OK guys - start making your plans and/or excuses* now...
* yes, BC, we're looking at you
Let me figure out the gestation period on a human being.
I'm still recovering from Origins 2017.
Quote from: Bison on June 21, 2017, 07:25:07 PM
Let me figure out the gestation period on a human being.
Little late now, innit?
Quote from: mirth on June 21, 2017, 07:32:36 PM
Quote from: Bison on June 21, 2017, 07:25:07 PM
Let me figure out the gestation period on a human being.
Little late now, innit?
Oh...right. Damn you science!
I'm planning to return. :smitten:
I will be there dependent on the usual factors completely out of my control. Once verified, I will commence the browbeating of any of you backsliders and on-the-fencers.
I'm going to do my best. I have no idea how I'll pull the logistics/financing off but I'll try to, regardless. I'll definitely have to room with someone/sleep on a couch or floor.
Attending if at all possible. My wife may go with me this time.
Front page countdown timer is updated - only 50 weeks and change to go :)
I'm going and Ill be running a pulp cthulhu scenario. I've got it about 40% written. I'll tell you guys which one and when it will run after I learn this.
Since I'm way ahead of the game this year. What hotels do you guys recommend for Origins that are within walking distance of the show? I have that option this year, although parking out at the airport and driving in was not a problem except for the Gay Pride parade day.
It's my understanding that the hotels that are close, the Hyatt, Hampton Inn, etc. get snapped up shortly after the current con is finished.
Quote from: MetalDog on July 23, 2017, 01:36:17 PM
It's my understanding that the hotels that are close, the Hyatt, Hampton Inn, etc. get snapped up shortly after the current con is finished.
Origins website claims that the group rates on the hotels will come available in September.
Get the Hampton if you can. It's actually the one that's closest to where we are, and you get free breakfast with it
Hotel block is live, though not openly advertised yet.
There's already people calling the Hilton and referencing "Origins 2018" and getting the $149 rate, which is stupid cheap. But those are going to go very fast, so call ASAP
(614) 384-8600
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 01, 2017, 12:05:05 PM
Hotel block is live, though not openly advertised yet.
There's already people calling the Hilton and referencing "Origins 2018" and getting the $149 rate, which is stupid cheap. But those are going to go very fast, so call ASAP
(614) 384-8600
I just tried, and the room block is not open yet.
Friggin Brant and his lies!
Quote from: airboy on September 01, 2017, 02:14:01 PM
I just tried, and the room block is not open yet.
after I posted that, GAMA put some info out thru Facebook about the block opening next week. So I think they got wind of the Hilton booking people early, and shut it down. Sorry :(
Quote from: mirth on September 01, 2017, 02:15:59 PM
Friggin Brant and his lies!
Yep. Right up there with "Just the tip..."
Well, that sort of sucked. I ended up getting a room in the Marriott Courtyard because my first 3 choices were booked.
Booked a room at the Hyatt for $149.00/night for the entire convention. You know, in case someone wants me to run Fields of Despair for Grogheads. :-" :P
you're hired
Yeah, Brant. How do you turn down free labor?! That volunteers for enforced servitude, no less!
Probably going to need him. Likely missing Barth next year
Yeah.... :(
Is Barth's team at work planning on ripping a hole in the T-S continuum that weekend and transporting their town back to 1600's Germany?
Quote from: Staggerwing on September 09, 2017, 08:26:53 AM
Is Barth's team at work planning on ripping a hole in the T-S continuum that weekend and transporting their town back to 1600's Germany?
No... but your house could end up on Ceti Alpha 5.....
Suddenly my ear feels sort of itchy...
Quote from: Barthheart on September 08, 2017, 09:47:33 PM
Yeah.... :(
Sorry you can't go. I owe you beers for sending me that game.
Quote from: airboy on September 09, 2017, 11:59:24 PM
Quote from: Barthheart on September 08, 2017, 09:47:33 PM
Yeah.... :(
Sorry you can't go. I owe you beers for sending me that game.
Don't be too sorry for me, we're going to England instead. 2019 I should be back.
Quote from: Barthheart on September 10, 2017, 06:14:23 AM
Quote from: airboy on September 09, 2017, 11:59:24 PM
Quote from: Barthheart on September 08, 2017, 09:47:33 PM
Yeah.... :(
Sorry you can't go. I owe you beers for sending me that game.
Don't be too sorry for me, we're going to England instead. 2019 I should be back.
Where in England? I've not been to the Imperial War Museum since the last reworking of the exhibits. The Tank Museum in Bovington is amazing.
There is a huge statue of thanks to Canada just outside of Buckingham Palace erected after WW1. The Brits have not been tearing their statues down.
Quote from: airboy on September 11, 2017, 09:24:18 PM
Quote from: Barthheart on September 10, 2017, 06:14:23 AM
Quote from: airboy on September 09, 2017, 11:59:24 PM
Quote from: Barthheart on September 08, 2017, 09:47:33 PM
Yeah.... :(
Sorry you can't go. I owe you beers for sending me that game.
Don't be too sorry for me, we're going to England instead. 2019 I should be back.
Where in England? I've not been to the Imperial War Museum since the last reworking of the exhibits. The Tank Museum in Bovington is amazing.
There is a huge statue of thanks to Canada just outside of Buckingham Palace erected after WW1. The Brits have not been tearing their statues down.
My wife's family are SE of London. That'll be our base. We want to a couple days in London,go north to Scotland, maybe stop and see Bob on the way if he'll have us.
I've not been the Imperial War Museum since 84 and have never been to Bovington. I'll try to convince my wife of the imperative to visit those.
Barth, check out the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow, as wel as the Royal Fusilier Museum too. Check the hours of operation for the latter, though. Both are not that far apart - they're within walking distance in fact.
Quote from: BanzaiCat on September 12, 2017, 08:19:32 AM
Barth, check out the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow, as wel as the Royal Fusilier Museum too. Check the hours of operation for the latter, though. Both are not that far apart - they're within walking distance in fact.
O0
I plan to be there
Vance, Bovington is a must, although I've not been for many a year. And hopefully a stop off in Newcastle for a cuppa whilst on the way to Scotland :bd:
Quote from: bob48 on October 19, 2017, 04:50:35 PM
Vance, Bovington is a must, although I've not been for many a year. And hopefully a stop off in Newcastle for a cuppa whilst on the way to Scotland :bd:
Newcastle? My great grandparents were from Cambois.
Not that far then :)
Its a bit further up the coast from Blyth, so maybe about 20 miles or so from me.
Quote from: bob48 on October 19, 2017, 04:55:47 PM
Not that far then :)
Its a bit further up the coast from Blyth, so maybe about 20 miles or so from me.
I've always wanted to have a look at that area. I'll have to remember you are close by if I ever get back across the pond.
Quote from: rickbill on September 24, 2017, 11:39:05 PM
I plan to be there
huzzah! we could really use you :)
of course, you're a perfectly nice dude to hang out with, too!
I can give a definite maybe.
I have hotel reservations and have volunteered for official duty. :cowboy:
Sucker!
I was appalled at the quality of the game masters at the last one. :P
I know. I was appalled by Vance too.
:2funny:
He didn't even have a proper whiskey glass. :DD
He was completely unprepared.
He didn't even clip the counters for the games I was running.
Quote from: mirth on October 19, 2017, 07:03:40 PM
He didn't even clip the counters for the games I was running.
:o
Shameful
Quote from: mirth on October 19, 2017, 07:02:36 PM
He was completely unprepared.
there was
no preparing for you, dude...
Oh, I don't know. I had several drunken phone calls from mirth trying to talk him in to driving to Origins and out of whining about how he was going to have to work.
My Call of Cthulhu scenario was accepted by Rogue Cthulhu so I'll be going as a "club member" this year. I'm not sure if I'll run more than one session of my scenario. I could also run Eldritch Horror - but I probably won't so I can play more games myself.
You were a Cthulu playin' fool in June. When I met you Sunday morning, you had been at it since Wednesday. That's some dedication, brother! O0
It galls me that I need to reserve a room this flipping early, but I really should get around to that.
@Brant: Re: Commitment to playing one game, "they" are coming for sure, right?
Quote from: Cyrano on November 20, 2017, 09:36:28 PM
@Brant: Re: Commitment to playing one game, "they" are coming for sure, right?
No, not for sure. No one is "for sure" until there's a deposit down.
I'm trying to make it happen, but we have to make it happen w/in the framework Origins has given us :-\
Quote from: Cyrano on November 20, 2017, 09:36:28 PM
It galls me that I need to reserve a room this flipping early, but I really should get around to that.
@Brant: Re: Commitment to playing one game, "they" are coming for sure, right?
Wow, I would have thought it would be too late by now. I snagged a room as soon as they started taking reservations. :o
I've for whatever reason abandoned hope of being close a couple years ago.
The family and I stay at the Hyatt Place not too far away and we've never had a problem.
Free breakfast is nice, parking is included, and the walk is now familiar.
If I drive to Origins (highly likely) I'm going to take a sack of books with me. I have horrible allergies and paperbacks are printed on cheap paper which deteriorates over time. I've been discarding physical books and picking up ebooks. Ah, the sweet, sweet non-smell of electrons.
Anyway, I'll drop off the books at the Grogheads booth (if Brant allows) and let people pick up what they will. As we get closer to Origins and I'm confirmed that I'll be driving, I'll post a list and people can preclaim and/or nerd fight over them.
I've just submitted "Baltimore Gang War" for the rogue Cthulhu track at origins.
Those with a firm grip on their sanity are welcome to play!
Quote from: airboy on February 06, 2018, 08:54:29 PM
I've just submitted "Baltimore Gang War" for the rogue Cthulhu track at origins.
Those with a firm grip on their sanity are welcome to play!
Could you put that in English or Haiku?
Larry Correia (Monster Hunter International, Grim Noir series) will be coming to Origins.
I hope he will have a signing, but he is an avid gamer and may just be there to play.
I think he'll be there to pimp his new Monster Hunter RPG and minis-combat games.
Quote from: Silent Disapproval Robot on February 08, 2018, 09:49:19 AM
I think he'll be there to pimp his new Monster Hunter RPG and minis-combat games.
Quite possibly, but he is also an avid gamer. His kids are also.
I think Origins 2018 will be trousers-mandatory.
Floating that out there for further deliberation.
Quote from: Cyrano on February 11, 2018, 10:33:57 PM
I think Origins 2018 will be trousers-mandatory.
Floating that out there for further deliberation.
I'm out.
Quote from: mirth on February 11, 2018, 10:34:34 PM
Quote from: Cyrano on February 11, 2018, 10:33:57 PM
I think Origins 2018 will be trousers-mandatory.
Floating that out there for further deliberation.
I'm out.
Who's gonna teach me Fields of Despair?
Quote from: bbmike on February 12, 2018, 06:25:43 AM
Quote from: mirth on February 11, 2018, 10:34:34 PM
Quote from: Cyrano on February 11, 2018, 10:33:57 PM
I think Origins 2018 will be trousers-mandatory.
Floating that out there for further deliberation.
I'm out.
Who's gonna teach me Fields of Despair?
Didn't you buy it?! You should be playing it already!
^Yeah, but it's so far down the list to play that the shrink wrap is still on it. :-[
Quote from: bbmike on February 12, 2018, 06:43:25 AM
^Yeah, but it's so far down the list to play that the shrink wrap is still on it. :-[
See, Vader is wearing pants and has no legs!
Be like Vader.
Wear pants, have no legs?
Deadline for event submission is next week. When will the schedule be released?
Quote from: airboy on March 30, 2018, 08:15:42 PM
Deadline for event submission is next week. When will the schedule be released?
usually early May
Some kind words for the CPX team
O0
I'm running a Call of Cthulhu scenario "Baltimore Gang War" at 9:00am on Thursday.
Rogue Cthulhu is hosting 185 total events - a record for them. <:-)
I'm probably going to play Cthulhu, Chill, 5th Edition D&D, and some other RPGs this time.
Event grids are released
Ours are excerpted here
(http://grogheads.com/featured-posts/18217)
Quote from: airboy on April 23, 2018, 08:12:43 AM
I'm running a Call of Cthulhu scenario "Baltimore Gang War" at 9:00am on Thursday.
Rogue Cthulhu is hosting 185 total events - a record for them. <:-)
I'm probably going to play Cthulhu, Chill, 5th Edition D&D, and some other RPGs this time.
Chill is still popular? That's actually pretty cool. I have the sourcebook and while I never found anyone interested in playing it I liked it for the fact that it weighed more heavily on role playing and problem solving rather than pure combat.
And disappointed that this is another year i will miss this one.
this is a pretty handy event listing browser tool that someone whipped together over at BGG
http://origins.jtks.net
As a reminder, all of our GH events all start with "GrogHeads Presents..."
Newbie-specific runs for TrueDungeon
http://truedungeon.com/forum?view=topic&catid=605&id=247047
Expected but still irritating - Origins server won't work for event registration 1.5 hours after the kick-off time.
they took the site down for a bit earlier today to sort out their load issues, but it's not going well
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 02, 2018, 02:00:55 PM
they took the site down for a bit earlier today to sort out their load issues, but it's not going well
So, just another normal year? :P
It still will not let you add anything to your schedule.
It seems like the jerks could get a functioning website.
Classic
It is an unending wonder to me that Origins and GenCon struggle on this year after year.
You'd think they could afford some additional server resources.
They released an update to the schedule this morning. Prevailing opinion is that the update didn't correctly load to the registration database. The errors are coming from people trying to register for events that don't exist anymore because they're working from an old copy of the event grid and not the new one that was released today. Couple that with the probability that the new event grid didn't correctly load into the backend database, and you have a recipe for disaster.
Of course it helps when people continually ping the website over and over and essentially bury it under a DDOS attack ::)
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 02, 2018, 04:56:38 PM
Of course it helps when people continually ping the website over and over and essentially bury it under a DDOS attack ::)
Yeah, it's the registrants' fault ::)
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 02, 2018, 04:56:38 PM
They released an update to the schedule this morning. Prevailing opinion is that the update didn't correctly load to the registration database. The errors are coming from people trying to register for events that don't exist anymore because they're working from an old copy of the event grid and not the new one that was released today. Couple that with the probability that the new event grid didn't correctly load into the backend database, and you have a recipe for disaster.
^ :2funny:
QuoteWe're still working through the issues with the portal and truly appreciate your patience as we sort through this. The registration portal is running, but is still moving very slow. Use the link below to bypass the website and go directly to the registration portal. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. We will be back with more information once we receive updates.
https://gama.eventready.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=reg.accessMyReg&event_id=32
from GAMA on FB
Just went back and tried again.
When the event showed on the schedule, I could not actually register for it. I know many of the events are on the schedule because I'm a member of the group that is running the events. I'm on a listserv that the Rogue Cthulhu people are bitching about events not showing up at all.
Origins organizers deserve to be fired if they have anything to do with this software situation. To have this happen year after year is inexcusable.
Quote from: airboy on May 02, 2018, 05:28:17 PM
When the event showed on the schedule, I could not actually register for it. I know many of the events are on the schedule because I'm a member of the group that is running the events. I'm on a listserv that the Rogue Cthulhu people are bitching about events not showing up at all.
check the newest version of the schedule to make sure the event # didn't change
Quote from: mirth on May 02, 2018, 04:58:27 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 02, 2018, 04:56:38 PM
Of course it helps when people continually ping the website over and over and essentially bury it under a DDOS attack ::)
Yeah, it's the registrants' fault ::)
no, but you know it's harder to fix when everyone's hitting the server
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 02, 2018, 05:34:04 PM
Quote from: mirth on May 02, 2018, 04:58:27 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 02, 2018, 04:56:38 PM
Of course it helps when people continually ping the website over and over and essentially bury it under a DDOS attack ::)
Yeah, it's the registrants' fault ::)
no, but you know it's harder to fix when everyone's hitting the server
Maybe don't make breaking changes on the day reg opens.
Agreed
[/quote]
Maybe don't make breaking changes on the day reg opens.
[/quote]
I know what does this. I see it with disturbing regularity, viz.: you've got no one to stress test with and, worse, have no or a limited dev. environment. So you throw the switch and hope for the best.
Comes out right with the frequency of successful land wars in Asia.
I've registered for 9 events - but some are placeholders.
The system is still screwed up. Rogue Cthulhu's schedule does not show up after Thursday. Pretty much all of the Tabletop games are not showing up.
This is an utter screwup, even worse than last year.
The convention runs annually. They should have worked out the bugs by now.
Glad I found this thread!
First time I've tried to register for Origins as a participant in events, not part of a vendor, and what an ugly mess its been. I thought I was just incompetent, then looked on this thread, and realize it may not be me...
Tim
The next day and it is still screwed up. No Rogue Cthulhu events appear after Thursday and most of the tabletop games don't show. Not sure what else is messed up since that is what I'm looking for.
A bunch of our events are missing, too. See if you can find #7841 in the listing
Origins: Five Full Days of Trying to Register
https://twitter.com/medik68/status/991778955660275715
Quote from: mirth on May 03, 2018, 10:56:52 AM
https://twitter.com/medik68/status/991778955660275715
I did not know that the entity that did the programing for registration was a cat. This explains so much.
If a dog screwed up this badly it would at least feel guilty.
it looks like everything is working now
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 03, 2018, 12:30:48 PM
it looks like everything is working now
Now the events are showing up, but you cannot register for them.
These folks are just screw-ups.
I have a feeling their web team is in India.
More likely Nepal...
Elbonia
O0
Origins web development
http://ragingowlbear.blogspot.com/2018/05/origins-registration-crapfest-again.html (http://ragingowlbear.blogspot.com/2018/05/origins-registration-crapfest-again.html)
And this explains everything:
QuoteThe site was throwing Cold Fusion errors left and right. That's right. Event Ready uses Cold Fusion, which was a hot technology sometime back in the mid-1990s while most of us were still writing BASH scripts for the /cgi-bin/ folder.
:DD :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD
For me at least it is working. I cancelled my placeholder events and was able to register for things I wanted to play.
I've got a full schedule. I'll probably no-show something to go to the dealers room at some point.
I did not get every single event that I wanted, but I got most of what I hoped to get.
Quote from: airboy on May 03, 2018, 03:14:30 PM
I did not get every single event that I wanted, but I got most of what I hoped to get.
that probably would've happened even if it all worked perfectly
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 03, 2018, 03:15:17 PM
Quote from: airboy on May 03, 2018, 03:14:30 PM
I did not get every single event that I wanted, but I got most of what I hoped to get.
that probably would've happened even if it all worked perfectly
Agreed. I don't expect to get everything and I got most of everything I hoped to get.
I spent probably 20 hours going through all of the events before registration opened. I figured out what my most wanted events were and then had lots of backups. I also cut out everything I had no interest in, which left me with a mere 500 or so events that could have at least been ok up to "sounds awesome!"
I've got 7 Call of Cthulhu.
1 Dungeon Crawl Classics
1 Savage Worlds - I'm hoping that Larry Correia is running this one. It is in the new Monster Hunter variant of Savage Worlds.
1 Ogre (Steve Jackson)
2 Other Tabletop games
On the Call of Cthulhu side, I'm happy with the games. They were either ones that sounded the absolute best, or they were ones run by people who I know run a good game.
Origins Apology & Explanation Email - what I got as an ordinary user.
Last week we opened our event registration portal for Origins 2018 and the system failed, causing many attendees setbacks in building their itinerary for the show.
What happened with event registration is inexcusable and we want to be transparent with what we saw:
• Several website plug-ins broke, resulting in a 500 Server Error
• Our website was not moved from a shared server, and it crashed
• Events were dropped from the portal and had to be added again after registration went live
• Our event registration portal was placed on a shared server and was not moved before it went live
Much like our hotel contracts, plans for the registration process are made one year or more in advance. Bottom line is, when we planned our contracts we did not predict the show would see this amount of growth. It has been amazing seeing the number of attendees increase each year at Origins, so we need systems in place to keep up with the growth.
We are committed to providing you with an all-around great experience while keeping cost down for attendees. So, where do we go from here?
Last year we invested in event registration on-site, incorporating more machines and cutting the registration line time to just 22 minutes! We are doing this again, giving you more time to play games and enjoy the show.
Website updates are in the works—server support, website design, and content development. Plans for modifying our registration system are happening based on the comments you shared online and through the survey sent out last week. As a nonprofit organization, we need to be fiscally conscientious of our investments—this means things may take more time, but the outcome will be worth it.
^that's the IT equivalent of, "Phhhhhbttth!!"
^And next year's equivalent of, 'hold my beer'.
I've had my share of IT disasters, but nothing quite on par with Origins 2018....yet.
Quote from: mirth on May 08, 2018, 06:46:34 PM
I've had my share of IT disasters, but nothing quite on par with Origins 2018....yet.
Origins 2016
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 08, 2018, 06:58:23 PM
Quote from: mirth on May 08, 2018, 06:46:34 PM
I've had my share of IT disasters, but nothing quite on par with Origins 2018....yet.
Origins 2016
Impressive...most impressive.
So this year we're going to arrange the space so that we have an open gaming table for other games in our area
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Open Gaming Table!
Sometimes you just want to sit down with some friends and play your own game, or show off something in progress for others to ogle. Rather than struggle to find a spot in the back corner of the hall, or pay extra to set up in the Board Room, we've got a Grog-friendly gaming table for folks who want to play their own games while hanging out with the Cool Kids™ at Ft Kickass.
How does it work?
We've got 4-hour blocks that you can sign up for at the show (9a-1p, 2-6p, 7-11p), and that table is yours for those 4 hours, plus the cleanup time to clear off for the next group to come in.
The rules (such that they are):
- You cannot charge for anyone to play at the open gaming table, whether tokens, cash, pizza slices, or gold bullion.
- You cannot sell anything at the open gaming table. This is strictly for gaming, not for trying to circumvent the vendor restrictions about selling games without a booth. Don't sell anything, advertise a website to buy anything, or tell folks to meet you at 4th and High St to score a copy of anything.
- Sign-ups will run out approximately 24 hours. No showing up on Wednesday and booking Saturday and Sunday before anyone else can get there.
- You cannot book back-to-back sessions to stretch out your playing time. The point is to let a lot of people get a bunch of different games on the table. If you book the last session of the day, and our guys are still manning the booth for late-night gaming, you're welcome to stay until we close up shop, but you have to tear down to be ready for the next game in the morning.
- You cannot interfere with any other events on the other tables.
- You have to have taken a shower within the past 24 hours.
Just come find us on Wednesday, and we'll start signing folks up!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We'll open that table up starting with the mid-day slot on Wednesday, and then start adding folks from there thru Sunday morning.
Guests of honor announced
http://originsgamefair.com/guests/
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 14, 2018, 01:49:10 PM
Guests of honor announced
http://originsgamefair.com/guests/
I thought Larry Correia would be a guest of honor. I'm taking a couple of my books for him to sign. He will also probably game a lot. Perhaps the Savage Worlds will also be releasing the Monster Hunter rules edition.
Quote from: airboy on May 14, 2018, 01:52:21 PMI thought Larry Correia would be a guest of honor.
His invitation got rescinded
https://www.facebook.com/originsgamesfair/photos/a.984665758252754.1073741830.802408846478447/1923460054373315/?type=3&theater
So.
Dumb.
As if his presence at a con of this size would have harmed anyone.
Curious to see what GenCon will do as PegInc prepares to launch the Monster Hunters game for "Savage Worlds".
There are guests of honor at Origins? I guess I should have cared last year.
I am honestly curious how many of the people who claimed they would or would not attend based on Larry's presence or absence would have actually attended or not if his guest of honor status had never been offered, rescinded, discussed, or considered
I've honestly never heard of him.
@Mirth: Amen.
@Brant: Net Zero
I had heard of him through the Sad Puppies silliness -- Mirth, were you aware there still was a Hugo award? -- and through Savage Worlds.
I was surprised to see him on the list and figured to let my son take his works for a spin and tell me if they're any good.
In 2017, I drove 13 hours each way and burned 5 days of PTO to meet and hang out with the people from GH. If I go again, it will be for the same reasons.
@Cyrano I am aware there is still a Hugo award. Can't say I have really cared.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 14, 2018, 01:49:10 PM
Guests of honor announced
http://originsgamefair.com/guests/
i thought Jason Rimmer from the UK could have been a guest of honor this year :-\
Intel: http://www.awargamersneedfulthings.co.uk/p/blog-page.html
(more active on The Matrix forum he is accredited here as TacticalWargames as well)
A well known, illuster, sometimes mooted, person from the global wargaming community and founder of the
"A Wargamers Needful Things " blog/review side. Actual also busy with small in house PC game development, so the rumors
I remember he once mentioned he would love so much to go to Origin once, but lacking the funds
(....well like most of possible Origin-visitors from this side of the pond, Yours truly included ;-), so no shame on that)
Quote from: mirth on May 14, 2018, 09:48:26 PM
In 2017, I drove 13 hours each way and burned 5 days of PTO to meet and hang out with the people from GH. If I go again, it will be for the same reasons.
This year we can reserve a table and play Munchkin at Fort Kickass! :buck2:
GAMA has now had to pull down the post listing the Guests of Honor because of all the vitriol about the Correia dis-inviting.
They'd already shut down the reviews of Origins because dueling internet flash mobs were bombing their ratings, first for inviting him, and then for rescinding the invitation.
I'm so happy and feel honoured after reading MikeGer post and email he sent. Really took me by surprise.
Any credit should go to the team and to Bob. Without them AWNT would be no more!
Thanks
Also,yes, I'd love to be able to finally sit down and talk to Groghead crew.
Oh I do doubt that AWNT is even known amongst many let alone Origins to be even considered as a guest let alone even know me. Lovely thought though!
One last thing, what's an Illuster?
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 15, 2018, 05:22:03 AM
GAMA has now had to pull down the post listing the Guests of Honor because of all the vitriol about the Correia dis-inviting.
They'd already shut down the reviews of Origins because dueling internet flash mobs were bombing their ratings, first for inviting him, and then for rescinding the invitation.
What an asshat decision. Inviting a guest of honor and then did-inviting them. Larry has very strong points of view which he posts on his blog, but he is as polite of an individual as you could ask for. Larry is also about 6-6 and 325 so it is doubtful that anyone would mess with him.
Larry does not get along with Social Justice Warriors. The latest blow-up between the two camps was an awful, libelous charge made against John Ringo that lost his invitation to Carolinas Con. John had an attorney send a cease and desist letter to a particularly scummy group on the internet. The "charges" against Ringo at a Convention were utterly rejected by that Con and the website scrubbed all of the charges against Ringo. It seems like the same scummy SJW crowd worked to get Larry disinvited to Origins. As a result, I'm even less happy with the Origins organizers than I was before.
I have a copy of all of Larry's books. He has a couple of series: Monster Hunter International; Hard Magic; and a Sword & Sorcery series I'm less enamored of.
I'm quite irritated by this because I bought an extra copy of a hardback book to have signed for one of my brothers for a Christmas present.
This is Larry's response on Facebook:
So I'm no longer the writer guest of honor at Origins. My invitation has been revoked. It was the usual nonsense. Right after I was announced as a guest some people started throwing a temper tantrum about my alleged racist/sexist/homophobic/whatever (of course, with zero proof or actual examples), and the guy in charge (John Ward) immediately folded. He didn't even talk to me first. He just accepted the slander and gave me the boot in an email that talked about how "inclusive" they are. I actually heard about it on facebook before I even saw the email.
Oh well.
They did this to John Ringo at ConCarolinas a little while ago, and took a lesson from it. This is just another new way for bullies to target people who disagree with them. Throw a fit, make up some accusations, and cry about how you feel unsafe. Now that they know it works, it is just another tool in their tool box.
For the record, I'm not any of the things they accuse me of. Despite writing a whole bunch of books, and a ton of political articles, and all of my many personal interactions with fans (I've done up to 15 cons and events in one year), none of these people can ever find any actual examples of me being sexist, racist, or homophobic (and the Guardian looked hard and still came up with nothing).
That's because in reality, I'm a libertarian who does not give a shit who you are, or what you do, and it is none of my business, as long as you stay off my lawn. 🙂
This time they kept calling me a "rape apologist". They dug up that classic that John Scalzi created about me several years ago. It's total nonsense. I spent many years teaching self defense to women, and I'm all in favor of every rape attempt ending with the rapist receiving a couple hollow points to the chest. But that just goes to show the power of lies, rumor, and narrative.
So years later, complete strangers come out of the woodwork to talk about how evil I am. Yeah... That does get tiresome. It is wearying.
I'm really sorry for any fans who were planning on seeing me at Origins. Hopefully I'll get to meet you at some other event.
For me personally, meh. I go to enough events. I'll just do something else fun that weekend.
The saddest person in all of this is my son, who was my plus one. He was looking forward to playing a bunch of games, and then we were going to go to the zoo on Sunday. (They have manatees there!).
Quote from: airboy on May 15, 2018, 09:23:51 AMAs a result, I'm even less happy with the Origins organizers than I was before.
I think the GAMA board, not the employees who run the show, had more to do with this than anything
Either way, it's not a good look, and it's exploding online everywhere today.
We are staying out of it.
It's sad that this BS is seeping into a convention that's about playing games and not politics or safe spaces.
The more I think about this the angrier I get.
Larry Correia is one of the few authors who is a hard core gamer. He plays online games, electronic RPGs, tabletop RPGs (with his kids), paints mineatures and games at conventions. He even has had charity auctions to play an RPG with him. Larry & Jim Butcher are the two reasonably well known authors who actually game.
And then the Origins leadership asks him to be an author guest of honor. Great idea! He actually is active in the hobby and can speak intelligently about it.
Then the asshat leaderhip of Origins turns around in 24 hours and "disinvites" Larry.
I've got Ward's mailing address and I'm strongly considering writing him a physical letter. This was a horrible boneheaded move on his part.
Quote from: airboy on May 15, 2018, 10:37:00 AMLarry & Jim Butcher are the two reasonably well known authors who actually game.
I'd put Matt Forbeck & Michael Stackpole at the top of that list before Correia / Butcher. Not saying they aren't gamers, but Forbeck & Stackpole have decades of both under their belts.
This is Larry's Full statement from monsterhunternation
http://monsterhunternation.com/2018/05/15/statement-concerning-my-being-disinvited-as-the-guest-of-honor-for-origins-game-fair/
Ward is a spineless jerk.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on May 15, 2018, 10:39:18 AM
Quote from: airboy on May 15, 2018, 10:37:00 AMLarry & Jim Butcher are the two reasonably well known authors who actually game.
I'd put Matt Forbeck & Michael Stackpole at the top of that list before Correia / Butcher. Not saying they aren't gamers, but Forbeck & Stackpole have decades of both under their belts.
They are also worthy names. Forbeck has a much stronger game publishing background than he has as a writer of Novels. Butcher & Correia have sold a ton more books than Stackpole. But any of these four would be an excellent choice for Origins - assuming some stupid political thing does not intervene.
I've read a bunch of stuff about this, including tweets and blog posts from Correia. I've reached the conclusion that I still don't care one way or the other.
What is fascinating is just how badly GAMA bungled it. Epic fail.
@mirth: What I told Brant this morning: somebody over there either knew what they were stepping into or they bloody well should have.
No excuse either way.
^yup. Once he was named as a GoH, they guaranteed some group was going to be pissed. That GAMA has managed to piss of all sides is truly impressive.
On the bright side, Origins 2018 will no longer solely be remembered for the Registration Fail.
lol
Ironically, the hardback book I ordered so Larry Correia could sign it for a Christmas present for my brother arrived in this afternoons mail.
Quote from: mirth on May 15, 2018, 11:57:50 AM
On the bright side, Origins 2018 will no longer solely be remembered for the Registration Fail.
True that.
Con organizers are like sports referees. If they do their job properly, people don't think about them. It is bad news when they become part of the story.
Quote from: airboy on May 15, 2018, 01:02:24 PM
Ironically, the hardback book I ordered so Larry Correia could sign it for a Christmas present for my brother arrived in this afternoons mail.
I wonder if you wrote the guy, if you could maybe get him to sign it by sending it to him in the mail? Long shot but who knows.
I'm so upset that the Origins staff disinvited Larry without even contacting him in response to the online slander that it has caused me to question ever attending Origins in the future.
I question if I should contribute money to a group that responds to slander without giving the individual a chance to respond.
I've met Larry, his wife, and his kids. Larry is an avid gamer.
The exact same behavior occurred at CarolinasCon aimed at John Ringo - another libertarian/conservative author. Ringo had his attorney write at least one Cease and Desist letter to those slandering both him and his wife.
seems appropriate
...and this was the early 80s when this one hit papers.
click to enlarge
and yes, it's split into 2 pieces for whatever dumbass reason
Dumb question.....besides saving a few $$$, is there any real big benefit to pre-register? I may try and get there this year since only a couple of hours down the road from me, but it would likely be a last minute thing if I did due to some possible work travel I may need to do around that time. It would likely just be a one day thing for me.
I am not really a board gamer, but thought it might be interesting to browse around.....
Do it!!!
Pre-registering can help you skip the registration lines, but at this point there's no price difference
A one day badge is no biggie and you'll have plenty to see and do :)
GR, I totally second bbmike, DO IT!!!!!!!!!
Origins keeps digging itself deeper on Larry. This is what they sent to the exhibitors:
Good afternoon Exhibitors,
We are a few weeks away from Origins and the anticipation is building!
Things are looking great for this year's show. The Exhibit Hall is officially sold out and badges are currently trending 15% above pre-registration numbers from 2017.
We have taken a brief hiatus from social media but are fully prepared to continue promoting the show and its exhibitors starting this week. Before we begin communicating through social, there are a few things we wanted to bring to your attention.
Some individuals have rallied online with plans to harass companies exhibiting at the show—this is in response to the disinviting of Larry Correia as a guest at Origins.
To provide you with some background: our original decision to invite Larry as a guest at Origins was simple—he's a successful author, has been a guest at other conventions in previous years, and any one that knows him knows that he is big into gaming.
Unfortunately, we were not aware of Mr. Correia's online presence and following. Upon further research we found an abundance of confrontational discourse and polarizing behavior online.
We have nothing against Larry as a person or as a professional, but we have seen the drama that follows him, and we do not want that at Origins.
As an exhibitor at Origins, we wanted you to be aware of the general MO of the group we are explaining:
Company pages are inundated with comments and negative rankings
Employers and publishers are contacted
Messages with keywords regarding to the show are targeted
Time has passed, and things have calmed down, but we should all still be aware of these potential behaviors. If you receive any threats or libel regarding you or your company, please send them to John Ward.
Thank you for your support. Good luck with the final preparations for the show!
Larry's response can be found at:
http://monsterhunternation.com/2018/05/30/origins-sent-out-yet-another-message-about-me-and-my-response/
Who will be at Origins?
On-site book is out
http://originsgamefair.com/wp-content/uploads/Origins_Sitebook_2018.pdf
Quote from: airboy on June 04, 2018, 08:47:10 PM
Who will be at Origins?
The GH booth crew will include
Me
panzerde
Cyrano (and Mrs) (and Jr)
Sterret (and probably Mrs) (and Jr)
Cap'n Darwn (and probably
not Mrs)
BBMike
Streetgang6
rickbill
Orieni
RobertCrandall
IronMikeGolf
As far as just folks stopping by...?
Ardwulf
OJsDad has been at the last few, but not sure about this one
Bayonet Jr is working w/ LNLP again
sounds like GR might make it
BanzaiCat? :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD :DD (j/k - i needed to tease him about it)
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 06, 2018, 07:56:57 AM
On-site book is out
http://originsgamefair.com/wp-content/uploads/Origins_Sitebook_2018.pdf
So looking at the map layout in that book they've split the gaming areas on either side to the exhibit hall?!? They trying to drive more traffic through the exhibitors? That's nots and going to be a pain when that hall is closed.
You guys are at C205? Generic "War Gamers" again.... :P
Quote from: Barthheart on June 06, 2018, 08:43:51 AM
So looking at the map layout in that book they've split the gaming areas on either side to the exhibit hall?!? They trying to drive more traffic through the exhibitors? That's nots and going to be a pain when that hall is closed.
The middle hall is the largest one, and they wanted to expand to accommodate more exhibitors. It's not a great idea, but it's the best they can do w/ the convention center rebuild. One thing the remodeling allows now, that it couldn't do well before, is 2 simultaneous mid-sized conventions is A & C with B as a buffer between them.
Not a big deal for gamers, but a big deal when they've got a farm equipment convention in town at the same time as a big insurance convention or something.
Quote from: Barthheart on June 06, 2018, 08:43:51 AMYou guys are at C205? Generic "War Gamers" again.... :P
Yes, there will be vary angry words this year. I've tried to be polite and patient about it, but this time, especially after multiple repeated assurances from the GAMA staff, has really pissed me off.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 06, 2018, 08:01:51 AM
Quote from: airboy on June 04, 2018, 08:47:10 PM
Who will be at Origins?
sounds like GR might make it
GhostRyder RSVP'd? Bummed I'll be missing this year.
Ha.
Grim.Reaper (look up-thread, or we'll post more puns....)
My apologies to Grim.Reaper.
http://grogheads.com/featured-posts/18528
QuoteOn the eve of our FIFTH time running the GrogHeads Central Command at Origins, we need to make sure everyone knows where to find us, since we're still not labeled as "GrogHeads" in the site book
We're pretty sure the big blue block behind us is the CABS Board Room, but we can't independently confirm that.
So, come find us at the "War Gamers" area. Yeah, we know. We tried to get them to label it right.
You guys are next to Gandalf!
Fly you fools!
:DD
Damn, five days of this...
Is that worse than the They're Taking the Hobbits to Eisengard bit?
Quote from: panzerde on June 08, 2018, 12:10:46 PM
Damn, five days of this...
I'd rather play Hanseatic Wheat Orgy.
Quote from: mirth on June 08, 2018, 12:13:46 PM
I'd rather play Hanseatic Wheat Orgy.
Now, let's not get out of hand, here. That;s like consenting to Balrog sex.
If its a Balrog, I don't think you get an option to not consent.......
Quote from: bob48 on June 08, 2018, 12:18:53 PM
If its a Balrog, I don't think you get an option to consent.......
Just like boredom and playing a Euro. There's no consent involved.
Well, at least I won't be distracted by the Master of Orion board game this year.
No matter what it beats being next to the My 'Lil Pony booth again.
Quote from: panzerde on June 08, 2018, 03:28:20 PM
No matter what it beats being next to the My 'Lil Pony booth again.
Glitter Cavalry!
Greetings all. I wanted to hold off on posting on this thread until I was sure I was going to be able to make it to Origins (I just moved from the UK to the US a couple days ago).
I will be at the Con (my first time ever) and will have the pre-production copy of Pavlov's House (from DVG) with me. My primary reason for being there is to meet with publishers and demo one of my games that was recently released (Orc-lympics from Brain Games).
But what I REALLY want to do is meet the Grogheads crew. So I will make sure to head to Central Command and say hi. If anyone is interested in checking Pavlov's House out, let me know.
Awesome!
We've even got an open-gaming table in our area where you could get Pavlov's House out for a while :)
http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=19848.msg612057#msg612057
That's cool - thanks!
I'm still not sure which days and times I'll be at the Con, but I'll most likely be there all day Friday and Saturday. I know I'll be spending a few hours each day I'm there with Brain games, but other than that I want to focus on wargaming. The open gaming table sounds great. I'll check the sign up sheet as soon as I get there.
Thanks again!
I'm one of the vanity counters in Pavlov's House, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it came out :)!
Very cool! It will be great to meet you!
Arrived early but, hey, I arrived! View westward from the room:
And one for mirth:
You can see my house from there.
I also got to Columbus. I'm going through 9 states this trip.
I did bring the promised books and can drop them off around one if the booth can be accessed.
Hope all goes well for you guys in attendance. May your dice be better than mine usually are.
Someone needs to buy Brant a beer at the bar across the street.
Quote from: mirth on June 13, 2018, 07:10:16 AM
Someone needs to buy Brant a beer at the bar across the street.
Above Barley's....
Quote from: Barthheart on June 13, 2018, 07:11:36 AM
Quote from: mirth on June 13, 2018, 07:10:16 AM
Someone needs to buy Brant a beer at the bar across the street.
Above Barley's....
See if that cute bartender still works there.
Quote from: mirth on June 13, 2018, 07:13:25 AM
Quote from: Barthheart on June 13, 2018, 07:11:36 AM
Quote from: mirth on June 13, 2018, 07:10:16 AM
Someone needs to buy Brant a beer at the bar across the street.
Above Barley's....
See if that cute bartender still works there.
At my age I'll be more focused on the beer! :dreamer:
Took about 2 seconds to get my badge and tokens. :clap:
Quote from: bbmike on June 13, 2018, 07:20:23 AM
Quote from: mirth on June 13, 2018, 07:13:25 AM
Quote from: Barthheart on June 13, 2018, 07:11:36 AM
Quote from: mirth on June 13, 2018, 07:10:16 AM
Someone needs to buy Brant a beer at the bar across the street.
Above Barley's....
See if that cute bartender still works there.
At my age I'll be more focused on the beer! :dreamer:
She could draw your attention.
Quote from: bbmike on June 13, 2018, 07:21:50 AM
Took about 2 seconds to get my badge and tokens. :clap:
And now you get to wait around for four hours?
I just found out about a bar above Barleys!
Elements of the OTS crew will be there about 4ish this afternoon. Barley's is a great place to eat.
I'd buy if I were there.
Quote from: bob48 on June 13, 2018, 09:18:49 AM
I'd buy if I were there.
you can still buy; just PM your CC digits to BBMike
You may not believe this, but we don't use CC's in our family :-)
Western Union should still work. :knuppel2:
He would buy games if here were there, not beer.
;)
So where's all the pics of Fort Kick Ass? :knuppel2:
Quote from: OJsDad on June 13, 2018, 12:23:12 PM
He would buy games if here were there, not beer.
They are not mutually exclusive purchases.
Quote from: Barthheart on June 13, 2018, 03:50:58 PM
So where's all the pics of Fort Kick Ass? :knuppel2:
Twitter
https://twitter.com/GrogHeads/status/1007003666858070017
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 13, 2018, 04:49:58 PM
https://twitter.com/GrogHeads/status/1007003666858070017 (https://twitter.com/GrogHeads/status/1007003666858070017)
Does Origins run for 18 months?
Quote from: mirth on June 13, 2018, 04:51:22 PM
Does Origins run for 18 months?
it wasn't Cyrano running it :)
Quote from: mirth on June 13, 2018, 04:51:22 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 13, 2018, 04:49:58 PM
https://twitter.com/GrogHeads/status/1007003666858070017 (https://twitter.com/GrogHeads/status/1007003666858070017)
Does Origins run for 18 months?
:2funny: :2funny: :2funny:
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 13, 2018, 09:59:31 PM
Quote from: mirth on June 13, 2018, 04:51:22 PM
Does Origins run for 18 months?
it wasn't Cyrano running it :)
I don't think it matters ;)
^It doesn't matter.
Quote from: mirth on June 13, 2018, 10:06:58 PM
^It doesn't matter.
they ran 2 games in 4 hours
I think it matters ;D
Babyspiels
Adorable.
Adoraspiels
I want a dongle :P
^So do I.
Not seeing the fancy banners in any of the vids...?
Quote from: mirth on June 14, 2018, 09:04:57 AM
I want a dongle :P
Got mine!
Had fun today. Played Table Battles tournament. Lost both games, but it's a fun little game.
https://twitter.com/GrogHeads/status/1007373219173548032
https://twitter.com/GrogHeads/status/1007336713981591552
https://twitter.com/GrogHeads/status/1007251869473869824
Quote from: OJsDad on June 14, 2018, 09:22:09 PM
Got mine!
Had fun today. Played Table Battles tournament. Lost both games, but it's a fun little game.
Did pretty well for someone who learned the game five minutes before the tournament!
Quote from: Barthheart on June 14, 2018, 12:47:57 PM
Not seeing the fancy banners in any of the vids...?
paper ones were a little rough around the edges and we didn't have time to clip the corners before the show
Quote from: panzerde on June 14, 2018, 09:42:44 PM
Quote from: OJsDad on June 14, 2018, 09:22:09 PM
Got mine!
Had fun today. Played Table Battles tournament. Lost both games, but it's a fun little game.
Did pretty well for someone who learned the game five minutes before the tournament!
Good instructor.
The live streaming is a nice touch, Brant O0
Quote from: mirth on June 15, 2018, 12:37:42 PM
The live streaming is a nice touch, Brant O0
We're trying - not as much as I'd like b/c we couldn't get the external video camera to stream through the laptop so it's just what we can do on the cell phones.
https://twitter.com/GrogHeads/status/1007717468192718848
(http://grogheads.com/featured-posts/18653)
https://twitter.com/GrogHeads/status/1008094122270343168
Safe trip home guys.
Quote from: OJsDad on June 18, 2018, 11:27:42 AM
Safe trip home guys.
Bayonet Jr and I actually came home last night. We got in around 11pm, but we made it. Father's Day dinner at Bob Evans in Beckley WV, but it was a good day going home.
He was actually getting into the spirit of the after-action feedback with some ideas for the booth for next year.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 18, 2018, 12:12:23 PM
Bayonet Jr and I actually came home last night. We got in around 11pm, but we made it. Father's Day dinner at Bob Evans in Beckley WV, but it was a good day going home.
He was actually getting into the spirit of the after-action feedback with some ideas for the booth for next year.
I've been to Beckley. It's very likely that the two of you possessed the majority of teeth in the town while you were there. Good place to go rafting, though.
Quote from: panzerde on June 18, 2018, 12:23:10 PM
.... Good place to go rafting, though.
To the sound of banjo music.... :o
Quote from: Barthheart on June 18, 2018, 12:24:41 PM
Quote from: panzerde on June 18, 2018, 12:23:10 PM
.... Good place to go rafting, though.
To the sound of banjo music.... :o
I didn't say you'd come back.
It sounds delightful.
Quote from: bob48 on June 18, 2018, 12:44:32 PM
It sounds delightful.
Quiet you. You had a man kill himself trying to prove to his mates that his vest was "stab proof" by, yes, stabbing himself with a knife. I bet he was missing teeth, too.
If teef are that scarce there, i bet one of his mates has 'em now.
Sharing is caring.
Made it back! Driving down I-270 into DC is not as bad on Monday as it is on Sunday, but it is still bad.
Quote from: bbmike on June 18, 2018, 02:46:51 PM
Made it back! Driving down I-270 into DC is not as bad on Monday as it is on Sunday, but it is still bad.
It's DC...
My trip home was #2 all time worst on the suck scale. I was dead stopped on I-65 in South Kentucky for 3+ hours due to a horrific wreck. Probably at least one person died. After 11+ hours on the road I spent the night in Athens, AL. I had a very uneventful 4.5 hours trip on Tuesday morning home.
I've had one worse interstate trip in my life (omitting my car crash) in my life.
Damn, that sucks airboy. Glad you made it home safe. O0
Quote from: airboy on June 19, 2018, 01:14:00 PMAfter 11+ hours on the road I spent the night in Athens, AL.
Should have called MetalDog!
glad you're home in one piece
The Players Aid posted this one on Twitter, but I haven't seen Origins officially release it
QuoteAttendance hit another record high at 18,648, an increase of 1,647 or 8.8% over 2017. Turnstile attendance also hit a record high at 70,765, an increase of 11,807 or 16.7% over 2017.
According to Rogue Cthulhu leadership, average events in previous years have a 60% attendance. This year the Rogue events were running 70%+. The Ogre events were all full. My event had no preregistration, but sold out with newbies who got tickets that day.
^Probably because Steve Jackson was there.
the first of several gameplay galleries from Origins, including Larry Bond's battleship minis game
http://grogheads.com/featured-posts/18999
https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/board-games/news/multiple-reports-of-sexual-harassment-emerge-from-this-years-origins
I heard rumblings about this yesterday.
Honestly, I'm so damn tired after the first day at Origins I can't imagine having the energy to harass anyone even if I wanted to. I can barely work up to taunting my fellow Grogs, let alone have the energy to follow someone back to their hotel. I'm lucky to be able to harass a sammich at lunch time.
Anyone that can manage what's being reported here is not just reprehensible, they're doing Origins really, really wrong.
I'll note that I also had a nice chat with Katie Aidley in the Grogs booth, concerning wargaming - she's a confirmed wargamer - and aside from the fact that she's well-spoken and intelligent (as wargamers tend to be) I also think you'd probably be asking for an ass-kicking if you pulled this crap on her.
Agree, terrible that this is still going on. I also talked to Katie and had the same impression of her. She was even really interested in joining the next Kriegsspiel here! We need people like her in wargaming and those harassing idiots can all go to hell.
FWIW, it appears the harassing asshat was not from the wargaming world
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 21, 2018, 12:31:51 PM
FWIW, it appears the harassing asshat was not from the wargaming world
That was my sense. I mean, if it was we'd probably already know, because anyone that was a major wargame designer was either already in the booth with us or someone we were probably around a good deal.
Goes to show that there's just nothing good about Euros...
I only learned about Katie and her blog due to those reports. I've since subscribed to her blog, she's got amazing taste in games! For those who, like me an hour ago, aren't familiar with her blog, you can find it here: https://katiesgamecorner.com/
Quote from: Advocator on June 21, 2018, 08:07:01 PM
I only learned about Katie and her blog due to those reports. I've since subscribed to her blog, she's got amazing taste in games! For those who, like me an hour ago, aren't familiar with her blog, you can find it here: https://katiesgamecorner.com/
Interesting blog. Some of the games she reviewed are very interesting.
I read the harassment post. Some of what she describes is terrible, others are not. Somebody asking her out is not harassment (as long as they can take no for an answer). Some of it is awful. Emailing pictures and attempting to force affection is wretched. People should report this sort of thing.
I disagree with her statement that the female should just be believed. If you allow one type of person (insert whatever type you wish) to be automatically right if they make any claim, you get tyranny. Some of the activities she described have very clear evidence. And today almost everyone is carrying around a recording device which makes substantiating claims much easier.
I had to deal with some of this BS as an academic administrator. That included telling a parent that their son was lucky to be alive when he failed to break down the apartment door of the girl he was harassing when drunk. An off campus apartment with 4 girls has a high likelihood of a firearm - and going through the door before the cops came could have been death by drunken stupidity. The Dad was aghast that I told him that. This sort of thing is a horrible pain to deal with, but you have to do it if you have the job. But you have to do it right to protect everyone involved. This is not easy and yet another reason I resigned from academic administration.
If asking out somebody you game with is "harassment" I would not have married my wife whom I met through D&D.
Every session I played at Origins, excepting Ogre, had a female GM or female players. The game I ran had four males and two females. The game I ran was rated 17+ for content (drugs, murder, gang wars, bent cops, rape, (and human sacrifice to make the drug - not discovered by my Origins group because they used gang contacts to level the cultists)). Call of Cthulhu is pretty horrible in terms of content, but the sessions were labeled appropriately. I had 3 female GMs for Cthulhu sessions - and the sessions involved cults, murders, and the opportunity to sacrifice party members to appease Serpent Men and let the rest escape depending on the game.
More game pics on the front page
http://grogheads.com/featured-posts/19057
this is the sort of hardcore wargaming that drew me to Origins in the first place
There were discussions in FKA about the utility of My Lil Pony cavalry...
the My Lil Pony cav would slaughter the Smurfs
Quote from: mirth on June 22, 2018, 08:41:02 AM
the My Lil Pony cav would slaughter the Smurfs
Duh! They're mounted!
Quote from: mirth on June 22, 2018, 08:41:02 AM
the My Lil Pony cav would slaughter the Smurfs
It's like you were there!
Stupid Smurfs probably wouldn't even be able to form square.
I don't think the little blue bastards even have buttons on their uniforms!
Official from the Origins web page this morning
QuoteThat's a wrap on Origins 2018!
· Attendance hit another record high at 18,648, an increase of 1,647 from 2017.
· Turnstile attendance also hit a record high at 70,765, an increase of 11,807 from 2017.
Origins continues to experience growth while maintaining a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Every year, the show expands its range in entertainment, offering events and activities that target different fandoms and interests.
From all our staff, board of directors, volunteers, exhibitors and show co-sponsor, Dungeons & Dragons, we want to share a huge THANK YOU!
Origins Game Fair 2019 is scheduled to be held June 12-16 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Hotel blocks with group rates will open for reservations September 2018.
That jives with what we've seen elsewhere, but this is the official version :)
(and surprisingly, the page didn't crash when accessing this)
From Origins 6
Quote
GAMA Members,
An incident arose through social media at Origins this year pointing out some specific allegations of harassment.
This illicit behavior is a clear violation of our show policies.
This serious allegation has not been taken lightly. We are committed to handling this in a thorough and professional manner. To ensure that a thorough review of any allegation is conducted, we must have statements from individuals with firsthand knowledge of the event. Unfortunately, that did not happen in this instance so gathering the information is taking more time. We understand that it can be difficult to come forward and share a statement after an incident occurs, but with the cooperation from individuals involved we can address these situations in a timely fashion.
As we demonstrated earlier this year, we take harassment very seriously and are committed to providing a safe, welcoming and fun environment for everyone at the show.
We are interviewing all parties involved and gathering statements from witnesses who viewed the incident firsthand. We owe all parties involved a fair process to gather the facts and discern as much as possible those confirmed elements before we act. The ramifications of an unjustified response are simply irreplaceably damaging.
Part of our process review is acknowledging that we need to broaden the community services available for attendees at the show. This includes less intrusive methods for reporting issues of harassment while still ensuring we have firsthand reporting and providing a more welcoming setting if an attendee is not comfortable with speaking directly to law enforcement or show staff.
We are working with the community to enhance those services, adding Victim Services staff as another avenue for attendees to report violations. We are also working with the Columbus Police Department to establish an online reporting process that is immediately accessible to everyone, less intrusive yet still capable of channeling vital information to us on-site so we can act appropriately. We want this process to be non-intrusive and user-friendly so that any person experiencing/witnessing harassment feels comfortable reporting the issue.
It is very important that if you are being harassed or are in any way endangered, you report it immediately. We cannot address issues that are unreported and void specific details that only those individuals with firsthand knowledge can provide.
The idea that this sort of behavior is happening disturbs us greatly and we simply will not tolerate harassment in any form.
We want to work together as a community to ensure that everyone is being treated fairly and equally.
Thank you
https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/22/17494500/sexual-harassment-origins-board-game-fair
Nailed it
Quote"I'm tired of being polite and non-accusatory," writes abigalia. "There is a problem with how women are treated in this hobby. It's not the Magic players. It's not a few random men. It's pervasive and it's frustrating and, since it doesn't impact the majority, it's not taken seriously. At the same time, men wonder why so few women are in the hobby. Often, I see a lack of interest in difficult games blamed. That's wrong. The reason women don't join the hobby is not the games, it's the men."
Just so I clear, the accuser never reported this during Origins, but posted on Facebook later.
Quote from: OJsDad on June 22, 2018, 08:00:58 PM
Just so I clear, the accuser never reported this during Origins, but posted on Facebook later.
Nope.
Ok, so she did report it at Origins.
Quote from: OJsDad on June 22, 2018, 08:07:41 PM
Ok, so she did report it at Origins.
Yes and she was not the one who first broke it to social media.
Thanks. Just trying to understand.
No problem, but this has been public knowledge for the better part of a week.
I didn't know anything about until it was posted here.
It's a long story and there are undoubtedly details to come.
Whatever happened at Origins to Katie, she did report it to GAMA and she was not the first person to talk about it on social media. She responded after others talked about it. I know because I follow Katie and a lot of other people/groups who were at Origins.
Thanks. I didnt think I was interpreting what I was reading, correctly. Thus my original question.
Idea: Grogheads cant stand aside any longer and so could plan a female site sub division
it will be visible only for registered members and male member have to apply for write access ?
dude... :pullhair: :-\ :idiot2: L:-)
:-"
Not remotely funny.
C:-) C:-) C:-)
MOD HAT ON
Mike - I tried to gently nudge you to clean it up, but now I'm in mod mode. Please remove the graphic and references to it. If one of the mod team does it, there's a vacation attached.
This sort of behavior is not funny and is exactly the sort of bullshit that women in wargaming deal with and shouldn't have to
We'll circle back around to this at 1600 GMT to check
<:-) <:-) <:-)
PARTY HAT BACK ON
1] I'm glad they reported it. Was it off-venue or on-venue? I'm asking because most of the close by brew-pubs had company events.
2] If there were one or two incidents out of 18,000 attendees there is not a widespread problem. Specific reports should be investigated and acted upon if warranted, but again 18,000 attendees over 5 days something will happen. At a major college football game with 100,000 attending there will be fights, drug arrests, DUIs and other things from that many people.
if a women get verbally harassed on a fair, or elsewhere in public with people around she should immediately slap that guy into the face with clear audible strength. like a lady does!
if the now humiliated and surly surprised pig dares to start a ruckus and the police had to show up, when he confessed his words they file a charge against him in addition.
(astriction: the woman does has to have the looks that incident was at least plausible to the cops when the guy claims 'that crazy bitch suddenly assaulted me')
if a women get physical harassed on a fair, she should call the cops immediately.
but please don't wait a few years in silence and then suddenly start bloggin about it or cry out in social media....its so pathetic #meetoo #meetoo the latest thing
i know what i am talkin about
My EO worked as 1Class flight attendance and later some similar service jobs in her early years to finance her studies ...you can imagine the rest.
That was her immediate reaction (internal Lufthansa training policy too), it worked extremely well and was supported by the pilot in charge or restaurant Patrons
Quote from: MikeGER on June 23, 2018, 11:09:00 AM
if a women get verbally harassed on a fair, or elsewhere in public with people around she should immediately slap that guy into the face with clear audible strength.
No.
Quote from: MikeGER on June 23, 2018, 11:09:00 AM
(astriction: the woman does has to have the looks that incident was at least plausible to the cops when the guy claims 'that crazy bitch suddenly assaulted me')
No.
I'm genuinely curious to hear what you guys think, especially those that go to Origins regularly (heh) -
Would it be fair to say there are still attendees that are socially awkward/introverted individuals that have no idea how to behave around women? Or other people in general?
I'm definitely NOT trying to excuse the individual's behavior - but I've known dudes that are "that guy" that joins your game group at some point, and almost immediately you know there's something off about them, as they say really inappropriate/weird things, but that's their attempt at being social. You'd vote them as 'most likely to machine-gun a mall.' In their mind, they're hilarious, but when the tires meet the road, it comes across exactly the opposite.
When I worked these conventions, most people were really nice and great to talk to. But there was always the 10% that were creepy, weird, smelled bad, made off-color jokes, and would go on at length about the oddest and most inappropriate things.
Again, not to excuse this or any other individual engaging in this behavior; just wondering if the intent behind those words was real or if they really thought they were being funny.
I think that this is not going to change, that some will STILL be like this, but maybe getting this to light will mean they think twice before they open their mouths and say something like that to someone they don't know.
I've been going to Origins and GenCon for about 10 years now. It's getting better. You're seeing more, for want of a better word, normal people. But you still have people from that 10% group you referenced. It's less than it used to be (at some of my first trips to GenCon, we would play Gamer or Vagrant, it was harder than it should have been), but it's there.
Thing is, you can usually spot those people a mile away. And for better or worse, no one is caught off guard by their sometimes inappropriate behavior. It's the ones that look like your average everyday person that are the bigger issue. And, outside of blatant playtest my penis comments, they probably don't recognize their own behavior that makes others feel uncomfortable.
This thread on reddit high lights some of the things some men will do, likely without even realizing it: https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/8t0wpb/are_you_gonna_play_the_victim_all_life_long_my/
Some of that stuff can be subtle, even unconscious. I think that's where the bigger issues are not because they are more serious than things like cornering people or downblousing, but because of their greater prevalence. I've seen all of those things mentioned happen at local stores, meet ups, and conventions. Maybe I notice it because my local gaming groups are a decent mix of men and women, heck, my old d&d group was 50/50 or maybe because the girl who came up with Gamer or Vagrant was anything but shy about calling people on their behavior (e.g., "I've got a vagina, not brain damage," really curtailed the condescending rule explanations).
Regardless, I've seen things get better, but it's still out there if you look for it.
Quote from: BanzaiCat on June 25, 2018, 08:01:55 AMbut I've known dudes that are "that guy" that joins your game group at some point, and almost immediately you know there's something off about them, as they say really inappropriate/weird things
Not really what was happening here
Quote from: BanzaiCat on June 25, 2018, 08:01:55 AMbut that's their attempt at being social
Unwarranted lewd propositions are not an attempt at being social, nor is stalking someone back to her hotel
Just to be clear, there were several incidents, involving different women, that are under investigation.
At least one of the guys is (apparently) a known cad with a reputation for being an asshole to women.
Moreover, near as anyone can tell (and the investigation is still ongoing) no one is complaining that "some guy asked to buy me a drink and I said no and we never talked again but that's still harassment".
But if you want to see what asshats men can be around gaming, hang out where you can watch the FPG booth for a while and after an hour or so, you'll be embarrassed on behalf of men everywhere.
Just so I'm being clear, I was referencing the 'playtest my penis' comment, not the stalking-back-to-the-hotel behavior.
Quote from: BanzaiCat on June 25, 2018, 08:56:31 AM
Just so I'm being clear, I was referencing the 'playtest my penis' comment, not the stalking-back-to-the-hotel behavior.
nope - that guy is the known cad
as Ardwulf noted
https://twitter.com/Ardwulf/status/1009464035501379585
and
https://twitter.com/Ardwulf/status/1009464239839416321
here's the biggest takeaway I've seen from the majority of people asking about these incidents around the web:
most of the questions being asked might be acceptable if there was actual root-cause-analysis to address the behavior, but it too often seems like the "root-cause-analysis" to try and excuse the behavior as though it's acceptable and everyone just needs to "get over it"
(note, this is not a GH problem; it's a gaming-across-the-web problem)
Lots o' photos
http://grogheads.com/featured-posts/19130
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 25, 2018, 09:06:14 AM
here's the biggest takeaway I've seen from the majority of people asking about these incidents around the web:
most of the questions being asked might be acceptable if there was actual root-cause-analysis to address the behavior, but it too often seems like the "root-cause-analysis" to try and excuse the behavior as though it's acceptable and everyone just needs to "get over it"
(note, this is not a GH problem; it's a gaming-across-the-web problem)
According to my wife (same age as I am), there is a small proportion of incredibly crude males out there. Today she got an incredibly crude comment from a random male at Wal-Mart. I mention this because I had told her about the Origins stuff. We were about 99% in agreement.
1] It is a mistake to assume that because of race, age, sex, or whatever that one person is "right."
2] Get the evidence
3] When warranted, publically sanction the individual.
Quote from: Advocator on June 25, 2018, 08:41:42 AM
I've been going to Origins and GenCon for about 10 years now. It's getting better. You're seeing more, for want of a better word, normal people. But you still have people from that 10% group you referenced. It's less than it used to be (at some of my first trips to GenCon, we would play Gamer or Vagrant, it was harder than it should have been), but it's there.
Thing is, you can usually spot those people a mile away. And for better or worse, no one is caught off guard by their sometimes inappropriate behavior. It's the ones that look like your average everyday person that are the bigger issue. And, outside of blatant playtest my penis comments, they probably don't recognize their own behavior that makes others feel uncomfortable.
This thread on reddit high lights some of the things some men will do, likely without even realizing it: https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/8t0wpb/are_you_gonna_play_the_victim_all_life_long_my/
Some of that stuff can be subtle, even unconscious. I think that's where the bigger issues are not because they are more serious than things like cornering people or downblousing, but because of their greater prevalence. I've seen all of those things mentioned happen at local stores, meet ups, and conventions. Maybe I notice it because my local gaming groups are a decent mix of men and women, heck, my old d&d group was 50/50 or maybe because the girl who came up with Gamer or Vagrant was anything but shy about calling people on their behavior (e.g., "I've got a vagina, not brain damage," really curtailed the condescending rule explanations).
Regardless, I've seen things get better, but it's still out there if you look for it.
That was an interesting link. In some ways horrifying and depressing, but interesting.
Even back in the early 1980s I had trouble understanding why anyone would be patronizing to someone walking up with ready money in a business situation. One of my buddies (female accounting major) rolled her eyes and said that "when money can be made the only color you ever see is green." I've taught sales for almost three decades now. One of the big things we work on is how to ask good questions and to carefully listen before you pitch something. Both are critical selling skills that are necessary for basic competence.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 25, 2018, 09:33:18 PM
Lots o' photos
http://grogheads.com/featured-posts/19130
The Academy Games 1754 modeled terrain map with miniatures was really cool. O0
Quote from: bbmike on June 26, 2018, 05:19:40 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 25, 2018, 09:33:18 PM
Lots o' photos
http://grogheads.com/featured-posts/19130
The Academy Games 1754 modeled terrain map with miniatures was really cool. O0
I know. I wonder if they set that up in the warehouse sometimes just for the staff to game
Pretty sure folks liked the Kriegspiel
Can I change my answer? I want to point out how cool the Kriegsspeil was...
Quote from: panzerde on June 27, 2018, 04:35:56 PM
Can I change my answer? I want to point out how cool the Kriegsspeil was...
I suspect we have it covered :)
Woah, woah, woah...
Why did no one mention the Kriegsspiel?
Or Purple Prussians...
You put me first. I'm not sure how I feel about that or the fact that I didn't talk about Kriegspiel.
Quote from: Advocator on June 27, 2018, 06:54:28 PM
You put me first. I'm not sure how I feel about that or the fact that I didn't talk about Kriegspiel.
They ordered me not to talk about Kriegspiel. :hide:
First rule of Kriesgspiel is, you don't talk about Kriegspiel.
I watched the video, but I'm not clear how many people were in the big Kriegsspiel game :P
I believe everyone but me.
Speaking of Kriegspiel, I was told there was going to be an online one starting up... has that happened and I completely missed it (which is likely)?
They're regrouping from the last 18 month online Kriegsspiel ;)
Nothing missed at all.
Quite the contrary, e-mail to you forthcoming shortly from the cryptically titled jenacampaign AT gmail DOT com.
Speaking of which, BC, could you fire an e-mail to that address so I have your contact information there?
Thanks,
Jim
^ Done, thank you.
Vendor Hall pix today... and no, we're not done with picture galleries
What happened to the harassment complaints?
Quote from: airboy on July 02, 2018, 06:56:42 PM
What happened to the harassment complaints?
Never saw a follow-up but I'm sure there are privacy laws at play
Quote from: bayonetbrant on July 02, 2018, 07:16:42 PM
Quote from: airboy on July 02, 2018, 06:56:42 PM
What happened to the harassment complaints?
Never saw a follow-up but I'm sure there are privacy laws at play
I hope not. If there was a participant who ends up being sanctioned for horrible behavior towards con participants then the name should be public. If it is not public, then the same behavior will be seen at other conventions.
It would be nice to know what came of it.
It has been almost 2 months since my last query - but anyone know what the outcome of the harassment complaints was?
Definitely not anything new showing up online.