TOPIC: Origins online cancelled

lazlo_hollyfeld1985 wrote:

jedibcg wrote: Vendors pulled out and a fair number of the staff quit from what I am reading.

So then October probably won’t happen either then

Dunno October is a long way off. Difficult to see the future is. Always in motion. I think Covid is more likely to prevent October from happening then not being able to staff up between now and then.

Picc wrote: I really don't want to bring politics in here but their reasoning just feels disappointing. Whatever your position on various issues, I dont see what it has to do with an online gaming event one way or the other. Nor do I want anyone to explain it to me.

Agreed,

As someone who follows the industry a fair amount watching what was effectively the death of a con was surreal.

My shock is that it isn't that they (GAMA/Origins) said something, it's that they didn't, 'silence is complicit'.

Just another surreal thing in a surreal year.

I can only speak for myself but, the longer stuff like this goes on the more I find myself honestly scared to express any opinion publicly and that makes the whole 'silence is complicit' argument very troubling. It's to simple, and assigns motive in a way I don't think you can reasonably infer but here we are.


It's tempting to want to view things in an us vs them way but I think the most important thing to keep try and remember is that while political movements may claim to speak for an ideal, they don't have exclusive ownership of it. Left or Right, most of us are probably still good people who hold tolerant and inclusive values if we say the words or not.

Matt wrote:

Picc wrote: I really don't want to bring politics in here but their reasoning just feels disappointing. Whatever your position on various issues, I dont see what it has to do with an online gaming event one way or the other. Nor do I want anyone to explain it to me.

Agreed,

As someone who follows the industry a fair amount watching what was effectively the death of a con was surreal.

My shock is that it isn't that they (GAMA/Origins) said something, it's that they didn't, 'silence is complicit'.

Just another surreal thing in a surreal year.

Good point, silence is complacency. Black Lives Matter. Nothing surreal about it.

Match Game: Best. Gameshow. Ever.

macxdmg wrote:

Matt wrote:

Picc wrote: I really don't want to bring politics in here but their reasoning just feels disappointing. Whatever your position on various issues, I dont see what it has to do with an online gaming event one way or the other. Nor do I want anyone to explain it to me.

Agreed,

As someone who follows the industry a fair amount watching what was effectively the death of a con was surreal.

My shock is that it isn't that they (GAMA/Origins) said something, it's that they didn't, 'silence is complicit'.

Just another surreal thing in a surreal year.

Good point, silence is complacency. Black Lives Matter. Nothing surreal about it.

My post before this devolves into more off topic stuff and likely locked:

GAMA is incompetent enough as it is, see how they screw up event registration every year, i remember well the fiasco the year TD attempted to run events through their system.
I don't subscribe to malice which may very well be stupidity. I much rather radio silence on a topic like this vs yet another PR piece and no action.

My concern is i had hoped this would be a good shakedown run for vendors and GM's before Gen Con Online.
Really feel bad for vendors who were looking to show off stuff and get some sales/business at time when it's sorely needed.

Concern for event organizers and GM's who are mostly volunteers who've wasted untold hours in a effort to get have some fun and put a smile on some folks faces.

Both of above folks going to be far more cautious going forward which is a net loss to the community i believe.

Druegar wrote: Match Game: Best. Gameshow. Ever.

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Watching it, I cannot help to think of the line, “I see dead people.” Except for Betty White, of course.

Dave Autzen wrote:

Druegar wrote: Match Game: Best. Gameshow. Ever.

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Watching it, I cannot help to think of the line, “I see dead people.” Except for Betty White, of course.

But seriously, this is a potential inflection point in society. Its quite possible nothing will be the same again.

It saddens me to hear that another unifying opportunity for community is being cancelled. Games are one of the few places many can come together. Last year was my family’s first year at Origins and the overwhelming theme I took away from it beyond any other convention was diversity and inclusion. It was plastered on the walls and city streets.

It’s disheartening to see near sightedness or lack of knowledge that is leading to brash decisions.


I cannot see how October could run in light of all this and covid on top.

Harlax wrote: But seriously, this is a potential inflection point in society. Its quite possible nothing will be the same again.

It does seem that way.

Just Canceled my Origins badge while I can still get full credit. If Origins can get it's act together by replacing any of the staff that left over BLM issues and replace staff as needed to run the show. I'll think about showing my support.
So as of now, my Convention season is over. I'm going to start focusing on 2021 in Oct.

I don't agree with the 'silence is complacency' way of thinking. I don't need my family to reaffirm they love me when I leave the house and when I return and each time I wake from a nap. I don't need reaffirming at church, in schools or at work because those organizations have already proven themselves time and again and it would be insufferable on my part if I push to be reaffirmed every day.
GAMA or Gencon have gone out of the way to make these conventions inclusive to so many gamers of all types. It's in their code of conduct for the very few that never learned how to be nice and professional to others when visiting a convention. It's posted as reminders at every convention I've gone to over the last 10 years. To ask for a more defined stance on the same topic from a group that has push so hard on the topic already seems redundant.
So no, I don't agree with the 'silence is complacency' way of thinking on this topic. Take an Organization that has been silent on the issue for many years and you have an argument. This just comes off as petty and controlling.
What a lack of vision to cancel what was basically a giant advertisement for games and companies that could have continued to show off the work of POC game design and sportsmanship in gaming.