TOPIC: Idea for GenCon 2016: Newbie Runs

I have been on some mixed newbie/experienced runs where I believe the experienced players negatively impacted the enjoyment by the new players. We also have this report: truedungeon.com/forum?func=view&catid=580&id=228793#228793 .

Additionally, I ran into many players who said they'd always wanted to try TD but never could get tickets, were afraid to just jump in, etc.

Similar to the Team Synergy runs, what do people think about experienced players sponsoring newbie runs? We find 5-10 experienced players who each buy out a full run and then resell those slots to first timers. You would run on normal mode, you would not spoil any puzzles you may already know, etc.

We then advertise these slots via places like Reddit, BGG, etc, and try to fill them with new players. There is a risk that you end up with some extra tickets so you should be willing to ghost some of the slots if necessary.

Thoughts?

PS - if you do this, please don't completely talk over the training room coach like a few veterans did to me

I was thinking of doing something like that.

One twist - maybe I'd loan out greed tokens, and pay for X% of the ticket cost for Y% of the loot, where X and Y are both less than 100.

I dunno, but I think it would be better than epic players being jerks, intentionally or otherwise.

Brad, that's not a bad idea. For those who have a lot of greed tokens, you could likely sell resell the slots for say $25 with the requirement that you can equip them with treasure-enhancers. They get the run, pin, completion token, and say all of their uncommon pulls. They'll end up with more treasure than a normal run.

Although I like the idea, won't purchasing all of the tickets for a run and then advertising them via another channel really just reduce the overall number of tickets available via event registration thus making it harder for new players to find tickets? Part of the benefit of event registration is the ability to adjust your schedule via the ticket return process.

Alternatively, either as a collective or individually, experienced players could pick-up single tickets for the time slots with which they could serve as a party henchmen (doing the dirty work when absolutely necessary).

Unfortunately, I did not get any hardcore runs but I did really enjoy helping out the parties with which I ran. Especially, when some of the people I ran with earlier were glad to see my back in their party during later runs.

Many newbies find out about TD well after event registration opens, so this could still be an available ticket for them.

This would also guarantee a newbie does not end up on a run that isn't going to be a good experience. We could come up with some sort of pledge that the sponsor makes:

1) The run will be run on Normal mode.
2) Experienced player will not use tokens above Rare except for treasure-enhancers.
3) Experienced player will not give away any answers to puzzles (if known) unless time is running out and the whole group wants a hint.
4) Experienced player will not focus on max damage, complex strategy, etc, and focus on the new players having fun.

Alternatively, create a mini dungeon, say three rooms, billed as Intro to True Dungeon. It would offer no XP and only one treasure chip (like True Grind). Those features alone would keep veterans out. You could use the dungeons set up for standard runs, but only use some of the rooms.

Space and volunteers, of course, will be the limiting factors.

Harlax wrote: Alternatively, create a mini dungeon, say three rooms, billed as Intro to True Dungeon. It would offer no XP and only one treasure chip (like True Grind). Those features alone would keep veterans out. You could use the dungeons set up for standard runs, but only use some of the rooms.

Space and volunteers, of course, will be the limiting factors.

It is a great idea as well, but obviously would have to be driven by Jeff and not us.

I'd say if/when there is opportunity to host True Dungeon at another event and/or increase the presence at GenCon to accommodate more runs then we could come up with some great ways to find new players.

At least your idea could have fit into the available space if they had wanted to. But as you said volunteers. I would like to see it next year though.

Kirk Bauer wrote: Brad, that's not a bad idea. For those who have a lot of greed tokens, you could likely sell resell the slots for say $25 with the requirement that you can equip them with treasure-enhancers. They get the run, pin, completion token, and say all of their uncommon pulls. They'll end up with more treasure than a normal run.

If you go this route I think a percentage of the treasure pulls is better than giving them all the uncommons. I can't imagine it would be a pleasant experience for them to do their token pulls and then give the experienced players all the good tokens. Imagine how they'd feel if they pulled an Ultra-Rare token and had to hand it over.

Harlax wrote: Alternatively, create a mini dungeon, say three rooms, billed as Intro to True Dungeon. It would offer no XP and only one treasure chip (like True Grind). Those features alone would keep veterans out. You could use the dungeons set up for standard runs, but only use some of the rooms.

Space and volunteers, of course, will be the limiting factors.

That was done at True Realm, and, if I remember correctly at TD in 2009.
I didn't do TD mini at GenCon, but it was fun running with no tokens at True Realm, and just focus on the game. Nothing was lethal, but there were fun challenges: puzzle lock, sneaking past a motion detector, weaving your way through ropes (think movie laser beam maneuvers), doing a balancing beam walk, and one brief combat with a guard).

Kirk Bauer wrote: I have been on some mixed newbie/experienced runs where I believe the experienced players negatively impacted the enjoyment by the new players. We also have this report: truedungeon.com/forum?func=view&catid=580&id=228793#228793 .

Additionally, I ran into many players who said they'd always wanted to try TD but never could get tickets, were afraid to just jump in, etc.

Similar to the Team Synergy runs, what do people think about experienced players sponsoring newbie runs? We find 5-10 experienced players who each buy out a full run and then resell those slots to first timers. You would run on normal mode, you would not spoil any puzzles you may already know, etc.

We then advertise these slots via places like Reddit, BGG, etc, and try to fill them with new players. There is a risk that you end up with some extra tickets so you should be willing to ghost some of the slots if necessary.

Thoughts?

PS - if you do this, please don't completely talk over the training room coach like a few veterans did to me

I actually asked Jeff about a similar idea this year - he said gencon' terms of service and rules on reselling tickets make this a no go.

To get something like this rolling I think true adventures would have to arrange it, similar to how they arranged pre-sale runs for some people this year as a token buying incentive (I forget the details).

In summary, love the idea, in practice you are not permitted to resell td tickets.

This a good idea, not sure on the implementation. The players we are trying to keep happy are not on the forums, how do we connect with them?

Most people's only contact with TD is purchasing a ticket once a year on the Gencon site, then showing up to play.

I think something systematic needs to be done to fix the problem. Relying on good will or a few runs will not solve it. This community has good will in spades and nice considerate people everywhere, yet we still have a problem.

How do you connect with new peeps? Advertising and free stuff...Beginner ticket giveaways...Mini dungeon run for newbies is a great Idea.. It could be like Hoosier Con to a degree...You know..smaller but good... Some of the older great puzzles and combat could be used. Drag out some of the classic monsters etc...

Who wouldn't want something like the anvil puzzle around? Even if it was just for beginners?.. It would be a great way to teach..Show some of the history of TD and keep the veterans out of the new player experience...

If done creative it could all fit... I am sure everyone will say it can't be done, but it can.. I see a lot of un used space at times in the Dungeon. This could be perfect for the beginner areas and experience.