Official Call for PaizoCon 2015 Volunteers

/agreed. Happy early fifth. I'll see you at the bar, drinks on me.

The afternoon slot each day will be left open...we will not be officially scheduling GMs for those slots.

That's a fairly crumby bait-and-switch.

Duncan7291 wrote:

The afternoon slot each day will be left open...we will not be officially scheduling GMs for those slots.

That's a fairly crumby bait-and-switch.

What is the switch? There will be no officially organized tables in that slot, leaving it open for you to form your own table or enjoy another part of the convention. I don't understand your meaning.

Derp. I wish I had seen this yesterday, please ignore my email. Probably can't go now, but thems the breaks.

wac wrote:

Duncan7291 wrote:

The afternoon slot each day will be left open...we will not be officially scheduling GMs for those slots.

That's a fairly crumby bait-and-switch.

What is the switch? There will be no officially organized tables in that slot, leaving it open for you to form your own table or enjoy another part of the convention. I don't understand your meaning.

Selling tickets for the con, then announcing that during the main gaming slot each day there won't actually be any organised games.

In previous years there were games in every slot. You likely wouldn't get your lottery choices, and maybe not your first couple of PFS choices, but there would be something. This time around the attitude seems to be "For the main part of the day? What evs, arrange something for yourself. Or not. What do we care?"

That's a gross misrepresentation of the reasoning behind the decision. Nor do I agree that the afternoon is the main slot.

Is there a Warhorn or something for "signing up" for this open slot? How can GMs advertise what they'll be running?

Come to think of it, how do you sign up for games at PaizoCon as a player? I've only ever GMed.

I disagree with wac's comment.

Last year I felt rushed throughout the day with little time to eat or do anything else throughout the day as games were back to back to back. At one point, I got someone else to pick me up a couple items in the store as I didn't have time to go myself. I like the new free slot. I can shop, play card game or play in a pickup scenario. Also, it will give additional time for meals (could get away from hotel food).

Seeing how the con is an extra day and con ticket prices are the same (if my memory is incorrect let me know), we are getting about the same number of sessions. Also, GMs could use a break. Judging my the tiredness I saw in some GMs on Sunday it's definitely needed.

Is there a Warhorn or something for "signing up" for this open slot? How can GMs advertise what they'll be running?

Come to think of it, how do you sign up for games at PaizoCon as a player? I've only ever GMed.

The open slot will be pretty much all pick-up games. Individual GMs could set up a Warhorn and advertise on the forums, or just hangout in the open play area and see who shows up. I recommend bringing signs.

Paizo puts up an event lottery when the schedule is finalized and then opens it for people to signup. Limited space events take the listed signups and randomly select who can play. Then you can trade tickets through the system or at the convention to get into the games you want. PFS tables are usually open signup and don't randomize, as demand for a specific table usually isn't as high.

Seeing how the con is an extra day and con ticket prices are the same (if my memory is incorrect let me know)

Ticket prices before were $50 as I recall. So while we are paying more, and there are still the same number of official slots, we are actually getting more slots.

I disagree with wac's comment.

Last year I felt rushed throughout the day with little time to eat or do anything else throughout the day as games were back to back to back. At one point, I got someone else to pick me up a couple items in the store as I didn't have time to go myself. I like the new free slot. I can shop, play card game or play in a pickup scenario. Also, it will give additional time for meals (could get away from hotel food).

Seeing how the con is an extra day and con ticket prices are the same (if my memory is incorrect let me know), we are getting about the same number of sessions. Also, GMs could use a break. Judging my the tiredness I saw in some GMs on Sunday it's definitely needed.

It's exactly the same amount of PFS slots and tables we ran last year.

PFS tables are usually open signup and don't randomize, as demand for a specific table usually isn't as high.

Okay. That doesn't sound so bad.

I saw the word "lottery" somewhere and got worried.

So, how does one go about signing up for any particular game?

So, how does one go about signing up for any particular game?

There will be an events page with everything under the PaizoCon page where you can see the entire schedule and signup for games.

Thanks Mike for the clarification.

TriOmegaZero wrote:

PFS tables are usually open signup and don't randomize, as demand for a specific table usually isn't as high.

Okay. That doesn't sound so bad.

I saw the word "lottery" somewhere and got worried.

So, how does one go about signing up for any particular game?

The "lottery" portion applies to higher profile events/games/special events (generally staff games fill up first) to make signing up for these highly sought after events are more fairly distributed. There are often many events after the lottery that you can sign up for in open registration (including seminars, third-party events, and I'm guessing some sekrit stuff we haven't announced yet). :)

Registering for events will be available and information about registering will be prominently announced as we get closer to the show.

One of the other benefits of having an open slot from PFSOP is so that attendees don't have to miss out on key seminars or other gaming options due to the drive to maximize their OP character's level progression.

We are trying to allow for a more holistic convention experience rather than just a PFSOP con experience. If that's your main drive for attending, then great. There will be plenty of GMs running PFSOP during that open slot. But if you'd like to take a break from PFSOP and take in some of the other sights and sounds of PaizoCon, well then this is your opportunity.

As much as I love seeing the PFSOP room full 24/7, I'm almost more excited to see how folks spend their off slot. Who will I get a chance to chat with in the bar? What new faces will we see in our seminars? Who's going to take the time to try out the Adventure Card Game? Maybe some folks will paint a mini or do some serious browsing in the store? So many possibilities... :) I just can't wait!

Nefreet wrote:

Is there a Warhorn or something for "signing up" for this open slot? How can GMs advertise what they'll be running?

Come to think of it, how do you sign up for games at PaizoCon as a player? I've only ever GMed.

The open slot will be pretty much all pick-up games. Individual GMs could set up a Warhorn and advertise on the forums, or just hangout in the open play area and see who shows up. I recommend bringing signs.

Paizo puts up an event lottery when the schedule is finalized and then opens it for people to signup. Limited space events take the listed signups and randomly select who can play. Then you can trade tickets through the system or at the convention to get into the games you want. PFS tables are usually open signup and don't randomize, as demand for a specific table usually isn't as high.

Officially scheduled events also include ones that are run by other companies and individuals in the Pathfinder and tabletop gaming community. I think people that have previously only ever done PFS events at PaizoCon will be pleasantly surprised at the variety of options available during these open PFS slots.

By the way, if anyone is interested in running a scheduled event, you can find submission information here: http://paizo.com/paizocon/eventSubmission.

Thanks Sara, I need to get started on that...

One of the other benefits of having an open slot from PFSOP is so that attendees don't have to miss out on key seminars or other gaming options due to the drive to maximize their OP character's level progression.

We are trying to allow for a more holistic convention experience rather than just a PFSOP con experience. If that's your main drive for attending, then great. There will be plenty of GMs running PFSOP during that open slot. But if you'd like to take a break from PFSOP and take in some of the other sights and sounds of PaizoCon, well then this is your opportunity.

As much as I love seeing the PFSOP room full 24/7, I'm almost more excited to see how folks spend their off slot. Who will I get a chance to chat with in the bar? What new faces will we see in our seminars? Who's going to take the time to try out the Adventure Card Game? Maybe some folks will paint a mini or do some serious browsing in the store? So many possibilities... :) I just can't wait!

As an attendee I agree with this and am happy with the change. I don't get much chance to play (other than PBP) so I feel the need to fill my time playing at the con. This will give me the impetus to do other things and not feel so rushed between events.

It's a good plan and I am sure people that want to fill those slots will have no trouble doing so.

I agree that, if you want to experience the other things at the Con, then you should do so. My wife and I have in the past. We did this by attending in between slots or skipping a slot of RP for something else.

This change means that everyone MUST do this or fend for themselves for this middle slot.

If anyone wishes to replicate this idea, they could simply not schedule themselves for a slot. It seems ridiculous that Paizo would not organise PFS for each (arguably) main slot, every day, because SOME people don't want to go, but can't control themselves enough to skip it if it's presented.

I remain with the experience of the "whatevs" attitude, because the reasoning, as presented, is not logical.

I'm happy about the open afternoon, personally. It made it so I felt like I could volunteer as a tier 1 GM without giving over the con entirely to GMing PFS.

One question I have, however: what will be happening in the PFS room during the open slot? Will it be scheduled for other things? Or will it be available for "pickup PFS games"?

As somebody else mentioned, I would not be surprised to see pickup PFS games just happen. Last year, I played in two on Thursday, before the start of the Con. Given that there is at least one (and if one person is posting it on the forum, I'm sure there are others!) who are interested in pickup PFS games in the middle time, I'm pretty sure they will happen. Just far fewer than during the "official" hours, because I bet that other people will want to take advantage of the slot to do other things, or even just sleep....

IF the PFS room is not going to be scheduled for other things during the afternoon slots, would it be possible to make it available for pickup PFS games? Then there really would be PFS going on in there all day long; it'll just be at a lower pitch during the afternoon slot. And, then, folks like wac who are interested in PFS during the afternoon are very likely to find games.

IF the PFS room is not going to be scheduled for other things during the afternoon slots, would it be possible to make it available for pickup PFS games? Then there really would be PFS going on in there all day long; it'll just be at a lower pitch during the afternoon slot. And, then, folks like wac who are interested in PFS during the afternoon are very likely to find games.

This is likely to happen every open slot save Saturday afternoon. Unless the banquet is held in a room other than the PFS tables, that time will be used for grubbins set up.

I remain with the experience of the "whatevs" attitude, because the reasoning, as presented, is not logical.

Listening to the feedback generated from previous events isn't logical? To say nothing of the fact that scheduling official tables in those slots requires more volunteers to run (which is admittedly not as much a problem considering all current tables were filled in ten hours with more on the wait list). I understand you don't like the decision, and by all means put forth reasons to schedule more, but implying the staff don't care isn't going to convince them to alter the plan.

Leg o' Lamb wrote:

I am indestructible. My liver is always ready.

I've heard this line before. It didn't go so well for those involved. :D

Are you keeping up with Buhlman?

I can't make it to Seattle from the East Coast this year maybe next year.
Have a great time everyone.

Mike

Listening to the feedback generated from previous events isn't logical?

It is completely logical. But that's not the reason presented. The reason presented is that the feedback says some people wanted more time to do other things during the con.

The illogical part is changing the scheduling so that everyone must follow this.

The old way already allowed anyone who wanted to do other things to do them, and provide gaming for those who wanted gaming.

The new provides no new ability to the first group and remove the gaming provided by the con from the second group.

In other words, not organizing games during this time provides a net negative.

I understand you don't like the decision, and by all means put forth reasons to schedule more, but implying the staff don't care isn't going to convince them to alter the plan.

I think that the staff do care. That has always been my experience. However, as the reasoning is not sound (above) I don't know what to think and am expressing the message that is being received, almost certainly not the one being sent.

Absent new information that makes an apparent net negative make sense that's the most positive spin I can put on it.

Even making this in the night slots would be less annoying than plonking it it in the middle of the day. Still a net negative across the population, but less disruptive.

Okay, I get where you're coming from. I just know that the hour between slots that most cons schedule is rarely enough for me to get lunch/dinner before my next game. I end up eating at the table as players are introducing themselves. Not being beholden to getting to the next game is a great boon, and the fact that we aren't getting less slots than last year is even better.

The old way already allowed anyone who wanted to do other things to do them, and provide gaming for those who wanted gaming.

Except for the GMs who had to be scheduled back to back slots (especially Tier 1 GMs) and couldn't choose to take a slot off, or would have to go the entire con without ever playing a game due to taking their one or two non-GM slots to relax.

TriOmegaZero wrote:

Listening to the feedback generated from previous events isn't logical?

It is completely logical. But that's not the reason presented. The reason presented is that the feedback says some people wanted more time to do other things during the con.

They can do this by simply doing other things during the con - not scheduling themselves during that middle slot.

The illogical part is changing the scheduling so that everyone must follow this.

The old way already allowed anyone who wanted to do other things to do them, and provide gaming for those who wanted gaming.

The new provides no new ability to the first group and remove the gaming provided by the con from the second group.

In other words, not organizing games during this time provides a net negative.

TriOmegaZero wrote:

I understand you don't like the decision, and by all means put forth reasons to schedule more, but implying the staff don't care isn't going to convince them to alter the plan.

I think that the staff do care. That has always been my experience. However, as the reasoning is not sound (above) I don't know what to think and am expressing the message that is being received, almost certainly not the one being sent.

Absent new information that makes an apparent net negative make sense that's the most positive spin I can put on it.

Even making this in the night slots would be less annoying than plonking it it in the middle of the day. Still a net negative across the population, but less disruptive.

Alright dude, I like this schedule as it gives me, the gm who makes all of those wonderful PFS games happen, a chance to take in a bit of the con I usually miss. I would love to play in one of the Bastardhall games, but I never can. Why? Because I am busy gming PFS. The off slots allow me to talk to people I get one chance a year to see and chat with. I couldn't do that previous years. Why? I was busy gming PFS. Is it clear yet?

I would prefer the open slots be in the morning so my lazy hungover ass can sleep in. But, since no one asked me which slots I would like to be open gaming, I will be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 8am to gm those wonderful tables of PFS. But even if Paizocon went in a Gencon like direction for slots, I would still have volunteered at Tier 1 (at least then I would have Friday and Saturday morning off). But until we see the schedule that contains all of the events, please do not say this is less gaming opportunity.

Who knows? Maybe all of the really cool games with Paizo employees are scheduled during the off slots. That would be kick-ass! Means I might get a chance to finally play one of those games. Or, I might just fail my will save and run a table for some friends or people I just met, which could include you!

The point being please do not naysay the opportunity until we see the entire schedule.

I do predict that as a result of this, lottery games for the afternoon slots will be much more competitive than lottery games for morning and evening slots....

Okay, I get where you're coming from. I just know that the hour between slots that most cons schedule is rarely enough for me to get lunch/dinner before my next game. I end up eating at the table as players are introducing themselves. Not being beholden to getting to the next game is a great boon, and the fact that we aren't getting less slots than last year is even better.

Quote:

The old way already allowed anyone who wanted to do other things to do them, and provide gaming for those who wanted gaming.

Except for the GMs who had to be scheduled back to back slots (especially Tier 1 GMs) and couldn't choose to take a slot off, or would have to go the entire con without ever playing a game due to taking their one or two non-GM slots to relax.

With the extra day, this is no longer an issue. As presented, if those middle slots contained PFS games, Tier 1 GMs would have exactly the same number of slots free as if the slots didn't have PFS games.

Alright dude, I like this schedule as it gives me, the gm who makes all of those wonderful PFS games happen, a chance to take in a bit of the con I usually miss.

It has not been presented as being for because of GMs, but for the sake of this post, I'll assume that this is the real reason on that it has been terribly miscommunicated

With the requirement to run six slots as a Tier 1, you would have exactly the same number of free slots if PFS games were run in those middle slots.

I would love to play in one of the Bastardhall games, but I never can. Why? Because I am busy gming PFS. The off slots allow me to talk to people I get one chance a year to see and chat with. I couldn't do that previous years. Why? I was busy gming PFS. Is it clear yet?

Sorry, but no it isn't. (As above) ....AND you would have a slightly higher chance of getting Bastardhall if you won your lottery pick because fewer people would be vying for it.

With the extra day, this is no longer an issue. As presented, if those middle slots contained PFS games, Tier 1 GMs would have exactly the same number of slots free as if the slots didn't have PFS games.

No, they would have to run more games to cover the increased number of tables. So they would be right back to using their few off slots to either play or relax.

With the requirement to run six slots as a Tier 1, you would have exactly the same number of free slots if PFS games were run in those middle slots.

Look at the GenCon volunteer calls. There are more slots, and Tier 1 GMs have to run 8 slots. Increasing the number of PFS tables increases the number of slots GMs have to run.

I have created a partial misunderstanding here. I'm not hung up on PFS - just at Paizocon, off the top of my head, I've played several games of FATE, one Shadowrun, Terah and 13th Age.

The primary issue is with the con organisers setting up organised, scheduled games.

If they set up a similar number of some other kind of rp games in theses middle slots to supplement the lottery games, then there is no issue.

However, at the moment they are not doing that. We have to roam around like lost farts trying to find a game.

However, at the moment they are not doing that. We have to roam around like lost farts trying to find a game.

Ah, I understand.

For the diehard PFS fans who want to play a roleplaying or card game scenario in the afternoon slot, there will be tables available in the open gaming area, though we will not be officially scheduling GMs for those slots.

As you can see, this is only speaking to PFS tables, not other games.

I, for one, am not looking forward to getting back from lunch every afternooon, and then wandering around the freeplay area, trying to find a table that hasn't already started playing, that is also about to run a PFS scenario that I haven't already played, that sounds like it would be fun, that is in a tier for which I have a character ready to go, and isn't in a holding pattern waiting for the GM who "just left a few minutes ago to round up some more players". I don't think I'm the only person who has social anxiety at the thought of approaching multiple tables hoping that they have a spot for me, let alone for me and my husband. I think it will also be awkward for the people who are already at the table, especially if they're running a non-PFS game and have to either re-explain the new system to everyone who drops in, or turn away all but experienced players. Plus it'll make it tough on the GMs, not knowing how many players they'll have, when the game will actually start, and consequently how much time they'll actually have to run the game.

I much prefer knowing ahead of the con what I'll be playing when, and my anticipation has now been tainted by anxiety.

wac wrote:

With the extra day, this is no longer an issue. As presented, if those middle slots contained PFS games, Tier 1 GMs would have exactly the same number of slots free as if the slots didn't have PFS games.

No, they would have to run more games to cover the increased number of tables. So they would be right back to using their few off slots to either play or relax.

With the requirement to run six slots as a Tier 1, you would have exactly the same number of free slots if PFS games were run in those middle slots.

Look at the GenCon volunteer calls. There are more slots, and Tier 1 GMs have to run 8 slots. Increasing the number of PFS tables increases the number of slots GMs have to run.

They say that Tier one is 6 slots. With the waiting list of GMs, they could just tap those on that list.

They say that Tier one is 6 slots. With the waiting list of GMs, they could just tap those on that list.

Under the current table load. There is no guarantee that the wait list could support every extra slot.

Quote:

For the diehard PFS fans who want to play a roleplaying or card game scenario in the afternoon slot, there will be tables available in the open gaming area, though we will not be officially scheduling GMs for those slots.

As you can see, this is only speaking to PFS tables, not other games.

They also say that they won't be officially organising any games, though. This leaves just the lottery games - which are in insanely high demand, even under normal circumstances.

Again, I strongly suspect there will be unofficial RPGs going on in the gap times, PFS and otherwise. After all, this is a convention full of RPGers intending to binge game for a long weekend. Some will probably be organized ahead of the con on Warhorn or some such (as Thursday games were last year), others will probably be spontaneous at the last minute.

I need to get started on my Shackled City offering.

Maybe next year...

For wac and others concerned about games in the off-slots, keep an eye on this Warhorn.

Folks, I am *just* now gearing up for soliciting events from employees and 3rd parties. There will be lots of scheduled events, seminars, workshops, games (both Pathfinder and other), etc scheduled during the PFS open slots. These open PFS slots are not completely empty, unschedule times; there will be lots of programing planned.

For wac and others concerned about games in the off-slots, keep an eye on this Warhorn.

Thanks for link. Will be checking it once once schedule posted.

For wac and others concerned about games in the off-slots, keep an eye on this Warhorn.

I'd also suggest that if you want to run specific events, please check out this page to get it listed on our schedule. It is *not* limited to publishers only :)

For wac and others concerned about games in the off-slots, keep an eye on this Warhorn.

Woo, thanks for the link! I'll be keeping an eye on it for future reference.

on a side note i will be hittin the last of the specials i need for my 5th star during paizoCon, so hopefully i can get my review table thier also. while my local officers are great id like someone different at that table.

I'm volunteering at tier 1; at what point will I be able to order the banquet ticket?

I'm volunteering at tier 1; at what point will I be able to order the banquet ticket?

I just sent out an email to Tier 1 GMs in regards to this.

This is my first year volunteering to GM. I have a slot 1 game on Friday, do Slot 1 GM's have priority in line to get their badges?

I think they allowed them to register on Thursday night last year. Hopefully there will be a similar thing this year.

I would say, though, that they're very efficient getting folks through the line.

I don't have a reference link just yet Trevian, but early morning GMs are afforded the chance to pick up their badges the night before.