I think the difference is that 'banning' pictures in the aisles and walkways is an extreme and non-negotiable measure while the actual rule is to simply 'be polite and use common sense' by taking pictures off to one side and not to block the thoroughfare - a rule that isn't new at all, but should be given greater consideration due to the anticipated crowds that will likely be much heavier than usual.
You actually quoted the rule on the last page. It does not say "be polite and use common sense". It says you may not block or impede traffic or disrupt the convention. If people are having to walk around you, you are breaking the rule. If people are having to stop while you are taking pictures, you are breaking the rule. If you are joining a mob that is taking pictures, and that mob is spilling into the walkway, you are breaking the rule. Even if you are permission or people are being "polite" you are probably still having an effect on the other 30 people around you, and thus you are breaking the rule.
This is not extreme, even if the word "ban" was used, as this is a chronic problem in the exhibit hall and the concourse outside. It is, however, non-negotiable- you cannot do it, period.
Being as the walkways and aisles in the exhibit hall are going to be even more clogged than last year, even along the edges of the hall, you are not going to be able to avoid breaking the rule in most of the exhibit hall. It may not say "banned" but taking pictures in most of the exhibit hall aisles and walkways will not be allowed due to traffic.
Note that my personal feelings about cosplayers are irrelevant, that is the rule.
If you *exist* you are breaking the rule. If you say "hey, I want to go over there" and cut across the aisle to another booth you are breaking the rule.
Please, for the love of God do not turn this into another anitstroller crusade.
The rule exists so that GenCon can remove people causing a problem. It doesn't exist so that people can rail against the parts of GenCon they personally find inconvenient.
The thing is, it all boils down to the fact that you have sooo many people moving through the same space all at once. You could just as easily peg it on slow, overweight guys with big backpacks, or people walking in a group 5 abreast, or someone on an ecv, or someone with a stroller, or a friendly, but path-blocking shambling mound. With attendance probably upwards of 75,000, if not more, it's going to be very, very crowded, and people are going to block your path and aggravate you while doing it. That's Gen Con now. It's become Disney World at Christmas break. If you're going to go, you have to go in knowing that you're going to have to deal with all of the things, good and bad, that go with attending an event of that size. I have several friends now who will probably only attend Origins or Adepticon as their "bigger con" to go to for the year as a result of this. Things have changed at Gen Con, it's probably not ever going back to the way it used to be (regardless of what city it may or may not be hosted in), and you have to either adapt (meaning, be prepared to deal, physically and psychologically with massive crowds) or move on.
"Shanna, they bought their tickets, they knew what they were getting into. I say, let 'em crash!"
There's no need to get engaged in an epic debate on this. Use your common sense, be aware of your surroundings and courteous to others, which includes not blocking the walking paths of others. There's no need for a debate on this one.
Marian McBrine Event Coordinator Gen Con LLC
There was one other bit that I liked about the "Do" graphic. It shows Traffic flowing in the halls in the same way as it flows on U.S. roads.
I think traffic in hallways should be "keep right". If we all agree on a traffic pattern we can move things along more quickly.
If you come up to someone head-on, step right. If both people do that it avoids the 3 step dance to get past each other.
When going around a blind corner, keep to your right to avoid suddenly running head-on into people.
On the other hand, if you're a pedestrian on the road, you are supposed to walk against traffic (i.e. left side) while bikers are the ones that are to travel with traffic (right side). So I suppose that adds to the confusion.
Some people just don't think that way (i.e. that driving conventions could be convenient for pedestrians).