NZRaG

[MikeSands]

Thanks to everyone who joined us in the games on demand room this year. I had a fantastic time and got to run/play a huge variety of games, huzzah.

We're keen to hear what you all felt about the way we ran it. Any and all feedback will be read, considered and built into how we do things next year.

This thread is also a legitimate place for looking back at the cool stuff that happened.
_________________
Games: http://genericgames.co.nz/
Blog: http://gamesteratlarge.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GamesterAtLarge

[itowlson]

On the positive side, I thought the "We recommend + requests" approach worked well. Last year (he extrapolated unjustifiably from a single solitary round) it seemed to take a long time to get games started because there were so many to choose from; this year it seemed to get done very quickly and we were under way within a couple of minutes. Very slick without cutting off player choice.

On the negative side, it felt like you were the victims of your own success. Both sessions I attended were a bit oversubscribed. In one round, this resulted in a game that would have worked better with fewer players, and in the other the games filled up and some of us ended up having to make our own way (which was okay, but the nice thing about GoD vs. a room full of books and a "please borrow" sign is having facilitators who know what they're doing). So perhaps next year it would be good to try to get an extra facilitator per session -- not necessarily the same person all the way through, but maybe 3 people doing 2 rounds each. (I will volunteer if it would help, though I'm not sure I'm knowledgeable enough to cope with all the Games people Demand.)

It would also be nice if the organisers would allocate more than one room to Games on Demand. Each session I played in began with a search for a spare room. Again, maybe victims of your own success.

Finally, thanks to you, Steve, Morgue and Aaron (hope I haven't missed anyone) for making this happen.

[MikeSands]

Yes, we were definitely somewhat over-busy in some sessions. That had two causes: Simon was unexpectedly unable to be there as much as planned, and we were suffering a bit from burnout (especially on Sunday). I'm not sure exactly what we can do to guard against this sort of thing... hmm.
_________________
Games: http://genericgames.co.nz/
Blog: http://gamesteratlarge.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GamesterAtLarge

[Luke]

[MikeSands]

[IdiotSavant]

[wisefool]

Absolutely loved the Prime Time Adventures. Brilliantly run and very switched on participants. Thank you all for a great game.
_________________
Wisefool (and other contradictons)

[Freya]

Having been remarkably slack in sorting out my games for Sunday, I approached the ever wonderful Scott and asked what games were open. Shortly after, he explained Games on Demand, which I'd heard of, but had never actually participated in.

And I had so much fun. I enjoyed Lacuna immensely and fully intend to try and track down a copy of Bliss Stage, both of which were run fabulously and had great character interaction ('They found something' will remain as one of the most badass phrases I have ever heard in any game).

So you managed to convert me. Great job, guys!

(And I definitely agree on the separate rooms thing. It's very hard to track down a war criminal inside a dream city when the table next to you has about eight players who are laughing at the top of their lungs.)
_________________
Blonde. Black. Jewish. Outrageous lies since 1942.

[Conan]

I'll investigate further, but I'd actually like to see some GoD games available for players to buy at Kapcon.

Of course there are taxation and business issues that need to be considered - but I'll see if we can convince WGS to investigate ordering via IPR - who have a pretty reasonable retail program available.

That's about the only major feedback I can think of - I really thought GoD was great this year.

Conan
_________________
Kung Fu Genius Master Fighter of MURMUR
Running: Kingmaker (PFRPG)
Check out what's around the corner -http://www.thewindingcity.com

[MikeSands]

Conan,

We discussed this - and we'd like to have the games available too! However, we decided that the amount of organisation and financial outlay would be too great. Especially as we don't know which games will be played and of those which people would want to buy.

However, we'll happily point you at the source! I got asked where to buy In A Wicked Age, for example. You buy it here.

Webpages for the other games that I ran:
- FreeMarket http://projectdonut.com/wordpress/ A few places left in the colonist program (for beta pdf & preorder in a couple of months
- 3:16 Carnage Amongst the Stars http://gregorhutton.com/boxninja/threesixteen/index.html. Also look for the upcoming AD 316 Carnage Amongst the Tribes (revised game with you as Roman legionaries).
- Ganakagok http://www.ganakagok.com/
- Lacuna Homepage, IPR page (currently out of stock by he reprints it periodically)
- The Shab-al-Hiri Roach http://www.bullypulpitgames.com/store/index.php?cat=2
(Most of those can be found at IPR as well as their homepage, so you can search there if you wish to combine & save on shipping)
_________________
Games: http://genericgames.co.nz/
Blog: http://gamesteratlarge.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GamesterAtLarge

[Scott]

Totally fair call about GoD requiring 2 rooms, we had discussions about it on Friday when we were setting up the rooms and aligning the schedule. This is one we organisers have to take on the chin in that we didn't allow 2 rooms for it, next year we will fix it.

As for my feedback, well never got to play GoD this year, after being pulled out to fill another game, but the games I heard and saw being played sounded like a lot of fun and I was cracking up laughing while working on the desk (especially during bad families).

It would be good to get another faciliator or 2 for next year though.

[Muggledepuggle]

I wanted to say what a great idea Games on Demand is and how I really appreciate the GMs that run it. I'm really slack about registering for games, and mostly this is because I know that I can just cruise over to Games on Demand and get into an interesting game and meet some cool people to play with.

I agree with the comments about getting 2 rooms booked. Also would suggest that when you list the games you are interested in running, that you also put the number of people who you need/want to play in them, to help people choose what they might want to play if they are indecisive.

I spent 3 of the 4 rounds that I was playing in Games on Demand and was very happy.