Gen Con Indy 2022: Call for Volunteers & Important Dates

Yay! GenCon is BACK!
Application done, and ready to see my friends again for the first time since 2018. <3

Whoohoo! Morgork and Mr. Bunbun have missed making new friends!

EXTREMELY NOT HAPPY.

The Discord server invite link is showing as expired to me. Are others having this issue as well?

The Discord server invite link is showing as expired to me. Are others having this issue as well?

My bad, I forgot to set it to not expire. Here's a new one, I'll get web to update the blog post. Thanks for pointing it out!

"Withdrawal from the schedule or a reduction of a GM’s schedule as a result of not being assigned a room may result in the loss of rewards and/or a removal from consideration for Gen Con 2022 or future major conventions."

Point of clarification: It feels really disingenuous to say "We expect you to bear a pretty big financial burden if you aren't selected for a room and volunteer the same amount of time as someone who is getting a room for no additional reward."

Will there be any other compensation offered if a GM is not given a room block or could something be offered if a GM were willing to opt out of needing a room?

A few questions.
When are the interactive specials for each system?
Are there going to be tables of 1st edition of Pathfinder?
Are the Macadam games going to be running the Beginner Box?

With a potential relaxation of the covid protocols on the part of GenCon, does Paizo plan to have the stricter requirements in place?

In other words, if GenCon says full vaxx proof and masks not required, is Paizo planning to hold stricter standards for Paizo-run events?

A few questions.

When are the interactive specials for each system?
Are there going to be tables of 1st edition of Pathfinder?
Are the Macadam games going to be running the Beginner Box?

The interactives will be in the evening slots (8pm-1am) on Friday and Saturday.

In other words, if GenCon says full vaxx proof and masks not required, is Paizo planning to hold stricter standards for Paizo-run events?

Yes. Our portion of the Sagamore ballroom will be masked and vaccinated.

Yes. Our portion of the Sagamore ballroom . . . .

Interesting

EXTREMELY NOT HAPPY.

Why?

Probably because in the past, being a tier 1 GM guaranteed you a room. Now, it is possible to volunteer for 7 or more slots and not get a room provided and if that happens and you bail the last bullet point suggests it will count against you for future volunteering. That's a bit harsh given that (1) it is unlikely that anyone who intended to volunteer even tried to get into the hotel lottery since it has never been needed before, and (2) I sounds like Paizo has received about half as many rooms as they have in the past. But, I'm just guessing...

EDIT--not to mention it heavily encourages volunteers to do 10-slots which is incredibly hard on the mind and body, but since the free room is a deal-breaker for a lot of our volunteers, they will do it rather than miss out on Gen Con entirely and could result in fatigue that will impact the games towards the end of the show. It wouldn't surprise me if some volunteers do 7 slots in hopes of getting a room, and if they don't, will try and "barter" their way into a room by adding more tables.

On the other hand, if this results in a much higher average slots per GM rate than we have historically experienced, it could mean better coverage (no cancelled tables). Though the reference to "our portion of the Sagamore ballroom" could mean that Paizo is not getting exclusive use of the room this year which would mean less demand for GMs. Given that the rumor is tables will be spread out more this year, it will be interesting to see how many tables are scheduled for org and if any of the room is being used by someone else.

Yes. Our portion of the Sagamore ballroom will be masked and vaccinated.

Can we have a explanation why this is being done?

The answer will determine if I will continue to volunteer for GenCon.

Does it need to be any simpler than Paizo feels that it is still in their best interest to require masking for the protection of their staff and volunteers? Just because state governments are relaxing their requirements, there are some who feel it is still premature and given that there will be a large group of international travelers in a confined area for an extended period of time, perhaps they feel it prudent to take additional precautions. YMMV

Personally, I am more interested in details like how many tables will be offered for each system and what "our portion of the Sagamore ballroom" means.

I am not going to discuss my views. Pretty sure it is obvious.

Just want to hear the reasons, from Paizo. You don't speak for them anymore. You already made the decision to separate from them.

How dare they want their employees, fans, and guests to be and feel safe.

... seriosuly, saying we make our people's health and safety a priority in this regard is not the evil stance in this regard.

What does a Paizo rep coming in and telling you the same thing justify or give you, you know why, you don't care.

The Pandemic still very much exists.

You don't speak for them anymore. You already made the decision to separate from them.

Why are you responding then?

There is no reason to start getting persnickety at each other. If they don't require masks and you think they should, don't go. If they require masks and you think they shouldn't, don't go. Pretty simple really.

Yep.

Xathos of Varisia wrote:

EXTREMELY NOT HAPPY.

Why?

It's time to kick open the doors and hit live play hard. Gen Con is where Paizo gets to show off its merchandise via Org Play. We should have the Sag at full capacity and be showing everyone how great PF2 and Starfinder are and how fun Society play is.

Instead we are only going to have part of the Sag? With only 600 tables? That's just ignorant. It's an ignorant business decision that is bad for Paizo and even worse for Org Play.

There's only 28 rooms which means 112 GMs. Those GMs have to run 7 tables each, but there's only going to be 50 scenarios and 10 demo/bounty/quest/whatever tables in each slot. No overnights (no loss there), so 10 slots times 60 equals 600 total tables.

So, you want to GM, but don't get picked for one of the extremely limited spaces with the Paizo-provided hotel rooms? But, you are required to show up to GM anyway or else be blacklisted for future Gen Cons? Yeah, you're really showing us the love there. I don't see that happening because I'm pretty sure you're going to have enough GMs in those rooms to cover all 600 tables.

Worried about Covid, but you're going to put 4 GMs in each room? That's hypocrisy.

What I perceive is Paizo cutting back on the biggest con on the calendar and pushing for us to be online for it. If that's what Paizo wants, then they need to be upfront about it. I want to know who made these decisions so I can tell them to their face that they're wrong and made bad decisions.

We should have the Sag at full capacity...

You are assuming it was Paizo's decision to only book part of the room. It is possible the convention limited Paizo's footprint. The price difference between booking the entire room, and only most of the room is relatively minor, so there is really no reason for Paizo to choose to remain in the Sag (some of the most expensive floor space), but leave a little piece out for a competitor. Unless of course, its not a competitor, but a partner.

There's only 28 rooms which means 112 GMs...

No, it means there is space for 112 GMs who are at the room reward level. There are A LOT of GMs who volunteer for less than that level of reward so you cannot make a direct correlation between room vacancies and total GM headcount. Historically, the average commitment level for Gen Con GMs is just over five slots (roughly 1500 tables vs 300 GMs). That may/not apply to this year given the circumstances of the past two years, but until they process the volunteer applications, there is no way to know.

600 tables

So far I cannot find anywhere that leadership has posted the table counts. You are conflating hotel room vacancies to table seat counts which has never been a "thing." Table counts are determined by Gen Con, not Paizo, based on the size of the space. They provide a table floor map and Paizo can request some minor adjustments, but in the end it is determined by Gen Con and ICC. If Gen Con is going to increase the spacing between tables, there will be fewer tables in the Sag. If Paizo has to share the space, there will be fewer tables.

What I perceive...

You are certainly welcome to draw whatever conclusions you want, but at this time, we simply do not have enough information to jump to the conclusions you have made.

I do have a bit more information than you do regarding table counts. Unless something changes, those are the numbers.

It is possible that Gen Con limited Paizo's presence. If so, they need to make that statement up front. I haven't seen that statement. Instead, I see a big wall of silence which indicates bad decision making. If it was Gen Con, then they are idiots for doing so.

I think there's an overabundance of caution, but since we don't have all the details, there's no way of knowing that is what is going on. It is just speculation. Either way, this is not good for live gaming which needs to be showcased after two years of this pandemic.

4 GMs in each room

Alex confirmed that if/when they assign GMs to a room, it will only be two. If there are three/four in a room it is because they requested it.

If we get to the point where Paizo is assigning rooms, they will be two to a room. You are free to voluntarily take up to four people in your room but we won't be assigning them that way this year.

It is possible that Gen Con limited Paizo's presence. If so, they need to make that statement up front. I haven't seen that statement. Instead, I see a big wall of silence which indicates bad decision making.

Why do they owe us an explanation? If it was a Gen Con decision, maybe they don't want to fan the flames for a bunch of convention hate for limiting someone's favorite game. If it was Paizo's decision, why would they want to encourage more ire? Org Play participation (completed table counts) had been shrinking over the course of a few years prior to the pandemic. Maybe one side or the other decided it was time to react to that trend. Just because we build it [schedule tables] doesn't mean they [players] will come.

If it was Gen Con, then they are idiots for doing so.

First, let's dial down the name calling. Second, why? What insight do you/we have to know why the decision was made. Sounds like you're mad simply because YOUR favorite game is smaller than you want it to be. Given Paizo's history in the Sag, there is no reason for Gen Con to limit their footprint...unless there is a reason.

I do have a bit more information than you do regarding table counts. Unless something changes, those are the numbers.

It is possible that Gen Con limited Paizo's presence. If so, they need to make that statement up front. I haven't seen that statement. Instead, I see a big wall of silence which indicates bad decision making. If it was Gen Con, then they are idiots for doing so.

I think there's an overabundance of caution, but since we don't have all the details, there's no way of knowing that is what is going on. It is just speculation. Either way, this is not good for live gaming which needs to be showcased after two years of this pandemic.

Paizo doesn't need to make a statement just because one of their many customers requested they make one. The Organized Play Foundation doesn't need to make a statement regarding the deep thought processes behind their actions either, whether they were the ones who made the final call or not.

The idea that live gaming "needs to be showcased" because of a pandemic that has killed 6,000,000 people in two and a half years is incredibly presumptive about the state of the hobby. Whether you think so or not, the people who are at GenCon are going to be there are going to be people who want to partake in live gaming. That's why they're there.

If Paizo limiting their table count - or having their table count limited for them - for the caution of an ongoing deadly pandemic in a hobby that disproportionately includes and accommodates the chronically ill and immunocompromised is "bad business," that further cements my belief that I don't want to be near good business.

As an aside, demanding answers from people who tell you what you want to hear is a far worse look than a former organizer for the event in question - who chose to stop being a volunteer for whatever reason he may have and who has had whatever community response - answering questions where he can, and you telling him not to answer you and then getting mad in response on Paizo's website isn't the greatest look either.

I'm also curious about that 600 tables number. If it's not publicly available information, and you gained it from an OPF-exclusive area, then sharing that information on Paizo's site as an OPF volunteer could very justifiably be considered a breach of NDA resulting in termination. So if you're demanding statements and transparency, then I'd expect you to make a statement explaining that move.

Please watch the tone of the conversations. If things continue to escalate then this thread will be locked. In regards to GenCon, decisions were made between multiple parties, including GenCon and Paizo's convention planning team, based on contractual commitments and current information on Covid-19.

This form only seems to be for people wishing to volunteer for in-person GMing. When will the volunteer form go live for those of us wishing to volunteer for the online-side of the convention? These online/hybrid cons are a fabulous outcome of an awful cause and I hope they continue after the pandemic eventually ends.

Is there a different Form for Gen Con Online?

There will be, but until we have information from Gen Con about their event, we can't start recruiting GMs.

If you haven't yet done so, I strongly encourage you to join the Discord server. It is org play's official channel for information about Gen Con & PaizoCon and is a live chat as opposed to the very passive blog/forums

This is just another reminder to myself that there is no point in going on the forums.

I will just reference a Mark Twain quote and call it good.

Have a nice day.

OP at this Gen Con is no different than any prior Gen Con, in that if the rules/procedures/environment aren't to your liking, then you have within your power the ability to stay home. Or, alternatively, you could choose to GM online.

Simple.

Quote:

4 GMs in each room

Alex confirmed that if/when they assign GMs to a room, it will only be two. If there are three/four in a room it is because they requested it.

Alex Speidel wrote:

If we get to the point where Paizo is assigning rooms, they will be two to a room. You are free to voluntarily take up to four people in your room but we won't be assigning them that way this year.

I am very happy to hear this. And here is where I say: "I want a vaccinated roommate for GenCon." Prefer Female or Gender Fluid/Trans, but will accept enlightened, neat, non-smoking male. I won't accept a guy I do not know personally.

If interested, PM me.

Thanks.
Hmm

The more and more I think about this... The rest of the convention will not be vaccinated or masked, will they? I think that I will reluctantly GM online, though I so much prefer in person.and really want to run an author table.

Hmm

At Gen Con Indy 2022, we anticipate that all in-person participants will be required to show proof of a full course of vaccination against COVID-19 to attend the convention, and that mask-wearing will be required in all indoor spaces.

This is just another reminder to myself that there is no point in going on the forums.

I will just reference a Mark Twain quote and call it good.

Have a nice day.

No need to be angry. Looks like you got an answer from Mr. Morgantini.

Will there be a separate call for GenCon online?

The more and more I think about this... The rest of the convention will not be vaccinated or masked, will they? I think that I will reluctantly GM online, though I so much prefer in person.and really want to run an author table.

Hmm

Gen Con is currently requiring all participants be masked and vaccinated.

Will there be a separate call for GenCon online?

Yes.

Once Gen Con provides us with more information about their timeline for Gen Con Online, we’ll be in touch with volunteer information.

Gen Con is currently requiring all participants be masked and vaccinated.

Thank you Alex. So if gencon changes their policy, will Paizo follow suit?

I see Origins is requiring masks as well.

Have to find out what is the last day to get a refund on on my badge and parking.

Either way, I am going to see what gencon offers outside the Sagamore.

Alex Speidel wrote:

Gen Con is currently requiring all participants be masked and vaccinated.

Thank you Alex. So if gencon changes their policy, will Paizo follow suit?

We have no intention of doing so at this time, no. The safety of our staff and attendees is our paramount concern.

Thank you Alex. So if gencon changes their policy, will Paizo follow suit?

I see Origins is requiring masks as well.

Have to find out what is the last day to get a refund on on my badge and parking.

Either way, I am going to see what gencon offers outside the Sagamore.

If GenCon is requiring masks and vaccinations for all participants, what is it you hope or expect to find at GenCon outside the Sagamore that’s different?

I think he was referring to the thought that Gen Con might relax their requirements between now and then, but Paizo/Alex is indicating that they do not expect to even in that case. Gary has clearly expressed his dislike for masking and apparently will not participate in org play if there is a mask requirement.

I think he was referring to the thought that Gen Con might relax their requirements between now and then, but Paizo/Alex is indicating that they do not expect to even in that case. Gary has clearly expressed his dislike for masking and apparently will not participate in org play if there is a mask requirement.

Ah, thanks. I didn’t get that in reading the post, but that makes sense.

The masks drive some people bonkers (I'm one of them) I can tolerate it for MAYBE an hour, so I"m not surprised it's a deal breaker for some people. Not to mention trying to hear/understand someone talk in a (slightly less crowded?) room.

I don’t particularly enjoy having it. Better than not going at all however.

A suggestion for those who get aggravated by them - look into singers/teachers masks. They are better for long term breathing and projection.

A small price to pay for protecting yourself and others.

Gary Bush wrote:

Thank you Alex. So if gencon changes their policy, will Paizo follow suit?

I see Origins is requiring masks as well.

Have to find out what is the last day to get a refund on on my badge and parking.

Either way, I am going to see what gencon offers outside the Sagamore.

If GenCon is requiring masks and vaccinations for all participants, what is it you hope or expect to find at GenCon outside the Sagamore that’s different?

If it is GenCon requiring the mask than that is different than Paizo requiring. Pazio did not say thst initially.

I will not attend gencon if there is a mask Mandate. I respect GenCon's right to impose a mandate. My only option at that point is to not attend.

I don't hold hope that Paizo, as a company, will follow GenCon if they drop the mandate. To me, it is clear that Paizo will require masks regardless. It is also clear that my values are not the values of Paizo as a company.

I have withdrawn from a 7 slot block. I can't, in good conscience, say I am willing to sit 35 hours wearing a mask. I would not have fun and would not give the players a good experience.

I am much more like to wear a mask if it is not a mandate. I am fully vaccinated and I feel I have done my part. Being required to wear a mask feels punitive to me.

So we will see. I am afraid that GenCon will not change their policy in time and I will be forced to cancel my downtown room and seek a refund.

This whole situration is making me wonder if continuing to play is worth the sacrifices I am being forced to make.

I want to thank everyone for keep this discussion respectful.

OP at this Gen Con is no different than any prior Gen Con, in that if the rules/procedures/environment aren't to your liking, then you have within your power the ability to stay home. Or, alternatively, you could choose to GM online.

Simple.

Mark, it is not that simple. Your comment only cancels my opinion and feelings.