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New GMs late in the game.

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New GMs late in the game.

Posted by jocko

Hello,
Last year I just posted events to run some D&D 5e, as I was, and still am, a little discouraged about the rules and regulations about hosting an event. I sort of just wanted to do some casual gaming, but wonder if I have been going about it all wrong and should properly register games through the GenCon channels. I feel like my question is, what are the Pros and Cons to how I have done things last year, compared to registering Events through GenCon? Also, with only 14 days remaining, is it even possible to still host events?

Posted by mu skulls frank

I do both registered and unregistered events at Gen Con.

The pros of registering your game is that it is easy for players to find your game and if you run enough games you can score a free badge BUT you have to abide by the Gen Con rules and structure.

The con of not registering your game is you have to find the players on your own (I use the socials and http://www.muskulls.org/opengame.html) and you won't have a reserved table (sometimes open gaming can fill up) BUT you get to schedule when and where you want your game with players that you can select. This works well if there's folks you've played with in the past but can't get into your registered events so you can set up a time to meet up for a pick-up/ non-registered game.

Posted by toxic_rat

Events are approved right up to the start of the show, but there is no guarantee. I'm the EO for a game group that does a variety of events. If you search on "Conspiracy of Gamers" you can see the events we are running this year. Being part of a group seems to make approval easier, and it provides a small community of other GM's. We've been able to pool all of our player-hours together in order to provide GM badges for almost everyone.

If you're interested in joining us, send me a PM. We might* be able to get something in this year, but we'd love to help you out for 2023 events.

*It's a long shot, but we can try. Of course, the GM badge deadline is long past, unfortunately.

Mike
Conspiracy of Gamers EO
<--We have cool patches too!

Posted by jocko mu skulls frank

 mu skulls frank wrote:
I do both registered and unregistered events at Gen Con.
The pros of registering your game is that it is easy for players to find your game and if you run enough games you can score a free badge BUT you have to abide by the Gen Con rules and structure.
The con of not registering your game is you have to find the players on your own (I use the socials and http://www.muskulls.org/opengame.html) and you won't have a reserved table (sometimes open gaming can fill up) BUT you get to schedule when and where you want your game with players that you can select. This works well if there's folks you've played with in the past but can't get into your registered events so you can set up a time to meet up for a pick-up/ non-registered game.

Thanks for the feedback. I feel like unregistered is more my jam since I do like picking the players. I like to run games for a good fun time, and not great at being subtle to tone down some people that get out of hand. I do remember spots for open gaming, but how late do they usually open for? I know the convention is the whole time, but public spaces I'm sure don't apply.

Posted by jocko toxic_rat

 toxic_rat wrote:
Events are approved right up to the start of the show, but there is no guarantee. I'm the EO for a game group that does a variety of events. If you search on "Conspiracy of Gamers" you can see the events we are running this year. Being part of a group seems to make approval easier, and it provides a small community of other GM's. We've been able to pool all of our player-hours together in order to provide GM badges for almost everyone.
If you're interested in joining us, send me a PM. We might* be able to get something in this year, but we'd love to help you out for 2023 events.
*It's a long shot, but we can try. Of course, the GM badge deadline is long past, unfortunately.
Mike
Conspiracy of Gamers EO

<--We have cool patches too!

That sounds great to be part of a team! I do worry about following all the guidelines of GenCon though. I'm not worried about the badge as I bought my badge with expectations of enjoying the convention. I would maybe think about it next year though. Maybe I'll stop by your group's area for a meet and greet sort of thing if that is okay?

Posted by toxic_rat

Sure thing. Our RPG events are in the Marriott, in the Texas room. The board game and miniature events are in Hall B on the red tables 8-15.