Con Question: Is it worth it?

[Donikage]

Hi there, I'm getting back into RP after a very long hiatus, long enough that skill points and feats scare me and I wonder where all my non-weapon proficiencies and race/class/stat restrictions are. I'm very keen to find a group and start playing though, so my question is this: are cons worth it? I live just south of Sacramento, CA and we have ConQuest coming up in a month. Is it worth $30 to go for a day? On the one hand, it could be a big opportunity to meet other gamers in my area, but is it worth a day and $30 or will most folks be in games, narrowing the net I can cast? Thanks for your input!

[Pan]

I recommend expanding into your local pathfinder society. There has to be a FLGS or home game or something in locally for you. Another good way to meet gamers is to check out meetup.com. Those are free and cheap ways to do what you are looking at. I have never been to conquest so I cant say what to expect.

[Donikage]

Thanks a lot Pan, I'll try that

[silverhair2008]

I agree with Pan. A good way of getting started again is to check out any games at FLGS. That is a very easy way to get to know people and see if you might enjoy their company while gaming. The one thing about Cons is that there are few ongoing games that are looking for players and personalities are sometimes sharper than in a long running game. That does not mean they are a waste of time. Think of them as fun one-shots. You also get a chance to see several types of GM's and see whose GMing style meets your needs.

This is a little bit longer than Pan's answer but I hope it helps.

Just my 2 cp.

[Tequila Sunrise]

Cons are great fun -- in fact I wish I had more time and money to go to them! But because people come from all over the place, even to relatively small cons, I don't think they're the best place to scout for nearby gamers.

In addition to organized play and meetup, try Pen & Paper Games. It's a community site specifically for meeting gamers and finding games.

Good luck!

[Andrea Brandt]

Northern California is really blessed as far as conventions go*. Conquest Sac is a great con, and a ton of the Northern PFS community will be there. When we create our calendars for these cons, we deliberately leave room for walk ins for new players, so even if you don't sign up, you should be able to get into a game.

If you don't live so far away that you'd need to stay in a hotel, then buying the three day pass for $50 is the better bargain.

If you'd rather start slowly, the Sacramento PFS calendar of games can help you out.

Only you can decide if it is worth the money, but I hope we'll see you at a table soon.

*Conquest Sac
Kublacon
Stocktoncon (URL to be determined)
GaymerX (URL to be determined)
Pacificon
Conquest Avalon
Dundracon

[Irontruth]

Pros/Cons of gaming at conventions

Pros
- game slots are usually scheduled, you know when and where to show up to get in a game
- GM's at conventions usually provide character sheets, sometimes even pencils. If you don't know the game, they're usually ready to teach as well.
- you get to meet new people, many of whom will be awesome
- it's usually easier to find a game you've never tried before, maybe not a specific game, but if you want to try new things, it's a great place
- games are usually 2-4 hours long, you don't have to commit to a long game to try something out.

Cons (yay puns)
- you have to meet new people, not all of them will be awesome, some will smell
- Similar to the last one, not all GM's will be awesome, some will be unprepared
- Schedules can get messed up or misprinted and you lose out on a game
- You usually have to pay money to get in the door, then sometimes more money for a seat at a table.
- It's short format gaming, you aren't going to get the rich experience of a long campaign

Nothing is guaranteed. If you are having an unpleasant experience, don't be afraid to walk away, you are not obligated to waste your time at a convention. Also, if you paid money for a game, don't be shy about asking for your money back. Don't be a jerk about it, but or demand it necessarily, but it never hurts to try. If you're new to gaming or returning after a long absence, cons are a great way to learn (or relearn) game systems. There are an abundance of people to explain the game and people who are running demonstration scenarios actually expect to have to explain the game, so they're more than happy to walk you through it.

I love cons. I've had great games with people I didn't know and will probably never meet again.

[Donikage]

Wow, thanks a lot for all of the input. I considered going to ConQuest based on the fact that a fair number of locals would be there with lots of options regarding time and location of either PFS or campaigns looking for players. I've got young kids at home so I can't exactly set my schedule willy-nilly but what time I do have I'd like to find SOMETHING. I've scouted out my local stores in Elk Grove and Lodi and have some more recon to do but I figured I'd play every card in the deck.

Based on what all you really nice people have said (not hyperbole! I honestly did not this much consideration) though I think I'll put some more time in hunting down a game based on information I can gather locally and then enjoy the convention experience after I've gotten back in the swing of the game. Thanks a lot everybody, have a good weekend!

Don

[Avatar-1]

Don't forget there's games being run online as well.

Check the Grand Lodge Online Play messageboard and sign up to any game you like.

If you can find your way into a chat room or a Facebook group, people are always happy to help you get started on a new character or rules questions.