Rusty GM
Initiate Douchebag
Polygamerous
Posts: 21
Preferred Game Systems: Savage Worlds, G.U.R.P.S., D&D 5e, Dread
Currently Running: Savage Worlds
Favorite Species of Monkey: Loud
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Post by Rusty GM on Dec 13, 2016 10:58:09 GMT -8
I'm finally getting my ass up to a strategicon this coming February and I'm wondering whether I should GM or not. This will be my first RPG experience at a con, so I'm not 100% sure what to expect. I'm no stranger to one shots, though I do tend to run longer than I anticipate when I'm setting them up. I have a group of players who would be happy to play test anything for me. Should I go with the intent to play all weekend and get a feel for things, or shall I host a game or two, knowing full well it could be precarious? Advice, warnings, general discussion?
P.S. When does game pre-registration usually open up? P.P.S. Anyone outside of Stu run a MoT game at a con? I'm tempted!
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Post by OFTHEHILLPEOPLE on Dec 13, 2016 11:24:23 GMT -8
I did my first con ever this past year with Chupacabracon and GMed two four hour games. My advice is this: - Make table tents of the character sheets for whatever system you're using.
- Know your setting and know your adventure.
- Take a break halfway through your session time whether you need to or not.
- Make some flashy, but simple, props for your adventure.
- Introduce yourself, introduce your rules, introduce your setting, then set your expectations for gameplay.
- Have fun.
As long as you follow a majority of the advice the show talks about when it comes to running con games you will be fine. I took a break in the middle to take a literal pee break that also worked as a brainstorming session, trust me, it works. So take a break and use it wisely.
Just relax, it isn't as bad or as scary as you think.
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Post by weaselcreature on Dec 13, 2016 13:02:59 GMT -8
The last Con I went to was also my first Con, and I GMed. It was great. I did end up with a group of friends as players who all had a different playstyle than I did, so I adjusted my mentality a bit and everyone had fun.
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Rusty GM
Initiate Douchebag
Polygamerous
Posts: 21
Preferred Game Systems: Savage Worlds, G.U.R.P.S., D&D 5e, Dread
Currently Running: Savage Worlds
Favorite Species of Monkey: Loud
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Post by Rusty GM on Dec 13, 2016 13:55:52 GMT -8
Alright, I'm warming up to the idea of running a game there. Table tents are a must, even for regular campaignseason athe home I find! Might play for two days and GM on the third.
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sbloyd
Supporter
WHAT! A human in a Precursor service vehicle?!
Posts: 2,762
Preferred Game Systems: Storyteller; Dresden; Mage
Favorite Species of Monkey: Goddamnit, Curious George is a CHIMP not a monkey! Stop teaching my daughter improper classification!
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Post by sbloyd on Dec 13, 2016 14:59:57 GMT -8
Play-mats with a rules summary on them might be a good idea, too. Don't assume your players know anything about the system you'll be running.
Might be a good idea to bring enough dice to go around, or at least a set of communal dice (especially if the system you use uses whackadoodle dice like the new Star Wars stuff, or even Fate dice).
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2016 15:04:08 GMT -8
When I went to Stratigicon for the first time last year I ran 3 games over three course it and still had plenty of time to play in a number of games. As long as you're comfortable running a game for strangers you should be fine and the con caters to a wide variety of games and styles. Hell, I did the first public playtest of my own little game and got great feedback from it.
I would say the crowd at the con was the best out of all the ones I've attended and not just because if all the Jackers there. The RPG track is fantastically well organised and the general atmosphere is great. Regardless of whether you GM or just part you should have a great time.
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maxinstuff
Supporter
Posts: 1,939
Preferred Game Systems: DCC RPG, Shadowrun 5e, Savage Worlds, GURPS 4e, HERO 6e, Mongoose Traveller
Favorite Species of Monkey: Proboscis
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Post by maxinstuff on Dec 18, 2016 18:30:45 GMT -8
I might seriously attend a Strategicon event in 2017, but GM'ing never even entered my mind.
Never been to a proper con so figured I'd just play and maybe run some "Shadow" games if people were keen.
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Post by jazzisblues on Jan 2, 2017 13:54:03 GMT -8
I would say don't, go and have a good time playing games.
No particular reason other than it's your first convention, you should have fun and not have stress.
JiB
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Rusty GM
Initiate Douchebag
Polygamerous
Posts: 21
Preferred Game Systems: Savage Worlds, G.U.R.P.S., D&D 5e, Dread
Currently Running: Savage Worlds
Favorite Species of Monkey: Loud
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Post by Rusty GM on Jan 6, 2017 13:36:24 GMT -8
Thanks for the advice. I might run a game or two, but only one offs that I've already run for my group. Even then, I might just go the stress free route JiB advised and be a player for the first time in a decade.
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