TOPIC: Waitlist suggestions

There have been a few comments about people getting a ticket thru the waitlist but then only have a couple of minutes to get organized before heading into the training room. I have a couple of suggestion that might make that process better.

But first a side note on the waitlist. The way GenCon works, if a ticket is sold GenCon gets the money but True Dungeon only gets the money if the tickets is used. So if some doesn't make it to GenCon or just doesn't make it to True Dungeon, the slot is wasted and True Dungeon doesn't get paid.

Additionally True Dungeon tickets usually sell out long before GenCon. So there are a lot of people who would like to get tickets but can't get them in advance.

So the waitlist was added to True Dungeon. True Dungeon tries to determine if someone isn't going to use their paid for ticket and give someone who didn't get a ticket in advance a chance to go on a run. The tricky part of this is that the ticket has been sold and someone might show up at the last second with a valid ticket and want do their run. So waitlist can only fill a slot at the very last couple of minutes before the run starts.


I have 3 suggestions that might improve this process a little bit.

#1. Get a computer hooked up that can check RUBI. People are often returning tickets at GenCon for refund (I returned 2 Pathfinder tickets). Since TD tickets are $44 people are very likely to make the effort to return them if their schedule changes. If we had access to RUBI for the waitlist, we could know if the tickets were returned and fill those slots much earlier. (maybe 10 or 15 minutes in advance instead of 2 or 3 minutes.)

#2. Make a set of special token bags for people on the waitlist to get in addition of their normal token bag. Have some sets prepared for each class, so a person who fills in at fighter would get a set of green armor, shield, one hand weapon and missile weapon. A wizard would get 4 or 5 scrolls of magic missiles or burning hands. etc.

#3. Put some sort of signage outside in the hall for people know the waitlist exists. Both people with extra tickets and people who need tickets would benefit. If we could have more people bring their extra tickets to the waitlist instead of RUBI, we would be able to get people on the waitlist their tickets faster and reduce the problem of having no time.

(anyone else have any suggestions?)

George

I disagree with #2. The rest looks good. I don't think anyone should get extra tokens (regardless of the rarity) just because they are coming off the waitlist. I just don't like it. It is extra cost for TD in tokens and in time to prepare these 'special' bags. I would rather that time and money spent on other things than the waitlist. Yes I have waited on the waitlist before. I played whatever class was available and went with it. There are months and months to get organized ahead of GenCon and to get tickets. All tickets were not sold out until I believe a week before GenCon.

I am a bastard too though I warn you. I bought 4 full runs this year. When people didn't show up. I had backups already to jump in. If I am still short I run short. I turn in all my tickets and just run with fewer players. I get the same amount of treasure (despite one DM saying I didn't) and TD gets the same amount of funds. I screw over the folks waiting to get on runs. But they don't want to run with me anyway because I am a bastard.

What about a wait list area -table or something with the character descriptions, a token sheet organizer like in the coach rooms, a description of combat and or any other advice for new players all taped down to the table - also include a disclaimer that you will be added at the last minute and likely only have three characters to choose from. That might give them a good head start.

That sounds like a good idea.

jedibcg wrote: I disagree with #2. The rest looks good. I don't think anyone should get extra tokens (regardless of the rarity) just because they are coming off the waitlist. I just don't like it. It is extra cost for TD in tokens and in time to prepare these 'special' bags. I would rather that time and money spent on other things than the waitlist. Yes I have waited on the waitlist before. I played whatever class was available and went with it. There are months and months to get organized ahead of GenCon and to get tickets. All tickets were not sold out until I believe a week before GenCon.

I am a bastard too though I warn you. I bought 4 full runs this year. When people didn't show up. I had backups already to jump in. If I am still short I run short. I turn in all my tickets and just run with fewer players. I get the same amount of treasure (despite one DM saying I didn't) and TD gets the same amount of funds. I screw over the folks waiting to get on runs. But they don't want to run with me anyway because I am a bastard.

I will second that you are a bastard You are actually a great guy and fun as hell to run with, even if you are pooping ducks out left and right, lol.

I completely agree with posts above.

#1 and #3, I am all for.

#2, I agree with jedibcg's objection. However, as I've said in other threads, I'm all for 3rd parties making starter kits for trade for gold. I just think TD has enough on their plate without trying to sort tokens for that too, and a "bonus" for waiting lists isn't needed.

The "waiting list" table with hero cards and rules posted is a great idea as well. Having a specific area also lets helpful players know that people in that area are likely new and might need help. With all the helpful players I've seen, that would be a benefit.

ian ferguson wrote:
... even if you are pooping ducks out left and right, lol.

Simultaneously? That must have been something to see...

Oh, and if Jedibcg is a bastard, I can't wait to meet the helpful and fun players in my second year. They must be absolutely amazing.

The reason behind suggestion #2 is because some people who end up on the waitlist don't have months and months to prepare. There are a lot of people who wander by True Dungeon at GenCon without any idea of what it is. Some of these get on the waitlist and give it a try.

The last thing True Dungeon want is for these folks to have a bad time because they were rushed into a dungeon without any preparation or equipment they could use. We don't want folks who paid $44 a ticket to say they were ripped off.

The bags I am talking about could be made up well in advance of GenCon. True Dungeon has millions of tokens that have been turned in for reserved tokens. Heck if Jeff would send me a bucket of green and brown tokens and pile of bags, I would be happy to make them up myself.

George Pratt wrote: The reason behind suggestion #2 is because some people who end up on the waitlist don't have months and months to prepare. There are a lot of people who wander by True Dungeon at GenCon without any idea of what it is. Some of these get on the waitlist and give it a try.

The last thing True Dungeon want is for these folks to have a bad time because they were rushed into a dungeon without any preparation or equipment they could use. We don't want folks who paid $44 a ticket to say they were ripped off.

The bags I am talking about could be made up well in advance of GenCon. True Dungeon has millions of tokens that have been turned in for reserved tokens. Heck if Jeff would send me a bucket of green and brown tokens and pile of bags, I would be happy to make them up myself.

This may be easier to do at something like the Token Exchange parties. If Jeff were willing to do this at Whosyercon next year, I would gladly volunteer to help sort and bag some stuff for rookies.

George Pratt wrote: The reason behind suggestion #2 is because some people who end up on the waitlist don't have months and months to prepare. There are a lot of people who wander by True Dungeon at GenCon without any idea of what it is. Some of these get on the waitlist and give it a try.

The last thing True Dungeon want is for these folks to have a bad time because they were rushed into a dungeon without any preparation or equipment they could use. We don't want folks who paid $44 a ticket to say they were ripped off.

The bags I am talking about could be made up well in advance of GenCon. True Dungeon has millions of tokens that have been turned in for reserved tokens. Heck if Jeff would send me a bucket of green and brown tokens and pile of bags, I would be happy to make them up myself.

I am a bastard if you are not in my party. If you are actually in it you are either getting to use my CoGF and HoP's for free or you are playing for free usually. I equipped an entire party of newish people with CoGF and HoP/AoW for my first run and I don't think they even knew it when they were drawing 13 treasure each instead of 3. I didn't tell them at least.

I still don't think a waitlister should get extra tokens. Now if you want to give new people extra tokens that is completely different. I have been waitlisted before. I waited 2 hours to play, but have tons of tokens. I don't think waiting is reason to get tokens.

I think there is a difference between getting new people prepared and dealing with waitlisting. This is just my two cents.