TOPIC: Changes to event registration at Gamehole con

I don't know if anyone else noticed this in the most recent Gamehole con Newsletter but:

"each and every game will have at least two seats held open for Main Event Registration. This means that all badge holders have a chance to get into the most sought-after games."

I asked in the discord how this impacts events like true dungeon and RPEX where a VIG badge holder is trying to buyout an entire event.

Personally it's a slap in the face as a VIG badge holder. You're going to raise the price and then drop this change after badge renewal. I'm not a VIG for the dice set and shirt. I am a VIG because I know I have a very good chance to get the tickets I want to almost every event that I want.

Don't get me wrong, I understand the change. Almost every board game event that I have played in has been entirely VIG badge holders every year, But why am I paying extra for something I still have a chance at as a regular badge holder?

Seems like a bad move for GHC to me. If you can not buy-out a run, the reasons for being VIG just got a lot worse.

Ryan Gresch wrote: I don't know if anyone else noticed this in the most recent Gamehole con Newsletter but:

"each and every game will have at least two seats held open for Main Event Registration. This means that all badge holders have a chance to get into the most sought-after games."

I asked in the discord how this impacts events like true dungeon and RPEX where a VIG badge holder is trying to buyout an entire event.

Personally it's a slap in the face as a VIG badge holder. You're going to raise the price and then drop this change after badge renewal. I'm not a VIG for the dice set and shirt. I am a VIG because I know I have a very good chance to get the tickets I want to almost every event that I want.

Don't get me wrong, I understand the change. Almost every board game event that I have played in has been entirely VIG badge holders every year, But why am I paying extra for something I still have a chance at as a regular badge holder?

I’m a patron/vig as well but I agree with the policy change. Events like specials at the gamehole are (mostly) inaccessible by the rest of the attendees. The limit on specials was recent and was panned by many vigs but it helped draw more interest from the rest of the community.

Limiting non-special event purchases by vigs to not buy out complete runs of events makes sense for events with limited inventory. Rpex would benefit HUGELY from a bigger variety of people able to play instead of selling out the majority if the inventory before general on-sale.

The vig upcharge for GHC is small compared to GenCon or large conventions like SDCC or Essen. You pay an extra $150 or so and you get into whatever specials you want and can guarantee to organize your schedule as you wish. You also get a little bit of swag. Yes, to buy out a run, you have to wait for general on-sale. Still a good deal for the convenience.

A suggestion for them for the future might be to let up to 10% of runs for an event have all tickets available for vigs to buy out. That way the vigs can organize runs while still not locking everyone else out.

Knowing Alex, he would absolutely refund your vig badge if you asked him. He tends to be pretty reasonable.

Fred

It also means no buy out of TD run with VIG badges and folks feeling pressured into theme runs. A good move.

edwin wrote: It also means no buy out of TD run with VIG badges and folks feeling pressured into theme runs. A good move.

As someone who actively sponsors themed runs, I resemble that remark!

Actually, you can still buy out runs but just during normal event salles. TD at GHC rarely sells out so not a big challenge to buy them later.

For those not on the GHC Discord, Royce clarified that the held seats rule will not apply to TD or RPEX.

Did not realize official GameholeCon news was communicated via discord. But it does make sense regarding disconnects in the past.

I didn’t know there was a gamehole discord account until now . Makes sense - I’ll have to jump in there.

Fred

BasicBraining wrote: For those not on the GHC Discord, Royce clarified that the held seats rule will not apply to TD or RPEX.

Thank goodness