab/ShuttleCon? My hope it is a comparable number to those who felt cheated.
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Also JW has at least one open Double Queen room open right now....
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Since there is not official waiting process this year I suggest that anyone who is looking to move up to a closer hotel check the system regularly as people will release their holds over the course of the year, especially as we get close to the fees and penalties deadline in June/July.
I would also be interested in comparative numbers Dan. Personally this worked much better for me than the first come system; I'm curious if there was a per capita increase in satisfaction or not.
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Someone just pointed out to me the use of Airbnb. That may become my go-to housing option (at least the backup) after this year. one of the options was $500 for four guests for the weekend. About 3-4 blocks away.
Jus Sayin. If it is half as awesome as it seems we could start renting an RPPR Party house/loft for GenCon weekends...
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I was considering ways around the housing problem and that one had occurred to me. I was also considering finding a large lot near the convention center and creating a gamer tent city.
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I was considering ways around the housing problem and that one had occurred to me. I was also considering finding a large lot near the convention center and creating a gamer tent city.
Please tell me we would name it Border Town?
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I was considering ways around the housing problem and that one had occurred to me. I was also considering finding a large lot near the convention center and creating a gamer tent city.
Please tell me we would name it BorderBarter Town?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgq4w4dqKsU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgq4w4dqKsU)
Dan, I don't think I can pull off the Tina look. I mean, i've got the legs, but those shoulderpads would KILL after an hour or two...
On the other hand, gotta admit I would rock the fuck outta the heels
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So we're all gonna start chanting "Mr. A..." if/when Bill shows up to the meet-up right?
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I can't think of any reason why we shouldn't.
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I was considering ways around the housing problem and that one had occurred to me. I was also considering finding a large lot near the convention center and creating a gamer tent city.
Please tell me we would name it BorderBarter Town?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgq4w4dqKsU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgq4w4dqKsU)
Dan, I don't think I can pull off the Tina look. I mean, i've got the legs, but those shoulderpads would KILL after an hour or two...
On the other hand, gotta admit I would rock the fuck outta the heels
Will Aaron be forced to carry Ross around on his shoulders?
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Will Aaron be forced to carry Ross around on his shoulders?
Since Tom is the official co-host, that falls under his responsibilities.
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So in preparation to Gencon 2015 (I know it's months away), should I do a 2015 update to the Money Unit? And if so, suggestions?
I was thinking of adding new quotes, new images for the back, stuff like that.
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So in preparation to Gencon 2015 (I know it's months away), should I do a 2015 update to the Money Unit? And if so, suggestions?
I was thinking of adding new quotes, new images for the back, stuff like that.
I think a shark fight image is in order.
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If you do it I'll print up new copies to hand out.
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Man, I'm looking forward to seeing them in person!
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Man, I'm looking forward to seeing them in person!
Likewise!
So in preparation to Gencon 2015 (I know it's months away), should I do a 2015 update to the Money Unit? And if so, suggestions?
I was thinking of adding new quotes, new images for the back, stuff like that.
Only suggestions I have are that this one ought to be worth some fraction of a McDuck, and if there's a possibility of working The Lady Lucille in there somewhere...
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Oh right! I actually had a sketch I did related to the good lady while listening to those dreamland sessions. XD
I'll post some sketches I come up with for the back of the money unit in the money unit thread soon.
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What about releasing a higher denomination of Money Units, instead of updating the One unit?
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That sounds like a good idea. What's a weird denomination that would be fitting for an arbitrary measurement?
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That sounds like a good idea. What's a weird denomination that would be fitting for an arbitrary measurement?
"There's at least half a McDuck's worth of gold in there!"
"I don't want to be rich, I just want to never have to think twice whether I want extra guac."
"That's not just worth a money unit, that's worth ALL the money units!"
Just a few off the top of my head. ;) Granted two of those were the same game
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So we'd have "money units" and factions of "McDucks". There's also "treasure vouchers". And of course "drug units", the illegal currency.
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So wait, how many money units are in a McDuck? How many money units can I make in a Day Unit?
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And the shorthand for Money Units is MU, or μ.
I want to see a π μ bill, personally.
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I'm re-listening to the 2013 & 2014 Gencon wrap-up episodes as the stars have finally aligned and I'll be able to get to Gencon for the first time this year. Thanks for the tips!
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So we'll probably repost them here, but check some of the previous year's Meet-Up threads for general con survival tips. They can pretty helpful for new attendees, though experience is the greatest teacher of all.
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Another thing to do is watch the forum for the notice from Ross that the "GroupMe" text service has been relaunched. Last year everyone from RPPR who attend GenCon was able to contact one another with it and stay up about games and locations.
Made "TPK" announcements pretty hype.
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The live-posting of The Lord of The Peaks and Ross' Elder Godlike, I believe, games were pretty great!
Also, I can't wait to play Mad Quao with David again. I don't think I've ever seen somebody turn that red from laughter before.
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The live-posting of The Lord of The Peaks and Ross' Elder Godlike, I believe, games were pretty great!
Also, I can't wait to play Mad Quao with David again. I don't think I've ever seen somebody turn that red from laughter before.
See, you say stuff like this, and now Bill's gonna try to make a public Daneurysm happen.
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The live-posting of The Lord of The Peaks and Ross' Elder Godlike, I believe, games were pretty great!
Also, I can't wait to play Mad Quao with David again. I don't think I've ever seen somebody turn that red from laughter before.
See, you say stuff like this, and now Bill's gonna try to make a public Daneurysm happen.
Mad Quao's coming with me, and I'm even contemplating a paper tiara for Quao.
As to the public Daneurysm...
(http://cdn.overclock.net/5/5b/5bde266d_ScruffySecond.jpeg)
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Speaking of card games, Channel A will be in tow again with me this year. I can't promise that we will rope in Glancy like we did a couple of years ago, but I'll try for you guys ;D. Also I picked up my own copy of CAH which has a special addition to it's cards (linked for size):
Remember your alternatives to shark fighting. (http://brighsidelair.wdfiles.com/local--files/start/IMG_1275.JPG)
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I'd be up for some Channel A, I had to miss most of that event two years ago due to a game I was running.
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Speaking of card games, Channel A will be in tow again with me this year. I can't promise that we will rope in Glancy like we did a couple of years ago, but I'll try for you guys ;D. Also I picked up my own copy of CAH which has a special addition to it's cards (linked for size):
Remember your alternatives to shark fighting. (http://brighsidelair.wdfiles.com/local--files/start/IMG_1275.JPG)
That is beautiful Aaron, truly, truly beautiful.
The live-posting of The Lord of The Peaks and Ross' Elder Godlike, I believe, games were pretty great!
Also, I can't wait to play Mad Quao with David again. I don't think I've ever seen somebody turn that red from laughter before.
See, you say stuff like this, and now Bill's gonna try to make a public Daneurysm happen.
Mad Quao's coming with me, and I'm even contemplating a paper tiara for Quao.
As to the public Daneurysm...
(http://cdn.overclock.net/5/5b/5bde266d_ScruffySecond.jpeg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VSMWsTW.gif)
NICE!
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I'm pretty excited, my husband and I will be attending for the first time ever this year!
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I'm pretty excited, my husband and I will be attending for the first time ever this year!
Welcome to the crew! Keep an eye on this thread for advise about the convention as a whole and information on the RPPR meet up specifically.
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So I found a website here at work that offers room discounts for friends and family. If there's anyone still looking for rooms, I got a bit of a hook-up.
Message me and I'll share the link. Won't be as good as my personal discount, but I ought to be able to work my purple power
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Who else is interested in doing True Dungeon or a Call of Cthulhu LARP this year?
I've been wanting to try out True Dungeon for a few years now and after hearing David talk about his experience with Kettle of Fish, hey I remembered it, I thought I would sign up for some of them this year.
I know event sign up is still out some, but I want to know if anyone else was interested in these kinds of events this year?
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Who else is interested in doing True Dungeon or a Call of Cthulhu LARP this year?
How many times could Aaron die in a CoC LARP?
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We're roughly four months out now everyone. Time to start considering plans for the convention.
If you haven't made travel arrangements you should within the next month or so.
For those of you doing costumes or running games/events should take some time and consider transportation of your supplies. Games require materials and you need to makes sure you will have those on hand. Costumes even more so. Remember that there is a postal office within two blocks of the convention center and that some hotels will hold packages for their guests so sending items ahead is not an impossible feat.
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If you choice to send costume pieces through the postal service, make sure to plan for the cost of the packages.
The US postal service can ship boxes roughly "2ft x 2ft x 2ft" (Length, Width and Height). That will be just over $132.
Where as if you ship using a large flat rate box "12" x 12" x 5-1/2" it's $17.90 per box.
So long as you get the postal code for the hotel you are staying at and mark on there that it is for GenCon the hotel staff will hold onto it for you until you come and claim it.
Sending it back just requires you to change the shipping address on the box and slap on the new shipping label. Drop it off at the post office or see if the hotel will send it out with there mail. Just make sure if you do send supplies this why make sure to have a back-up plan in case one of the methods mentioned above doesn't work.
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My fiance and I are going to be arriving the Saturday before GenCon and staying through the end of GenCon 2015, as our honeymoon. We managed to get a room in the Hyatt for the whole week+. I'm hoping to find my way into a EP of CoC game and I'm probably going to be running at least one other EP game as well.
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Idea for RPPR video/meet up - originally posted by fuego fish on the SA forums:
You're putting in WAY too much effort for a DBZ RPG. It should be a lot more rules-light and freeform.
Instead of dice rolls, the two opposing sides have to scream as if powering up their attacks. The GM can designate a substitute screamer if they wish. The other players are encouraged to gasp and say things like "UNREAL!" or "... is this his true power?!" while this happens.
The screamer who gives in first loses the contest. The winner gets to dictate what happens with their attack. However, points are awarded (by the peanut gallery of players not taking part) for screams that are impressive, allowing the losing side to amend minor details, such as not being turned into a fine ash, or only having half their limbs broken.
Any scream which causes the screamer to pass out from the effort earns that screamer an instant success, regardless of if their opponent lasts longer.
Every session must open up with the entire table performing the Dragonball Z theme tune a capella. The dub version for preference, but the original Japanese version if you really must.
After this is concluded, the GM must begin by saying "THE LAST TIME ON DRAGONBALL Z" and then proceeds to recap the previous session within a 90 second time limit.
Any player found using their normal voice when speaking in-character is penalized by being made to do 1 million push-ups in the gravity chamber.
Character creation is done during the first session as a group, in order to ensure that everyone is on the same page. There are no set races or classes.
First a player chooses a name and a description, such as "Kon Go, the silverback martial artist, strongest gorilla in the world." The other players ask questions ("how strong are you?") and the player answers to further develop their character's motivations ("not strong enough! I must become more strong").
Once each character has been suitably worked out, then the players must list no less than three martial arts tournaments that they have taken part in. After writing down the first two tournaments, they must then "invite" another player's character to at least one of those tournaments. This way the characters have an established link, rather than being random strangers.
Then the players are then encouraged to arm-wrestle to see whose character won the tournament.
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I am really tempted to just drop my plans and filming what Ross just posted if that actually were to take place.
It sounds like a crazy, yet entertaining idea.
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As I have little to no shame where gaming is concerned I'm down.
Also a general reminder to everyone that we now have two weeks until Event Registration opens. Keep an eye open for the event calender opening to pre-ticket selection and consider making use of the system if you want to play in any games or take part in events at specific times.
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I would add a houserule for the DBZ larp: crappy cosplayers get bonus points ala this guy: http://kotaku.com/one-mans-terrible-cosplay-makes-the-internet-a-bette-1542023841 (http://kotaku.com/one-mans-terrible-cosplay-makes-the-internet-a-bette-1542023841)
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Exhibit hall map is up and we are one week from event registration. Be watching for pre-registration when the books will be opening and you'll be able to assemble your wish list for tickets.
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I'm still planning on attending some LARP events this year, namely True Dungeon.
It's a 2 part adventure that can either be puzzle or combat focused (which just means 2 rooms become another puzzle or combat room it seems). Running both parts cost $104. That's a good chunk of Con money but worth it from the what I've looked up on True Dungeon.
Then comes Kettle of Fish again. They are only running 2 Call of Cthulhu LARPs on Thursday and Saturday at $10 for a 4 hour event. The other LARPs, one being a Doctor Who LARP, events are in a games system known as 6x6. Does anyone know what that is?
Finally, is there a day and time yet in discussion for the RPPR meet up?
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Last I heard was still Thursday around 6pm. No solid confirmation of that or the meet-up site, though.
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The default is Thursday around 6pm in the lobby bar of the Hyatt, subject to change. Don't worry, I'll make sure to scream the final time and location from the mountain top.
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Cool! I'll be sure to have Rocky & Bullwinkle with me no matter what!
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Everyone make sure you have ample Text/Data budgeted for the GroupMe Shenanigans.
So..... looking at the designs for official GenCon gear. Tempted to replace my canvas bag form last year with a black one or the backpack.
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I've been thinking about getting the canvas bag myself. Tore up my last one pretty bad but this one looks like it can take some punishment from a couple of books and swag.
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I'm gonna stick with my own bag for the day to day but I might spring for one of the GenCon badge things; that's alot of utility. They just look so flat and uninteresting to me so I'm not sure if I want to go for it or not.
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Are the RPPR crew GMing any games at GenCon? I ask because I want to buy tickets if I need to and haven't figured out how to search by GM...
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Are the RPPR crew GMing any games at GenCon? I ask because I want to buy tickets if I need to and haven't figured out how to search by GM...
Yes, I will be running three games this year: 2 Monsters and Other Childish Things for Arc Dream and 1 Call of Cthulhu on my own. Here are the titles so you can search:
Monsters and Other Childish Things: The Legacy of NIMH
Monsters and Other Childish Things: Junkyard on the Edge of Forever
Call of Cthulhu: The Beloved Dead
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Find the Amulet of Yendor at the bottom of The Box of Pain dungeon (level 10)
Take the amulet to Gen Con
Hold it aloft at a skywalk at dawn, letting the sun power the mega damage crystal heart
Recite the secret true name of Raven McCracken three times backwards
Defeat the demon that appears
Rejoice for you have slain the vile spirit that possessed the poor wretches that wrote deadEarth
A portal will open
Step through the portal
Answer the Chaos Ogre's riddle (hint: It will be based on Airlords of the Ozarks. Quote Phoenix Command rules to him for he cannot stand windage rules.)
Descend the stairs to the ballroom of Carcosa
Give the King in Yellow your mixtape.
If the mixtape is sufficiently good, then the King shall be lit aflame and you shall have access to the elemental plane of cops
Fast talk your way past the cops (fairly easy - just tell them the Payday crew is stealing dice bags or something - hopefully they'll just arrest some cosplayers for a few minutes and then leave - they can't actually kill anyone)
Beyond that is the final gate to the realm of true gaming. You must defeat the Mustard Smuggler, an elder grognard. I recommend story games like Fiasco.
I'll be running games at the realm. Probably a Ruin playtest, maybe Red Markets and/or Base Raiders too.
Bring booze and/or snacks. Bathroom will be on the left. Take the four dimensional escalator (the escher-calator) back to the con center. That unlocks a shortcut so you can skip the quest the next time.
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Find the Amulet of Yendor at the bottom of The Box of Pain dungeon (level 10)
Take the amulet to Gen Con
Hold it aloft at a skywalk at dawn, letting the sun power the mega damage crystal heart
Recite the secret true name of Raven McCracken three times backwards
Defeat the demon that appears
Rejoice for you have slain the vile spirit that possessed the poor wretches that wrote deadEarth
A portal will open
Step through the portal
Answer the Chaos Ogre's riddle (hint: It will be based on Airlords of the Ozarks. Quote Phoenix Command rules to him for he cannot stand windage rules.)
Descend the stairs to the ballroom of Carcosa
Give the King in Yellow your mixtape.
If the mixtape is sufficiently good, then the King shall be lit aflame and you shall have access to the elemental plane of cops
Fast talk your way past the cops (fairly easy - just tell them the Payday crew is stealing dice bags or something - hopefully they'll just arrest some cosplayers for a few minutes and then leave - they can't actually kill anyone)
Beyond that is the final gate to the realm of true gaming. You must defeat the Mustard Smuggler, an elder grognard. I recommend story games like Fiasco.
I'll be running games at the realm. Probably a Ruin playtest, maybe Red Markets and/or Base Raiders too.
Bring booze and/or snacks. Bathroom will be on the left. Take the four dimensional escalator (the escher-calator) back to the con center. That unlocks a shortcut so you can skip the quest the next time.
Swap the gaming references for 80's pop culture -- but not all of them; leave in the Amulet of Yendor and add in the Tomb of Horrors -- and you've got the plot of the novel Ready Player One.
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Oh man, I should have put more points in the "make awesome mixtapes" skill instead of "operate heavy machinery".
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The quest line still sounds easier than navigating the hotel booking system.
Did anyone see any Delta Green panels listed? I tried searching for Arc Dream stuff and looking through all the seminars, but I didn't see any.
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I haven't seen anything about Arc Dream Panels, which is a little disappointing. I do know Dennis Detwiller was polling on twitter and facebook for a summer kickstarter for new Delta Green, so they might be too busy with that stuff to do a panel on it.
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I apologize for double-posting, but I may have a Delta Green game happening the Saturday morning of the con. I plan on running a slightly updated version of Convergence from the original Delta Green book. Once I get confirmation I'll update this post with the info for anybody interested!
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Has anyone got any extra room in their hotel they're looking to fill (Obviously I'm willing to pay)? I've slept on the floor before so I'm not particularly concerned about that, and I figure that if one of you has his mind set on a bit of 'Orrible murder this thread will act as a paper trail to find my corpse.
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"The Parrot demands you bring questions. The Parrot demands you bring questions.". Awesome!
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I'm trying to run Delta Green for ArcDream but I'm still waiting on the games to be approved by GenCon. There was some confusion about who should enter what three months ago so now we're here. Hopefully that works out soon.
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So in a wonderful twist of Karma, after my astounding luck with hotel reservations, all but two of the events on my wishlist sold out before my request processed... even the tables of Twilight Imperium (do you see Caleb? it is possible for that game to be run during GenCon).
So I am making grape juice out of Lemons and I am going to just run/play/organize my own games with/for friends/fans as time allows.
If I need to make my own thread for this, fine. But right now I am taking suggestions on games to run/bring.
Currently pondering: 5th Ed DnD, Dresden (low-tier Springfield one-shots, yay!), Anima (if I can find pregens), Numenera, or things related to Fate or ORE.
Hell, I'll haul TI up there if either 3 or 7 (in my experience, the game runs fastest with all 8 Strategies being picked/played) others can find time/space.
I am also considering pulling together a Monsters One-Shot to submit to Arc Dream.
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So in a wonderful twist of Karma, after my astounding luck with hotel reservations, all but two of the events on my wishlist sold out before my request processed... even the tables of Twilight Imperium (do you see Caleb? it is possible for that game to be run during GenCon).
So I am making grape juice out of Lemons and I am going to just run/play/organize my own games with/for friends/fans as time allows.
If I need to make my own thread for this, fine. But right now I am taking suggestions on games to run/bring.
Currently pondering: 5th Ed DnD, Dresden (low-tier Springfield one-shots, yay!), Anima (if I can find pregens), Numenera, or things related to Fate or ORE.
Hell, I'll haul TI up there if either 3 or 7 (in my experience, the game runs fastest with all 8 Strategies being picked/played) others can find time/space.
I am also considering pulling together a Monsters One-Shot to submit to Arc Dream.
Run MAOCT for Arc Dream - they give you stuff and players will love you. You could run Road Trip. That would be neat.
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So in a wonderful twist of Karma, after my astounding luck with hotel reservations, all but two of the events on my wishlist sold out before my request processed... even the tables of Twilight Imperium (do you see Caleb? it is possible for that game to be run during GenCon).
So I am making grape juice out of Lemons and I am going to just run/play/organize my own games with/for friends/fans as time allows.
If I need to make my own thread for this, fine. But right now I am taking suggestions on games to run/bring.
Currently pondering: 5th Ed DnD, Dresden (low-tier Springfield one-shots, yay!), Anima (if I can find pregens), Numenera, or things related to Fate or ORE.
Hell, I'll haul TI up there if either 3 or 7 (in my experience, the game runs fastest with all 8 Strategies being picked/played) others can find time/space.
I am also considering pulling together a Monsters One-Shot to submit to Arc Dream.
Run MAOCT for Arc Dream - they give you stuff and players will love you. You could run Road Trip. That would be neat.
Kicking a scenario at them I've been pondering for awhile. If that falls flat of if they need more help I'll offer to do Road Trip.
I need to get a copy of Road Trip at some point.
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Currently pondering: 5th Ed DnD, Dresden (low-tier Springfield one-shots, yay!), Anima (if I can find pregens), Numenera, or things related to Fate or ORE.
I've never seen an Anima game run. Never seen a pre-gen character either. I've cracked that book open many times over the years to try and figure it out: still haven't to this day.
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The moment I laid eyes on an Anima character sheet I knew that was a game I would never play. For those not in the know, it's 4 pages long, 2 if you do front-and-back printing, and... here, just go here. (https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/3e/c7/3ec72c75-facc-4282-8f5a-2f4db26cc73f/anima-character-sheet.pdf)
Not to say it's a bad game, just, yeah, not my thing.
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I love that the damage meter goes to 400%. That game is anime as fuck. Which is, of course, why I have the corebook and an expansion despite never coming close to actually running it. I really should try and run it someday, as a test of my GM ability.
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Not only does it go to 400%, you also get a Kabbalalistic Sephiroth on your sheet, for some reason! It's so damn anime! This makes me want an even more anime version of Katanas & Trenchcoats.
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Anything with the Sephiroth worked into hits a soft place in my heart, even if it makes no damn sense.
So, in GenCon business, what are we going to do to Ross and Caleb at their panels? As proper fans we absolutely have to make their lives more difficult. What're those annoying horn things people played at the World Cup? Let's get some of those.
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Find a copy of any Rifts supplement and ask Caleb to sign it
(http://brighsidelair.wdfiles.com/local--files/start/OWLWRZ.gif)
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I love that the damage meter goes to 400%. That game is anime as fuck. Which is, of course, why I have the corebook and an expansion despite never coming close to actually running it. I really should try and run it someday, as a test of my GM ability.
Yeah, at first I figured it just looked like a slightly more complicated D&D 3.5 sheet. Then I saw that big ol' 400% damage meter, and began to wonder...hmmm...
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It's almost like I'm being challenged to run Anima....
If Envoy doesn't work out for ArcDream, then I might just have to...
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Might be a fun excuse to try and actually learn Anima... hey Dan, how about we both study up and, if the chance presents itself, one of us can give it a try for some RPPR fans?
The Envoy thing is pretty weird; hope it works out well. Really ArcDream's games in general have been odd. When I first checked the system I thought I saw several games listed and now there's basically nothing. Not sure what happened.
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Oh so that's Anima. I've seen a lot of that artwork on DeviantArt for years now and never knew it was part of a role-playing game.
It looks like it might be fun to play after learning how it works, at least that's the hope.
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If you guys are having difficulties with Envoy, please let Shane Ivey know about it so he can help fix it.
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Envoy's been fine so far: what's holding me up is GenCon. My events have been in review for a week. I guess it's because I had to submit them so close to registration. Hopefully I can get the times I need and be in the ArcDream gaming location.
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We're just shy of two months from GenCon. This is the time to consider your budget, if you haven't done so already.
Repeat visitors know where they can find food and at what price but for those of you coming for the first time a little consideration might be in order.
If you plan to come to the whole convention (4 days+) than you'll need to plan for 8-12 meals, depending on your paricular needs. There's also snacks and beverages to consider.
And, of course, the purchasing of goods and services. The dealer hall has all manner of physical delight to tempt your dollars (or other currency) from you and planning how much to spend ahead of time will help save you some headache.
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For example; those of us who road trip a great distance to get to GenCon bring along a lot of snacks for the ride, for those periods of time when no cities or towns are around to stop in and grab a bite.
Snacks that, while at GenCon, are excellent items to save you from having to buy some of the more expensive snacks sold inside the convention center.
Also, if you plan on getting something from the food trucks outside; having heard about them from GenCon podcasts of yester-year, I know it goes without say but just in case, get there early. We all know what time lunch and dinner are, so does everyone else at GenCon. Along with everyone working in the down town area. People swarm those trucks like attendees do waiting each morning before GenCon opens the dealer hall.
I got to try shawarma from one of the trucks and hardly a minute later a line formed as I stood there eating.
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I found Indianapolis to be an underrated food city. You need to get away from the convention core but I ate very well last year so I would recommend, if you can, set aside one meal away from the core. Of course it can be tough to justify a meal out when there are so many games to play and things in the dealer room to temp one and of course the trip it self is a constant hemorrhage of money but I do travel is about experience.
I had a very good bahn mi at Rook, a hipster joint about 2 miles from the convention center. Great beer selection and pretty inexpensive (well if you are use to paying real bahn mi prices it will seem expensive but a sandwich is like $8).
http://www.rookindy.com/menu (http://www.rookindy.com/menu)
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Hey Ross,
Are you going to be bring the RPPR banner with you to GenCon this year or are you going to leave back at your place?
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Hey everybody, my events finally went active so if you want to play Delta Green in it's latest form than sign up for one of the events below:
Friday @10am: RPG1582090
Saturday @9am: RPG1582091
Saturday @2pm: RPG1582092
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RPPR Meet-Up Update:
The meet-up will be on the Thursday evening, 7/30. We will gather at 6pm in the Hyatt bar and lobby. Once a sufficent crwod is gathered we will relocate to a fitting location.
Ross is going to be otherwise occupied until around 7pm but says the other RPPR superstars can be present for the initial gathering.
Another change this year is that were will likely be more than one meet up. While Thursday will be the "big" meeting Ross plans to use Groupme to help organize more interaction among the RPPR enthusiasts.
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My three MaOCT games were approved, now just waiting on room assignment.
I will also be up for trolling the Groupme for hang-outerry.
Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
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RPG1582372, RPG1582373, and RPG1582374 just went live folks. And first true playtest went pretty well tonight too.
Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
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I'll be able to make the meet up at the start because the podcast event I was going to was canceled.
Also, I'll probably have some kind of live recording for After Hours WITH PRIZES for listeners/audience - some kind of trivia contest about the RPGs we've reviewed so far - I'll work out rules soon
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I'll be able to make the meet up at the start because the podcast event I was going to was canceled.
Also, I'll probably have some kind of live recording for After Hours WITH PRIZES for listeners/audience - some kind of trivia contest about the RPGs we've reviewed so far - I'll work out rules soon
I'll take "Baron Von Karkov" for 500, Ross.
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Worth a mention, but I will be schilling/demoing some games for Bezier this year, including Castles Of Mad King Ludwig and Suburbia (as well as the new expansions for both.) If you like board games where you build things, drop by the Bezier booth :)
Also this'll be Brother's first time at GenCon and he's bringing his friend Matt along for the ride. If y'all have a few extra seats at your table, maybe we can drop by and play a round or two?
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So I'll be running Delta Green on Saturday morning, if Gen Con would hurry up and fully approve my game. I'll be sure to post here once it's up.
I'll also be bringing my copy of The Rocky & Bullwinkle Role-Playing Game, and the Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai book, to the meet up, so prepare for puppets! Also, David, I'm still expecting at least one game of Mad QUAO! to happen while we're all there.
Finally, Tad, we'll have to do some Con Survival tips in the upcoming weeks for the unsure and uninitiated. Plus, practice your signature, I've got a copy of Boiling Point you need to sign.
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Finally, Tad, we'll have to do some Con Survival tips in the upcoming weeks for the unsure and uninitiated. Plus, practice your signature, I've got a copy of Boiling Point you need to sign.
Yes, tips! We should get this up here soon. I'll drift up a revised list of mine with some new stuff in the next few days.
Book signing... must practice signature... must not embarrass self...
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I think this is all of our panels:
http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569717 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569717)
http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569751 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569751)
http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569743 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569743)
http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569694 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569694)
http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569750 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569750)
http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569673 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1569673)
Ross is also doing this: http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1571666 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1571666)
Caleb is also doing this: http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1570061 (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/event/SEM1570061)
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My game is live! Delta Green: Convergence RPG1582288
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Games I got into:
D&D 5th, Numenera, Delta Green with G. Stolze, 1936 trail of Cthulhu game. Unofficially part of some LARP a friend is running on Friday night too. But I managed to leave Thursday night open for the meetup!
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It must be a Delta Green sort of day.
From https://twitter.com/DeltaGreenRPG :
Shane Ivey: I'm running DELTA GREEN: KALI GHATI at GenCon. Sign up for RPG1582626, RPG1582627, or RPG1582625.
Play DELTA GREEN with Greg Stolze at GenCon: RPG1582630, RPG1582629, RPG1582628.
There were still spots in all of them last I checked. I haven't played with Shane Ivey but got to die in Greg Stolze's "Blacksat" game last year and it was excellent. Stolze described the "Star Chamber" game way back on Unspeakable! number 5, I think. If for some weird reason you needed more than "Stolze + Delta Green" you could give that a listen to get a preview.
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There were still spots in all of them last I checked. I haven't played with Shane Ivey but got to die in Greg Stolze's "Blacksat" game last year and it was excellent. Stolze described the "Star Chamber" game way back on Unspeakable! number 5, I think. If for some weird reason you needed more than "Stolze + Delta Green" you could give that a listen to get a preview.
You died in Blacksat too?! No way! How did you go out? I suffocated in my EVA suit on the space walk.
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Was Blacksat the one with the weird living anti-matter creatures or whatever? I played in a game with Stolze that went into space, and I'm pretty sure it was DG. I remember feeling like it was similar to Artifact Zero in the "sudden panic scenario with little to no recourse" sense, but maybe we're talking about different games?
Edit: yeah, just checked my GenCon reg emails from last year and I did indeed also play in "Blacksat". I was the lady doctor. I might have survived? I know I at least almost died. I'm not sure how much I liked it as a scenario, but Greg did a good job of running it for what it was.
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From what I gathered between playing in Blacksat and the DG panels last year, Greg Stolze is working on a set of short scenarios that act as both a Delta Green teaching aide and as background for Delta Green characters. So you'd run your group through Blacksat and a few other one-shots, scoop up the damaged, but still functional, survivors and have DG recruit them for your campaign.
As from the scenario itself, I thought it was pretty fun, and there's nothing quite as hilarious as Greg Stolze leaning over, flipping your character sheet over, and quietly saying "You're dead now," while the rest of the table is freaking out on what to do.
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Ha, it's either a small world or the correlation between Delta Green/RPPR fans is very strong. Anyways, I was in the Saturday Blacksat game, played the Navy pilot. I ended up missing like three of the space-suit operation rolls (in a row) and drifting off into space in the end. The game included one of my favorite bits of narration for a failed roll, where Stolze turned to me and said, "You do not yet know that your oxygen supply isn't hooked up properly and you have a few minutes of oxygen at most." and then turned to deal with another player while I reflected on that.
I think we had a 60% survival rate on our run through; both people who went into space died, along with the NPC. I think at least one of the people on the ship ended up crazy. My feeling was that it could've gone better if there had been less panic and looking at the thing we weren't supposed to look at.. I did enjoy the scenario, partly because the monster was pretty weird.
I liked the idea of the tutorial series of missions for DG a lot, with the survivors at the end potentially making your "real" Delta Green cell for a longer game. I'll probably steal that idea for when I run a longer DG series.
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Two weeks from now we'll be on the road driving...driving...driving...then eventually getting there! EEEEPP!!! Nerves really kicking up now. Can't wait to get to hang out with folks again. I saw the official meetup is at 6 on Thursday night. George and I will have to rush out of the hall since it doesn't close until 6 itself. We hope everyone will still be together when we get there at least for a little bit. ;D
Will we be using the same GroupMe as last year? I know there were some issues involving late night messages and the near death of Caleb's phone if I recall. ;)
Also our booth is #2432, people are welcome to stop by and hang out during hall hours. We'll have a small amount of space for people to sit and rest a bit.
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I believe the current GroupMe plan is one for General Chat and one for Announcements.
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The grand return of the ever increasing GenCon tips!
Here's some things to consider:
- If you are staying in an off-site hotel you will likely be spending between five and twelve hours in the convention hall and surrounding areas. Consider this when making purchases. If you buy something large at the beginning of the day you'll have to carry it around. This is unpleasant in general but also increases the chances of something happening to your purchase or it being misplaced or stolen. Consider saving large or delicate purchases until near the time you plan to return to your hotel.
- Farther, if you are going to be at the hall for a long period (again, between five and twelve hours sometimes) you need to consider dress. Indianapolis tends to be hot in the summer and while the hall itself is conditioned it can still get very hot due to the mass of human presense. Outside will nearly always be hot and you will have to pass through non-air conditioned hallways even if you avoid the streets. Consider loose fitting, light clothing, favoring shorts and t-shirts or other cool clothes and remember to hydrate often either from the fountains, water coolers, your own supply, or the provided ice water many of the attatched hotels provide.
- Related to the above tendency to sweat in the heat know this: you will begin to smell after a few hours as will the area around you. Be considerate to yourself and others by taking a break to clean up. If you are staying close by consider returning to your room to change undergarments and/or reapply deodorant and/or shower. Showering is preferable, especially if the weather is currently dry, it will help you rehydrate. If you are staying in an outlaying hotel than consider what I refer to as a "Con Shower" (more often known at the "Hooker Shower"). This is simple: use one of the restroom stalls at the convention hall and either with moist papertowels from the restroom or with wipes you have brought (many brands are available in small packs of three to five such as baby wipes) to briefly clean under the arms, the crotch, and any other heavily perspiring areas and reapplying deodorant.
- Mentioned this a few times but to restate: seriously, you cannot have too much deodorant: it will keep you more pleasant and help fight the smell of others around you who might not be so considerate. Note that I'm assuming you use unscented deodorant. Products with powerful smells can make things just as bad (ie. too much Axe 'body spray').
- Remember to eat during the day. Try to do two meals and a few snacks over the day if you can. Snacks can be purchases from vendors at the convention hall but are fairly expensive and of low quality. Exterior vendors, such as foodtrucks, are good for meals on site and many great resturants are in the area. You can also go to the nearby mall's food court for quicker, cheaper food. Possibly the best option is to go to a market near your hotel (off site) or the CVS near the convention center and pick up a few things such as snack bars or beef jerky, something you can easily carry with you.
- Pace yourself. The convention hall is huge. Crossing the exhibition hall alone is more than a city block to say nothing of walking to connecting facilities. You might walk several miles over the course of a day and not all nerds are up for that. Take things slow and do not think you can rush from one event to another: plan to take fifteen or twenty minutes at least for transit.
- Much like when dealing with car traffic, try to think about human traffic. It is very possible to get stuck behind a group of people or especially wide individuals and that's without considerations like bags sticking out or costumes that extend beyond the normal human frame. Rushing through a crowd can result in collisions and that can lead to surprisingly serious injuries. Keep to a reasonable pace and plan ahead; leave early to allow for delays when time is a concern.
- Speaking of transit: if you are staying at an outer hotel make sure to check shuttle services. Many of the hotels have a shuttle that runs to the convention center. Grab a copy of that schedule to keep on your person or write down the times for departures from both your hotel and the convention center. It's between five and ten miles for the outer places; if you miss a shuttle ride and have to take a cab then it can run you twenty to thirty dollars. If you're with a group you can break that up a little though.
- If you are using local transport and somehow have a driver with a car, the front of the convention center, the northwest corner by the statue of the snowman looking guys, is an excellent place for drop offs and pick ups. Using the Marriott directly across the street is also a great solution: the hotel has a circle that has access to the main street and the side street, allowing for vehicles to avoid the main road all together and for quick and easy pick ups.
Changing subjects slightly, let's discuss main hall things:
- The hall doesn't open until around 10am. On the first day there will be a HUGE crowd waiting to get in. Be willing to either wait in a large crowd or come at 10:15am, when everyone will have filtered in.
By the same token don't try to pass through the main hallway around 10am, it's virtually impassable due to the crowd. - As stated, the main hall is freakin' huge but it's pathways vary in sizes. There are only a few "main" roads which are wide enough to allow four or five people to walk abreast. The "normal" paths let two or three people walk comfortably. This becomes complicated due to the nature of the convention: people will stop infront of you, sometimes extremely abruptly, in order to look at something at a booth.
Avoid doing this yourself if at all possible. Look behind you, slow to a stop, and move as close to the booth as you are able or step into it's browsing area, which many of them have. - As a courtesy: do not cut through booths unless you have to. Some booths are open on multiple sides and can be walked through, allowing you to cut corners. Out of respect for the people running the booth and anyone using it don't cut across unless traffic is literally blocked (which can happen).
- When you stop to look at a booth, try to be aware of traffic around you. If you have a backpack on or are carrying something long, try to put them down at your feet so that they do no protrude out behind you. This will make it a little easier for people to pass you without compressing the passage way too much.
- Treat the walk-ways like you would the road: keep to the right; turn into the nearest possible lane; yield to pedastrians (i.e. small children, strollers, handicapped individuals); and check before turning across 'traffic'.
- Learn to go around. It is sometimes faster and less stressful to go a 'block' or two out of your way and come around than it is to try and go directly through.
And some general tips:
- No, but seriously, keep deodorant on you. Apply liberally. It will make people like you more, if only because you aren't adding to the problem.
- If you are using will call to pick up your tickets and badge try to come Wednesday evening, it's a much smaller line. If you have to come Thursday try to come early, the line is massive. Read the signs: spending time in the wrong line will really mess up your day. If you do show up and there's a big line, get into it! It isn't going to shrink anytime soon and it will move fairly quickly.
- GenCon isn't packed with costumes but you will see plenty of people dressed up. People in costumes are often very receptive to positive comments on their outfit and to quick pictures. If you are in the exhibition hall just ask them to step to the side for a quick picture. If you are in the main hallways outside of exhibition than there will be plenty of space and costumed individuals will often gather in the halls. Again, they are generally receptive to being photographed. Approach them calmly and wait for their attention. If they are posing for someone else or are engaged in a conversation than wait politely until they can give you their attention. If you are outside the convention center be respectful, as above, and try not to interrupt people during their activites (i.e. if someone is having lunch).
Be aware that they might declined to pose for a picture. Remember that they are entirely free to do so: they do not owe you or anyone else anything. They might be tired or on their way to an event. Do not hassell them. They are people, not cartoons or programs, and deserve the same respect that everyone else deserves. - If you find yourself confused or lost, ask someone for help. Volunteers are there to help out so focus on them but you can also try asking some random folks. Nerds are more introverted by nature but it's GenCon: we're all in the same boat. Don't be too afraid to ask a random stranger if you need help or directions, chances are good someone nearby know where you need to go.
RPPR Meet-up and gathering tips:
- This might sound a bit weird: you will not like everyone else who is an RPPR fan. It's just the truth. Not everyone who liked RPPR shares the same likes, dislikes, or outlook socially or politically. Not everyone has the same social graces. Simple fact: given the size of the meet-up there is likely going to be someone there who you do not like. Maybe they just rub you the wronf way. Please keep this to yourself. Extend to that person or those people the courtesy of a polite gathering. If they aren't causing trouble for the group than just let it go.
- We get things out of order. The episodes and actual plays are often in the distant past for the RPPR crew. They won't always remember what they said or did in a given game. If you want to talk about a specific event try to frame it for them and understand if they happen to not remember the specifics.
- When using the Group Me try and be clear. Remember that alot of people will be using it and it can get confusing so, when possible, try to be as clear and effective in communication as you can. If you are hosting an event or game, state clearly where it is. If you want to attend, say so directly. Clarity saves time and frustration.
There's alot more to know but I think that covers the big stuff as I know it.
I don't know much of anything about the night life or party rules for GenCon so anybody who does feel free to chime in.
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Some smaller tips to piggy back on Tad's
- Baby powder is a godsend. Apply liberally to locations that may rub, chafe, or sweat from large amounts of walking and movement.
- Bathe! It can never be understated, but please bathe, freshen up, and/or reapply deodorant when ever possible. A travel size deodorant/antiperspirant is an excellent addition to any messenger bag or backpack.
- Speaking of backpacks, if you stop at a booth in the Exhibit hall, especially on a high-traffic lane, please be courteous and move your bag into a position where it doesn't stick out into the aisle. Setting it at or on your feet helps you keep an eye on it and keeps people from running into your bag.
- Shoes are another important con item. I recommend bringing two pairs of shoes, preferably ones that you would feel comfortable wearing for long periods of time and walking around in. Swap between them every day to allow them to dry out from your sweaty feets so they don't get extra stinky and uncomfortable!
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I believe (but would reconfirm once you are on the ground) that taxi's doing point to point travel in downtown area are pretty cheap. My memory was it might have been a flat fee of $5 until you got out of a certain range. I caught taxis well after 2AM with out problem.
In general the service people I talked to quite enjoyed having GenCon in town. Two different taxi drivers told me there was competition to drive during the convention because everyone was nice, no one was too drunk, and people were pretty good tippers.
This thread is killing me cause I will not be able to make it this year but hopefully will be able to go next year.
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I believe (but would reconfirm once you are on the ground) that taxi's doing point to point travel in downtown area are pretty cheap. My memory was it might have been a flat fee of $5 until you got out of a certain range. I caught taxis well after 2AM with out problem.
In general the service people I talked to quite enjoyed having GenCon in town. Two different taxi drivers told me there was competition to drive during the convention because everyone was nice, no one was too drunk, and people were pretty good tippers.
This thread is killing me cause I will not be able to make it this year but hopefully will be able to go next year.
noooooooooo
I will miss you (and your gifts of high quality booze)
ok, I will miss the booze
it was good
but you were pretty cool
mainly because of the free booze
but I'm sure you have other quality traits
like, uh, your generosity
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So apparently Gen Con never approved the Delta Green panel for this year, so Shane Ivey is trying to get an underground panel set up sometime probably Thursday or Saturday night. Dunno how that might effect the meet-up, since we made the trek mid meet-up last year.
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Well, hopefully Shane can set a time and date before the actual convention; that'll let us plan accordingly. I assume if it's during the meet-up we'll do a mass trip again for those interested.
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but I'm sure you have other quality traits
Sadly that is my one good trait. It is really a boat load of jerky qualities with a thin veneer of generosity. :->
Given the fun affect it had on Lord of the Peaks it was well worth it. Hope you had a chance to enjoy the rum as well.
I do hope I can attend in 2016 and again play the role of the booze fairy godfather.
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but I'm sure you have other quality traits
Sadly that is my one good trait. It is really a boat load of jerky qualities with a thin veneer of generosity. :->
Given the fun affect it had on Lord of the Peaks it was well worth it. Hope you had a chance to enjoy the rum as well.
I do hope I can attend in 2016 and again play the role of the booze fairy godfather.
I can attest we greatly enjoyed the rum at Bill and Melissas New Years Eve party. I'm not particularly fond of rum and I really enjoyed it, so thanks again!
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but I'm sure you have other quality traits
Sadly that is my one good trait. It is really a boat load of jerky qualities with a thin veneer of generosity. :->
Given the fun affect it had on Lord of the Peaks it was well worth it. Hope you had a chance to enjoy the rum as well.
I do hope I can attend in 2016 and again play the role of the booze fairy godfather.
I can attest we greatly enjoyed the rum at Bill and Melissas New Years Eve party. I'm not particularly fond of rum and I really enjoyed it, so thanks again!
We truly did! You have amazing taste in fine potables, Tim.
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My time off has finally been confirmed and I've gotten tickets to a few specific games plus a handful of generics. I'm really excited for my first GenCon! At least one friend and I are getting in some Delta Green for the first time for both of us, hoping it'll be a blast. :)
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DELTA GREEN UPDATE
So Gen Con has come through and there are now 2 DG panels, one Thursday night from 8-10 (SEM1578921) and one Saturday night from 6-8 (SEM1578922). Thursday is the Agent's Handbook panel and Saturday is the Case Officer's Workshop.
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Don't forget that Dan is running 3 games of MAOCT: http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/gm/Daniel_McDowell (http://gencon.highprogrammer.com/gencon-indy-2015.cgi/gm/Daniel_McDowell)
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DELTA GREEN UPDATE
So Gen Con has come through and there are now 2 DG panels, one Thursday night from 8-10 (SEM1578921) and one Saturday night from 6-8 (SEM1578922). Thursday is the Agent's Handbook panel and Saturday is the Case Officer's Workshop.
So this means we're probably going to have another march across the convention following the first part of the meet-up.
Last year we did a Q&A with Ross followed by Q&A with the rest of the RPPR cast then split up with most of the group going to the ArcDream panel. After the panel the group reassembled in the free gaming area of the JW Marriott (which was a great spot).
My assumption is that we'll end up with a similar flow of events this year.
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So this means we're probably going to have another march across the convention following the first part of the meet-up.
I hope the banner shows up and if it does someone takes pictures.
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Well the Delta Green event is in the Crowne Plaza again. That means we will literally have the same trip to make as we did last year.
So Ross will actually be with us this time around but I still volunteer to herd gamers if needed to get everybody to the right place.
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I had fun with the crazy march last year. If you guys bring the banner Ross you need to bring pins and business cards or something for us to hand out as we march!
We got a lot of attention from that last year. Hell we even had armed escort for a good portion of it from some of the LARP players. ;D
We can all be like, "yes listen to this stuff it's awesome".
Nervous overload. Still got too much stuff to finish making, not ready for this con at all! Way too happy to be able to have fun and hang out again though. :)
Just a few more days...a few more sleepless nights too.
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Anyone interested in doing a pre-GenCon get together Wednesday night? We could make it nice and easy; meet at the Hyatt bar or the Embassy Suites bar.
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If I make it down early enough Wednesday, I'm up for it.
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Excellent. I say we plan for the Embassy, it's larger and on Wednesday probably won't be totally overrun yet... hmm, but it's also harder to time, especially for first timers.
Okay, current plan, meet up at the Hyatt Lobby bar. We can call it for six or seven in the evening, give people sometime to get in and get checked in their hotels.
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My first opportunity to attend Gen Con materialized on Sunday evening, and while I have a lovely itinerary and plans to run a set of informal games, this has left me in crisis mode looking for lodging.
If you need a male roommate to split costs with then please message me on the forums.
I'm a heavy sleeper and shower daily. I don't smoke, evangelize or run Palladium, but I won't hold it against you for doing any of those things.
Thank You!
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RPPR Gen Con chat group (same group as last year): https://groupme.com/join_group/9334088/kIcxoS
Announcement for RPPR people (new and only use to announce events/games you want to run for RPPR people): https://app.groupme.com/join_group/15124681/oydwH9
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And so it begins...
Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
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MAPS
Use these to get a lay of the land pre-event!
http://www.gencon.com/maps (http://www.gencon.com/maps)
An alt set of the above maps on imgur:
http://imgur.com/a/ZU3pF (http://imgur.com/a/ZU3pF)
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Groupme tip: If you switch to texting/SMS mode, these commands are very helpful: http://help.groupme.com/entries/515051-SMS-Commands (http://help.groupme.com/entries/515051-SMS-Commands)
For example: #mute | #unmute Use this command to mute and unmute groups. The first time you send it, you will no longer receive messages from this group. When you’re ready to start receiving messages again, text #unmute to begin receiving messages again!
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The last few months have been madness for me and I haven't had time to check events or plan for gencon at all. The last few years I've had spreadsheets and a heavy event schedule. This year will be very free flowing but should still be fun.
Off to the airport in a few hours. Seeyou all Thursday.
Marik/Josh
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zomg. Tom just signed up for my Friday game!
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zomg. Tom just signed up for my Friday game!
<Whispers> TPK <Whispers/>
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Chillin' before I get on a plane. Leaving in like three hours. So ready for GenCon.
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Tad is traveling tonight on a plane
</Elton John>
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https://youtu.be/_SN7sLORnYQ (https://youtu.be/_SN7sLORnYQ)
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Give Tad a ticket for an aeroplane,
he ain't got time to take a fast train.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
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RPPR Gen Con chat group (same group as last year): https://groupme.com/join_group/9334088/kIcxoS
Announcement for RPPR people (new and only use to announce events/games you want to run for RPPR people): https://app.groupme.com/join_group/15124681/oydwH9
I'm at Gen Con and I wanna go to the RPPR meetup tonight, but everytime I go to the groupme links it just takes me to a page with a grayed out version of their logo.
Am I not worthy?
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Meet up went okay this year but after some discussion it has been decided that next year the RPPR Meet up is going to be scheduled as an actual GenCon event, visible on the events list with "tickets" available through event registration. Additional details will be revealed when we start ramping up for GenCon 2016 in about five months.
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Loved meeting new friends and reconnecting with all of you! Sorry my dance card was a bit booked, but Bezier board games bought my ticket.
I really felt the love, and I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart; it's been a rough couple of weeks, and I really needed that! I wasn't expecting a LINE to form at the offer of David-hugs!!
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
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I really felt the love, and I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart; it's been a rough couple of weeks, and I really needed that! I wasn't expecting a LINE to form at the offer of David-hugs!!
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I also got to Hoist David while hugging making me the victor! (also I walked The Plank)
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Big turn out for the meetup?
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The biggest yet. "Official" head count was 35 individuals including RPPR "staff" and people they brought. Ten of those people had never been to an RPPR meet up before.
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Never thought of us as "staff" before, but if I had a job that allowed me to be Cap'n Purplescarf and get paid for it...
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Aw man, I wish I had been there to get a David hug.
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11 new people, actually. I was carrying a chair during the count for the meet-up newbies.
I really enjoyed the meet-up - I think I mostly talked to Tadanori, FuzzyDan, and Thesauradon while Thad showed people the yellow sign. Hearing a David story in person was also great.
The RPPR seminars I went to were all top-notch - Scary Parrots, Education and Games, the GDW Live one, and Beyond Lawful Good and Evil. I'm looking forward to when the other couple show up online. My wife, who has never listened to the podcasts, stopped by several of them and enjoyed them as well, especially Education and BLG&E.
As I mentioned on the GroupMe, here are the pictures I took of the banner heading to the Delta Green panel on Thursday night.
http://imgur.com/a/bYlZs (http://imgur.com/a/bYlZs)
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I showed up Sunday and missed all the action.
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Yeah, it was my first time, and I had a real blast.
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Took an hour to get them uploaded but I finally have all the photos I took of the Glancy game up online.
Here's the link :http://imgur.com/a/rW3QD
Sadly my phone died so I couldn't take pictures throughout the whole game, managed to only get half the game. Still, enjoy the pictures! See you all next year!
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Took an hour to get them uploaded but I finally have all the photos I took of the Glancy game up online.
Here's the link :http://imgur.com/a/rW3QD
Sadly my phone died so I couldn't take pictures throughout the whole game, managed to only get half the game. Still, enjoy the pictures! See you all next year!
So the pictures make it look like the game was in one of the event rooms which makes me think it took place during the day and not in the middle of the night till so very late. If that is the case this is a clear violation of the traditions of the RPPR Glancy game and I for one will not stand for this! Next you will be telling me no one died and/or went insane!
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Note to self: Arrive early next year and shadow RPPR crew until Glancy game in attempt to join in.
Also the photo of Caleb and David standing, looking at one another feels like the nerdiest wrestling staredown.
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I wasn't aware how tall Glancy was until I met him at the Pagan Publishing booth. I'm 6'4 and not used to looking up at people. I'm betting he is 6'5 - 6'6.