My friend and Gamer Master for the Dark Heresy game in which I've played for several years invited me to Gencon 2013. He procured a downtown hotel and offered to split the cost with me and the other two guys that are likely to attend. As much as I love Gencon, and despite the fun time I had running Pilz last year, I'm very reluctant to go because of the costs.
Last year I had some good times, but at a whopping $200 dollars each night, even split between a few snoring guys, it can quickly add up over a long weekend. The gas, parking, and badge costs will push my total into several hundred dollars. Hitting the bars (Twisted Kilt was my favorite) is something I do at home normally, but downtime prices are sometimes excessive. The lines and crowd, also, are factors that weigh heavily in making a Gencon 2013 decision. And these costs are even before my many impulse purchases that are sure to happen!
So, I probably won't attend this year. That four or five-hundred dollars could be much better spent on RPGNow or eBay. But not Kickstarter, I'm done with that for now.
Yup, I'm bowing out of Gencon for 2013 too. My "big con" will be Gary Con in March, then I'll hit the cons within driving range in Ohio - Origins, Con on the Cob, maybe one or two in Michigan. You should do the same!
ReplyDeleteYep, I'm planning on doing Origins because, A: It's close, and B: As a teacher I get in cheap. Are you running Thundar at Origins? I (obviously) haven't checked their website lately. When is open registration?
DeleteI have no info on Origins at this time. I need to see what's going on. Will probably run Mutant Future and, yes, Thundarr as well.
ReplyDeleteI went to Origins a couple years ago and had a great time. Even got to play some T&T with Ken St. Andre. Very cool. I'd love to go to Gen Con, but for the same reasons you site are the same I won't go. Much rather spend it on stuff. But still, going to more local cons would be fun.
ReplyDeleteI think the last origins I went to was 97 when Bruce Campbell was the VIP.
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