TOPIC: Suggestions for 2015

Jake Fitch wrote: 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.

Good Call, I definitely walked into a couple people entering as I was trying to exit.

I'm going to add my voice (again) to the many existing calls for more lighting and the return of True Tavern or the TrueCraft-style story scape.

When I first did True Dungeon in 2006, one of the major things that made it attractive was everyone chilling out together, trading tokens and generally having a good time in the well-lit, alcohol-providing tavern space. Raven's Rogues' Game and the nightly riddle contest were also major factors - they make TD feel like it's more than just "Go through this awesome dungeon thing" and more like a community/larger experience. Having a tavern space also lures in people who don't know much about TD and allows for easier transfer of knowledge to noobs who aren't on the forums.

The year with TrueCraft was also great because the open doors, visible rock walls and blowing "snow" were extremely intriguing for people not in the know and similarly lured people in. But there has to be something inside that makes you want to stay and hang out.

Jake Fitch wrote: 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.

This makes it a lot, lot harder on the convention worker posted at the door who needs to check everyone's badge as they walk in. Whether it's marked "exit only" or not, people will try to enter though the exit. Then the worker spends all their time yelling "exit only, exit only!" while still having to check badges. Hall D was set up like that at one point this year, and the poor worker was getting hoarse.

Having worked at event entrances before myself, I know it's really annoying to have to enforce one way entrances and exits when there isn't really a need to. I know having only the one door caused a few jams, but I don't think it was anything major. Just occasionally having to wait a couple seconds to walk though, and also knowing not to sprint through the doorway since a person might be on the other side.

Adeya wrote:

Jake Fitch wrote: 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.

This makes it a lot, lot harder on the convention worker posted at the door who needs to check everyone's badge as they walk in. Whether it's marked "exit only" or not, people will try to enter though the exit. Then the worker spends all their time yelling "exit only, exit only!" while still having to check badges. Hall D was set up like that at one point this year, and the poor worker was getting hoarse.

Having worked at event entrances before myself, I know it's really annoying to have to enforce one way entrances and exits when there isn't really a need to. I know having only the one door caused a few jams, but I don't think it was anything major. Just occasionally having to wait a couple seconds to walk though, and also knowing not to sprint through the doorway since a person might be on the other side.

A sign pointing towards one of the closed doors could work. The exit door doesn't need to be open all the time. But if it doesn't work, it doesn't work.

I just know that every time I tried to go out through that door, it felt like I was going against the flow of traffic (whether someone was coming in or not).

Jake Fitch wrote: I just know that every time I tried to go out through that door, it felt like I was going against the flow of traffic (whether someone was coming in or not).

That's because you were leaving the True Dungeon area while everything was saying, "Stay, stay! Go on another run! You know you want to..."

Toran wrote: I'm going to add my voice (again) to the many existing calls for more lighting and the return of True Tavern or the TrueCraft-style story scape.

When I first did True Dungeon in 2006, one of the major things that made it attractive was everyone chilling out together, trading tokens and generally having a good time in the well-lit, alcohol-providing tavern space. Raven's Rogues' Game and the nightly riddle contest were also major factors - they make TD feel like it's more than just "Go through this awesome dungeon thing" and more like a community/larger experience. Having a tavern space also lures in people who don't know much about TD and allows for easier transfer of knowledge to noobs who aren't on the forums.

The year with TrueCraft was also great because the open doors, visible rock walls and blowing "snow" were extremely intriguing for people not in the know and similarly lured people in. But there has to be something inside that makes you want to stay and hang out.

This so much is what I want out of TD. I love doing runs but the people is truly what makes Con worth the agravation and saving up all year worth it. Always looking for more opportunites. The only reason I'm considering the 6 hour drive back for Who'syer con is just to sit and listen to some faces I met this year.

Between ComicCon, GenCon, and my local game cons, I think my better half would smack me if I tried to go to WYC.

Adeya wrote:

Jake Fitch wrote: I just know that every time I tried to go out through that door, it felt like I was going against the flow of traffic (whether someone was coming in or not).

That's because you were leaving the True Dungeon area while everything was saying, "Stay, stay! Go on another run! You know you want to..."

I think it is more a question of if they have the space to take me rather than if I want another run. >>

Adeya wrote:

Jake Fitch wrote: 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.

This makes it a lot, lot harder on the convention worker posted at the door who needs to check everyone's badge as they walk in. Whether it's marked "exit only" or not, people will try to enter though the exit. Then the worker spends all their time yelling "exit only, exit only!" while still having to check badges. Hall D was set up like that at one point this year, and the poor worker was getting hoarse.

Having worked at event entrances before myself, I know it's really annoying to have to enforce one way entrances and exits when there isn't really a need to. I know having only the one door caused a few jams, but I don't think it was anything major. Just occasionally having to wait a couple seconds to walk though, and also knowing not to sprint through the doorway since a person might be on the other side.

Are you sure there was someone checking badges to enter Hall D. I know there was for Hall B last last year but I thought when we were in Hall D anyone could enter the storyscape whether they had a badge or not....could be mistaken but that is how I remember it.

jedibcg wrote: Are you sure there was someone checking badges to enter Hall D. I know there was for Hall B last last year but I thought when we were in Hall D anyone could enter the storyscape whether they had a badge or not....could be mistaken but that is how I remember it.

I think there was. GenCon has convention workers at all of the major exhibit hall entrances checking badges. It's how they enforce the badge policy since they don't have people stationed at the exits from the convention center to the streets.

bpsymington wrote: Between ComicCon, GenCon, and my local game cons, I think my better half would smack me if I tried to go to WYC.

Bring her with you! I know how you feel though. Every time I tell my boyfriend about another Con I want to go to, he looks a little ill. I got him to join me at a couple this year, so the way I it - there's hope!

Adeya wrote:

jedibcg wrote: Are you sure there was someone checking badges to enter Hall D. I know there was for Hall B last last year but I thought when we were in Hall D anyone could enter the storyscape whether they had a badge or not....could be mistaken but that is how I remember it.

I think there was. GenCon has convention workers at all of the major exhibit hall entrances checking badges. It's how they enforce the badge policy since they don't have people stationed at the exits from the convention center to the streets.

Yes, I know one of the people that was checking at Hall D. They were GC volunteers that year and they were smart enough to be able to glance at a badge and quickly tell if it was a 4-Day or That Day badge. Most people didn't even notice that they had been checked out.