Three things:
1) you will never miss a deleted post if you subscribe to receive them by email;

2) ditto about boilerplate waivers;

3) in your quarantine time read up on what Socrates said about the “social contract” for the coming storm of “they can’t make me get vaccinated” threads.

I have been lurking on this thread for a long time, and I have only a few things to add.

Gen Con is an important event to me, and to many others.  It is something I look forward to every year.

That being said, my decision to go is not worth any risk to human life.  I am not a virologist or public health expert, so I cannot properly assess the risk to people if Gen Con goes off as normal this year, or if it goes off in a modified form.  I trust the experts on that determination.

I want Gen Con to make the choice that will preserve the life and health of Gen Con attendees as well as the future of Gen Con as a functioning entity, in that order.  This also includes the livelihood of the Gen Con staff and the financial impact on all of the businesses, workers, and other people in Indianapolis that makes this work.

That is a very complicated calculus, one that I am very glad I don't have to decide.  My decision is easy: do I go or do I not go?  On a secondary level, does Gen Con's choice this year affect what I do in future years regarding whether I go or not?  That's a simple, personal choice.  The decision Gen Con has on their plate is far more complicated.

There are no easy answers when it comes to COVID-19.  There are real public health concerns.  There are also real economic concerns.  There's also the psychological well-being of people to consider as well.

The one thing I ask is that people don't simplify this, and understand that this decision is unbelievably complicated and multi-faceted, no matter what is decided in the end.  It is a decision that we, as attendees, can't possibly "armchair quarterback," as we do not know a lot of details, both from the financial end and from the public health end.

The worst thing any of us can do is make poor decisions based on limited or incorrect information, particularly at moments like this.

Good luck to every single person reading this, whether you're a potential attendee, a Gen Con employee, or someone who is financially or professionally impacted, and regardless of whether you personally want Gen Con to happen in 2020 or don't want it to happen.  It is tough for every single one of us.  I hope every single one of you is physically and mentally healthy and well, and even if we don't see each other in 2020, I hope to see many of you in 2021.

I don't know if this would be considered relevant; if it is deemed deletable, I apologize...  It's intended as one more data point for folk.

I just saw on Facebook that the Fishers Renaissance Faire, in early October, was canceled.  Fishers is a (northeastern) suburb of Indianapolis, and is where I live.

Just wanted to say 'thanks' to the folks keeping an eye on this thread and keeping it sane and safe.

Just had to snooze the unofficial GenCon fan page on Facebook because of the sheer number of fear-trolling posts there not trying to pass along any useful information, but simply stirring up angst, stress, and anxiety, apparently just for the lulz.

Okay, guys, enough with the "THEY are bad" talk. Slippery slope and all that. 

Roderick Robertson
Forum Coordinator 
Gen Con, LLC. 

It appears that if Gen Con is able to be held this year it will be under restrictions that will  have a negative impact on what we know Gen Con to be.  I expect it to be cancelled because of this rather than try to put a severely restricted convention.

I will have to wait and see what 2021 holds as to whether I attend or not.

My group of 4 is a for sure no this year and because one of us is out of work with no unemployment benefits we do not want to roll over or even take system credit. I am however, patiently waiting to see if we can cancel with no 10$ per badge fee and no $50 hotel cancellation fee. I’m so sad about it but for us it’s the right choice. I am hoping that we can attend 2021 but we will just have to wait and see.

As for #2, you can remind people to stay six feet apart all you want, but to paraphrase von Moltke, "No plan survives contact with the convention center carpet," not to mention having to listen to who knows how many people saying, "A face mask isn't part of the costume." Six feet apart doesn't exist the minute somebody trips, the people behind them stop, and the chain reaction of people not stopping in time to keep six feet apart begins.

That's not something you can just hand-wave away. :-)

For me I don't want to go to a Gen Con that is not what I am used to.  It would end up being a disappointment for me and an overall waste of money.

As mentioned several times before, EVERYTHING is a concern.  There is very little empty space at the con and every aspect of it would need to be changed to meet the six foot rule. 

Im guessing we still don't have a possible day for Event Reg/Catalog release?
 

My wife and I are looking forward to going this year.  She  just saw a True Dungeon volunteer at the supermarket ( he had a TD shirt, my wife was wearing a con shirt) and he was excited about going this year. Masks, gloves, and sanitizers make us feel comfortable enough. 

I worry there won’t be as many RPGs and games, but if it goes, it will be great. 

I believe the staff are all still laid off. Only Jeff running it all right now. He ops out of Illinois which has very strict rules right now.

The volunteers as mentioned are those who show to the con, and actually run the rooms.