Gen Con 2016 Call for Volunteers!

I am volunteering to GM, but Paizo's badge still hasn't hit my account, according to the Gen Con rep with whom I just spoke. He told me I shouldn't seek a refund for the badge I bought until the other badge shows up on my account. Looking back in this thread, I see that other people got their badges several weeks ago. Are any of you still waiting for Paizo's badge to appear on your Gen Con account?

Thanks!

I am volunteering to GM, but Paizo's badge still hasn't hit my account, according to the Gen Con rep with whom I just spoke. He told me I shouldn't seek a refund for the badge I bought until the other badge shows up on my account. Looking back in this thread, I see that other people got their badges several weeks ago. Are any of you still waiting for Paizo's badge to appear on your Gen Con account?

Thanks!

Have you shot the PFS Gen Con leads an e-mail at genconpfsvolunteer@paizo.com ?

They should be able to help you.

Good plan. Thank you!

Please consider my volunteer application if it's not too late!

I am processing additional volunteers on a regular basis on a first come first basis. We have received and continue to receive cancellations opening opportunities for new volunteers. The first thing to do is complete the online application at the bottom of the blog so your vital information is dropped into the ongoing database of volunteers. It is time coded so I know when new people populate. Then when a cancellation occurs, I compare your availability to that of the opening. If it fits, I will extend an offer to join the volunteer team by email. Your chances of being selected increase the fewer restrictions you place on your time. Things like blocking out certain slots of availability or restricting yourself to one game type (RPG, ACG, HQ, etc) can make it more difficult to find a spot for you and I may have to move on the next available candidate.

Also, if you really want to attend GenCon as a volunteer, it may be possible right up to the week of the con. We often get cancellations a few days before the event. U like previous years, we will be capable of offering the complete tier 1 package including hotel room accommodations right up to the event as they become available from cancellations. Certainly making plans with such little notice can be a challenge but one has to weigh the pros and cons if getting a room is a deal breaker for their attendance.

Once you have submitted your app and are interested in knowing your status, feel free to send me an email and I can let you know. Please wait a week or two before doing so, so I have time to extract the most recent data from the online app database.

I'm running ACG, but my assignment does not specify which box. Runelords, Skull & Shackles, or Wrath of the Righteous? Or whatever the players want to play? :)

Although tickets are being sold by OP, player choice will dictate what scenarios are run.

Hey, I messaged you guys about my schedule about 3 weeks ago and still haven't heard back. I've got questions that I'm really looking for answers to.

they did say a couple weeks ago that they were busy with getting ready and running Paizocon and they probably have a lot of catching up to do with emails and questions. Im waiting patiently for answers too.

Although tickets are being sold by OP, player choice will dictate what scenarios are run.

Followup question: do I need to bring my ACG boxes and the various scenarios (including RotR errata cards), or will they be provided?

I'll probably end up bringing them anyway, I'd just like to know what the expectation is.

No. All materials for the ACG and Demo events ( in the dealer hall) will be provided

just got my schedule cant wait

I wish I could be there but...

I just dropped June's scenarios to the GMs. Now I can start on July and Gen Con. Expect published adventures to arrive in the next week or so.

As Bob said, we have cancellations and are looking for volunteers to fill those spots. We also have room for those volunteers that want to do one or two slots but don't want to commit to the entire convention. Just follow the link in the blog to the form and input your information.

Now that PaizoCon is over, I'm taking stock of where we were at with Gen Con planning. This includes dropping badges to those that came onboard in the past few weeks. If you are having issue with your badge and you were signed up prior to May 15, please drop me an email so I can track it down.

We have had a few issues where prior year volunteers had two accounts set up in the Gen Con system. In those cases, calling the Gen Con customer service resulted in the merge of the two accounts and the badge appeared. If you volunteered previous and cannot see your Paizo badge, that may be the issue.

Not long now!

I just dropped June's scenarios to the GMs. Now I can start on July and Gen Con. Expect published adventures to arrive in the next week or so.

So earlier scenarios should already be in our downloads? Or should they arrive in the next week or so? Just a little confused by how you worded that. I just checked, and the already available scenario I'll be running several times at Gen Con (7-21 The Sun Orchid Scheme) isn't in my downloads.

Also, if we're supposed to be ready to run all three of the level 1 evergreens, do we get those for free, too? I've already got The Confirmation and The Compact Consortium, but not The Wounded Wisp. I'm not that concerned about it, though. Given how unlikely it is to matter, I figured I'd make sure I was prepped and ready to GM the two out of three that I already have, and not worry about the third.

Tonya Woldridge wrote:

I just dropped June's scenarios to the GMs. Now I can start on July and Gen Con. Expect published adventures to arrive in the next week or so.

So earlier scenarios should already be in our downloads? Or should they arrive in the next week or so? Just a little confused by how you worded that. I just checked, and the already available scenario I'll be running several times at Gen Con (7-21 The Sun Orchid Scheme) isn't in my downloads.

Also, if we're supposed to be ready to run all three of the level 1 evergreens, do we get those for free, too? I've already got The Confirmation and The Compact Consortium, but not The Wounded Wisp. I'm not that concerned about it, though. Given how unlikely it is to matter, I figured I'd make sure I was prepped and ready to GM the two out of three that I already have, and not worry about the third.

I'll be right there with you... gming Sun Orchid Scheme 5 times through the weekend. Already ran it locally, so if you need pointers let me know.

As I recall you only need 1 evergreen prepared. I'll be preparing Consortium.

As I recall you only need 1 evergreen prepared. I'll be preparing Consortium.

My understanding is that we need to be ready for any of the 3. Pretty sure i asked and that is what I was told. Will check when I get to a computer.

So I'm running 8 slots, five of something, and the three specials, and with my two remaining slots I'm... playing pathfinder.... because that's how I roll. I think I'm going to bring a character with narcolepsy for the game I play and just LARP the heck out of it by nodding off at the table.

*edit*
This was supposed to be a commentary on the evergreens, but failed on account of exhaustion.... ironic...

I was meant to say, you are asked to prep all three, but not bring materials for them, those will be provided by HQ.

Jordan Agudelo wrote:

As I recall you only need 1 evergreen prepared. I'll be preparing Consortium.

My understanding is that we need to be ready for any of the 3. Pretty sure i asked and that is what I was told. Will check when I get to a computer.

The only thing you need to do is be familiar with the scenarios. All prep will be provided, and if you get pulled for the one you are least prepared for, there may be wiggle room to fit you elsewhere.

My email "said you need to be prepared to run all 3 evergreen scenarios in case the situation arises, a copy of the scenario, maps, miniatures,and player handouts will be provided by HQ, we just ask that you have read and are familiar with the story and encounters."

Ok well for me that means prep. I have only ran 1 of the 3 so I need to do more than look it over.

It would certainly be great if all GMs were capable of running any of the three evergreens should their scheduled table cancel since we cannot predict which, if any of them a table of walkin players may want to play. If said players have already played 5-08, it would be less than ideal if the only scenario a GM could run was 5-08. Since realtime cancelled tables and walkin/generic tickets are a complete unknown we can only ask for the widest possible latitude from our GMs. We are doing everything we can to minimize the amount of prep a GM has to do for these scenarios by providing the maps, minis, printed material, etc. and almost all of the encounters are with uncomplicated stat blocks. All we ask is that GMs have read and are familiar with the scenarios. At this point, I'm sure the vast majority of our GM community has at least played if not GM'd (perhaps multiple times) 5-08 & 6-10. That number is likely smaller for 7-10, but still probably a significant amount.

I don't think Paizo intends to drop the evergreens into the account of every GenCon GM on the chance they'll need it, but there is some expectation that local area GMs and organizers would have those scenarios already to support the expansion of new player acquisition. It is also important to note that if your FLGS is a registered retail, they may already be getting the scenarios. It should be a relatively simple process of borrowing the evergreens to read if you do not already own a copy of the scenario and return it when you're done. Remember, these are not complicated high-tier scenarios. The story arcs are relatively straight forward and most of the encounters are simple.

We just do not want a repeat of a few years ago where we asked all GMs to prepare the three First Steps scenarios as backups and one GM who happened to experience numerous cancelled tables took it upon himself to prep something else and refuse to run any of the First Step offerings. As most of the players we were trying to seat were new to PFS it was not an inviting atmosphere.

The bottom line; we cannot predict what will be needed to fill cancelled tables and if we have players willing to play we need your assistance to make that happen. Please help us provide the best possible experience for all possible players. Thx

Explore! Report! Cooperate!

Tonya Woldridge wrote:

I just dropped June's scenarios to the GMs. Now I can start on July and Gen Con. Expect published adventures to arrive in the next week or so.

So earlier scenarios should already be in our downloads? Or should they arrive in the next week or so? Just a little confused by how you worded that. I just checked, and the already available scenario I'll be running several times at Gen Con (7-21 The Sun Orchid Scheme) isn't in my downloads.

Still waiting for a clarification on this.

I took her comment to mean that if a scenario has been published that it would be in our downloads in a week or so. Not the way you Former.

"June's scenarios" could be a reference to conventions happening in June, rather than scenarios released in June. In that case, Tonya is working through the July conventions, and then will tackle GenCon.

Submitted an application to fill in for cancellations after a friend filled me in on the need. I never know far enough in advance if I can make GenCon or not. Glad that he lit a fire under me once he realized I'd be free to volunteer to fill in. Excited to maybe be able to attend for once! (Convention four of the summer if a spot is free XD)

Got my email for room today. Had the names of other 3, but dont know them. Search on PFS site of names did not yeild results. Will we get a meet and greet email again this year for each room. I ask hesantly cause i know you are busy and have done a lot of great things already, but if already doing it, will wait. Thanks again for your hard work.

Just checked my email, and saw the names of my temporary room mates! *waves a bit*

Received my room info yesterday.
Do not know them but will hope we can email ea other like my roomates did last yr.

Fromper wrote:

Tonya Woldridge wrote:

I just dropped June's scenarios to the GMs. Now I can start on July and Gen Con. Expect published adventures to arrive in the next week or so.

So earlier scenarios should already be in our downloads? Or should they arrive in the next week or so? Just a little confused by how you worded that. I just checked, and the already available scenario I'll be running several times at Gen Con (7-21 The Sun Orchid Scheme) isn't in my downloads.

Still waiting for a clarification on this.

And it's been over a week now, and that scenario still isn't in my downloads.

Tonya is at Origins right now, so it'll probably be a little while longer before she can respond.

I recognize the name on one of my roomates at least.

Now to see if any of them actually show up this year. My first year only one showed up and last year none of them did.

I recognize the name on one of my roomates at least.

Now to see if any of them actually show up this year. My first year only one showed up and last year none of them did.

So does that mean you had the room to yourself or did others take the spots?

And it's been over a week now, and that scenario still isn't in my downloads.

To be completely honest, emailing her directly is more effective than posting to the blog thread. If anyone is missing their Paizo provided GenCon badge, or has problems with their hotel confirmation, or has not received copies of scenario material that is already published, I recommend emailing her with your concerns. As stated above, she is attending Origins this weekend so likely not going to address any concerns until next week at the earliest. Also, her travel schedule is fairly extensive between now and GenCon so immediate responsiveness is not likely. However, having your questions in her email queue is more likely to be addressed than in a forum thread.

Also, if you received your volunteer schedule and did not reply with a confirmation, please do so. If you are expecting a volunteer schedule and have not received it yet, please contact me ASAP so I can resend it. All volunteer schedules were distributed last month so be sure to check your spam folder if you didn't receive it.

Thx

James Anderson wrote:

I recognize the name on one of my roomates at least.

Now to see if any of them actually show up this year. My first year only one showed up and last year none of them did.

So does that mean you had the room to yourself or did others take the spots?

Don't know how it happened, but yes, I had it to myself. The hotel said I had 3 roommates, they just never showed up. (The first year there actually was a third person for about 10 minutes who stored gear then left).

In past years we were not given the opportunity to make changes to the hotel roster after it was submitted to GenCon. That means if there was a cancellation, not only were we unable to replace that volunteer with one who earned a hotel space, but we could not adjust the room assignments. Thus a few people may have experienced less than "full" rooms.

Fortunately, that has changed for this year. We are expecting to have the ability to replace/move names in response to cancellations. This will help us maximize our available hotel space as well as replace GMs with a new one and provide them a full benefits package including a room. It is an exciting improvement over the frustration of the last couple of years.

Fortunately, that has changed for this year. We are expecting to have the ability to replace/move names in response to cancellations. This will help us maximize our available hotel space as well as replace GMs with a new one and provide them a full benefits package including a room. It is an exciting improvement over the frustration of the last couple of years.

Except for Mr. Anderson, who will now not have a great big room to himself.

:)

Maybe a few more people in the room will help him hide from Agent Smith :-P

Maybe a few more people in the room will help him hide from Agent Smith :-P

Do I need to make a vigilante now?

Bob Jonquet wrote:

Maybe a few more people in the room will help him hide from Agent Smith :-P

Do I need to make a vigilante now?

It'd be an 'odd' Vigilante, Mister Anderson. Everyone would know your 'social' alias as the one attempting to evade attention. Though it might be do-able if you avoid saying 'Whoah' and any vigilante alias dealing with 'new'...

At this time, I am unable to confirm receipt of volunteer schedules for the following list of people. Could be the email address I have for them is an error, my emails falling into spam folders, or their response dropped into my archives amongst a HUGE amount of GenCon traffic. In any case, I am unaware at this time if they know their volunteer schedule or that they are even approved. If you are on this list or know any of the names, please contact me BY EMAIL as soon as possible. At some time in the near future if we cannot confirm with the volunteer we may need to cancel the volunteer status and offer the schedule to a standby volunteer. I would hate for that to happen due to a communication error.
Thx - Bob
pfs.illinois@gmail.com

Adam Loutzenhiser
Andrew Hall
Casey Miller
Christopher Fuller
Christopher Kauffman
Christopher Rowe
Jay Zicht
Joe Lange
John K Reid
John Wood II
Joshua Brinkman
Joshua Foster
Justin McNeely
Madden Stewart
Mark Mastej
Martin Frederick
Matt Hockenheimer
Michael Johnson
Nick Tarpinian
Noel Anthony Reiner de Joya
Peter Shah
Roger Kernsmith
Ryan Scheppler
Scott Rawls
Sterling Metz
Trent Varva
Tyler Ernst

Sent to you again, Bob, but since this is response number three at this point, can this message act as my response?

I'll try sending you a third response as well via email, but my name on this list obviously means you didn't get either of mynprevious responses. Michael Johnson

Sent to you again, Bob, but since this is response number three at this point, can this message act as my response?

I wouldn't count on it, though I just sent him a FB message telling him you posted here about this, in case he misses the email again (which I assume you did send, based on your post).

Good luck!

People on the list are responding. Thank you for that. After a few more days to allow as many as possible to reply, I will update the list.

Hi Bob, just wanted to confirm that I did get my schedule (Trent). I sent a reply to the email you sent out about confirmation a few days ago but I heard you hadn't been receiving them so I'll post here. I'll try and shoot a response via email again as well as requested. Thanks!

At this time, I am unable to confirm receipt of volunteer schedules for the following list of people. Could be the email address I have for them is an error, my emails falling into spam folders, or their response dropped into my archives amongst a HUGE amount of GenCon traffic. In any case, I am unaware at this time if they know their volunteer schedule or that they are even approved. If you are on this list or know any of the names, please contact me BY EMAIL as soon as possible. At some time in the near future if we cannot confirm with the volunteer we may need to cancel the volunteer status and offer the schedule to a standby volunteer. I would hate for that to happen due to a communication error.

Thx - Bob
pfs.illinois@gmail.com

Adam Loutzenhiser
Andrew Hall
Casey Miller
Christopher Fuller
Christopher Kauffman
Christopher Rowe
Jay Zicht
Joe Lange
John K Reid
John Wood II
Joshua Brinkman
Joshua Foster
Justin McNeely
Madden Stewart
Mark Mastej
Martin Frederick
Matt Hockenheimer
Michael Johnson
Nick Tarpinian
Noel Anthony Reiner de Joya
Peter Shah
Roger Kernsmith
Ryan Scheppler
Scott Rawls
Sterling Metz
Trent Varva
Tyler Ernst

At this time, I am unable to confirm receipt of volunteer schedules for the following list of people. Could be the email address I have for them is an error, my emails falling into spam folders, or their response dropped into my archives amongst a HUGE amount of GenCon traffic. In any case, I am unaware at this time if they know their volunteer schedule or that they are even approved. If you are on this list or know any of the names, please contact me BY EMAIL as soon as possible. At some time in the near future if we cannot confirm with the volunteer we may need to cancel the volunteer status and offer the schedule to a standby volunteer. I would hate for that to happen due to a communication error.

Thx - Bob
pfs.illinois@gmail.com

Upating my previous list for those who have replied (thank you), the following are still pending confirmation. If you know any of these people, please encourage them to reach out to me ASAP. Thanks

Adam Loutzenhiser
Andrew Hall
Casey Miller
Christopher Fuller
Christopher Kauffman
Christopher Rowe
Jay Zicht
Joe Lange
John K Reid
John Wood II
Joshua Brinkman
Joshua Foster
Justin McNeely
Madden Stewart
Mark Mastej
Martin Frederick
Matt Hockenheimer
Michael Johnson
Nick Tarpinian
Noel Anthony Reiner de Joya
Peter Shah
Roger Kernsmith
Ryan Scheppler
Scott Rawls
Sterling Metz
Trent Varva
Tyler Ernst

Are the specials released for the people running them yet?

Nope. You'll get an email from customer service once scenarios have been dropped into your account.

One huge piece of good news is, for the first time, we will be listing the interactive special by sub-tier in the event catalog. This means players will be able to buy a ticket for the specific level of their character (1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 10-11). That coupled with some minor changes to the marshaling process, learned over the past few years, the seating process should be the smoothest ever.

It also means that since we will know precisely how many players are registered in each sub-tier, GMs will know what specific sub-tier to prepare. One of the struggles in past years has been we did not know the distribution of characters by level before the event. Typically we would see a small demand for Sub-tier 10-11. However, last year we experienced a spike in demand and were not prepared for it. Many GMs had to judge sub-tiers they had not prepared which led to some less than ideal conditions and poor experiences. By eliminating this uncertainty, the GMs will be better prepared to run their tables and can provide a better experience for the players.

I cannot properly express my excitement towards this development!

Houston, we have a problem.

Pre-registration badges and tickets were mailed out by Gen Con and arrived this week. I bought a ticket to play in the big special, and I just noticed: My printed ticket doesn't have the sub-tier printed on it. Apparently, the event name is too long, so the ending got cut off.

It's not the end of the world, but it's safe to assume this will cause some confusion. People will forget what tier they bought their ticket for. Some people might want to trade to switch sub-tiers, and not know what their ticket says. Some groups or families may have bought multiple tickets together for different sub-tiers and not know which is which. So the new, better system won't go quite as smoothly as we'd all hoped in its first year.

There is a game ID # on the ticket, and I checked to confirm that those are different for each sub-tier. So this will require educating the marshals and table GM's to look at those ID #'s to make sure players have tickets for the correct sub-tier.

Just thought I'd raise the red flag as early as possible, so plans can be made to deal with this.

Ooh, that is a bit of an issue, thanks for the heads up Fromper.