TOPIC: Update on New Sound Systems and Gen Con

It's funny - I used to go to GenCon for D&D then D&D and True Dungeon. It was 16+ hrs of D&D and 5+ TD slots.

Now, it's no AL D&D, just NASCRAG (based on pathfinder) for 8-12 hours, 1-2 slots of TD, and then all the other craziness that GenCon offers. I tell people for their first time going there - don't do it to play things you can do elsewhere. GenCon has an amazing assortment of events that you can't do anywhere else. Things like the Nascrag events, authors running their own games, Novo Ordus Call of Cthulhu, big tournaments, etc are either unique to Gencon or where their most high-profile events are.

I can play D&D locally. If I want a big D&D experience - Origins is a better venue for it since WoTC sponsors it. True Dungeon I think I'll try to always do any new modules, true grind, and a sealed run at GenCon but I'm otherwise getting my TD fix at Origins. The only other TD I tend to do at GenCon is introducing new players to it and doing runs with them to show them the ropes.

Fred

James J Krot wrote: For someone that has had to deal with the old sound systems I am greatly appreciate the upgrades, my only concerns are from a tech perspective I feel like you are probably usually pI 3 or 3+ boards and security on those can be kinda meh, if you leave bluetooth and wifi open on for them, I am not sure how you are doing your speaker system IE all hard corded via usb or what not or using bluetooth but with so many people having cell phones and how easy it can be to break in to them when they are not getting updated frequenty the chance for losing entire dungeons due to tech glitches if you leave them open is going to be an issue. I would also suggest having a way to reclone and update machines and having backup pi's for bigger cons because though they are robust a good kick to the board can break them.

I would suggest using these cases www.adafruit.com/product/2253 pretty robust and you can buy different color tops for them to easy identify which sound board the dungeons are for and then putting a sticker or something on for room #.

I'm not really a fan of that particular case for a pi3. I used to use one for streaming TV via a HD Homerun, and it would eventually lock up due to heat. I moved to aluminum heatsink cases, which are durable and can stream video continuously a week without a hiccup.

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1W8-006E-00002

My only request for this process is to make sure the new system can keep the audio tracks separate. It would be so so good the different tracks could have their level interdependently adjusted. Some of the npc dialog has been down right hard to hear over the din the last few years. I will gladly pay an extra $2 bucks if I can make out what the mushrooms are saying.

I get that I just didn't think crunching audio was as stressful as doing video but they might use these for video in the future as well or something so good point.

Endgame wrote:

James J Krot wrote: For someone that has had to deal with the old sound systems I am greatly appreciate the upgrades, my only concerns are from a tech perspective I feel like you are probably usually pI 3 or 3+ boards and security on those can be kinda meh, if you leave bluetooth and wifi open on for them, I am not sure how you are doing your speaker system IE all hard corded via usb or what not or using bluetooth but with so many people having cell phones and how easy it can be to break in to them when they are not getting updated frequenty the chance for losing entire dungeons due to tech glitches if you leave them open is going to be an issue. I would also suggest having a way to reclone and update machines and having backup pi's for bigger cons because though they are robust a good kick to the board can break them.

I would suggest using these cases www.adafruit.com/product/2253 pretty robust and you can buy different color tops for them to easy identify which sound board the dungeons are for and then putting a sticker or something on for room #.

I'm not really a fan of that particular case for a pi3. I used to use one for streaming TV via a HD Homerun, and it would eventually lock up due to heat. I moved to aluminum heatsink cases, which are durable and can stream video continuously a week without a hiccup.

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1W8-006E-00002

So glad this is happening,
So many years,
There have been rooms
Listening to the Monster talk,
And you can’t understand anything
It’s saying.
Long over Due,
And $78 is effectively $80
In most people’s minds anyway.

Fred K wrote: $2 for the main runs increase is fine. The $10 for the sealed quest is concerning. I would rather see a bigger increase on main runs and no change (or even lower cost) in sealed quest. The sealed quest needs to stay relatively inexpensive to draw in new players to be willing to try it. Once they are hooked, they'll (like us) pony up for the more expensive primary runs.

As much as this suggestion will sting, I agree with raising the standard price more than the one positioned for first time players. After all...

Fred K wrote: It's funny - I used to go to GenCon for D&D then D&D and True Dungeon. It was 16+ hrs of D&D and 5+ TD slots.

Now, it's no AL D&D, just NASCRAG (based on pathfinder) for 8-12 hours, 1-2 slots of TD, and then all the other craziness that GenCon offers. I tell people for their first time going there - don't do it to play things you can do elsewhere. GenCon has an amazing assortment of events that you can't do anywhere else. Things like the Nascrag events, authors running their own games, Novo Ordus Call of Cthulhu, big tournaments, etc are either unique to Gencon or where their most high-profile events are.

I can play D&D locally. If I want a big D&D experience - Origins is a better venue for it since WoTC sponsors it. True Dungeon I think I'll try to always do any new modules, true grind, and a sealed run at GenCon but I'm otherwise getting my TD fix at Origins. The only other TD I tend to do at GenCon is introducing new players to it and doing runs with them to show them the ropes.

Fred

8-12 hours???
Day after Day,
All Con Long,
I see you guys in there,
I just always thought you were
All just Robots playing nonstop,
As it’s too much for most humans.
😝

SnakeEyes (Eric) wrote:

Fred K wrote: $2 for the main runs increase is fine. The $10 for the sealed quest is concerning. I would rather see a bigger increase on main runs and no change (or even lower cost) in sealed quest. The sealed quest needs to stay relatively inexpensive to draw in new players to be willing to try it. Once they are hooked, they'll (like us) pony up for the more expensive primary runs.

As much as this suggestion will sting, I agree with raising the standard price more than the one positioned for first time players. After all...

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I disagree, the sealed run will still be $22 cheaper then the main runs, and thus more popular with budget minded players regardless.

And to he Frank I've already lost people from my group who just dont feel the price point can be justified. Bumping the mains runs significantly again this year after last years bump would basically guarantee my group was down to just me. I cant imagine other peoples experiences are much different at this point.

I'm all for getting new people interested in TD, I'm just not sure we should be subsidizing them at the only con that consistently sells out.

Jeff Martin wrote: To pay for these upgrades, we are going to have to raise the ticket price at Gen Con from $78 to $80 for the three main adventures. We are going to raise the sealed quest adventure's price to $58, as well. This price better reflects the much better props and sets from the N-series, and it will help pay for the new spfx systems, too.

So this means the price will drop next year, since the systems will have been paid for this year, right? /s

isauteikisa wrote:

Jeff Martin wrote: To pay for these upgrades, we are going to have to raise the ticket price at Gen Con from $78 to $80 for the three main adventures. We are going to raise the sealed quest adventure's price to $58, as well. This price better reflects the much better props and sets from the N-series, and it will help pay for the new spfx systems, too.

So this means the price will drop next year, since the systems will have been paid for this year, right? /s

Logical and wishful thinking. But I doubt it.

lazlo_hollyfeld1985 wrote: i play a lot more at the smaller cons than I do GC. for that reason price. I would rather spend more on tokens. I still do runs at GC not like I use to do.
that allows more new players at GC too

After talking with you last year, we decided to start hitting the other cons. See you at Origins!

Cheers,
Ed

I'm glad to hear this. As a player, and a non-speaking NPC, having our players hear the pre-recorded dialogue without having to be huddled into one corner will be a big bonus. If it makes some of the animatronic monsters even more impressive, all the better.

I'll always prefer to play characters who can speak themselves, but where pre-recorded tracks are necessary, this will be a big boost to the overall quality.