This is likely to be a rant I will come back to, but I have to ask the question, "Whats the point of RPG Conventions, or indeed conventions in general?". Don't confuse this with trade shows which are entirely different beasts, but having read some reviews, experiences and issues with conventions I must ask Whats The Point?
The only attractions I can see is
(a) meeting gamers from other parts of the country (or world) "oh cool, you have 8-sided dice too!"
(b) finding out about games you might not have seen before from publishers you never heard before, and if you are reasonable getting your own signed copy too.
The Main Reasons for Not going
(a) meeting people you would never normally want to be seen dead with
(b) playing a demo game run by the creator of the game, buying the entire line (rules and 2 supplements) to find the game sucks, and the only person who could run the game was the creator.
(c) signing up for games which dont actually exist due to the GM signing up "ghost" games to ensure he gets in free and gets reduced accommodation.
(d) having a well thought out convention game ruined by ignoble/ignorant cock heads. What is the attraction of running a con game?
(e) staying in accommodation that is poor at best with people you dont really know. As has been mentioned, gamers arent the most hygenic of folk.
Usually these conventions are a 2 or 3 day affair. I can think of many good games to play with my group that why do I feel the need to meet strangers and play with them. The worst kind have to be the group that goes to a convention to play their game there? Erm, why.
Sorry not a very clever or even well thought out rant, but in the few conventions I have been to over the years I found no good reason to go, other than being with friends.
Originally posted 1st February 2006
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