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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Jan 2008 : 20:21:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
Indy is a great town. If the scribes that have mentioned going make it, there will be no excuses for me not to go to my first Gencon.
We live 25-30 minutes north of Indy and like to spend a day down there every month when we are able.
Wait wait--you live within 30 minutes of Indianapolis and this would be your FIRST GenCon? 
Cheers
Well, there's a first time for everything.
And the first time should be special so I have been waiting
Any chance of being graced with your company there? |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Edited by - The Red Walker on 24 Jan 2008 20:30:11 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2008 : 20:33:19
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quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
And the first time should be special so I have been waiting
Any chance of being graced with your company there?
Don't know about this time around, sorry. But I would love to go someday. Thanks for asking. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2008 : 20:51:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Don't know about this time around, sorry. But I would love to go someday. Thanks for asking.
Lyrna, you won't make the rest of us beg too, will you?
Cheers
P.S. THE POWER OF CON COMPELLS YOU!!!
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Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2008 : 22:19:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Lyrna, you won't make the rest of us beg too, will you?
Cheers
P.S. THE POWER OF CON COMPELLS YOU!!!
Oh geez. I'm quite flattered. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 00:49:03
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| I'm definitely going to be there again this year, proudly wearing a Candlekeep T-shirt! Where do we order those again? |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 06:39:35
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
So you're bringing the Lady K? Or she is bringing you?
I'm hoping the Lady K can get the time off work. But her schedule's usually pretty hectic during the GenCon period, so I'm not too sure what will happen.
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Either way, Sage: do it. Go to Gencon Indy at least once in your life.
I know Gencon is coming to Oz, but I have NO idea how they're going to cram any decent con into the venue they're planning to use (having recently been involved in a little security matter thereabouts, in my "day job"). You MUST see the original. It's huge, overwhelming, and I doubt I can be there this year.
I know there's been some problems with the arrangements GenCon have made with the venue here in Australia. Last I heard... there were still one or two legal matters that had to be dealt with first.
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However, talk to George Krashos about his first time experiences, talk to me and Jeff Thetford and Garen Thal and Steven Schend and many another scribe here about good hotels and restaurants...
I may just do that.
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...and things you SHOULD NOT MISS (e.g. the art show, the exhibit hall overkill, even the Killer Breakfast if you're a Dragonlance fan)
Actually, when Kuje first mentioned this to me, I just knew this was something I had to experience should I ever attend GenCon.
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... and I'm sure Ed will stand you lunch or dinner or drinks if he can spare any time at the con at all to hook up with you (his con schedule is truly exhausting!).
Stop! You're making this decision to easy for me. 
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UPS or one of the other courier companies actually has a shipping booth just outside the exhibit hall, so you can send loot home you don't want to try to stickhandle through Australian or US customs. :}
Indeed. Having experienced that before, I think UPS may be the way to go.
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Do it. One way or another.
A hotel can cost two grand for the whole con if you grab one of the big ones attached to the con center, or a lot less if you taxi or drive a rental car in from the burbs (parking garage right across from the RCA Dome, North side) every day. Food can be very expensive, or you can eat at Subway and save bucks. And so on.
The Lady K and I have averaged around $4000-to-$5000 AUS for a trip like this. Since it'll be my first time [not so much for the Lady K, since she was a regular attendent at GenCon UK before moving to Australia], I figure there'll be plenty I'll probably want to purchase. 
quote:
But go. Treat yourself to gamer overload. You won't regret it!
love,
THO
Aye.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 10:30:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
I'm definitely going to be there again this year, proudly wearing a Candlekeep T-shirt! Where do we order those again?
Well, as far as I know, Victor_ograygor was the 'Project leader' trying to organize the shirts. Unfortunatelly his time has been consumed by other matters and therefore the 'Candlekeep-Shrit'-project has been dropped as of the time being. I will send him a PM to ask of matters and post any news, good or bad, in the original thread. So keep an eye open...
I'm hoping to get this project going again.
Ergdusch
P.S.: Thanks Sage, for remembering my post! |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 22:58:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Ergdusch
quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
I'm definitely going to be there again this year, proudly wearing a Candlekeep T-shirt! Where do we order those again?
Well, as far as I know, Victor_ograygor was the 'Project leader' trying to organize the shirts. Unfortunatelly his time has been consumed by other matters and therefore the 'Candlekeep-Shrit'-project has been dropped as of the time being. I will send him a PM to ask of matters and post any news, good or bad, in the original thread. So keep an eye open...
I'm hoping to get this project going again.
Ergdusch
P.S.: Thanks Sage, for remembering my post!
If Victor is too entangled, I would offer to pick up where he leaves off, if only to ensure that any scribe who comes to GenCon will have a Candlekeep shirt. |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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maransreth
Learned Scribe
Australia
157 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2008 : 11:11:03
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quote:
...and things you SHOULD NOT MISS (e.g. the art show, the exhibit hall overkill, even the Killer Breakfast if you're a Dragonlance fan)
Actually, when Kuje first mentioned this to me, I just knew this was something I had to experience should I ever attend GenCon.
It sounds like Tracy Hickman and Killer Breakfast might be making it to GenConOz this year.
As an aussie who went to GenCon Indy 2 years ago, I would thoroughly recommend it. The 4 days went extremely fast, even too fast, and we didnt do a number of things we would have like to have done. There is no way we can make it this year, and I seriously doubt we will make GenConOz, even though I live in the town hosting it - my wife is expecting twins in mid-late June. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 00:02:03
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One tiny note that most folks probably know already, but there's always a first time to learn the hard way:
no breakfast is actually served at the Killer Breakfast.
That's right. No food or drink.
Myself, I like the Marriott (downtown, attached to RCA Dome by flying bridge, just like the Hyatt and the Westin) breakfast buffet. Pricey (creeping up past $21.00/person) but good, and you can stoke up for the day. A big breakfast goes farther than skipping morning meal and charging through con days until you falter with headache and empty tummy around noon . . . when there are huge lineups at most venues.
If you need a quick bite, the Subway at the back (N side, facing the State Capital building) of the Westin is ideal if you hit it BETWEEN normal mealtimes. Otherwise, long lineups there, too.
love to all,
THO |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 01:24:32
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Anyone ever tried the true Dungeon at GenCon?
Was wondering if it would be fun enough to try to get a group of scribes together for a go at it. |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 01:46:55
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Myself, I like the Marriott (downtown, attached to RCA Dome by flying bridge, just like the Hyatt and the Westin) breakfast buffet. Pricey (creeping up past $21.00/person) but good, and you can stoke up for the day. A big breakfast goes farther than skipping morning meal and charging through con days until you falter with headache and empty tummy around noon . . . when there are huge lineups at most venues.
If you need a quick bite, the Subway at the back (N side, facing the State Capital building) of the Westin is ideal if you hit it BETWEEN normal mealtimes. Otherwise, long lineups there, too.
love to all,
THO
For those on a really tight budget, you can usually get by on the breakfast buffet at TGIFriday's (attached to the Courtyard Marriot that's diagonally across the street from the convention center and a sandwich from Subway for lunch. Inclusive of a drink with each meal, you're probably looking at less than $20 USD for two of your three meals, letting you save up to offer to treat whomever you like to dinner or drinks after the exhibit hall closes.
And don't (that is do not) try and eat at the convention center itself, except in an emergency. Terrible food at criminal prices is not a good way to enjoy the Con. If you know for a fact that you're a snacker, buy yourself the sort of snack you like best and carry a little bag of it with you at all times. |
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riot the outsider
Learned Scribe
USA
121 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 02:13:08
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I will try to go this year. I went the last one that was held in my state till they moved it to where it is held now.
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Those who fear the darkness have never seen what the light can do. http://s13.gladiatus.com/game/c.php?uid=67846
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Edited by - riot the outsider on 24 Apr 2008 07:06:23 |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6680 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 07:08:34
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Or treat it as an experience of a lifetime and hang the budget. Stay at a swish hotel, eat out at nice places and spend quality time with quality people. Well, that's what I did. Can't wait for my next one - whenever that may be.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
Edited by - George Krashos on 28 Jan 2008 07:09:36 |
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maransreth
Learned Scribe
Australia
157 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 07:28:09
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quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
Anyone ever tried the true Dungeon at GenCon?
Was wondering if it would be fun enough to try to get a group of scribes together for a go at it.
True Dungeon is Awesome! Made it through the spider one 2 years ago and we ended up without losing a party member (we actually lost two, but had 1 resurrection scroll, and at the end we were able to resurrect the other). |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 15:26:16
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quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
Anyone ever tried the true Dungeon at GenCon?
Was wondering if it would be fun enough to try to get a group of scribes together for a go at it.
I regularly do TD with what is becoming my traditional gang of Eytan, Kameron Franklin (when he can make it), a few of the folks from Sylvan publishing, my best gaming buddy, and one or two others we recruit as the Con approaches. Watch my blog for announcements near about event registration time.
I generally play the valiant but somewhat insecure paladin. What ho!
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2008 : 17:59:29
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Just a reminder,
Registration opened yesterday and the hotel registration opened today. Get your badges and rooms EARLY! |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2008 : 18:25:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
Anyone ever tried the true Dungeon at GenCon?
Was wondering if it would be fun enough to try to get a group of scribes together for a go at it.
I regularly do TD with what is becoming my traditional gang of Eytan, Kameron Franklin (when he can make it), a few of the folks from Sylvan publishing, my best gaming buddy, and one or two others we recruit as the Con approaches. Watch my blog for announcements near about event registration time.
I generally play the valiant but somewhat insecure paladin. What ho!
Cheers
Just be careful that your chastity doesn't allow you to look at the scantily-clad lady over yonder. She may be a medusa... ;) |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2008 : 18:33:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Garen Thal
Just be careful that your chastity doesn't allow you to look at the scantily-clad lady over yonder. She may be a medusa... ;)
I see someone remembers last year. :)
I think it was Eytan in our group who got the full eyeful, but I think he made his save.
Totally worth the risk.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2008 : 05:44:56
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I just thought of something... I'm not going anywhere near the WotC booth!
I might catch the Spellplague....  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2008 : 15:48:59
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Wasn't sure where to stick this but since we already have a Gencon thread there wasn't a reason to create another thread.
Now, the news:
"SEATTLE (February 15, 2008) Gen Con LLC announced today that it has filed for Chapter 11 protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the State of Washington. This action became necessary as a result of significant unforeseen expenses associated with attempts to expand its core business to encompass externally licensed events. Gen Con’s flagship show, Gen Con Indy, remains a vibrant, profitable event. Gen Con Indy will take place as scheduled August 14–17, 2008, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The protections afforded by Chapter 11 will allow Gen Con to further its efforts to address its liquidity needs, preserve value for its creditors and explore strategic alternatives for the business. “Because the fundamentals of our business are strong; and because our debt problems are challenges mostly linked to one-time events, we feel confident that the profile of our company will benefit under Chapter 11 and come out strong in the end,” said Peter D. Adkison, CEO of Gen Con.
Chapter 11 refers to the section of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code that provides for court-supervised restructuring of companies as they continue to operate normally. This proceeding is intended to help companies to become stronger financially.
Gen Con LLC will continue to operate without interruption during this process and looks forward to an expeditious resolution to the short-term challenges and the ability to focus entirely on producing Gen Con Indy, The Best Four Days in Gaming. International Gen Con events are unaffected by this situation and will continue to operate as scheduled." |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2008 : 16:40:27
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That after the news that Lucasarts is suing Gencon.
http://reporter.blogs.com/thresq/2008/01/lucasfilm-sues.html
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George Lucas is claiming that a "Star Wars" convention has moved over to the dark side.
In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in nothern California, LucasFilm says that Gen Con, a company that puts on gaming conventions, failed to uphold a contract to deliver proceeds from a "Star Wars" memorabilia auction to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
According to this complaint, Gen Con owes almost $1 million to the charity and to LucasArts for proceeds from an auction held at last May's Gen Con convention in Los Angeles. LucasFilm says it undertook expenses to advertise the auction to increase participation.
Seriously not good news for GenCon. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2008 : 03:27:16
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| I hope you're able to work something out Sage. I would very much like to meet you in person. |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2008 : 17:30:08
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Peter posted this over on the Gencon boards.
"Friends and gamers, here are some comments on the thread so far.
Words of encouragement: Thank you, I appreciate the support! For me, sure, but most importantly, for Gen Con. It's a critical element of our hobby and as a fellow fan for years before I acquired it it has my undying loyalty and deserves our best.
Words of critique: These are well deserved. I readily acknowlege that as CEO I am ultimately responsible for all the decisions that led to this point and this criticism is well-founded. I have often run Gen Con more like a hobby than a business, just trying to create the best show I could without necessarily trying to make a profit. Providing that the business was trending in the right direction I knew eventually the profit would come. When Gen Con So Cal stopped growing and was still losing money I closed it, but Gen Con Indy is great, growing, and until recently I was willing to put all the profits back into growth. Btw, I don't get a salary running Gen Con, so the comment about me making millions on this is incorrect. Now we have a different situation and we need to run the business to make profit so we can pay back these debts. Gen Con Indy will be great but we are running it a bit more "tightly." I'm not sure if attendees will notice anything different, most of the cut-backs were in being less generous with businesses we deal with and such. In the past when we hit a snag I simply put more money into the business personally, but right now all my non-Gen Con personal wealth is tied up in Hidden City Games to build Bella Sara, a beautiful brand whose messages of how to live a positive life are impacting the lives of millions of young girls around the world. My personal interests are completely meaningless in comparison. So when we ran "that other show" this year where every single revenue line was down versus forecast (for example, sponsorship revenue was forecasted at $500,000 and came in at $20,000) it was a disaster. And, you're right, that was definitely not a high-performance mark in my career. So I fired myself. That's why Adrian Swartout is running Gen Con now as president and I'm just the figurehead! My direction to her was simple, scale back the business and quit trying to grow by doing all these other shows and stuff (we also had a big website initiative we were working on, but that idea has moved over to Hidden City Games). Let's just scale back and run Gen Con Indy as efficiently as possible so we can pay everyone off.
The charity situation: This is our top priority creditor and will most certainly get paid. We offered a solution to one of the companies suing us that would have had them paid fully by now but that settlement offer was ignored. I'm sorry I can't say more.
Gotta go!
Peter" |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2008 : 22:30:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
quote:
Originally posted by Garen Thal
Just be careful that your chastity doesn't allow you to look at the scantily-clad lady over yonder. She may be a medusa... ;)
I see someone remembers last year. :)
I think it was Eytan in our group who got the full eyeful, but I think he made his save.
Totally worth the risk.
Cheers
I was indeed, nearly petrified. |
http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
Edited by - EytanBernstein on 17 Feb 2008 22:34:40 |
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EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2008 : 22:30:58
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Heh. Looks like I'll have to double my efforts to get to Gen Con this year. It might actually be the last one! 
You really must. We need to have at least one FR Australian each year. |
http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6680 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2008 : 07:29:55
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Or maybe it's just because you're all tired of George!
They're all too nice to tell me what they really thought of me.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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GENCON 2008
