North Texas RPG Con

[Ancalagon]

Events started showing up around midnight Thursday / early Friday morning.

I started making a list of events to possibly go after. Will review and revise Friday afternoon.
I noticed someone added two "Middle Earth" (not the way JRRT spelled it!) adventures for 5e dealing with a journey through Mirkwood for 1st level PCs.

@ Necron 99 - haven't seen any of your events yet by 0130 Central.

EDIT:
Advanced Fighting Fantasy is event # 157. I have a time conflict with this one so won't be able to sign up.
Lex Arcana is event #185. Going after a seat in this one!

[Necron 99]

Yesterday I posted my two submitted games on the Facebook page as a heads up because a lot of people were wondering what other events were being added. As of right now at least 3-4 other people have also made a post on the NTRPG FB page for their games. Yet, for some unknown reason someone managing the FB page decided to delete just my post.

No comment, no message, no indication of why they deleted it, just gone. And I know other people saw it because at least one person "liked" my post before I realized it was removed.

A while back I had asked a question on the FB page about new events being added, noone administering the page or NTRPG in general, made a comment or offered any info.

With the regular registration coming up soon, are there any other events being added to the line-up? I submitted two a while back and they still show a status of "Pending Review". Thanks.

I was polite and direct, it was a simple question, had eight likes on it, yet no one could be bothered to respond with a simple answer to let folks know what was going on. Three days later, Gary Oliver makes a post that he's going to be doing a bunch of stuff, including adding more events. He never does. Finally a week later, two days before regular registration opens up, he makes another post that he'll be adding new games and they'll show up the morning before registration opens.

I submitted my games weeks ago. The format of the event submission is flat out wrong, they use the "event type" field for the game or game system being run, you can't add to it, only choose from a drop down list. If your game isn't listed, you can choose the generic "RPG" event, but then they have the number of seats set to a max number of 4, so you get hosed there if you try to submit. I sent Gary Oliver a message on FB asking about my submissions, then, and if he could assist with fixing them if I submitted.

No response, never got a reply.

So, I used the spreadsheet they provided because it allowed me to layout everything and I thought it would get my events submitted correctly. Apparently not. My two games are both listed as using "77 Lost Worlds" as the event type, instead of having the name of the actual game system like every other one listed. I would post or message about correcting this but at this point I don't think it would do any good.

I guess I'll see if anyone actually signs up to play either one of them.

[Ancalagon]

Yesterday I posted my two submitted games on the Facebook page as a heads up because a lot of people were wondering what other events were being added. As of right now at least 3-4 other people have also made a post on the NTRPG FB page for their games. Yet, for some unknown reason someone managing the FB page decided to delete just my post.

No comment, no message, no indication of why they deleted it, just gone. And I know other people saw it because at least one person "liked" my post before I realized it was removed.

A while back I had asked a question on the FB page about new events being added, no one administering the page or NTRPG in general, made a comment or offered any info.

Poor communication and rudeness is no way to run anything.

With the regular registration coming up soon, are there any other events being added to the line-up? I submitted two a while back and they still show a status of "Pending Review". Thanks.

I was polite and direct, it was a simple question, had eight likes on it, yet no one could be bothered to respond with a simple answer to let folks know what was going on. Three days later, Gary Oliver makes a post that he's going to be doing a bunch of stuff, including adding more events. He never does. Finally a week later, two days before regular registration opens up, he makes another post that he'll be adding new games and they'll show up the morning before registration opens.

I submitted my games weeks ago. The format of the event submission is flat out wrong, they use the "event type" field for the game or game system being run, you can't add to it, only choose from a drop down list. If your game isn't listed, you can choose the generic "RPG" event, but then they have the number of seats set to a max number of 4, so you get hosed there if you try to submit. I sent Gary Oliver a message on FB asking about my submissions, then, and if he could assist with fixing them if I submitted.

No response, never got a reply.

I don't imagine adding new game system names should be overly complex. Other games had to be added in the past with listings like Aliens (fairly new rpg), Bedroom Adventures RPG (never heard of it), and multiple Social Events. To accept events and not add the game system so that the event title could be displayed is a disservice to the person trying to help out the con by running events. This is not the way to run things.

When events started getting added to the schedule late last night, my Moria game went from 8 tickets up to 9 for some reason. I used the email option at the bottom of the events listing page to send a message to Gary-O requesting a correction. He replied within 3 minutes and the fix was made. Perhaps he'd be more responsive to the email option for your inquiries. Not that it should have to get to that point since he's active on FB...

So, I used the spreadsheet they provided because it allowed me to layout everything and I thought it would get my events submitted correctly. Apparently not. My two games are both listed as using "77 Lost Worlds" as the event type, instead of having the name of the actual game system like every other one listed. I would post or message about correcting this but at this point I don't think it would do any good.

I guess I'll see if anyone actually signs up to play either one of them.

I think you should post a message about "77 Lost Worlds" and how your events are displayed. They made a call for people to submit events to help fill out the con activities and you stepped up. You shouldn't have your efforts displayed incorrectly.

[Necron 99]

Yeah, you're right. I emailed the link on the TableTop site, we'll see if I get a response or anything get corrected.

Looking at the new events, there's one new game that I'm going to shoot for, a Fantasy Trip game on Saturday morning. I have pretty much everything that SJG has put out for the new TFT line. Still haven't had a chance to get it to the table so this would be a good way to learn the system from a player perspective.

[Ancalagon]

From the NTX FB page

Gary Oliver
Yesterday at 11:06 AM ·
Hello folks. A little update on registration and last nights events.
Overall things went pretty smoothly. There was a a problem where people got charged for game or events when they should not have been. Out of 204 events there were 9 that still had a price associated with them. (ALL last minute entries I might add) I have since fixed that. Anyway, if you were charged a fee IM me and I'll get you fixed up.

Emphasis mine.

The Lex Arcana game had a $20 price on it and I know for a FACT it was not a last minute entry since it was submitted WEEKS ago. The only way the comment above is correct is if last minute entry actually means when Lex Arcana was listed on the schedule by Gary-O.

[Necron 99]

You are correct, my events were submitted at least two weeks prior to him adding them to the listing.

I saw that posted on the FB group, I don't know why that would be the case. If Gary had worked on getting events into the list a week and a half ago when he said he was posting more games, he wouldn't have been rushed to get them all in by the morning of registration.

Personally, I think having the $20 hurt getting players for the game, not to mention, when he made the change for the event from the "77 Lost Worlds" (which also should never have happened in the first place) to "RPG" he also didn't check that the additional information was added to the game listing.

As it stands, the current listing only has the short description for the game:

Omens of uncertanty cast shadows over Gallia. As Custodes of the Cohors Auxiliaria Arcana you've been tasked with investigating.

The long description that is missing actually explains the game and had a bit more umph to help draw players in.

Lex Arcana is a historical fantasy role-playing game, set in an alternative fifth century CE where magic exists. In this divergent timeline, the Roman Empire managed to steer away from the course of events which led to its historical collapse, thanks to the mastery of the arts of Divination. By being able to see beyond the barriers of time, the Roman Emperors have kept their enemies at bay for centuries, outside the borders of the Empire and within them. But the world of Lex Arcana is also fraught with danger, as within sight of the tall walls of the Roman cities lie demon-riddled deserts and dark, impenetrable forests, inhabited by fantastical beasts and murderous folks who defy the rule of the Emperor.

While everyone else on the FB group cheered and praised Gary for getting all the events loaded, I can't say I feel the same way. Just too many issues in my personal experience with any communication I tried to have or getting my events in order. At this point, I'm fairly certain Lex Arcana is going to be a no-go. I'm going to plan to bring my LA material just in case, but I'll probably also bring something else (board game, card game, or maybe even a simple RPG like OSE or Whitebox) to play or run for that time slot since everything else appears to be full up.

[Ancalagon]

Yeah... your events could've been handled much better for the listing. The long description, had it been included and the $20 cost been omitted, definitely would've drawn more players... But I just took a peek and noticed you have a second player now signed up for Lex. Give it time... I still think it will fill up!

[Necron 99]

Yeah... your events could've been handled much better for the listing. The long description, had it been included and the $20 cost been omitted, definitely would've drawn more players... But I just took a peek and noticed you have a second player now signed up for Lex. Give it time... I still think it will fill up!

The second player grabbed a ticket the night of registration, but didn't check out and get added to the list until the following day. But that was back on Friday and no movement on additional players over the weekend. Based on what I'm seeing with registration, aside from anyone that may show up onsite without registering in advance, I think everyone that is going to register for sessions has done so already. Cynical maybe, but we're not talking GaryCon levels of attendance at NTRPG so I doubt there are too many, if any, more attendees who haven't already grabbed what they want to play.

Like I said, I'll still bring my stuff to run in the off chance, but I'm not holding my breath it'll happen.

[grodog]

Henry and I were looking at LA too (for him, since it conflicts with a game I’m running), FYI.

Also, I don’t know how much context you guys have re: Gary running the show so far, but Doug only died in September last year, and he was basically a one-man show when it came to managing and organizing the events, vendors, t-shirts, etc. Gary and Mike may have done a little to help with last year’s registration processes, but IIRC Doug was still sufficiently healthy that he was doing most/all of that last year.

None of which is to say that Gary can’t improve significantly in execution. Just that he is a noob, for all intents and purposes

Allan.

[Necron 99]

Henry and I were looking at LA too (for him, since it conflicts with a game I’m running), FYI.

Also, I don’t know how much context you guys have re: Gary running the show so far, but Doug only died in September last year, and he was basically a one-man show when it came to managing and organizing the events, vendors, t-shirts, etc. Gary and Mike may have done a little to help with last year’s registration processes, but IIRC Doug was still sufficiently healthy that he was doing most/all of that last year.

None of which is to say that Gary can’t improve significantly in execution. Just that he is a noob, for all intents and purposes

Allan.

Yeah, I know, I'm just venting frustration. Like I said, I don't have anything against Gary personally, just frustrated with what seemed like a string of continuous issues specifically with me and/or my events. I'm sure as the years get on, they'll refine the process and things will smooth out. Regardless of whether or not things went as they have or if they went smoothly, with NTRPG falling on my daughter's birthday weekend, the odds of me attending in the future are always going to be slim to none. This year was just a fluke that my wife and daughter are ok with me going.

Future con attendance for me will most likely be reserved to GaryCon or Origins (assuming Origin events are worth attending, still waiting to see what events are offered this year to decide if I want to go next year).

As for this year though, my schedule for NTRPG currently stands at:

• (running) Thu 9am - 1pm; The Warlock of Firetop Mountain (Advanced Fighting Fantasy)
• Thu 1pm - 10pm; Where the Spirits Dwell (Call of Cthulhu)
• Fri 10am - 2pm; The Bone Collectors (Call of Cthulhu)
• Fri 2pm - 6pm; Mega Mutant Mayhem (DCC Umerica)
• Fri 7pm - 10pm; Into the Mines of Moria (C&C)
• Sat 9am - 1pm; An Occurrence at Howling Crater (AD&D 1e)
• Sat 1pm - 5pm; The Oblation Slab of the Hepatomancer (Hyperborea)
• (running) Sat 7pm - 11pm; By the Will of the Gods (Lex Arcana)

Flight back out on Sunday at noon, I'll be heading to the AP about 10:30 or so.

One thing I do like about GC or Origins are the offerings of more board games and miniatures. I may even try to run some at future conventions. Whichever one I attend next year, I think I'll be scaling back a bit on the "RPGs" and making room for some of the other events types.