Fort Wayne, Indiana.
More details to follow.
Ye Gawds, did you actually post this at Gencon? *Applause*
As soon as I had the official word from the Member's Meeeting.
Sidenote to WolfStar: Finally I know who you are now. My friend Peter and I passed you in the skywalk as we were leaving the Marriott and he held the door for you before you got a phone call and he said "That was WolfStar" and I was like "Oh, so THAT'S WolfStar!" LOL
Hey question on that, since I am only a lvl 1 herald right now would I be able to GM up there?
Yessir!
As there is no title system currently for for 4e, you're good to go. As things are, you only need to be a WPN coordinator - and then convince The Baldman that you can DM like nobodies business ;)
I look forward to seeing you there!
Any details about how to sign up as a GM?
Any details about how to sign up as a GM?
Keep an eye on the RPGA pages. A couple months before the show, there will be a call for DMs and volunteers. You can also keep an eye out for information at ddxp.baldmangames.com/ where signups will probably happen.
Keep an eye on the conventions website at ddxp.baldmangames.com for all the details. The full website with schedule, costs, hotel codes, promotions, and judge sign-ups should be live by the end of the month. I will also do my best to keep this thread updates as I go along (and if I forget Wolfstar will certainly catch what I miss)
Dave C
DDXP Senior GM and Coordinator
People looking to judge for DDXP (or Origins, or GenCon) should also join Wavester's RPGA Big Shows group.
Like the previous Yahoo Mailing list, this group will be the first place to hear about judge signups and other goodness for the shows Dave runs. I expect that when signups go live (or are about to go live) Dave will send a broadcast to all group members. 
My small list of simple improvements for future cons:
- Clear signs for mustering. (Need real words above each iconic figure, and all signs visible above the height of a person, probably need a map of the mustering spots as well, displayed at each entrance to the hall(s)).
- Anyone judging 2 slots or more should get the latest RPGA rewards cards in addition to other rewards. This removes a potential conflict between judging and playing the delve to get cards, plus will likely bring in many 2-slot judges, increasing the overall pool. The reward for 4-slot judges and beyond seem pretty good to me as-is.
- Clearer rules for UD vs Delve vs Intro vs LFR so new players know what they are getting into (no-RP insane challenge you will likely enjoy if you know 4E really well and practiced for this, fun short super-low-RP mechanical combat-fest, intro specifically for new players to learn the game along with RP and players control the pace, LFR living campaign modules with RP and combat, start at 1st and play for XP to reach higher level). The current state is misinformation, with new players coming to the UD to learn the game, low and mid-level PCs showing up for Paragon play, new players making UD PCs and bringing them to LFR mods, etc.
The hotel booking is live! go go go
The hotel booking is live! go go go
I think LFR players, young and old, are going to be extremely happy with the offerings at DDXP this year. Book your space now!
Shawn is known for his understatements. I am extremely pleased at some of the new (old school) things we are bringing to DDXP.
How much of the Experience takes place on Thursday? I'm trying to decide if I can afford the trip, and taking a red eye on Thursday night to get there for Friday sounds like the best plan so far. I just don't want to get there and find that I missed a big chunk of the event.
Shawn is known for his understatements. I am extremely pleased at some of the new (old school) things we are bringing to DDXP.
Greg is known for his understatements. DDXP 2010 is going to be freaking awesome!
Global admins are know to understate things...
How much of the Experience takes place on Thursday? I'm trying to decide if I can afford the trip, and taking a red eye on Thursday night to get there for Friday sounds like the best plan so far. I just don't want to get there and find that I missed a big chunk of the event.
As a rule of thumb, based on DDXPs gone by (especially using last year as a reference point) the biggest thing you'll miss if you can't attend on the first day is three slots of gaming.
It's also common to have some form of R&D meeting/seminar where you can get REALLY good previews of what's coming down the pipe in the next ~6 months or so.
Beyond those two items, you're not likely to miss any major "OMG! Why in the name of all that is right in the world did I skip the first day!?!?" style events.
Then again, with all these globals all up in here talking about how great this year's con is going to be, its possible that there are tricks up their collective sleeves I'm unaware of.
Global admins are know to understate things...
People commenting on global admins are known to understate things.
I'm just hoping that with four months lead time, the mods get done (cough, cough) sooner than the last weekend before the con. I'm looking at you, GenCon! 
(Said with tongue firmly in cheek, and great love for all the global administrators.)
I'm just hoping that with four months lead time, the mods get done (cough, cough) sooner than the last weekend before the con. I'm looking at you, GenCon!
(Said with toungue firmly in cheek, and great love for all the global administrators.)
Herrbard did you hit submit on this post right after getting back from GenCon? I know your internet connection is slow but wow.
Definately looking forward to ddxp next year, get those 5 mods run in the first month of the new period again lol
Dan are you planning on marshaling again? If so I have to do some work figuring out what you will be doing and make my plans accordingly. It is so nice to have a marshal that works well with the GM's.
Erick
I'm just hoping that with four months lead time, the mods get done (cough, cough) sooner than the last weekend before the con. I'm looking at you, GenCon!
(Said with tongue firmly in cheek, and great love for all the global administrators.)
Any update on the relative officialness of these dates, and/or hotel stuff?
The DDXP page at baldmangames is still 'coming soon' on specifics. I was all set to book plane tickets (fare sales today) but I had a brief flashback to the Pittsburgh hotel incident and figured I'd check here first.
(duplicate post deleted -- stupid sharing computers with another forum member!)
--Tanis
D&D Experience 2010 website updated (ddxp.baldmangames.com)
Rooming block now open and online room reservation system live.
Event schedule to be released in the next couple of weeks with tickets sales to go live shortly after that.
Thanks
Dave C
DDXP Coordinator
Any ETA on judge signups? Any special instructions for judges regarding not signing up for hotels if x slots or a different way to register for events?
On the RPGA Big Shows group (a group anyone who wants to judge DDXP, Origins, or GenCon should join), Dave tells us that he hopes to have judge signups open by the end of the month.
Now, accoung for Real Life getting in the way, and I personally expect that means mid-November (best laid plans and all that - Dave knows he rocks like Winger, but announcing a "deadline" invites Murphy and his damnable Law to pop outta hiding).
Any ETA on judge signups? Any special instructions for judges regarding not signing up for hotels if x slots or a different way to register for events?
I'm gonna throw a "me too" on this post. My plan is to do nothing but judge/work so I don't know if I should reserve a room or what. Any guidance appreciated.
Okay, so, I received an email telling me that I had a new gathering invite. I sign on, and the community says "you have 1 new gathering invite." I click on that link, and the community says "you have no new gathering invites." I am assuming that the "gathering" in question is DDXP, but I cannot respond to or approve or whatever the invite.
Questions:
1. Is anyone else having a similar difficulty?
2. Would anyone who knows be so kind as to offer guidance as to how to rectify said difficulty?
Thanks,
Fawzy
On the RPGA Big Shows group (a group anyone who wants to judge DDXP, Origins, or GenCon should join), Dave tells us that he hopes to have judge signups open by the end of the month.
Now, accoung for Real Life getting in the way, and I personally expect that means mid-November (best laid plans and all that - Dave knows he rocks like Winger, but announcing a "deadline" invites Murphy and his damnable Law to pop outta hiding).
You don't want me to quote Winger's current "rockin'" status anymore than you want me to sing "Fly to the Angels".
I think GenCon had a problem in that there was a lot of confusion for judges that wanted to judge a lot. I was just judging a few slots, but I saw many judges confused and frustrated by a disconnect between when non-judges sign up for slots and hotels and when judges receive the same guarantees. I understand the difficulties involved, but I suspect many judges, like me, will shift to judging less rather than be in a position of confusion/frustration. If anything, the system should work in reverse: first judges should get rooms/slots/etc., then the others. Though, personally, having simultaneous or near-simultaneous is just fine. If it isn't near-simultaneous, then I want more info/guarantees that I'm not hurting myself by judging. I want to give, but I don't want to suffer.
Okay, so, I received an email telling me that I had a new gathering invite. I sign on, and the community says "you have 1 new gathering invite." I click on that link, and the community says "you have no new gathering invites." I am assuming that the "gathering" in question is DDXP, but I cannot respond to or approve or whatever the invite.
Questions:
1. Is anyone else having a similar difficulty?
I had the same thing happen. I also had two invites to the next gameday, though i think I actually had three e-mails about it (with one of them failing the way the D&D XP one did. I also think I saw D&D XP cross my calendar once before. I think Calendar features are just deeply in Alpha as compared to the rest of the site.
I have no way to do judge event sign-ups before everybody else (or I would). I will do my best though to get as many ding-dong judges signed up and happy before turning it on though.
1st round of judge sign-ups started yesterday
2nd round will start next Monday
Pre-reg (what most of you are looking forward to) should start 2nd or 3rd week of November. I'm waiting on some final sign-offs on a couple of really cool events we are running so I can have all the tickets in the system when I flip the switch (which then makes it easier for you guys to come up with a schedule). This also allows me to get most of my judge schedules done so they know when they are off so they can buy tickets as well.
Vendors are being plugged in as we speak and I cannot wait to reveal the sweet things we have lined up this year (games and otherwise).
Dave C
DDXP Coordinator and Senior GM
Sorry if I'm being dense about this, but are the registered Judges required to be there Wednesday night? Reading the decription pages makes it sound like that is the case. I'm planning on heading to the DDXP10, and it will be my first "real" convention, but I doubt I can be there until Friday. While I'd love to help out with running some adventures, I'm starting to think that I may not have the time or qualifications to do so at a convention now (your web site scared me!). Should I just wait until the second round of Judge selections to post my willingness to help? I'm currently planning on coming with my 12 year old son, and the two of us will have a room, so I'm not looking to get a free three person hotel stay out of it.
Sorry if I'm being dense about this, but are the registered Judges required to be there Wednesday night? Reading the decription pages makes it sound like that is the case. I'm planning on heading to the DDXP10, and it will be my first "real" convention, but I doubt I can be there until Friday. While I'd love to help out with running some adventures, I'm starting to think that I may not have the time or qualifications to do so at a convention now (your web site scared me!). Should I just wait until the second round of Judge selections to post my willingness to help? I'm currently planning on coming with my 12 year old son, and the two of us will have a room, so I'm not looking to get a free three person hotel stay out of it.
I already answered some of your other questions offline in your other email.
Judges are not required to be there Wednesday night. Most judges are (because the hotel room I cover for them covers that night so they come in early to get a good nights sleep before the show). If you are not there we just get you up to speed when you check-in with HQ on arrival.
For those not doing our big special events (1st rnd of judge sign-ups) then yes wait until round two which starts next Monday.
Dave
While I'd love to help out with running some adventures, I'm starting to think that I may not have the time or qualifications to do so at a convention now (your web site scared me!). Should I just wait until the second round of Judge selections to post my willingness to help?
Just because others may be in the same boat, use your judgment in terms of how prepared you are to be a judge at a major convention.
On the one hand, we (everyone attending or involved with D&DXP) need judges. This year more than any prior.
On the other hand, we want great judges so that these big conventions are really worth attending. Great judges know the rules well, have years of experience or a natural talent for being fair and even-handed, have patience with players, have the players' interest in mind, have a knack for storytelling, etc. If at the end of adventures you judge, players are consistently smiling and talking about what a great time they had, then that is exactly what is wanted at D&DXP.
Additionally, judging a lot at a major con can be fairly exhausting. There is a difference between judging three mods on a Saturday and judging 8 slots in three days.
You want to pick a few mods and do them well. No more than 3, and 2 is probably best. Less to read and prep, less of a chance one of your mods arrives late and you have low prep time, more time to gather minis and props, more times that you will run each mod and thus know how to make it 'sing' for your table.
Bottom line, D&DXP needs judges, but everyone wants those judges to be good judges!
I already answered some of your other questions offline in your other email.
Judges are not required to be there Wednesday night. Most judges are (because the hotel room I cover for them covers that night so they come in early to get a good nights sleep before the show). If you are not there we just get you up to speed when you check-in with HQ on arrival.
For those not doing our big special events (1st rnd of judge sign-ups) then yes wait until round two which starts next Monday.
Dave
Thanks for the information. I think my confusion came from being too quick on the 1st round page - I only scanned it once I saw that I was ineligible to run the specials (the focus of that page) due to not having done a convention before. As a total newbie to the con scene, what is the normal cost to play at a table?
I think I will toss my hat into running 4 slots, once general judging opens. I look forward to meeting some of you there!
In the past the price to play a 'slot' of a game was $6. It's been that way for a long time but this year that is going up to $8 (ya you heard it here first - maybe). We've worked on holding that number down for as long as we could but you cannot argue math and eventually it wins out. This will roll forward to Origins and Gencon as well going forward in 2010.
OK, room reserved, signed up for 4-slot judging, got permission from the wife! Just a matter of getting the plane ticket and doing this.
Now that I'm committed, how should I plan for this trip? I figure I'll want my LFR characters, some extra Adventure Log sheets, dice, change of clothes and some minis. Are netbooks considered bad form? I know that judging I'll need my own tiles/battlemaps - how many player books does a DM need? Do we pay for a table slot at the table, or is there some con-currency that is used?
I'm really excited about this, if you couldn't tell.
OK, room reserved, signed up for 4-slot judging, got permission from the wife! Just a matter of getting the plane ticket and doing this.
Now that I'm committed, how should I plan for this trip? I figure I'll want my LFR characters, some extra Adventure Log sheets, dice, change of clothes and some minis. Are netbooks considered bad form? I know that judging I'll need my own tiles/battlemaps - how many player books does a DM need? Do we pay for a table slot at the table, or is there some con-currency that is used?
I'm really excited about this, if you couldn't tell.
I look forward to seeing you there! I signed up for 7 or 8 slots of judging, but I'm writing one of the events, which makes prep much easier!
As a DM, I personally bring only what I need. I don't want to be loaded down. I take the minis, dice, the battlemaps, the pens/wet-erase, the condition markers, copies of the mod(s), and anything else I need specifically for the adventures to run smoothly. For some adventures I bring custom tents that express common situations such as "Heavy Fog: -2 to ranged attacks" or other always on terrain effects to remind players. Tents can also help players remember auras. Condition markers can be great. Though many players bring their own, not all do, and it is really helpful to have colors for effects your monsters. I like having AoE templates based on the size of any zones/blasts the monsters use, but at least having up to 5x5 for players to quickly determine AoE.
Some DMs like tracking sheets, to track conditions, or just PC names and races and alignments for RP purposes. I like initiative tents, and most players I DM enjoy them (take construction paper, cut a 2-3" by 8" rectangle, fold in half. Do that 12 times, then number them. As inits are figured, hand them out, so both players and foes can see the order clearly. It speeds up play since everyone knows when they will go).
I don't bring rule books. Anything I need I write down, such as DCs for jump checks to clear terrain if not given in the mod. You can pretty much count on a PH being somewhere in your vicinity, so you don't need to bring one. I would if judging Ultimate Delve, however, because of the time issue. I would not see it as necessary to bring any other books. (I'm comfortable making an on-the-spot decision if no one has a book).
The biggest GM decision point, for me, is what to use as the battlemap. Nothing is provided by the con. A battlemap works fine. It is a minimal load, and most rooms are easy to draw out. The key is speed, as you want to take away very little time from play. Thus, ideally you have three of the small battlemaps and have the rooms drawn before the slot starts. You can position your judging schedule such that you judge the same mod in a series (mod 1, mod 1, mod 1, mod 2, mod 2, etc.) and can use the maps again next time you judge. Tiles work fine, but some mods use lots of tiles and configuring them can take a long time (longer than drawing a battlemap out), which can be really brutal since you can't easily lay them out unless you use something to layer the levels (as they do with ultimate dungeon, using foam board... but you won't have that luxury). My current approach is to do one of two things. If I can, I print the tiles out onto a poster sheet. You can do this with software that splits up the large image, if you have a printer (B&W will work) or access to one (color is obviously more fun). Or, you can pay big bucks ($20-30 a map) for color at a print shop (such as Kinko's). At a print shop you can laminate. I would only do this if you are a big fan of the mod and plan to run it a lot, have a lot of cash, or you see the map as one you will use over and over again (such as a wilderness clearing that you could use for many adventures). The other option I like is to use a battlemap and then bring a few tiles for important pieces, such as an altar, but draw the rest. This works really well for players, giving them some cool bits but not taking too long.
As a player, I bring copies of my PCs at each level I might hit. I also back them up online, such as to the iplay4E site. I bring my minis, dice, table tent, and I make a copy (scan/print) of any rules I need (such as my paragon path) that might be helpful. If I'm just a player and not loaded down, I might bring a PH. I can use DDI and my phone for any loot I need to look up.
In regards to laptops, you can take them with you, but you will not be allowed to pluck them in the convention room. Reason is simple: too many wires people can trip over. Mind you, as a DM I dislike the bigger laptops and how many people apparently let themselves be distracted by a screen or hide behind it. Furthermore, as a DM I like to take a quick look at a character and that is a bit harder on a laptop. Other then that, nothing is stopping you.
I suspect there will be a Character Builder station available - it was a pretty big hit @ GenCon this year.
Are you still looking for GM's?
I received approval for the time off so I will be attending the convention.
I should not have any trouble having free time to run a few slots worth of mods if that helps the cause.
Thanks!
ddxp.baldmangames.com/
DDXP Pre-Registration!
I've just been talking to "The Bald Man" himself, and he's given me a little information to share.
It seems that we're aiming to have Pre-Registration available to one and all this weekend (November 20 or 21). Keep an eye on the website (http://ddxp.baldmangames.com) so you can be one of the first to signup!
As an ADDED BONUS - everyone who pre-registers for DDXP 2010 will get a FREE Dungeons and Dragons backpack.
Registration for DDXP is $20 - whether you signup early, or you signup on-site, however you must pre-register to get a backpack.
All event tickets for DDXP are $8 per slot.
While I don't have the details yet, there are also going to be DDXP T-shirts available at the show. Grab one to show you were there!
As soon as I hear that registration is live, I'll be posting here to let you all know.
Thanks everyone!
Go forth, minions! Go forth and buy tickets!
way ahead of last year. Over 300 badges and half our tickets are gone
already. A dozen events in various slots are sold out and more are closing
in as over half our tickets are gone. So make sure if you plan on attending
to head over and get your order in before what you want sells out.
Our List of Special Guests has been updated on the main website. The group
this year includes Chris Tulach (Organized Play), Bart Carroll (D&D
Insider), Chris Champagne (Studio Director, D&D Studio), Trevor Hoffman
(Community Manager), Mike Mearls (RPG), Robert Schwalb (RPG Freelancer), and
Rich Baker (RPG and Dark Sun Guy). A pretty impressive list if I do say so
myself (and I'll be there to as my wife always calls me 'special' with
finger air quotes.)
We are gathering details on our seminar schedule but some titles to wet your
whistles for now:
D&D Product Preview (all the cool things coming out this year and many times
actual previews of them)
Save My Game Live Panel
D&D Digital
D&D Organized Play
Adventure Design Seminar
and the one everybody wants - 'World of Darksun' hosted by Rich Baker and
Mike Mearls (hint this one will be on Saturday afternoon at 3pm)
We'll have some more sneak peaks over the holidays with some big
announcements coming after the new year leading up to the show so stay
tuned.
Dave C
D&D Experience Coordinator
I'm curious as to when mods are being emailed out, if they haven't already. Hopefully soon, because I'd like to take as much time as I can to prepare.
Thanks!
I'm curious as to when mods are being emailed out, if they haven't already. Hopefully soon, because I'd like to take as much time as I can to prepare.
Depends on when Dave gets them, but at this time as soon as he gets them. I know DALE2-1, CORE2-1 and CORE2-2 have been mailed to the DMs for slot 0s. ADCP2-1 has been partially send out for slot 0s/playtest purposes.
Anyway, very cool shirts!
No the kids are not wise to Winger yet. My daughter is all about Taylor Swift and my son likes to bang his head (into hard things unfortunately).
I'm barely able to wait for next week to arrive and the games to begin. Seeing a real living Dark Sun offering alone would be fantastic, let alone running an adventure I wrote and playing a BI...
Secondly, I have a handout for SPEC2-1 P2 for judges to download and print. It is optional and unofficial but can be fun for the tables. Players should not look at the file, as it does contain some spoilers and will be better if you get to see the images as they appear.
Thirdly, John DuBois is working with a friend to showcase some cool custom terrain that can be used for running SPEC2-1 (and other adventures). We will both have examples of the terrain at our tables.
Players and DMs can see the terrain and DMs can get the handout at my recent blog entry.
Ben
But then my head would explode!
Work, then leave. I'll be there in about seventeen hours.
I'm super-pumped now that everything is in my car.
And I'm *really* excited about the interactive and paragon specials now that my custom stuff is ready...
Also, looking forward to maybe playing Dark Sun?
Next year maybe the wife will be more amiable and I can at least do 2 days.
Thankfully, all the blogging, both liveblogs and all the awesome twitter updates for it, it is /almost/ like still being there.
Come on Gencon, can't get here soon enough. That, I get to do all 4 days, woot!
I am already looking forward to the next big conventions... GameStorm in Portland, Gen Con, and PAX Prime.
I pulled together some thoughts on DDXP in my latest blog entry.
And Love the Shirt...