"A Game Master's view of conventions." Topic

I've been on all sides of conventions, as a worker on a convention, (HMGS Cold Wars in 2004) TriaDCon for two year,, as an owner and runner of a convention, (The Weekend) and as a GM at more conventions I care to count. (Cold Wars, Fall In, Council of Five Nations, Origins, Atlanticon, NJCon, others.

In the debate on conventions I want to chime in from particularly and ONLY the GM view. This is the way I view them. I neither hold up myself as the acme or nadir, but I know that from my association with many, many other game masters, my attitudes are shared by many others.

1. Why do I do it?

Because it's fun. Because there's a certain amount of ego, because I want to show off and be a prima-donna and make a little floor show. But mostly because it's fun to put on a game and I like putting on a show and letting others have a good time.

2. What do I GET out of it?

Pretty much nothing. There's a lot of work. It takes about 8 hours of prep-time for each hour of gaming before the convention, so a five hour game is a solid 40 hours, and I can't even imagine the Post Con repair time. Probably twice that. Hauling the soldiers and the terrain around puts a LOT of wear and tear on the lads and repairing and soldering broken figures, guns, colors and stuff back on, repairing the terrain, -- goodness. I have Two Renaissance armies I used for about 5 years a decade ago and I still haven't gotten them entire back in shape.

I suppose the thing I do get out of it is the thanks of the players for the game, but I don't REALLY know if they are just being nice or if they really enjoyed themselves. I don't really HAVE to know. I like also to distribute the rules and handouts. I can tell if they're laughing or having a good time so there I suppose is an indication. I've never had anyone complain or argue, or walk away from the table. I guess that's good.

3. What do I WANT out of it?

This part I really don't know. I guess the fun of being the barker at the carnival side show, the fun of seeing people use the game and the rules. I don't sell anything. I'm a game designer, but I give the rules away. I guess a thank you from the con organizers would be nice. I've won the "Encourage the Others" ribbons at HMGS four times and best in time slot four times, but those are somehow not all that satisfying.

I certainly don't want to be paid for doing this and when HMGS awards free admission of GM's I usually contrive to not take it or pay them the entry fee anyway. They need the money. I remember one year Pat Shields was chasing me around the convention trying to give me the free badge. I guess it was sort of a game in a game. I won.

I wouldn't want a free room. That somehow doesn't seem right.

4. What has been my experience with Gamers?

Extraordinarily good I'm happy to say. Most of them have been great guys and girls. You will have to excuse me if I use terms that are passé. I'm 66 and at my age anyone younger than you looks 12. I can honestly say that in all my gaming I only had ONE bad experience with a gamer. This was 30 years ago. He walked away from the game complaining and grousing. We met later. He apologized. I made light of it. Now we are best friends and bosom buddies. The only other bad experience was a guy at Origins in a 3rd Reich Board game tournament. He really was a pain. But that's a story for another time.

5. What has been my experience with Convention Organizers.

Pretty much the same as the gamers. Go along, get along. That's necessary. Practically every one on conventions staff are amateurs at it. They'd rather not be doing it. They'd rather be gaming. By the way, this is the reason we organized "The Weekend" in June the way we did. Everyone wants to game, no one wants to work, so we skeletonized the con so we could run it with no real staff. Most conventions aren't on the "Weekend" model, though so you have to go along with them. Only met one really arrogant and nasty staff or organizer. He thought he was everyone's C.O. They soon got rid of him.

5. What's the worst part of a convention?

There are two things. The first is if you get a no-show. You set it all up and no one comes. That's disappointing but you have to frame your mind that you will get a now show and there is nothing that can be done about it. I try and make it flexible enough so that I can expand the game to what I do get or segment it down so if I only get one guy I will play the opposite side to him.

The second item is one you can't avoid. I have about a four hour ride home after the convention, on Sunday noon to afternoon. For me as a GM it's the long dark tea-time of the soul. There's the constant self-review and examination, introspection and inquisition as to what you should have done, should have brought, thought of this etc. You resolve to do it better next year. It's like having a low grade cold.

6. What's the best part of the convention?

Everything else.

7. If there was one thing you could change or enact at a convention what would it be?

Nothing at the convention except as a byproduct of the rollowing two things.

More women. If we had more women in gaming I think it would be a lot nicer. I think men are on better behavior around women and women have a completely different take and approach to gaming which would be challenging and refreshing. It's not that women don't like war games. They get the game, they understand the dynamic. They don't think it's about war. It has nothing to do with what's going on ON the table top. It's what's going on around the table top.

More Books.

NOT RULES!

I mean books on wargames, hard bound, real, well written chatty and easily accessible books. Rules are special purpose things for the game, but there has to be things about the hobby that can be read and knock around your mind for a while, and sit on the shelf and you can go back to and pick it up and read a little in it from time to time. Granted the books can have rules in them, and should, but something that evinces an image, or a moment or winds you up and seeds your memory. But I have gotten more out of Grant, Moreschauser, Featherstone Young, Dunn, and a host of other old books than out of a truckload of rules.

8. Final essay question. Or a throw-away thought.

Someone once said "Want to make a small fortune in wargames? Start with a large fortune!" I think this has been the salvation of the hobby. I mean not FRP or Board GAMES or Fantasy games but historical miniatures. Our hobby has always been hard cheese for persons attempting to make money in it and few of them do it for that. They do it for love almost as much as the GM does. There's not much money to be made and wargamers can be notoriously cheap-- and fickle. But I think that the lack of vast streams of cash flowing into the hobby has been its salvation and has saved it from the fate that so many other activities, sports, pastimes, and enjoyable things have suffered when corrupted by money. Consider the poor poochie killed by poison at the English dog show. Consider horse racing, and the like. Somehow our hobby has got along without star personalities, "big names in war games" and "professional wargamers." It's done quite well, and we have a literal garden of earthly delights at our fingertips even though we do not have major oceans of cash behind us.

May God keep our hobby poor and not let Disney discover us.

1. Why do I do it?

As I'm a "distant" gamer, often it is to see my toys on the table, or promote games i like to play

2. What do I GET out of it?

A chance to meet new gamers and share what I've built and what i enjoy

3. What do I WANT out of it?

More games! More Contacts!

4. What has been my experience with Gamers?

Usually pretty good. Some get really excited about the trops

5. What's the worst part of a convention?

really depends. Site, lighting, registration have all had their moments

6. What's the best part of the convention?

Friends, contacts, GAMES!

7. If there was one thing you could change or enact at a convention what would it be?

Again, depends. Some Cons frown on walkups, I encourage them.

8. Final essay question. Or a throw-away thought.

I just wish I could do it more often. If I'm lucky I get 1 per year.

Excellent post. Well done.

For some strange reason I often enjoy the process of putting a game together than actually running the game. The challange coming up with an idea for a game, or taking a Historical battle and transfering it to the tabletop.

I have developed several rules that I let guide me when running a game.
1. I do not care who wins or loses…what I do care about is getting everyone into the fight and not sitting in reserve. (may not always be possible in some Historical Battles)
2. Player expectations….if I am running a Stalingrad game, most players come into it with some expectations, they may be based on movies and/or books. But I want to deliver them a feeling, so they feel like they fought Stalingrad.
3. Look Good….I try and make my games look good, both with figures and terrain.

1. Gives me a hard and fast deadline to finish anything that needs to be painted or built.

2. Enjoy observing the interaction of the players.

3. Assessing what worked and what didn't to create a better experience for future games.

4. Watching players deal with the tactical problem at hand.

5. Hosting a player's first historical miniatures game.

DM

I just want to thank everyone on this thoughtful and interesting thread. I play much more than I've GM'd and this is making me rethink the balance.

As someone who has not put on a game for over 10 years (work is a 4 letter word but does have it's impact) I am "out of date" FOR NOW. Having retired, I plan to start putting on games and have been painting, planning and fixing and should put on my first game later this year. My reasons for putting on games are:

1) It's fun

2) Gives me contact with fellow gamers as unfortunately most I have lost contact with or have died (ultimate lost contact).

3) It motivates me to return to a period I enjoy (have many)

4) Gets me to buy the NEW RULES (that have come out in the last 10 years) to use or incorporate into older rules.

5) Been playing OPG (Other Peoples Games) and it is about time I gave them a chance to enjoy/critique my games

Scott Siebold

It was interesting to look through the CW program booklet. I had to note that no one period seemed to dominate, nor any particular rule set in those periods. I was impressed by a handful of GMs that put on their games several times – some multiple times each day. Hats off to them

HMGS has really dropped the ball supporting and encouraging more and quality games. Having particpated as a judge many times in the past, I have to say that as a GM, the program is virtually invisible. The number of awards handed out is paltry and HMGS could do a lot more having recently put away $50 USDk from the 2014 fiscal year. How about giving out more awards like gift certificates to be spent with dealers, or ribbons, or more prizes of any kind.

HMGS also needs to step up its game of managing its gaming area. They have no idea what games go on, how long, how many players, how well the entire ticket program works, what games end too early, what games are empty. They also don't have a good handle on table conflicts (one GM sets up on a wrong table, causing a ripple effect), or offering any meaningful help to GMs in the way of carts (whatever happend to those carts HMGS paid for to help GMs get stuff in and out), a storage area, a GM Help Desk located close to the games (have to run upstairs now and hope you find the right person to help), etc.

I enjoy putting on games at HMGS cons. I have been doing them as pick up games in recent years. But whether pick up or scheduled, HMGS needs to do a lot more to encourage GMs for the work they do to entertain paying customers.

I was wondering how many postings before the topic began to turn.

We've now reached the point where the esteemed Captain Spaulding should be heard:

"Well, art is art, isn't it? Still, on the other hand, water is water. And east is east and west is west, and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce, they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now, uh… Now you tell me what you know."

More polls, lovely.

Sorry, wasn't looking to hijack or change the thread. Just my experience of GMing at HMGS cons since the early 90s and how things have regressed.

1. Why do I do it?

Cause I enjoy it and the history behind the tabletop battle.

2. What do I GET out of it?

See above.

3. What do I WANT out of it?

Good gamers, maybe some recognition from the convetion where I am helping entertain their paying customers.

4. What has been my experience with Gamers?

Mixed. WWII players can be the worst, and the best. Other periods vary, but not as widely as the tread heads who want to shoot a rifle grenade into an open tank turret.

5. What's the worst part of a convention?

Lighting, noise, dragging in and out all that stuff.

6. What's the best part of the convention?

Friends, gamers

7. If there was one thing you could change or enact at a convention what would it be?

Better support for GMs (see post above)

1. Why do I do it?

Because it can be an absolute blast – no two games are ever the same, and it's great to see how different players approach different challenges.

2. What do I GET out of it?

To see how the ruleset copes with different situations, and to use that experience to tweak the rules for the next outing.

3. What do I WANT out of it?

A fun, decisive and well attended game, where losers get as much enjoyment as the winners.

4. What has been my experience with Gamers?

Good – but in twenty years plus of hosting events, there will always be the odd grump, who nobody wants tableside.

5. What's the worst part of a convention?

Poor lighting, poor interior climate control and distracting noise. Lighting is probably the worst issue, it sucks to have a decent display of figures and terrain to be cast in the dim light of a single downlight. Poor climate control, when it's either too hot or too cold also sucks, but that's a relatively easy fix by taking off or putting on an outer layer of clothing.
I should add, waking up with a hangover is not great either – but that's somewhat self-imposed.

6. What's the best part of the convention?

Hosting a successful game or two, and getting to hang out with friends from around the country that I only see two or three times a year.

7. If there was one thing you could change or enact at a convention what would it be?

I would agree with historygamer, better immediate support for GM's – I can't remember the last time an HMGS staff member dropped by to enquire whether or not there was anything I might need or had issue with. As a GM my time is better spent tableside, setting up and getting ready to run the game, than having to personally track down a member of staff when a problem arises [problems might include, addressing poor lighting, insufficient tables, double-booked tables etc].

I don't think awards will make any difference. They didn't in the past. A GM who's not going to do a game for a convention without awards is not going to do it for a ribbon or a certificate. He probably wouldn't even do it for a free room. As I said putting on a game takes 8 hours of prep and probably another 8 of repair for each hour of gaming. Besides, there's been problems In the past with people gaming the system- saying they will put on games, getting the room or the benefit and then cancelling the game.

As for the carts HMGS used to have in the Dystlefynk. That went out with the Help Desk and as I understand it one person on that desk forgot to reclaim them at the end of the convention and take them to storage, and and they disappeared into the maw of the hotel.

The few awards we did have disappeared with the Help Desk as well. To be fair, Pete Panzeri tried to do it from the desk before he crashed and burned on Baltimore, and the problem was that he developed a system that took a huge amount of volunteer hours and he would up doing most of it himself as people didn't want to volunteer. It's hard being four legs of a table at once.

This meant he was way overloaded and that meant that mistakes and gaffe's happened. Eventually he just did what HMGS does, give the awards to their friends.

I used to give a medal as representative of the Society of Daisy which sponsors Humor and Whimsy in Games. It was a nice hefty metal medal and a outrageous ribbon, but the BOD viewed anyone doing anything like a steaming Trrrd in the potato salad so I stopped.

Way back when on the Help Desk Mike Hillsgrove had the germ of an idea which was brilliant. Put out a box on the Help Desk and after a game is over anyone can drop their game ticket in it and that GM would get an award. The theory was that gamers have the attention span of a hamster and that if they could be bothered to remember to do that it must have been a great game. But people didn't like it because they thought GM's could cheat and stuff the ballot box. Who cares, let em, it's only a ribbon.

As for helping the GM, they don't need it. Most GM's have been going to conventions for years and they know the facility very well. They have their own hand trucks and carts and know what hallways they can run down and what stairs they have to avoid. The Host was good because you had that back loading door in the Dystlefink. Means you could back up and unload. I hear Fredericksburg is a horror to unload at. This is one of the reasons we chose the Continental for the Weekend. It has two roll-on-roll off doors. If it wasn't carpeted you could drive your car or van right up to the table. As it is they give us plenty of carts.

Game masters are fairly self sufficient people. They've been on many Campaigns and know all about their haulage and dunnage.

Don't underestimate the morale boost of a simple award – it was Napoleon that said 'with such baubles, men are led.'
I believe the PELA award system is an excellent one that, whilst obviously not the prime motivation for any GM to run games, certainly is better than no recognition whatsoever – ask my wife, she received one a few years back at Fall-In, for an ACW game she ran. She takes enormous pleasure shoving it my face each time I return from a convention empty handed…..

1. Why do I do it?

I love the idea of transforming a fancy of mine (and some of them get pretty visually wild) into game mechanics and actual physical objects that look good on a tabletop.

2. What do I GET out of it?

Nothing tangible, but a huge sense of fulfillment of a creative urge. For me, GMing is part performance art, part cheap theatrics, and 100% blarney. By dragging players into my gaming narrative, I'm sort of inviting them into my mind a little, for good or ill.

3. What do I WANT out of it?

Nothing, really. Just for people to have a great time and a create a good story for the current game being played.

4. What has been my experience with Gamers?

Almost 100% positive. Gamers are a patient sort, and will jump in with suggestions when something doesn't work. Particularly the gamers that attend miniatures-heavy conventions.

5. What has been my experience with Convention Organizers.

Almost 100% positive. Sure, there's been some snafus along the road.. I haven't gotten this table or that thing.. but who cares, in the long run.

6. What's the worst part of a convention?

Fatigue, dealing with that 1% guy who feels entitled.

7. What's the best part of the convention?

Everything else.

8. If there was one thing you could change or enact at a convention what would it be?

I have to agree with Otto. More women. Women make male gamers better and they make games better. I think so anyway. And more kids-- they are surprisingly smart and far less whiney than most 50 year olds.

V/R

Walt

I attended a game at coldwars this last weekend, that basically went completely sideways on the GM. Both winning and losing sides got bored and lost interest. The GM realize this and apologized. But all I could think was this guy had put a lot of time an effort into the game and I got to play with some well painted figures, so nothing really to apologize for. Thanks to one and all who go to the bother of putting a game on.

I'm relatively new at the convention scene, but I've done a game or two a year for the past 4 years.

1. Why do I do it?
Enjoy showing off our club's work and adding a bit of flavor (we usually do sci-fi, fantasy or post apoc) to the historical gaming conventions. It also gives me the impetus to get a large project done.

2. What do I GET out of it?

Fun interactions with other gamers.

3. What do I WANT out of it?

A full slate of participants who will enjoy themselves.

4. What has been my experience with Gamers?

Generally positive. Usually folks are well manned and enthusiastic

5. What's the worst part of a convention?

No Shows

6. What's the best part of the convention?

Flea Markets and seeing the beautiful layouts and minis.

7. If there was one thing you could change or enact at a convention what would it be?

Maybe better incentives for GM's This is something I've been thinking about for a few years. At a convention like Little Wars where a good portion of the attendees are GM's they don't seem to be able to afford to waive entry fees, but they do give you a nice little bag of sweets and a medal for the game winner.

By comparison, This year is the first year I will be GM'ing a game at Adepticon. They waive the entry fees for you and whoever is helping you run the game. The waived entry fees also includes goodie bags with a remarkable amount of minis and swag. Usually far more than the $25 USD entry fee. They also print out multiple certificates and awards for your event. Wow!

I'll like LW and the people so I'll probably keep paying my $ and GM'ing there, but I didn't realize how green the grass could be…

1. Why do I do it?

GMing a game is probably my favorite aspect of the hobby. I enjoy seeing the battle develop. I like seeing gamer's genuine enjoyment of the terrain and figures into which I put so much time and effort.

2. What do I GET out of it?

Often I promote my company, Good Ground LLC through my 10mm ACW events. I put a lot of effort into my terrain. When someone walks up and recognizes the battlefield without any knowledge of the event, I get a little bit of a rush out of it.

3. What do I WANT out of it?

A good time for all involved.

4. What has been my experience with Gamers?

People that are having a good time and are in general fair spirits. I consider the event a social as well as a hobby-related event. I want to have fun. One person can sometimes bring down the mood for all, so it is not always possible. However, for the most part, I get a lot of satisfaction running games.

5. What's the worst part of a convention?

A/C is often not sufficient. Lighting is even worse. Bathing seems to be an issue for many gamers. Hotels are often the of the most dubious sort.

6. What's the best part of the convention?

Seeing all the friends I have made over the years in this hobby. They are the best friends I have.

7. If there was one thing you could change or enact at a convention what would it be?

Courtesy to the GM. If you are not going to play in a game for which you registered, at least have the courtesy of letting the GM know so others that DO want to play can do so.

Courtesy to the GM. If you are not going to play in a game for which you registered, at least have the courtesy of letting the GM know so others that DO want to play can do so.

Better yet, turn in the ticket so other don't think the game is full and find something else to do.

Duncan

Like that is ever going to happen. :-)

I usually have two to four walkups before the game starts. I take their names so they can fill any empty spots. I start the game 10 minutes after the official start to give those signed up time to get there in case there's a discrepancy with the table number which happened this time. The table number on the ticket was different than the table number in the program. If there are empty slots it's first up first in.

I have had people let me know they couldn't play to open a spot. Rare but it does happen from time to time.

DM

Probably happened to me less than half a dozen times in 25 years of running convention games. However, when someone does advise you they. Will make make your game, it stands out and is appreciated.

1. Why do I do it?
Just for the love of miniature wargaing

2. What do I GET out of it?

Nothing really but a chance to show off my minaitures and terrain

3. What do I WANT out of it?

Have fun

4. What has been my experience with Gamers?

100% positive…only have had one gamer walk away in 10+years

5. What has been my experience with Convention Organizers.
HMGS volunteers do a god job…but think GM help desk should be next to biggest game room

6. What's the worst part of a convention?

N/A

7. What's the best part of the convention?

Seeing old friends

8. If there was one thing you could change or enact at a convention what would it be? N/A

SFC Retired

While I generally get some nice gamers to play in my games, I've also had some less than desirable people as well. Hot heads who come to win at any cost. People with questionable hygiene. Recently had a very nice fellow play, but he kept nodding off – even before the game started. His troops were supposed to be attacking but he seemed more intent on not losing a single figure and getting a nap. I had another guy onetime get so mad when he lost a Sherman tank (like that never happened in real life) he threw the dice has hard as he could at the game before he stormed off. Finally, last time I participated in the pre-reg system, I had so many no-shows as to make me question the entire process that allowed so many people to do that. I've only put on pick up games since then.

To me the worst part of a convention is that it seems to end to soon. Im sure every GM has a horror story or ten to share about bad gamers. It is a shame at times when you can have one person suck the life out of a game that you have spent months working on.

Last year at Little Wars I ran two tournaments. I had about 8 people sign up for the Vietnam Tournament. I had made custom tables for the tournament and rented a truck to get everything there. Had some very nice prize support lined up as well. Only one guy showed up, and the other 7. Well one guy later let me know he had bad car trouble and broke down on the way to the tournament. End result…I will no longer run FOW Tournaments at Little Wars. This years game will be an All Quiet On The Martian Front Game.

The best part of a convention is hands down the people. So very much two sides of the coin there. I love to walk the game room and see the work of other GMs. To get some ideas that I can use to make my games look better. Share some ideas as well.

I would hope that some if not all those that post here will run games at Little Wars.

Gents, allow me to add my dos centavos…..

1. Why do I do it?

To run a good game, and give people some fun with my toys…

2. What do I GET out of it?

Fun, smiles, and the satisfaction of a good game.

3. What do I WANT out of it?

Players that are in the spirit of the game vs the "win at all costs", or the rules lawyers. People who will come up to me and say "Man that was a blast! Are you running another one next year?"
People who will still talk about it years down the road.

4. What has been my experience with Gamers?

Mixed but mostly good. Biggest issue is dealing with those folks that have been weaned on tournament games and believe that they "have to win" to be "thuh awezum!"

5. What's the worst part of a convention?

Tearing down, rude players/staff, or mismanagement and not having your tables ready.

6. What's the best part of the convention?

Friends, Gamers, New Friends…Pics, and ideas exchanges…stuff bought….

7. If there was one thing you could change or enact at a convention what would it be?

Better Support for GM's.