"Who's going to "Cold Wars"?" Topic

I was going to go for one day but only to check out the dealers and flea market. I am appalled that they are now charging $25.00 USD for a one day pass to a HMGS member! Does anyone else have problems with this?

It's part of the reason why I run a game every convention.

A. I like to kibbitz with my friends over the dice rolls
B. I enjoy trying out Civil War scenarios that I write
C. Good chance to sell my books
D. I am basically quite cheap (must be the businessman in me), and I really like getting in free.

On a more serious note, I think the price inflation is going to hurt attendance somewhat, as I know a lot of gamers no longer have a lot of disposable income. There is a chance that people will spend the $25, but have very little left for the dealer hall and flea market.

Even $15-$20 in my mind is expensive for a day pass.

I guess it's relative. How much is a day pass to Origins this year?

Yah, the price is up considerably. When it was a 3-day convention a full weekend pass it was $10 USD for HMGS members, $20 USD for non-members, but a 1-year membership was also $10 USD which you could buy during pre-reg and then only pay the $10 USD members admission fee (so bottom line a non-member got in for the normal $20 USD but then was a member for 1 year, so if you also went to Historicon and/or Fall-In it was worth it). Now a 1 year membership is $25 USD and the members pre-reg price is $25 USD so that's $50 USD or $10 USD more than the non-members weekend admission fee. Your still saving some money by becoming a member if you plan on going to more than 1 HMGS con but if not….

Cold Wars is my only planned con for the year so I don't mind the higher fee so much. Actually, I think the fee hike has been a long time coming… the old fee structure was incredibly cheap-I was surprised they could sustain the old fees for as long as they did…

I'm leaving in 2 hours.

$25 USD bucks for Cold Wars is still a bargin. Our local convention charges $25 USD bucks for a one day pass (Saturday) and there are just over 30 games that day and about 6 dealers.

I'm headed for the airport in 15 minutes. Airfare, hotel, food and toys make these four figure indulgences in which the actual convention fees are simply minor incidentals.

$25 USD is a cheap entrance for a days activity compared to greens fees, basketball tickets or any other normal weekend diversion.

I'd love to be there, but too many other commitments this time around.

Enjoy all!

Mark

I missed the pre-reg this year. Life getting too busy. So my 2 day pass is $30 USD instead of $20. USD But still a good deal, I agree with Dave Gamer, the $10 USD admissions couldn't be sustained much longer.

I'll be there. Looks like heavy rain for the entire con. Not sure of my schedule. Taking every day as it comes. Hoping to make the games we signed up for. We came up from FL to visit my dad, who is dying. The con is a side trip for us. We just happened to have off this week at work.

25 is a bit much but I don't have much to say about it.

I like to walk around and look at the games but really am there to buy from the dealers in person. I'm not a fan of ordering online and much prefer to give my money to a shop. However, finding historical anything (outside of FOW, which isn't my thing) in shops is near impossible. Which is why I make the 2 hour trip to Cold Wars. However – a $25 USD fee is steep for my needs (a few hours in the dealer's hall) and comes DIRECTLY out of what I'll spend there. I wouldn't feel so poorly about it if I felt that money did any real good for the hobby (it might do, I just don't know).There – in classic gamer fashion, I've lodged my complaint!

$25 USD (+ gas. etc) to shop the dealer hall is not a bargain. If I gamed that would be another thing, I merely shopped so I can just order from home from now on. I agree with the comments of General Rout on all else….

I go for the Games, the Flea Market, the Dealer Hall, and whatever else is available, so I guess I feel I get my money's worth from all that. But I understand everyone's view.

Not me. Have to work. I could have juggled days off, but my son has National Guard this weekend, and someone has to take care of the dog.
Heck, money's tight anyway. Like Roger said, "$25 (+ gas. etc) to shop the dealer hall is not a bargain."

We leave tonight. Turns out the wife is coming after all. Her first con. Stop by our booth and haze her with esoteric historical questions. She's the curly-haired blonde with freckles knitting behind the Cavalcade booth.

Best,
Steve
Cavalcade Wargames
cavalcadewargames.com

Lol! We'll let her know you said that! Should make for a pleasant trip home….;)

I don't know how much it costs to take over a hotel for the weekend, but I do wonder where the money goes? Arn't we, as HMGS Members supposed to get a newsletter once in a while? Has attendance gone up to justify a 4th Day of "Cold Wars"? Is my money going towards bringing new blood to the hobby? I don't usually play games, because I don't have the time, but I always shop the dealer hall and fleamarket. Maybe there should be a special pass just for that? Actually, I thought there used to be a pass for that, but I guess not anymore. I'm sure the dealers would appreciate that!
Hopefully sometime in the future, I'll do what Scott suggested, run a game so I can get in free! Have a safe trip and have fun!

FireZouave-
You watch your tongue or a BOD (or former) member will come down and swat you a good one.

Is my money going towards bringing new blood to the hobby?

I'm just fine if not a nickel goes into bringing in new blood. Run three good cons a year at enough of a profit to cover unforseen costs and build a decent reserve fund and the rest will sort itself out.

John M: Give me a call if you are coming. I can be reached at 540-525-0608.

Doug
BTC