What has to happen next? Are we just waiting for someone to step forward and take the reins, or has someone already done that?
I have some plans and some schemes.
I'm not a big convention guy and right now is a bad time for spending money or taking trips, but if I had the time/money, I would be interested.
What has to happen next? Are we just waiting for someone to step forward and take the reins, or has someone already done that?
I have some plans and some schemes.
Please post ideas here or on the boards:
http://roleplayers.meetup.com/456/boards/
The location is still split, with only about half of the members voting so far. I think we can safely agree on Seattle though. The next step is to throw out some dates and get feedback on availability. We should try to wrap that up in the next two weeks.
After that we'll need to assign some assistant organizers and setup a regular chat schedule in preparation for the event.
So you're the con organizer? These people would be your assistants?
So you're the con organizer? These people would be your assistants?
I am the Paizocon "organizer" on the Meetup site:
For the first convention I think we should start small with a simple Meetup at a hotel close to the Paizo office in Bellevue. Events should also be very simple. A tour of the office would be excellent.
As for the hotel arrangements, I don't think a conference hall is necessary. Some hotels provide tables in guest rooms, and if rooms can be booked close together we can order pizzas and organize games in each other's rooms. At this point I don't think we need sponsors or any special venues; we should keep it as fan based as possible.
Go to Seattle. Meet Paizo and other fans. Eat pizza and play games. Simple.
So you're the con organizer? These people would be your assistants?I am the Paizocon "organizer" on the Meetup site:
For the first convention I think we should start small with a simple Meetup at a hotel close to the Paizo office in Bellevue. Events should also be very simple. A tour of the office would be excellent.
As for the hotel arrangements, I don't think a conference hall is necessary. Some hotels provide tables in guest rooms, and if rooms can be booked close together we can order pizzas and organize games in each other's rooms. At this point I don't think we need sponsors or any special venues; we should keep it as fan based as possible.
Go to Seattle. Meet Paizo and other fans. Eat pizza and play games. Simple.
I agree, this would be more aptly titled "Paizo Meetup" than Paizocon. At least at this point.
Okay, that's not at all what I had in mind.
Good luck with that, though. :)
Okay, that's not at all what I had in mind.
Good luck with that, though. :)
If you'd like to help organize a larger convention, the first step is to help with a smaller one. If you have ideas we may be able to make them happen, if not in the first gathering then perhaps for the next.
Okay, that's not at all what I had in mind.
Good luck with that, though. :)
Yeah, the issue with having a large convention is that we don't know the magnitude of who will show up. From the interest we've seen so far, I'm not sure that the costs of the Con would be covered. We're not in this to make money, but I seriously doubt any of us have expendable income to throw at this.
Personally, I'll be flying cross-country to attend, which carries a significant expense itself. Convention space at a hotel is in the thousands for a weekend's worth of time.
If you'd like to help organize a larger convention, the first step is to help with a smaller one. If you have ideas we may be able to make them happen, if not in the first gathering then perhaps for the next.
You're the boss. Sorry if I came across as critical. I didn't realize that you were in charge when I made my earlier suggestions, and I apologize for any offense that I gave.
I'm not in Seattle. I'm not interested in journeying there for a small gathering, but you should totally do one for yourself and other local fans.
Oddly, this is a kind of "Con" I'd sooner go for. I've never gone to a con since I don't know anyone to go with. But something like this, I'd know plenty of people there. Count me in.
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I went to the meet up page. I was actually one of the early joiners and do not see any place to vote. It seems a bit confusing.
At the end of the last page I thought we were considering starting with having a room at another convention like Northwest Con. Has that idea slipped away?
I actually thought we were making progress in that direction.
Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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I went to the meet up page. I was actually one of the early joiners and do not see any place to vote. It seems a bit confusing.
At the end of the last page I thought we were considering starting with having a room at another convention like Northwest Con. Has that idea slipped away?
I actually thought we were making progress in that direction.
Since I'm going to be there anyway, I would be happy to meet up for a get-together at Norwescon 31 one of the evenings...probably Saturday. I can talk to the Gaming Chairman and see if there is a possibility of having the rotunda area one night, or a few tables in the gaming room(s)...but without a head count or any idea of how many people are coming for it, it'll be hard to make a case for getting something reserved.
So at this point, it would probably end up taking place in someone's room (which would be OK, if it's 10 or less). That'd be fine, since we could watch the Masquerade on the TV, eat pizza, drink, and break out some games.
I've been involved (in one way or another) in getting organized play into larger cons since 2000. If I can get at least ten people per slot (including judges) then I'd be willing to organize a weekend-long Paizo event at Dragonflight. I've worked with them before, and I expect they'd be willing to either set aside a gaming room for us or at least make sure that we were always in the same room from slot to slot. (This would depend on how many games we were running.)
This would be completely separate from Takasi's PaizoCon, and I wouldn't be using his name or identity or whatever. We'd just be the Paizo event at Dragonflight. No toes-stepping is intended by this offer.
There is a chat tonight to discuss getting together:
If others would like to use the Meetup tool to get RSVPs and organize other Paizo fan get togethers, we can add more organizers to the site.
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I've been involved (in one way or another) in getting organized play into larger cons since 2000. If I can get at least ten people per slot (including judges) then I'd be willing to organize a weekend-long Paizo event at Dragonflight. I've worked with them before, and I expect they'd be willing to either set aside a gaming room for us or at least make sure that we were always in the same room from slot to slot. (This would depend on how many games we were running.)
This would be completely separate from Takasi's PaizoCon, and I wouldn't be using his name or identity or whatever. We'd just be the Paizo event at Dragonflight. No toes-stepping is intended by this offer.
Now this sounds like a great way to go for the early days of something new.
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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So, I just had a thought about Paizocon, should it come together. We should play RotRL. All of it. In an insane 48 hour marathon session with rotating DMs and players if need be. I'd almost go so far as to say we should play with the iconic characters - we should have at least 8 by then.
Just to put a little flesh on the bones of the idea, here's how I think it would work: Each module gets 8 hours to run. 8 hours x 6 modules equals 48 hours of gaming. We get 6 DMs lined up, one for each module. The players on the other hand will be using the iconics and can come and go as they please - but you have to get someone to replace you at the table. If there's a TPK in module 3, you say screw it and play module 4 anyway (it was all a bad dream).
Now, in a magical world of easy travel and flexible schedules, it would be beyond insanely awesome if each of the authors who wrote a particular adventure ran it, but that's probably over the top on an already over the top and insane idea.
(And if this insane idea does come to pass, please note that I am calling dibs on the dwarf wizard)
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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So, I just had a thought... We should play RotRL. All of it. ... Each module gets 8 hours to run.
You have the strangest ideas. A friend of mine has an expression, "sufficently wrong to be inevitable."
I think it'd be more realistic with (a) 12-hour blocks per module (that's noon Thursday to noon Sunday) and (b) teams of two DMs. And probably (c) five iconics at any given moment.
Or else we could get Logue to DM the entire thing, solo, end to end.
So, I just had a thought about Paizocon, should it come together. We should play RotRL. All of it. In an insane 48 hour marathon session with rotating DMs and players if need be.
That would be most cool.
Ok, cool in the ultimate nerd sense of the word.
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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So, I just had a thought... We should play RotRL. All of it. ... Each module gets 8 hours to run.You have the strangest ideas. A friend of mine has an expression, "sufficently wrong to be inevitable."
I think it'd be more realistic with (a) 12-hour blocks per module (that's noon Thursday to noon Sunday) and (b) teams of two DMs. And probably (c) five iconics at any given moment.
Or else we could get Logue to DM the entire thing, solo, end to end.
Thank you...I think...
I agree that 12 hours per adventure is much closer to the amount of time needed - it's just that a 5 day con is a really big commitment. I do like the co-DM idea.
Hopefully, if we can get the authors to run the game, they would be adept at not only trimming the adventures to their core elements but also mixing it up for those who've already run/played RotRL.
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I agree that 12 hours per adventure is much closer to the amount of time needed - it's just that a 5 day con is a really big commitment. I do like the co-DM idea.Hopefully, if we can get the authors to run the game, they would be adept at not only trimming the adventures to their core elements but also mixing it up for those who've already run/played RotRL.
They would have to be trimmed down. My group spends two long gaming sessions (12 to 14 hours) on each chapter. We have done three chapters now and each has taken about the same amount of time.
I live in Seattle, I'd be very interested~
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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I live in Seattle, I'd be very interested~
Then by all means, join us at Meetup
I believe we were talking about requiring people attending "Paizocon" to join this group and RSVP, as a way to get a headcount and plan the event better. Although, Takasi will have to confirm that....
We also talked of meeting up at Norwescon as well, which I will probably coordinate.
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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I just recently posted a new poll over at the Meetup page, to sort of get an idea of how many people would attend such an event if it were to happen this April. I believe we are looking at April 25-27.
Presently, we're looking into different spaces to rent to hold a meetup, hotels, places to dine-out...we just need to take that next step, and find out how many people we could expect to come. Then we can start planning around that number, get the right sized space, reserve it for the right dates, and ask the Paizo gang to join us.
I see a lot of folks on the boards that are from the Pacific NW that say they want to come....question is: Will you?
Already committed that week end, Fruita mountain bike festival!
I'm looking to go, pretty much whenever and wherever the meet is at. So you can pretty much take that as my RSVP right there. Seattle is actually pretty doable, looking at it, and the opportunity to take a poke around the Paizo headquarters isn't something I'm likely to miss. I'll shop it around the game group, we might even travel down as a big warparty.
I think a few of the folks who are going will probably have kids and whatnot. I certainly will. I can't really conscience leaving them with a sitter, or even with family for the four day conference plus two more coming and going. I figure my wife and I will probably just take turns at the table while the other one handles kid duty. That should work fine.
Anyhow just let me know when there's a finalized date. I'm good with whatever but the more notice I have the smoother it'll go getting time off and whatnot.
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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OK, an official post and request here....plus a bump! to the top.
I've put up a new poll in the
Paizo Fan Meetup Group:
"If we meet April 25-27 in Bellevue, with gaming & some Paizo staff speaking, would you attend?"
This is sort of a hypothetical question, to get a better idea of the potential attendance. But it is an important one for planning purposes!
If we know how big a crowd, we know how big a space we'll need, Paizo will know how much interest and support we can have, and things will get rolling faster. Paizo's involvement is undefined at this point. They have stated an interest...that is all. And I think we need to show them that quite a few people want to have a Paizocon.
At my last check, apparently only 10 people are interested in attending. Only TEN? Really?
So please join the group and vote on this poll.
Thanks.
If it's on the weekend, I can probably swing it.
-Amber S.
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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BUMP!
Time's a tickin', and we need a plan, a place, and a set date. If we set it for April 25-27....that's two months away folks!
Our lovely poll reveals thus far that 18 of 24 people would indeed attend an event such as this. Now, what demographic that represents is quite probably biased....but it means that at least 18 people will show up. So, do we plan on, say, 25 people, or do we suspect that all the "Johnny-come-latelies" will drive that up to.....75? 100?
Also, the longer we delay, the less likely we are going to be able to find a space to rent....the church space I looked into is booked up the weekend of April 25-27. That leaves us with locating and reserving hotel space, and lining up stuff to do.
Thoughts? Shall we meet in the Chatroom to discuss?
Thoughts? Shall we meet in the Chatroom to discuss?
That should be the plan; tonight at 7pm everyone!
Updated the event schedule in the Chatroom.
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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Updated the event schedule in the Chatroom.
And announced and detailed on the Meetup page....
I'm really going to try to swing this. You would have to pick a date that is really close to finals.
On a brighter note, I think I have enough points for a free flight.
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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RE-announced and detailed on the Meetup page....
We have the Dates....April 25-27.
We have the place...LaQuinta in Kirkland.We have 30 slots to RSVP.
We have some Paizo folks coming.
And we have a new poll to help us figure out how big a block of rooms we need to set aside for those attending.
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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BUMP! OK, heavy pimpin' here....
We have 10 people, one-third our total limit, RSVPed for the 1st ever "Paizocon" Paizo Fan Meetup on April 26!
I know there has to be 20 more people out there that want to come....what do I need here, testimonials? Guest spot announcers? Dancing bears? Talking monkeys?
Dancing bears?
Dancing bears never hurt.
I am sorta local, so I don't need a room, if I go. Can I just attend the Saturday events? Do you just want RSVP's from the folks who need rooms?
RSVPs are required for all attendees even if you don't need a room.
This is a really interesting and awesome Idea. Although I think I would prefer Seattle(Wish I lived there dammit! Stupid Desert....Been trying to visit for the wealth of conventions that happen there). I know Vegas would be cost effective for me, since I can ride a shuttlebus there and back for a couple dollars...
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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And a second BUMP! Gods, I'm pushy!
Have you RSVPed yet??? 16 spaces are still available!
I am sorta local, so I don't need a room, if I go. Can I just attend the Saturday events? Do you just want RSVP's from the folks who need rooms?RSVPs are required for all attendees even if you don't need a room.
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Contributor
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Yes! Come! RSVP! Bring beer and cookies and I shall sit high upon a cushioned couch and tell you everything I can without violating NDAs!
This dude is my kind of god.
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Yes! Come! RSVP! Bring beer and cookies and I shall sit high upon a cushioned couch and tell you everything I can without violating NDAs!
This dude is my kind of god.
What sort of cookies do you like? We have bakers amoung us.
And brewers....