Comments on: Why I am NOT Going to Origins http://d21-gaming.com/blog/2007/06/12/why-i-am-not-going-to-origins/ Five veteran gamers, plus special guests, share their insights, rants, and raves about all things gaming, especially board games and RPGs. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:44:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Jana http://d21-gaming.com/blog/2007/06/12/why-i-am-not-going-to-origins/#comment-13777 Jana Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:13:35 +0000 http://d21-gaming.com/blog/2007/06/12/why-i-am-not-going-to-origins/#comment-13777 I think you make a couple of good points, the registration problems are definitely a big disincentive, and have been for a few years now. And if nothing has got you excited in the industry, it probably is better to hold onto the money and wait. However, I disagree with some of the follow up comments. If you're bored at Origins, you're doing something wrong. There's more than enough to see and do at the con during the entire weekend, there are always open seats someplace. The options are there, it's up to you to make something of them. Finally, pay-to-play is there to encourage people to show up for events they've registered for. It's a token investment. If you want to be more flexible in your event planning, buy generic tickets or look for pick-up games. Again, there are plenty of options. Not all events cost money. I think you make a couple of good points, the registration problems are definitely a big disincentive, and have been for a few years now. And if nothing has got you excited in the industry, it probably is better to hold onto the money and wait. However, I disagree with some of the follow up comments. If you’re bored at Origins, you’re doing something wrong. There’s more than enough to see and do at the con during the entire weekend, there are always open seats someplace. The options are there, it’s up to you to make something of them. Finally, pay-to-play is there to encourage people to show up for events they’ve registered for. It’s a token investment. If you want to be more flexible in your event planning, buy generic tickets or look for pick-up games. Again, there are plenty of options. Not all events cost money.

]]> By: d21 Gaming » Oasis of Fun: The Highlights http://d21-gaming.com/blog/2007/06/12/why-i-am-not-going-to-origins/#comment-13406 d21 Gaming » Oasis of Fun: The Highlights Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:15:11 +0000 http://d21-gaming.com/blog/2007/06/12/why-i-am-not-going-to-origins/#comment-13406 [...] of weeks ago, I explained why I wasn’t going to Origins.  After this past weekend, I don’t regret that one bit.  Let’s just leave it [...] [...] of weeks ago, I explained why I wasn’t going to Origins.  After this past weekend, I don’t regret that one bit.  Let’s just leave it [...]

]]> By: The Emperor http://d21-gaming.com/blog/2007/06/12/why-i-am-not-going-to-origins/#comment-12567 The Emperor Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:13:46 +0000 http://d21-gaming.com/blog/2007/06/12/why-i-am-not-going-to-origins/#comment-12567 I have to admit, I love Cons, even ones that suc* badly. I think Coldfoot's comment is right on...The number of gamers that actually interact with other human beings - and understand and embrace one another's geekishness...they are all very friendly. Gamers are usually very kind people. In think all this social interaction is very important for people to be connected to their society. So even if at a bad con, for my $20 all I get is a pass to the dealers room, playing pickup MTG waiting for the GM to show for an event (and never does), and a bent up on-site book, I still appreciate and support the gamer experience, and make new friends and gaming contacts, and get the 'buzz' on whatever's hot that year. Now for a great con, now those are priceless. Religious experience indeed! $600 well spent, perhaps. Now that I know when and where it is, I'm starting to want to go to Origins! I have to admit, I love Cons, even ones that suc* badly. I think Coldfoot’s comment is right on…The number of gamers that actually interact with other human beings - and understand and embrace one another’s geekishness…they are all very friendly. Gamers are usually very kind people. In think all this social interaction is very important for people to be connected to their society.

So even if at a bad con, for my $20 all I get is a pass to the dealers room, playing pickup MTG waiting for the GM to show for an event (and never does), and a bent up on-site book, I still appreciate and support the gamer experience, and make new friends and gaming contacts, and get the ‘buzz’ on whatever’s hot that year.

Now for a great con, now those are priceless. Religious experience indeed! $600 well spent, perhaps.

Now that I know when and where it is, I’m starting to want to go to Origins!

]]> By: Coldfoot http://d21-gaming.com/blog/2007/06/12/why-i-am-not-going-to-origins/#comment-12562 Coldfoot Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:59:44 +0000 http://d21-gaming.com/blog/2007/06/12/why-i-am-not-going-to-origins/#comment-12562 I had many of the same reservations as you. I have only been to one big con. It was BGG.con in Dallas. I had the time of my life. Judging by the comments from people who had been to numerous cons, the friendly attitude of convention goers, and open gaming of BGG.con made it one of their favorite cons. I will be going back this year, and hopefully for the foreseeable future. It was extremely easy to get involved in the game of your choice. Everyone was very friendly. I went not knowing anyone and left knowing numerous people who I would refer to as friends, and who I look forward to meeting again. Downtime was very short. Games were abundant. And I will reiterate for the third time that everyone was very friendly. However it was a boardgame con. No RPGs in sight. I would highly recommend it. But remember it is my only large game convention experience. I had many of the same reservations as you. I have only been to one big con. It was BGG.con in Dallas. I had the time of my life. Judging by the comments from people who had been to numerous cons, the friendly attitude of convention goers, and open gaming of BGG.con made it one of their favorite cons. I will be going back this year, and hopefully for the foreseeable future.

It was extremely easy to get involved in the game of your choice. Everyone was very friendly. I went not knowing anyone and left knowing numerous people who I would refer to as friends, and who I look forward to meeting again. Downtime was very short. Games were abundant. And I will reiterate for the third time that everyone was very friendly.

However it was a boardgame con. No RPGs in sight.

I would highly recommend it. But remember it is my only large game convention experience.

]]> By: KarasDjun http://d21-gaming.com/blog/2007/06/12/why-i-am-not-going-to-origins/#comment-12561 KarasDjun Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:32:39 +0000 http://d21-gaming.com/blog/2007/06/12/why-i-am-not-going-to-origins/#comment-12561 No, you are correct in saving that $600. Instead, use it to promote your own gaming experience at home - maybe buy a poker table or spend some on Magic cards or new D&D miniatures. I find that Cons are usually a big let-down. You spend hours sitting around bored or see just about all there is by the first day. Most of the events I sign up for are unpopular (and not well attended) or I end up skipping the planned events and look for someone to play with as an open gaming event. I don't really like the pay-to-play mentality; it gives you a feeling that you need to really enjoy the experience because you paid for it. As a DM I usually go to cons to run games, and then I need to keep in mind that I have to provide a "quality game" since other people are essentially paying me to run it for them. This is too much pressure for a person who wants to just chill and have fun. I think that cons were originally organized by DMs who had no other outlet to play or wanted to clarify rules (in the days of original or advanced D&D). Given the glut of info and game opportunities on the web, this is no longer necessary. No, you are correct in saving that $600. Instead, use it to promote your own gaming experience at home - maybe buy a poker table or spend some on Magic cards or new D&D miniatures. I find that Cons are usually a big let-down. You spend hours sitting around bored or see just about all there is by the first day. Most of the events I sign up for are unpopular (and not well attended) or I end up skipping the planned events and look for someone to play with as an open gaming event. I don’t really like the pay-to-play mentality; it gives you a feeling that you need to really enjoy the experience because you paid for it. As a DM I usually go to cons to run games, and then I need to keep in mind that I have to provide a “quality game” since other people are essentially paying me to run it for them. This is too much pressure for a person who wants to just chill and have fun. I think that cons were originally organized by DMs who had no other outlet to play or wanted to clarify rules (in the days of original or advanced D&D). Given the glut of info and game opportunities on the web, this is no longer necessary.

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