Long time no blog, and lessons learned from my first Historicon run!

Well, it has been a while since I last posted to this humble blog. I am surprised I have any readers left at all! But, I have crossed off an item on the bucket list!

I ran events at Historicon.

So, what did I learn....a lot!

In fact I wrote the lessons down because I think they bear out for anyone considering running a game at any convention!

Historicon 2015 Lessons Learned

1.       Prep is everything. I could have been better prepared and well, I forgot some crucial items that made the first demo into a near disaster. The second went well because I did crash prep with Annie’s help. No more of this. I want to be ready 30 days out from the convention from now on!

2.       Looks of my table. My tables were fair to middling at best for the demo, and the second game while very good, could have been better. So, how do we fix this?

-          More terrain (build it or buy, I am thinking build)

-          Better storage arrangements (Preserve what I do have longer).

-          Get rid of anything that doesn’t contribute to the look I want.

3.       Poise, I have to stop being nervous. I am good at this, really good, and I have proved it in the past as I used to run Battletech successfully, a lot. So, you have slain the Historicon beast, now, let’s do it again, only better.

4.       Organization, get a system and stick with it!



I am back, and Historicon 2012

Well, I came, I saw, I shopped. Historicon 2012 has come and gone from Fredricksburg and I was impressed with the venue, to say the least.

Things I liked were:

1. Light. There was enough of it and my memories of the Host being lit so poorly you could mistake Japanese for Soviets in 15mm scale is a thing of the past, one hopes.

2. Space. The flea market could be leisurely walked through (comparatively) and we didn't even FILL the open gaming space. Expansion room is going to be available.

3. Staff. The staff were nice, helpful and they knew the answers to your questions.

4. Affordability. By gum, the food on premises was pretty affordable, and there was plenty of GOOD food on premises. 

5. Accessibility. The site was accessible from Amtrak (The cab ride cost me $7) and I didn't hear a bad word about MOST of the hotels (With the singular exception of the nearby Econo Lodge). 

Most of the complaints were minor:
1. Noise: Yes, it was an issue in the open gaming area and I think some skull sweat needs to be applied towards it for next year.

2. Signage: There needs to be better directions as to where things are. A venue I was looking for described as "being in the ballroom". It wasn't. That's ok, but that does need to be worked on.

3. Bathrooms: Simply put, I don't think the convention staff planned well for the bathroom needs for 3,000 middle aged men descending on the place for 4 days. I heard toilet paper became hard currency (joking). Let's just say it's an issue for me.

But all in all, I do prefer this venue to Lancaster. It's an expandable venue. The climate control was bearable, the venue was well lit and didn't smell like warmed over funeral parlor. HMGS can grow with this place. We cannot grow with the Host. It's that simple.

And some of the games that were put on looked fantastic. I didn't get into anything other than a Battletech grinder as I was only down for the day. I will put up photos later, but there was just a fantastic set of games and terrain out there.

I saw friends old and new, including some I thought I'd NEVER see again. Patrick, you fecking loon, you shoulda told me to buy Fireball Forward! (j/k).

Here's to next year, and me FINALLY running something at Historicon!

A Decision has been made...

Well, it seems Baltimore is no more for Historicon 2010.

It's now at Valley Forge

I am left with more than a bit of a bad taste in my mouth over this. And I for one, do not plan to attend. In my opinion, and it's my opinion alone, this matter was handled badly probably from the start. Let's not bring up the fact that politics probably reared it's ugly head.

Honestly, having gone to the location in Baltimore, I didn't think that it was that bad a venue, and from what I have heard as to what the proposed venue in Valley Forge will be, I am less than pleased as to the prospects. Supposedly, it's an even worse venue than the Host. Historicon was growing by leaps and bounds, and the Host, as venerable as it was, was straining to hold the con. So, HMGS-East has decided not to make changes and instead, took a step backward.

I wish them well, but I won't be there to see this debacle.

Pete Panzeri Resigns...MIght Historicon be moving again?

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=183831

My reaction to this on The Miniatures Page is one of shock, as I didn't know Pete was sick..Get well, sir. And, wondering if the BoD is about to anger the other half of HMGS who supported the move. I'm not saying anything will change before 2011. More than likely, it won't. The convention center contracts are usually iron-clad, and getting out of them usually include lots of money, and remembering the bad old days when HMGS always seemed on the edge of financial "dear god, dear god, we're all gonna die." land, I would hope any decision is made with due deliberation.

The following facts, however, need to be addressed.

1) The Host is running out of room and for many, is neither easy to get to, or easy to get around at. Hell, the last time I was there, I remember con organizers were limiting how many folks entered the Flea Market at one time because the Fire Marshal had been less than pleased.

2) Lancaster PA is not near major transportation hubs. Baltimore is. Are you going to pay a little more? Sure. But methinks it all comes out in the wash.

3) We need a facility that can grow with the con..From what I'm hearing, Historicon attendance is actually increasing by leaps and bounds. We need a facility that can grow with that.

That said, if there are financial matters that require review...then by all means, review. I simply ask that folks take a deep breath and not say Baltimore/Lancaster or Fight!

And, in an unrelated story! It's POST # 50! WHOOOOHOOO!!!!

Wow, lots to say!

Ok, I attended the Gaming in Education day in Baltimore on Saturday, and I for the most part, liked what I saw. The vendors area was predictably blah, I was hoping Wargamers was going to bring some 20mm, but sadly, only their Essex 15mm made the trip. I did have a good day in the Flea Market, and found some items I could use for 20mm WWII. As for games..the pickings were good, if sparse, and I did three games yesterday. The first was an Ambush Alley game where we insurgents were pretty hapless till our mortar finally found the range. I then played a MTB game hosted by Buck Surdu..it was a bit confusing and the rules were a little too loosy-goosy and card dependent for me. Then, I played in a North Point scenario (there were THREE North Point games that day), it was fun, but the homebrew rules were meant to handle larger units I think and the scenario was a bit more smash mouth-frontal assault than most of the GMs work, but hey, I like buckets of dice games! But, yeah, the casualties were reaching ACW/WWI levels.

What did I think overall?

Pros:
- Easy access to public transportation and food, with good airy venue that was well lit.
- More space= More events
- Security was in evidence.
- Staff was knowledgeable and friendly.

Cons:
- Food at the convention hall wasn't cheap.
- It's a hike to the amenities (Starbucks, ATM, etc).
- Parking might be a challenge, though it is said the Orioles are going to be away this H-Con.

My recommendation? If you're coming in from DC/NOVA, or local..park your car at BWI or a point along the Baltimore Light rail. It's a real easy thing to deal with, passes are $3.50 all day and the stop's across the street. The train runs till 12:35 AM and if you're staying that late, you might wanna reconsider driving. BWI's parking is $8 a day uncovered and $10 a day covered..if you want to go totally public transport...take the B30 express from Greenbelt metro to BWI, and catch the light rail from there..be advised though..the last bus back to Greenbelt is 10:45 PM. But, it got me there and back with very little fuss. Cost one way? $3.50 for the light rail day pass, $3.00 for the express bus one way and $1.85 on the metro...$8.35 is my total 1 way cost for a trip of about an hour and a half, including wait time.

I'll have some pics up soon, but I think all in all, we're looking good for 2010 and 2011. I canceled my hotel room and plan on shuttling back and forth for my con attendance.

Back again, sorry about the hiatus.

Well,
Been doing a lot of Classic Battletech lately. Same as for the last two years. But I found a new organization, the Silver Spring Civic Guard, and here's hoping they're easier to get to that NOVAG was. Also, found out PW's been reformed. Got to get in touch with Fred, but we'll see. Won't be the same without Wally Simon though.
In other news, I made a killer trade with D.Chris Seabolt of Dansville Wargamers for a few Russian needs and some nice looking terrain. More details, and hopefully, some pictures later. He's a great guy, and a hail fellow well met, so I want to give him a shout out here, even if he is a Marine...
As for my two cents, well, the rumors are swirling about a potential move of Historicon to Baltimore. TMP is all abuzz about it here. Frankly, I am cautiously optimistic and hope for the best, but I have a bad feeling this will become mired in the usual BoD politics one sees swirl around HMGS. If they move to Baltimore, I have to be honest, it probably will be a good thing. Transportation for a lot of folks will be easier, and though costs will go up, I think the benefits will go up as well. Just so long as they don't move to Timonium. That was an unmitigated disaster.