Metatopia was ok. I was in a couple of fun playtests, and got to meet a few designers whose work I admire. That was neat. I also did a lot of shopping. A number of pre-existing commitments made it hard for me to spend more than six or seven hours there in total, but since I live nearby, it wasn’t a big deal to just pop in and out.
Mostly I was just kind of lonely. This will surprise you, but I am an extremely shy person, which made it hard to just walk up to people and start talking to them. I feel like you have to have a buddy or something if you’re going to go to one of these things, especially a professional event where everyone already knows each other, and you don’t know anyone.
I don’t think I really have any takeaways as such. It seemed like everyone was having a good time.
Honestly for cons, the companion thing is why I usually goto ones where I can buddy with someone. Having a person to bounce your onsite ideas with is great and can sometimes result in you making friends with the person at the booth selling he product.
Glad you went and had a good time!
Honestly for cons, the companion thing is why I usually goto ones where I can buddy with someone. Having a person to bounce your onsite ideas with is great and can sometimes result in you making friends with the person at the booth selling he product.
Glad you went and had a good time!
Ferrell Riley Yeah, and I think it was just not the right Con for me. Like, if it was the kind of Con with lots of active games being run that you could easily join (it was really hard to get into anything at Metatopia) it would have been different. As it was, I only got into two events, and the leftovers on the big board weren’t that enticing.
But it’s not really a consumer-facing Con, so that’s not so surprising. Then again, story games aren’t a consumer-facing branch of the hobby, either.
Ferrell Riley Yeah, and I think it was just not the right Con for me. Like, if it was the kind of Con with lots of active games being run that you could easily join (it was really hard to get into anything at Metatopia) it would have been different. As it was, I only got into two events, and the leftovers on the big board weren’t that enticing.
But it’s not really a consumer-facing Con, so that’s not so surprising. Then again, story games aren’t a consumer-facing branch of the hobby, either.
I know how you feel! A lot of the people in the indie game community have known each other for years and it can be socially awkward to just join a circle of people talking. Cliques can still exist with even the coolest people.
I have a couple of good friends that I can touch base with during our local con which is very comforting. If I didn’t have that, it would be some rough chuckles.
I know how you feel! A lot of the people in the indie game community have known each other for years and it can be socially awkward to just join a circle of people talking. Cliques can still exist with even the coolest people.
I have a couple of good friends that I can touch base with during our local con which is very comforting. If I didn’t have that, it would be some rough chuckles.
I feel you. Gencon sucks if you don’t have a crew of some sort to hang with.
If it will make you feel better, I am almost certain I will kill you all on Tuesday. 🙂
I feel you. Gencon sucks if you don’t have a crew of some sort to hang with.
If it will make you feel better, I am almost certain I will kill you all on Tuesday. 🙂
Been there. Best situation overall is to know a bunch of people going, so you can hook up with whoever is interested in doing the same things as you.
But then you have to maintain a bunch of friendships, and who has time for that anymore?
Been there. Best situation overall is to know a bunch of people going, so you can hook up with whoever is interested in doing the same things as you.
But then you have to maintain a bunch of friendships, and who has time for that anymore?
I help to organize real space conventions and attendee engagement is something that organizers haves to strive hard for. i know you can’t please and engage everyone all of the time, but striking that balance is important.
One we did this past year was to create a safe and inviting place for players hang out and learn new boardgames without a highly competitive nature.
Anyways, I am sorry you did not have a good time. Not sure Metatopia would ever be a convention that really appeals to me in terms of game play. I play test enough in real life, I don’t go to cons to playtest more games. Hope that makes sense.
I help to organize real space conventions and attendee engagement is something that organizers haves to strive hard for. i know you can’t please and engage everyone all of the time, but striking that balance is important.
One we did this past year was to create a safe and inviting place for players hang out and learn new boardgames without a highly competitive nature.
Anyways, I am sorry you did not have a good time. Not sure Metatopia would ever be a convention that really appeals to me in terms of game play. I play test enough in real life, I don’t go to cons to playtest more games. Hope that makes sense.
Keith Mageau I had a good time, but I would have had a better time if I had just gone with a friend.
Keith Mageau I had a good time, but I would have had a better time if I had just gone with a friend.
That’s fair enough.
That’s fair enough.
Jason Cordova Very sorry to have not bumped into you.
You’re right about this not being a con for consumers. It’s an event for game makers and gamemaker wannabes. I am in the later category and brought a game to test. It was my first time but I knew a fair amount of people before I arrived. Even with that I had moments of feeling well outside some of the designer cliques.
Overall, I made some new contacts that may help me birth my game. I hope to get back next year.
If you are thinking about heading to PaxEast in the Spring, hit me up. I organize the Games on Demand program. We are always looking for volunteers to run small-press RPG’s. We get some 3-day badges for those who run multiple sessions.
Jason Cordova Very sorry to have not bumped into you.
You’re right about this not being a con for consumers. It’s an event for game makers and gamemaker wannabes. I am in the later category and brought a game to test. It was my first time but I knew a fair amount of people before I arrived. Even with that I had moments of feeling well outside some of the designer cliques.
Overall, I made some new contacts that may help me birth my game. I hope to get back next year.
If you are thinking about heading to PaxEast in the Spring, hit me up. I organize the Games on Demand program. We are always looking for volunteers to run small-press RPG’s. We get some 3-day badges for those who run multiple sessions.
Thanks, Christopher Corbett. GoD has been on my radar for a couple of years now. I’m looking forward to getting more involved in convention stuff.
Thanks, Christopher Corbett. GoD has been on my radar for a couple of years now. I’m looking forward to getting more involved in convention stuff.