RP. |
Good day, for a number of months I've had it in my mind that I would like to organize a con. I've discussed this a bit with my VC and the core members of my SFS group. I've attended a few cons before (in person and online) but have never organized something like this. Wondering if I could get some pointers from some veterans.
These are the kinds of things I am considering:
- Timing: Kind of don't know how much time these things take to organize, and how much notice the gaming world likes to have. Depending on how long and how much effort it will take, and considering my own schedule, thinking probably November or January
- In person or online: Probably online, even if everything returns back to normal. Frankly probably not enough interest locally (Edmonton, Alberta)
- Whether to run a special or not: I have no experience and this and may not be a thing that someone without experience should try
- What to run: I play SFS almost exclusively. Have played/GM'd PFS in the past. Not super sure what my PFS comrades are doing for the most part in this city, I think they are only doing PF1E right now.
- Getting a sufficient number of GMs: From what I've observed, it seems like tapping into the world-wide pool of GMs makes this not as big of a concern. Locally we have 4-8 people who can GM and may be willing to help.
What are some considerations I am missing? Thanks everyone.
TwilightKnight |
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Not only because of the current issues we are dealing with (pandemic and such) but because you can reach a much wider audience, I recommend an online event. If you would have asked more than a year ago, my opinion would have been different, but the ease as which people can "attend" an online event makes it superior, IMO.
If you have access to two computers in immediate vicinity, I would recommend offering a special. There is a lot of technical support for this available in the online community and it will further help to entice players and GM (especially important) to attend your event. I say two computers so you have one that can be used to host the audio/video presentation and still allow you the ability to do HQ functions and respond to inquiries during the event. It greatly improve the results at our last event.
While offering a system-specific convention can entice some players, there is nothing lost offering all three primary systems (PFS1, PFS2, SFS) and if you can find someone willing to help, even PACG can bring people in. The wider the variety in your event, the more players you are likely to draw. You can even connect with local organizers of other games like D&D, Shadowrun, etc. to expand interest in your event.
Be aware of other events. Do your homework and make sure your event is not going to occur on the same weekend as a major event like Gen Con, PaizoCon, etc. Also, check for smaller events. They routinely run throughout the year and could impact your ability to draw participants. Remember, you will be the new event so most people will gravitate towards long-running events recognized for their success.
Advertise, advertise, advertise. Get the word out to the widest possible audience. Use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Discord, Paizo forums, etc. to notify people well in advance of your event.
If you are not going to charge for participation, be prepared and expect a lot of no-shows. People like to signup for events without considering what might conflict with the schedule and they will just not show up and will not withdraw from events. Because of that, they might lock other players out because that seat is taken.
If you are going to charge for your event, keep the prices low and consider supporting a charity. People are much more likely to attend a paying convention if they know the proceeds are going to a charity than just lining the pocket of the organizer. Remember, most gameplay is free so why would they pay for the privilege of attending your event when they can just do the same thing for free?
Reaching out to your local VC can be a good tool because they may know things you don't, but IMO you would be additionally served by reaching out to people who have extensive experience organizing successful online events for guidance. There are years of experience in the org play community and there is no one right way to run an event. Don't try to reinvent the wheel.
Make sure you are doing it for the "right" reasons. If this is just a way for your to get some more gaming in, you will probably be disappointed. However, if you want to put on a great event that will benefit the entire community and you are willing to do the things and go the "extra mile" required for top results, then go for it.
Good luck and as always,
Explore! Report! Cooperate!
NielsenE |
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I've run co-organized two online conventions this year -- one was a new /first time convention replacing some of the canceled local events for us; and one was the Organized Play component of a large local con that went virtual. Sounds like what you're talking about is more like the former -- a completely new event.
We wanted about 3 months lead time from deciding to run something and the date. It sounds like you're thinking even further ahead, so that's great. One of the 'surprise' deadlines to a lot of first time organizers is the deadline for convention support (ie stuff like scenario drops to GMs and gfit vouchers/PFS1 boons (SFS convention boons should be going away once SFS ACP launches)) You'll generally like to have about a month from having your GM schedule set and your convention to account for scenario drops.
Regarding the local GMs versus world-wide pool, I'd suggest aiming for filling at least 2/3rd of your tables with local GMs. The online GM pool feels like its been contracting, outside of traditional online or marquee events; and counting on 'outside' GMs can be a little bit of just hoping for the kindness of strangers. And its likely to contract a bit more as in-person gaming resumes.
Specials: I ran the PFS2 special at both my events, and a SFS special at the second event as well. We tried to run a PFS1 special, but had a very large number of issues and I ultimately had to cancel the PFS1 special. I have a document I can share on how to set up some of the technology to run an online special, however to make use of it you'll need files you can only get through a local Venture Officer, so I do suggest you reach out to yours sooner rather than later.
I've also written a tool to help with GM->Convention and Convention->Paizo reporting of games. I'm working to add some other features to help simplify some of the Warhorn management for online conventions. Please feel free to reach out to me when you get closer to your event, if you think tools like that could help you.
Hilary Moon Murphy Contributor |
(I'm not sure if the pool is contracting or the swimming pools getting bigger with the same amount of water. I will forget which con I'm in sometimes and only half of that is because I have the attention span of a..OOOH SQUIRREL.)
I think that you're correct. I GM online, but there are so MANY cons. I cannot make them all.