One discussion that I'm following has to do with RPGA organizers in a con lamenting that they don't really have a good draw for the convention. Previously, they relied on the unique LG interactive to attract players, but at this point, I believe that they don't want to have to guarantee a minimum number of tables that might not make. They've canceled their organized RPGA participation in that convention.
Is there some advantage to participating in a con, which might involve con costs, hotel costs, and so on, over a free game day?
From the home page there are 2 specials D&DXP and GenCon that get adventures well in advance of anybody else. There is also a "Weekend in the Realms" event that is only playable in public for one weekend only.
Now the real difference is that at a Con there are lots of people to play with. It is something not to be missed.
Is there some advantage to participating in a con, which might involve con costs, hotel costs, and so on, over a free game day?
It looks to be less than in previous years.
If you're a single or duo player(s), it's a good chance to get in and game. The bigger groups or persistent groups, don't really have a motivation to travel now if they're all local or there's a good low cost local alternative (like 0-$2 game days).
Unfortunately for the con organizers, if they're not getting the rpga attendance, I can see them just letting the players play em at home...and that starts the phasing out path; no events; no players; no venders; no con.
RPGA players will no longer travel to conventions because they can now stay at home and play all the mods.
step one: check
Conventions will slowly die off leaving all the cosplayers nowhere to gather.
step two: In progress
Soon small bands of roving cosplayers will form up and start to wander aimlessly in metropolitian areas.
step three: Vampire is expanding; even the american legions aren't safe
Without cons to promote their products, gaming companies will be forced to go out of business.... This is my ripple of evil.
<*sigh*>....back to WoW
I just returned from Gencon, and man, I had a blast. What's the first thing I heard about when I returned? Weekend in the Realms, an event that has to be played in a public venue. This led me to start looking for cons in my local area.
You guys are taking the wrong attitude towards this in my opinion. Not everyone likes to go to cons. In this new system, they're not penalized for not going, and can still play in the games they want to play in (for the most part). That's player choice and empowerment. I much prefer a system that has special rewards and adventures that are available if I decide to go to a con than one that excludes me from playing a whole slew of adventures if I decide not to go.
People that like to go to cons are still going to go to them. Cons are fun for lots of different reasons, and offer a totally different sort of experience than home play. And if you're really worried about having that special factor that's going to draw people in, I'd suggest getting together with your regional admins and finding out how you can make your con the best it can be, and the most exciting to prospective players.
I also went to Gencon, and I also had a great time. I hadn't played in an RPGA game in years, and it was enough to get me looking at RPGA goings-on in my area again. The first thing I found were RPGA con games being canceled at a local convention that used to have a very strong RPGA presence, which I find slightly troubling. The con will go on, since there are plenty of other activities, but there won't be an organized RPGA presence.
Don't misunderstand me- I actually quite like that the specials will eventually be playable by anyone. I like the leeway given to DMs and the changes in how organized play works. Until this Gencon, I actually hadn't attended a con in years. I expect that as is, open game days and home games will be quite successful.
As for specials, if everybody can play them, they are not very special are they?
I don't see why they would cancel the events unless the majority of the players were from other regions. I can see them not as much of a draw as before, but there are always RPGA players. I would suspect the cancelation has more to due with personal reasons than logisitical.
Some local cons are reporting problems with the judge pool at the moment; desire to play being greater than desire to DM, lack of rules familiarity, etc. Caerin might consider talking to the con coordinator to see what the problem is (lack of judges, lack of coord, lack of space), and pitch in if possible. When everyone thinks, "someone else will do it," then no one does it.
Caerin, I'm not picking on you, and it might not be up your alley for any number of reasons. But, if you are concerned about what is happening, try to change what is happening.
As for specials, if everybody can play them, they are not very special are they?
Special has many different meanings. "I got to play it and you didn't," isn't part of the RPGA's vision of special anymore. That's now a Quest. ;)
David