TOPIC: PYP vs PSC

Greetings reader, <br />This is discuss an idea, one that might sound heretical to the token-aholics, but I ask that you hear me out before turning on the blowtorch and burning this post.<br />This post is based on the registration challenges that were faced by many die-hard TD fans.<br /><br />I am making a few key assumptions.<br />1) GenCon will not improve their registration process in the near future as they struggle with Chapter 11 and know that they have a "captive" audience<br />2) There have been some (ok, a few) who have bemoaned the fact that PYP has radically changed the token trading dynamics.<br />3) Most people would rather be able to go on a run in True Dungeon than not.<br />4) Jeff has the capability to decide what event times are entered in the Gen Con registration system and how many slot are available PRIOR to GenCon Open registration.  <br />5) That someone close to Jeff would be willing to undertake the administrative task that this proposal would cause.<br /><br />With that said, instead of having Pick Your Purple (PYP) as part of pre-registration purchases, you have Preferred Slot Choice (PSC).<br />It would be based on the amount of tokens you purchase would determine your ability to pick some slots.<br />The model would be this: <br />For each $250 spent you get 2 reservations.  So for each $1000 spent you can lock in an entire time slot, or 2 tickets on 4 different slots.<br />When you purchase your tokens in advance you note preferred times and days and game type.  Times need to be given in 2 hour blocks (or 1 hour block, or how ever big those administrating this would deem appropriate).<br />For example I purchase $1000 in tokens, I could say:<br />8 tickets Thursday Puzzle Start Time 5pm-7pm<br />OR<br />2 Tickets Friday, Puzzle, 5-7pm<br />2 Tickets Saturday, Combat, 10am-12pm<br />4 Tickets Saturday, Puzzle 6-8pm<br /><br />Now the tricky part, a spreadsheet of all the times and types would need to be decided in advance.  As the pre-release tokens are purchased this central spreadsheet would be updated and the slots reserved.  Of course there will be conflicts, but with a wide enough time frame most requests should be accomodated.  An email would then be sent back to the person letting them know they have such and such time(s) reserved and a confirmation number.<br /><br />So when Jeff sends the spreadsheet to be added to the GenCon event registration system he would send perhaps<br />TDA Puzzle  FRI 6:00pm MAX: 8 Available 6<br />TDA Combat SAT 10:12am MAX: 8 Available: 6<br />TDA Puzzle  SAT 6:15pm MAX: 8 Available: 4<br /><br />Now this system does not take GenCons cut of the proceeds out of the equation.  The player must still purchase Generics from GenCon for whatever the TD price is for that year (my guess $40 for 2009) and provide them at check in, where they will present a confirmation number that will be compared against the list and viola they are in.<br /><br />Of course Jeff may choose to reserve 50% of all slots in advance to the reservation registration, to leave them open for general GenCon registration, but knowing that TD has COMPLETELY SOLD OUT for the last 2 years within 2 days of registration, he should have no problem filling whatever slots are open.<br /><br />Of course the PSC would expire at some point when Jeff sends the spreadsheet to GenCon for entry into their system, at which point the general chaos that has occurred in the past 2 years can resume.<br /><br />Now before you go "What about my Tokens?!"  with this method, Jeff willing, we still get the same number of purples and perhaps even proofs, but they are randomly drawn from a big sack of goodness.<br /><br />I seriously and honestly believe that this method would have TD wave 1 tokens soldout even quicker than the Golden Ticket Method.  This does not prevent the Goldent Ticket from returning in 2009 if Jeff finds it worthy of return, but I think it will fill the coffers of TD faster.<br /><br />I admit there are pros and cons to this suggestion, but I know there were many disappointed TD fans who got burned by this years registration process.<br /><br />[Takes out the gasoline and pours it on himself]<br />Let the comments begin.<br /><br />Greyseer<br /><br /><br /><br />

I don't think this is a bad idea, and I agree that there could be changes made to try to address the concerns of people unable to get tix/slots.  I myself prefer the PYP program b/c I don't spend enough to get alot of purps.  This year I got one by buying $250 of tokens, then I traded for one, but that's it.<br /><br />I'm lucky in that I didn't have to buy tix b/c I am going on runs with groups, and someone bought tix for the groups.  So I didn't have the incredibly frustrating experiences other people had.<br />

i like some of what you are saying. the problem is not with TD, it is with the gencon registration system. you are right about the probability of a fix coming from gencon. many solutions are possible, but i'm not sure how many would feasibly work. i had a few ideas myself, so hand me the gas can too:  =D<br /><br />1. leave all the TD incentives in place. PYP, GT, ST<br /><br />2. for every $ amount (1k?) you can reserve 1 ticket; not slot. you still have to buy it if you want it.<br /> <br />3. have a big spender/gold ticket event also.<br /><br />4. go with some volunteer only type runs. someone smarter than me figure out how.<br /><br />5. perhaps allow folks to buy slots at a premium. someone else figure price.<br /><br /> okay now that i said that, does anyone have a match?  :O

I agree that this is a sensitive subject.  I will apologize to anyone I might annoy with this suggestion.<br /><br />I agree with the idea that for some dollar amount, you can reserve a ticket for a slot.  I think it would have to be a slot, otherwise the plan to use a generic ticket without a specified slot would cause confusion and be hard to track through the GenCon system.<br /><br />If that were adopted, the second biggest concern I would have would be for the slots to fill up, with a few buyers getting all the slots and most are left trying to convince a big buyer to go on one of their runs.  I think it should be either PYP or select a slot.  For each $250 you can PYP or get 1 spot in one time slot.  It would take a lot to get a full slot of 8, and hopefully limit the number multi-slot pre-orders.<br /><br />I also agree that there should be a limit to the total number of token-order slots.  50% seems like a good number, so players who do not buy a lot of tokens, still can participate.<br /><br />My biggest concern would be the amount of extra bookkeeping the TD crew would have to do.  One more thing to keep track of during the con.  If a system is adopted, it has to be something easy to administrate.<br /><br />My 2 cents.

I trust in Jeff that we will have a great solution for next year...<br /><br />Nuff said.

I trust in Jeff that we will have a great solution for next year...<br /><br />Nuff said.

<br /><br />Agreed.

It is very hard to figure out what GenCon will accept and what it won't.  But since Jeff has said he will do something, I have great faith something will be done. 

System's worked fine for me so far. We could always put off any solutions until I'm adversely affected.

<br />System's worked fine for me so far. We could always put off any solutions until I'm adversely affected. <br />

<br /><br />That is always an option.  LOL<br /><br />

I'll do my best to work something out for 2009.  I appreciate your confidence, and let's hope it is not misplaced.  Mongo is but a pawn in the game of life.

mongo = blazing saddles. i love that movie.<br /><br /> i watched "angels in the outfield" on television yesterday. and saw mathew machaunehy (sp?) playin an outfielder. he was the first one that the angels picked up to make a catch. small bit part for him before he became a star. i enjoy watching films and seeing stars before they hit it big.

Why would you willingly watch Angels in the outfield?