TOPIC: The Future of TD

I don't think that's such a good idea. The price should be the same for everyone. Those who are truly interested and registered early were the ones who got tickets.

Apteryx,
I am going to disagree with you on this point. This year came dangerous close to selling out the first day. And given all the problems with registration some people has to spend 8 hours (on a work day) to get their tickets (thank you Gary). If the demand increases by just a little, then people with real jobs, who can't afford spend an entire day waiting in line will be unable to participate in TD. My boss was not happy that I spent 2 hours on Tuesday getting tickets for my group, and I nearly missed out.

The opportunity for Pre-Pre-Registration will give people who work for a living and can afford to pay a little more, a chance to get tickets and put a little extra money in TDs pocket. I know that I will not buy any tokens next year until I have my tickets secured.

Also lets face it, next year we are going to have ticket scalpers. With an event selling out that quickly, someone is going to come along and buy as many tickets as they can get for resale on E-bay. Lots of people are going to be forced to pay a higher price next year, it would be better if TD gets the money instead of scalpers.

George

And don't forget - VOLUNTEER often and until it hurts! Well maybe not until it hurts...

Giving TD even 4 hours a day at a convention - helps I bet...

Yes, please, please volunteer and help us at Gen Con - knowing we have a group of volunteers that are going to be there helping to run the event decreases the amount of stress we (the planners/directors) have to deal with right now. We're trying to make this a success, and the knowledge of your support and just knowing that we have people there that want to help make True Dungeon a success is a great thing.

The Fantasy Tavern has many volunteer opportunities associated with it - send Jenn an e-mail ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) and let her know when you would be interested in giving us a little of your time.


---- on to the other subject - non-gencon volunteering ----

I'd like to say thanks to all of you that have contacted us with ideas and support, particularly those of you who have done projects for us. Everything I have seen has been really great and is definitely helping True Dungeon to be a success!

I don't know about the Carbondale build crew (True Dungeon's "home"), but the Milwaukee Build Crew (Jenn, Lexi, and I) have been planning and working on True Dungeon 2005 since before Gen Con So Cal 2004. We have pages and pages of notes, designs, discussions, maps, and pictures - some of which we may have on display at Indy. We work on True Dungeon several times a week, and every Sunday for the last 3 months has been devoted to True Dungeon - over 12 hours of work last night alone - and we expect to put a lot more time into makeing sure that True Dungeon is as much of a success as we can make it. You can see how putting literally hundreds of hours into a project like this makes it take on a personal aspect to us - it is very personal, as that's really the main thing we get out of it - the thanks and enjoyment of seeing others have a good time experiencing what we made for them.

Once again, I'd like to thank everyone that has sent messages of thanks to us, as getting positive supportive messages really supports us during the stressful moments - when we find out a project isn't going to work the way we designed it, or when one of us gets hurt, or when we look at how many things are still left to go on the list of projects.

For everyone who has sent suggestions and proposed changes to aspects of the event, thank you as well, it's nice to have the outside suggestions. Some of those suggestions have really helped us (the Milwaukee Build Crew) get to where we are now - finished with planning and design, and working on building all of the planned props and documenting all of the procedures and plans that we have developed. I know all of you still have great ideas and proposals, but right now we're just trying to complete the Tavern for this year - please wait off on suggestions until after Gen Con Indy. Let's see how it goes this year and build off of things.

Please remember that everyone you interact with at True Dungeon is a volunteer - the best thing they get out of it is your thanks! Tell them you appreciate what they've done.

Oh, and for everyone here on the forums, thank you too! Reading the forums is a great way for me to re-energize myself when I start getting bogged down.

The Milwaukee crew is doing an awesome job on the Tavern this year. If you enjoy the tavern this year...you have them to thank for it. They have picked up the challenge, and they have run with it -- far beyond what I was expecting. They are incredible. We are all very lucky to be able to enjoy the tavern...courtesy of the Milwaukee build crew (with satellite offices in California and New York).

Personally, I can't wait to hang out in there. I have some old AD&D "character war" stories to re-live with my old gaming buddies.

I've been trying to count the number of volunteers we had as a core group the first year (being 2003) and I come up with approximately 12 core people. The rest were volunteers through GenCon's own volunteer system - many of which were (and are) GREAT volunteers. Other volunteers were gamers who had such a good time that they asked to help.

I for one have worked as much as 14+ hours A DAY volunteering for True Dungeon during GenCon. Each spring for the past 3 years volunteers from the core group work every weekend - and more - to build and plan TD. Why do I personally do it? Well, for me TD is a labor of love. I see some very talented people use their creativity to make something that is truely awsome and fun. I get immense satisfaction from seeing TD Become. You see, 18 years ago I moved into the area I now live in seeking a gaming group. What I found was the core group of TD. I told my husband, then boyfriend, "You know you guys could DO something with all that talent." TD is that something. ---- Besides, what wife doesn't like the opportunity to say, "I told you so?"

My first year volunteering, working all those hours, I found myself having more fun then I have had in a very long time. I was invigorated, excited, and so very tired. That first year I met some very unique individuals who were just as excited as I was - Larry, David, Jenn, Lance, Heidi, Raven, Charles, and countless others I couldn't begin to name.

No amount of money could pay me for that kind of experience.

Last year I had a volunteer ask me, "What corporation do you guys work for?" When I said, "We work for no one. We are just a group of friends who got together to make a game." He was amazed.

This weekend my husband and I are going up to Wisconsin to help out a little on the North Building crew. I am so glad that we have people like Lance, Jenn and Lexi on our team. We are fortunate to have them.

Just my two cents worth..............
___________

My name is Fritz.

Suzanne,

We should clone you! Seriously, your efforts are definitely appreciated and creates an experience that defines the convention for most TDers. I just wish even more people could enjoy TD. Doesn't seem fair that we a small group of 1500 or so should be the only ones.

-Douglas

Suzanne Fox wrote: I've been trying to count the number of volunteers we had as a core group the first year (being 2003) and I come up with approximately 12 core people. The rest were volunteers through GenCon's own volunteer system - many of which were (and are) GREAT volunteers. Other volunteers were gamers who had such a good time that they asked to help.

My first year volunteering, working all those hours, I found myself having more fun then I have had in a very long time. I was invigorated, excited, and so very tired. That first year I met some very unique individuals who were just as excited as I was - Larry, David, Jenn, Lance, Heidi, Raven, Charles, and countless others I couldn't begin to name.
quote]

Hi Fritz!!

Thanks for giving credit to us humble "GenCon" volunteers from that first year. And I can't wait to see you again this year!!

what? we are volunteers?... i thought i was working for food. ya.. make an oatmeal joke. ha ha. funny... very funny..

lets see what you have to say when you come to socal with 14 dollars and some instant mashed potatos!

i dont think td has much to worry about. i know, and im sure i speak for alot of people, that i will be there untill a) true dungeon doesnt exist (and maybe even after that) or b.... see condition a.

i actually dont think most people realize how much work, just at the con, people do. i know the first time i volunteered, i worked up to 16 hours a day, and lance, jen, lee, jeff, and all those other snazzy people were there even longer.

i think the volunteers have earned a thanks or two, but the real thanks need to go to all the directors. those are the people who really make it possible.

but what do i know? im just the poor guy that eats cold oatmeal.

Dude, it's tepid, not cold. Cold is just wrong.

Lesimony - (aka Heidi),

I am sooooo looking forward to seeing you this year - hoping we have time to pick up where we left off. I've been bragging on you from this side of volunteering.

Larry,

It's great to know you are sticking like oatmea.......er...... glue. j/k
I'm looking forward to seeing you as well!!!


Fritz

Hey, Jenn!

Any chance we could have a menu item in the tavern listed as "Tepid Oatmeal" for 1 GP?

It would make Larry feel at home!

Consider it there. I also have some packed in the kitchen area stuff.

hehe....

heh..

....

you all dont even know. i hope you have enough oatmeal to feed me, 6 times a day, for the whole con. ill eat buckets of it. buckets of tepid oats!