Euro GenCon

Anyone know what Full Thrust related things are going to be happening at Euro
GenCon in a few weeks?

Since it'll be the first ever roleplaying Con I've been to, I'm not even sure
what generally happens at these things, let alone the
specifics. Are there usually lots of anyone-can-join-in type games
being run, or just the ones I should have booked for months ago?

> At 20:14 15/08/96 +0100, Samuel Penn wrote:
I don't think that the programme of pre-registered events has been
issued yet. It will list any games which have been notified to the organisers.
I would expect from previous years that no games of FT will have been included
in the program. This however does not stop you from running one yourself.

> Since it'll be the first ever roleplaying Con I've been to, I'm not

European Gencon is a much smaller event than the American one, and has a
slightly different format. I'll try to describe it from previous events, but
as it is moving to a new venue this year some things may change.

First of all, remember who runs EG. TSR. This means that the core events run
by the organisers will have something to do with AD&D. You can expect a number
of AD&D Tournament events, which it is advisable to book for in advance, or at
the latest on arrival. This year I know that these will include a Dark Sun
Gladiator tournament as well as the more regular events.

Beyond this the major events are those run by outside groups. These tend to be
things like the Vampire freeform games. This year there will be a drow masked
ball. Variuos games clubs put together this type of thing. A long running
success is an En Garde game, played throughout the event, with turns several
times a day. Other games companies may also run games to plug their
products, and there are various side-events like the auction and this
year the film show.

Finally, and most importantly, there are the delegate-organised games.
Some
of these may be in the pre-reg programme, but most are not. THey are
advertised by putting up notices, and can be anywhere and anything. If you
want to play FT the best thing is to run a game yourself. A large amount of
space is left for delegates to run games, and it is really up to you how to
use it. The majority of the delegate games are RPG & CCG with some board
games. There are very few miniatures games as a rule. Probably the best way to
run one is to look at the programme when you receive it, pick a time when you
fancy running a game (looking at what it clashes with) and run up a notice to
advertise your game. You won't know in advance where the game will
be - so put on the notice that people should meet at the notice at the
time you have decided to run the game. Put space on the notice for people to
sign up for the game, and allow a few reserve places to cover for the people
who fail to show.

A final few words of advice. EG96 will be totally chaotic. TSR Limited (ie the
UK end) is a pretty small firm. Most of the planning is done by 2 (yes two!)
people. Even when everyone gets pulled in to run the event that is still under
30 paid staff. Much of the other organsisation and legwork is done by
volunteers. This year, with a new venue things will doubtless go wrong. There
will be queues to register, to eat, to do anything. People will be lost trying
to find the rooms where games are being held. Don't worry about that though.
Just find games you fancy, and play them and enjoy them.
Don't expect to sleep too much - the games go on late, sometimes very
late. Enjoy.
> --

> In message <199608170917.KAA08048@discov1.discover.co.uk> you wrote:

> At 20:14 15/08/96 +0100, Samuel Penn wrote:
Some
> of these may be in the pre-reg programme, but most are not. THey are

Might be an idea to give that a go, though it relies on me getting organised
to do something (in other words, probably not...)

> wrong. There will be queues to register, to eat, to do anything.
People will
> be lost trying to find the rooms where games are being held. Don't

24hr role playing sessions here we come...:)

> Enjoy.

I definitely hope to. Thanks for the info!