TOPIC: Update on New Sound Systems and Gen Con

Harlax wrote:

lazlo_hollyfeld1985 wrote:

Fred K wrote: Fantastic news on the sound improvements!
$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.

Ultimately, we should compare the pricing for TD to similar experiences like escape rooms. Typically, they range from $30-$40/hr. TD being two hours makes sense for $60-$80. Escape rooms have the financial benefit of not having massive logistics and fewer actors (although actors are volunteers - TD has to pay for support for them (oversight, insurance) plus badges and hotel comps.)

I suspect we're nearing the upper end of the pricing possible, though. Beyond inflation adjustments, we're hitting a point called "price point elasticity" used in product design. Essentially, you know you are at the optimal price point for your product when 20%-30% of your user base complains vocally about the pricing but still buys. You lose a small percent of them but make it up in higher revenue per ticket. This assumes that the people who bail aren't replaced by other players. GenCon seems to keep selling out regardless of pricing so, odds are, the business model could support additional price increases.

The real question is how do the other cons end up profitable? Origins, for example, had a massive number of completely empty runs last year at a lower price point. Conservatively, I'm guessing 20% of the tickets didn't sell - likely much higher. Selling all those out would mean dramatic price reductions - I'm guessing even with those, they wouldn't sell out because there isn't enough interest at that con. I wonder if GenCon is viewed as where revenue for the year is generated to be profitable overall and the other cons are just done for fun (possibly at a loss).

I'm glad to see the continued investments but am concerned about the intro run scaring people away.

Fred

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

I could see cutting back at Gen Con even further this year. If I can get both E1 and E2 at Origins and E2 and E3 at GHC, all I really need at GenCon is E1 and E3.

Provided that I can get the logistics of other cons to work out... cutting back at GenCon is possible... that said - price is a factor and as such - price/convenience has to be a factor... cost of 1 Con, vs two... where I’m considering heading is eventually, get TD runs at less expensive cons and go back to full time volunteering at GC... then do the occasional run at GC.... don’t know ... the thought of skipping GC is abhorrent to me, but doing a couple of the other cons... maybe a thing to consider...

Too many choices now...

There I’ve added something to complain about... the choices...

Make it like.... TD, but soup-nazi style!

Mike, I believe I mentioned this to you at GHC, but I wanted to reemphasize. Even with the best sound system, there are some of us that have hearing issues (misspent youth listening to loud rock, construction workers, drummers, genetics, etc.) would very much appreciate a closed captioning system. Whether it be signs in the dungeon, an actual display with the words scrolling, laminated sheets in the dungeons that have the dialogue, etc.

Matt Goodman wrote: there are some of us that have hearing issues

Likewise

Picc wrote:

jedibcg wrote:

kurtreznor wrote: Geez, if TD keeps going like this, in a few years we will run out of stuff to complain about after the event.

no we won’t price will always be available to complain about.

Don't forget about power creep and TE's, but seriously great work TD team!

and Lori, I always complain about Lori...because she is NOT awesome..at least that is what the button I have says

Matt Goodman wrote: Mike, I believe I mentioned this to you at GHC, but I wanted to reemphasize. Even with the best sound system, there are some of us that have hearing issues (misspent youth listening to loud rock, construction workers, drummers, genetics, etc.) would very much appreciate a closed captioning system. Whether it be signs in the dungeon, an actual display with the words scrolling, laminated sheets in the dungeons that have the dialogue, etc.

Unfortunately I feel that for some puzzles, this would be akin to giving them away.

Spoilers ahead!



I feel that when spoken, those kind of things work well, but if we insist on them being written in addition to the sound, we might give away some puzzles or constrict what Jeff feels he is capable of doing with word-play

Just my $0.02

Not sure I have an actual good answer that would solve the definite problem those with hearing loss have, and keep the word-play.

jpotter wrote:

Matt Goodman wrote: Mike, I believe I mentioned this to you at GHC, but I wanted to reemphasize. Even with the best sound system, there are some of us that have hearing issues (misspent youth listening to loud rock, construction workers, drummers, genetics, etc.) would very much appreciate a closed captioning system. Whether it be signs in the dungeon, an actual display with the words scrolling, laminated sheets in the dungeons that have the dialogue, etc.

Unfortunately I feel that for some puzzles, this would be akin to giving them away.

Spoilers ahead!

Warning: Spoiler! [ Click to expand ] [ Click to hide ]

In the puzzle for the days of the week, the opening dialogue had some word play that went something along the lines of "The strong, with care, will make one weak/week"

I feel that when spoken, those kind of things work well, but if we insist on them being written in addition to the sound, we might give away some puzzles or constrict what Jeff feels he is capable of doing with word-play

Just my $0.02

Not sure I have an actual good answer that would solve the definite problem those with hearing loss have, and keep the word-play.

Anyone with even a little knowledge of Norse mythology and a small understanding of German found that puzzle easy.

jpotter wrote: ... constrict what Jeff feels he is capable of doing with word-play

Given some of Jeff's choice of word-driven over the years, this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Fiddy wrote:

jpotter wrote: ... constrict what Jeff feels he is capable of doing with word-play

Given some of Jeff's choice of word-driven over the years, this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I'd also say it's a non-issue.

There are frequently word based clues in the room that use homophones as a clue. No reason that couldn't continue.

Druegar wrote:

Matt Goodman wrote: there are some of us that have hearing issues

Likewise

This is going to make things harder to hear.

Suggest getting rid of all sound based clues.

edwin wrote:

Druegar wrote:

Matt Goodman wrote: there are some of us that have hearing issues

Likewise

This is going to make things harder to hear.

Suggest getting rid of all sound based clues.

Sorry what exactly is the this that is going to make things harder to hear? The new sound system? If so can you explain. I am asking because I don’t understandand and if I don’t it is possible that others actually dealing with the new system don’t either.

jedibcg wrote:

edwin wrote:

Druegar wrote:

Matt Goodman wrote: there are some of us that have hearing issues

Likewise

This is going to make things harder to hear.

Suggest getting rid of all sound based clues.

Sorry what exactly is the this that is going to make things harder to hear? The new sound system? If so can you explain. I am asking because I don’t understandand and if I don’t it is possible that others actually dealing with the new system don’t either.

Hearing aids work on the principle of latching to loudest sound. Loudest sound is in low frequency range. This results in a severe distortion when any base enhancement is used. Any sound system that uses subwoofers will make it harder for me to understand sound based clues since they will be heard as a loud static noise.

I believe they were saying that they would be able to pause the low frequency background during vocal parts. Hopefully that should make things easier for you rather than harder.

I still support some way of helping the hearing impaired though, whether this solution is good or bad for them.