"Prepping is not Practical" Topic

You were asked – TMP link

Should convention GMs distribute sufficient scenario material to players in advance, so that players can arrive at the game with a plan and fully prepared to play?

57% said "not practical"
15% said "yes, GMs should make materials available in advance"
7% said "no, this would not interest me"

I've often thought that would be a great idea, the problem (as noted) is how to do it. Maybe a player aid version of the rules on the registration website so that those interested will at least have a clue.

No. I already put in plenty of effort getting a game to a convention by bringing figures, playtesting a scenario, and setting up. If the rules and explanations take more than 15 minutes its the wrong system to run at a convention.

+1 TSD101

Also as a GM you have no idea who is going to play in your game.

Our game group runs a small two day conference at Fort Meigs in Perrysburg OH. Since we are small (200 attendees) we do not pre-reg. Sign-up sheets go out 1hr. before the session starts. Our idea of an historical miniatures gaming event is for the attendees to try something different, and the scenario should be light enough to allow the players to pick up the general feel of the ruleset in that setting.
If you want to play a system you already know and are familiar with why are you playing it at a convention? (tournaments not included) Trying new things and browsing the flea market have always been my favorite parts of conventions. Only my humble opinion.

I can see getting into a game in which you already know the rules for several reasons.

1. The GM is the author of the rules.
2. A chance to game with different players.
3. A game with a higher level of terrain and figures.
4. A scenario you have never done before because you don't have enough figures.
5. An opportunity to find out if you are playing the rules correctly.
6. Lesser learning curve means more playing time than with a system you have never played before.
7. Knowing the rules and being an experienced player gives you a leg up on the newbies.

We had a local gamer who was a big CD fan. North Africa to be specific. Never had good terrain. Never had enough figures for the big battles.

Then he got an opportunity to go to his first H-Con in Lancaster. He played in a huge North Africa game. The GM was the rules author. He came back saying it was the game of his dreams. Had a great time.

When I run a game at a convention I am grateful for every player who already knows the rules. Makes my job a lot easier.

+3 Rallynow

Well while knowledge of the rules would be helpful the original question was on players being given enough information to arrive at the game with at least a basic plan which, supposedly, would cut down on the amount of time dedicated to that function at the game and increase actual gaming time.

While there are a number of reasons I concur with the "not practical" answer there is one not mentioned yet. This presupposes all who are going to play in the game sign up prior to the convention. In practice while some games do sell out most have a mix of players who sign up ahead of time, register at the show, or are walk ups. As a player I do not want to walk into a game where someone else has already planned everything out including the role any forces I might command have in the game and I have no input.

I would have assumed that the question was not about convention games. Otherwise what TSD101 says.

If it is you and a bunch of your regular gaming buddies, then this may have some merit.

It is wishful thinking that all players will arrive fully prepared to play. Using Tabletop Events, at both Garycon and now at Little Wars you have a unique option. You can email players who are registered in your games beforehand.

This has come in handy for a number of years in passing out not only rules, but scenario information and any background material. This, of course is not going to be utilized by all who play, but in running games with 12+ players it helps. Also the hardcore players appreciate this, and it allows them to immerse themselves further in the experience.

Bowman, it does say "Should convention GMs…" :)

Ahh, yes it does, thanks.

We had a local gamer who was a big CD fan. North Africa to be specific. Never had good terrain. Never had enough figures for the big battles.

Then he got an opportunity to go to his first H-Con in Lancaster. He played in a huge North Africa game. The GM was the rules author. He came back saying it was the game of his dreams. Had a great time.

Rallynow, that was me. How well I remember having to do small Command Decision scenarios because of lack of figures. <sigh> And the hills cut out of corrugated cardboard… don't get me started!

That Operation Crusader game with Frank and Glenn (plus about 10 assistant GM's!) was indeed my dream come true. (For the record, it wasn't my first Historicon, but it was the one where I decided to take the plunge and graduate to CD4 and purchase *Benghazi Handicap*, THE source-book and scenario book for the Desert War up to January 1942.)

For the last six years, I've been putting on a Command Decision game at every HMGS East convention -- Historicon, Fall-In! and Cold Wars. Lovin' it.

Sometimes I get CD grognards who love to play CD for many of the reasons you stated above. Sometimes I get newbies who are thus exposed to what I consider to be the best operational-level rules set in existence for WW2 -- and increasingly, WW1 for me. (At Historicon 2019, I'll be running a Command Decision scenario set in Mesopotamia 1915.)

P.S.: I still don't have enough figures. Do we ever?