TOPIC: Suggestions for 2015

Just increase the lighting. Ambiance is nice but being able to SEE in the hall is nicer

As someone that worked on the local install crew, I can tell you that I don't think ambiance is the only reason for the dim lighting. It definitely helps hide the gaps and flaws in the set.

That said, I too would like a tiny bit more light at the entry. And an entry without a blind corner.

Shhhh don't tell them that. There are no gaps or flaws when we set up the dungeon. We don't know what Fiddy is talking about.

I mean... Err... That is... The lighting is totally that dark just for the ambiance! No reason not to have more light!

Just like those fancy restaraunts... Yeah... They totally just have dim lighting for the ambiance too, right?

Raven wrote:

joshua baessler wrote: Have the coaches make it very clear to groups that Nightmare level only equals more experience for player level, it does not give any other benefits beyond the challenge of it.

This is incorrect.
Nightmare DOES give other benefits beyond the challenge. So does HardCore.

Normal = "Normal" XP, and an UC-level completion token.
Hardcore = "Hardcore" XP, and a Rare-level completion token.
Nightmare = "Hardcore" XP, and BOTH the UC-level and Rare-level completion tokens.

That said, I agree that Coaches should stress Nightmare is not a good option for new players. Odds are very good that they will have a TPK before the final room.

If players are brand new, but looking for a challenge, perhaps Hardcore would be a better choice. I have seen brand-new players survive Hardcore... as long as they have good teamwork, and are good at sharing their starting tokens so everyone has equipment which they can use.

Thank you Raven, the completion tokens completely slipped my mind. I guess those might entice newbies to try beyond Normal, but Nightmare seems insane without proper gear or experience. I just feel bad for those players who wasted their money just to die horribly. I don't want to see anyone walk away with a sour impression of TD because no one steered them away from Nightmare or Hardcore.

Whether or not TD can get an extra conference room across the hall, can there at least be some more signage or a set piece outside Hall A to better entice new players? I'd really like folks to walk by and see perhaps a piece of the storyscape or an animatronic from a past run rather than an old security guard (who I must admit was EXCEPTIONALLY pleasant) and one stand up placard. I'd like people unaware of it to walk by and wonder what is inside!

Can there also be perhaps a bulletin board for people to post notes if they have openings in their runs or allowing folks to let folks know they have tickets that may go unused?

Didn't we have a huge banner outside the year we were in hall d? Don't recall if it was year specific, but whatever happened to that thing.

It was year or hall specific. Need a generic one that can go up every year.

JOSEPH ADLESICK wrote: Whether or not TD can get an extra conference room across the hall, can there at least be some more signage or a set piece outside Hall A to better entice new players? I'd really like folks to walk by and see perhaps a piece of the storyscape or an animatronic from a past run rather than an old security guard (who I must admit was EXCEPTIONALLY pleasant) and one stand up placard. I'd like people unaware of it to walk by and wonder what is inside!

Can there also be perhaps a bulletin board for people to post notes if they have openings in their runs or allowing folks to let folks know they have tickets that may go unused?

Yes! They were filming some player reactions to make a video. I understand that will be used somehow next year as some of what you are thinking of. However, I really like the idea of a large set piece too.
Yes! Nice old guy.
Yes! Bulletin board is a great idea; maybe locals could let us borrow one if TA can't supply.

1. MORE LIGHT PLEASE! How about putting up a few dozen "street lamps?" They could line the walkways in the storyscape area, and could be made to fit the theme. They wouldn't add a ton of light, but hopefully enough for people to see their hand in front of their face.

2. Mini-games in the storyscape. I'd like to see a simplified version of the TrueCraft games we had in 2012. It would call for more volunteers, but not a ton: perhaps a minimum of 3-5 NPC roles?

3. Better entrance. Could TD utilize the space outside of the front of Hall A? There were games of Werewolf and Two Rooms and a Boom set up in the hallway, so there is now precedent for GenCon and/or the Fire Marshall allowing games in the hallway. Perhaps a couple NPCs working the mini-games could be stationed outside.

4. Keep the improvements from 2013 and 2014. The new coaching room set-up started in 2013 was great, and I was happy to see it back in 2014. And the check-out room at the end in 2014 was a BIG improvement from last year. Please keep those for 2015.

I have to chime in in favor of better lighting and entrance signage as well.

A clear exit path out of the hall. GenCon "trains" you to not use doors that are closed to exit an area, so many people were trying to exit the hall through the same doorway as people entering the hall, which caused traffic jams at times. All you need is one more doorway, clearly marked as an exit.