Orccon 2015 - Editorial note.

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Hello everyone,

Once again we are closing in on Orccon! 2015 looks like it’s going to be an exciting year for us and I look forward to seeing everyone playing some games!

There are a couple of things I would like to address regarding some concerns I have heard from people participating in RPGs.

-Issues with mature or offensive content.

When I came up with the color coding method of separating games out by maturity level, it was my intent to allow people with all kinds of game content to be able to coexist. My main concern when placing games to tables is to match things up by like content and maturity level. This way I don’t have a kid’s game within earshot of mature content. With the new Kids Track forming up I may have a better time of it. But, I digress.

I also intended the system to help those who do not have a taste for more mature or explicit content so that they may easily avoid games that might offend them. Yet, I have had several people approach me about how they thought the content of a certain game was offensive. Situations including but not limited to rape, incest, abuse, etc. have been brought to my attention.

I cannot monitor content nor do I feel that it is my role or the role of the Strategicon staff to monitor the content of games being run by our volunteers. This is one of those situations where I feel that it is up to your discretion to remove yourself from situations or groups you as a player find offensive. If that situation arises, I highly encourage you to remove yourself from that game and ask either myself or one of my staff to find you another game that better fits you.

Although I believe that RPGs are a great way of exploring the darker side of the human equation, I also believe that there is a time and a place for everything and I would hope that the incredibly talented group of GM’s we have here at Strategicon can use some discretion and sensitivity to those who may feel uncomfortable in their games if they turn a particularly dark corner. That being said, let’s move on to issue two.

-Quiet space for games.

I know that certain GM’s have a hard time with the larger rooms we have in the Plaza Ballroom. Soft spoken people or GM’s that simply like to build mood in their games have a hard time functioning in loud crowded rooms. I understand and appreciate that.

I am doing everything I can to secure some smaller rooms for those GM’s that feel that they cannot function in the larger ballrooms. I have and will continue to find some space from my compatriots at RPGA, Pathfinder and LARPS who are very generous in sharing some room when needed. Please feel free to communicate you needs to me and I will do my utmost to accommodate you. Mind you, I will not be able to accommodate everyone all the time, but I promise to do my level best.

If anyone has any other concerns or comments, please feel free to contact me at any time at [e-mail] or simply PM me here.

Thank you,
Jim Sandoval
RPG Supervisor
Strategicon Events