Can This Be Run More at Conventions?

[Thunderforge]

Two weeks ago was Origins Game Fair, the second-largest gaming convention in North America (beaten only by GenCon). For the last few years, I noticed that nobody was running Traveller (or Paranoia, or any of the other games from Mongoose). Fortunately, this year there were a few games of Paranoia and I ran a session of Traveller, which consisted of part character creation and part scenario.

Preregistration for my game quickly sold out and I had a full table. The players were both old (having played Traveller since 1977) and new (having never played). But the sentiment around the table was pretty universal: they all loved Traveller, but wished it was run more at conventions. One player pointed out that my game was the only Traveller game at either Origins or GenCon this year. In other words, this was the only game of Mongoose Publishing's flagship product at either of the largest gaming conventions in the United States!

This really surprised me. I figured that maybe Mongoose would try to have some sort of GM rewards program to encourage their games to be run at conventions and introduce their products to new players, but apparently that's not in the cards.

So please do your best to run Traveller and the other Mongoose games at conventions. And tell Mongoose that they should do what they can to help spread the word about the games we love!

 

[IanBruntlett]

So please do your best to run Traveller and the other Mongoose games at conventions. And tell Mongoose that they should do what they can to help spread the word about the games we love!

OK... I'm currently on a reading break from running MgT games... I have read books about creative writing, Game Mastering (Dominic Wasch), most of Spinward Marches and am finishing off by re-reading the Core Rule Book. After that I'm going to develop the Regina sub-sector (my first stab at world creation) with a view to resume running the Secrets of the Ancients campaign.

Prior to running MgT I ran AD&D2e games based in the World of Greyhawk with some Ravenloft thrown in.

I live in the UK (Northumberland). I don't drive. One day I might run games at a convention one day but would probably need help with logistics and accommodation.

So what kind of experience and expertise do you need to run official games at a tournament?

 

[Gypsy Knights Games]

We run games at conventions we attend. Unfortunately, we're not able to get to either Origins or GenCon (where I understand there are no Traveller games on the schedule either) this year. We've been to several regional conventions (we're in the southeast US) and if you're in the area you may see us there.

We're hoping to get to more conventions next year as well. And if there is anyone who'd like to run some of our material at a convention, get in contact with me as we might be able to help you a bit.

 

[LimeyDragon]

Join the MI Program, Would you like to know more...
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/demoteams.htm

 

[jaiden]

Two weeks ago was Origins Game Fair, the second-largest gaming convention in North America (beaten only by GenCon). For the last few years, I noticed that nobody was running Traveller (or Paranoia, or any of the other games from Mongoose). Fortunately, this year there were a few games of Paranoia and I ran a session of Traveller, which consisted of part character creation and part scenario.

Preregistration for my game quickly sold out and I had a full table. The players were both old (having played Traveller since 1977) and new (having never played). But the sentiment around the table was pretty universal: they all loved Traveller, but wished it was run more at conventions. One player pointed out that my game was the only Traveller game at either Origins or GenCon this year. In other words, this was the only game of Mongoose Publishing's flagship product at either of the largest gaming conventions in the United States!

This really surprised me. I figured that maybe Mongoose would try to have some sort of GM rewards program to encourage their games to be run at conventions and introduce their products to new players, but apparently that's not in the cards.

So please do your best to run Traveller and the other Mongoose games at conventions. And tell Mongoose that they should do what they can to help spread the word about the games we love!

Thanks for running it. I was the one who insisted on hiring two guides, and had a great time I'll try to run something at the next con (not sure which or when yet though)

 

[Elrick]

I run Traveller at several conventions in the UK - mostly 3rd Imperium, although I have run HALO in the past and I'm running a 2300AD game at Continuum in July.

Origins is just a bit far for me though...

 

[IanBruntlett]

I run Traveller at several conventions in the UK - mostly 3rd Imperium, although I have run HALO in the past and I'm running a 2300AD game at Continuum in July.

Origins is just a bit far for me though...

Which conventions? How far away are they from Northumberland?

 

[Thunderforge]

Hey all, thanks for the positive feedback! I'm glad to hear that this isn't falling on deaf ears!

Join the MI Program, Would you like to know more...
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/demoteams.htm

I had no idea that existed! It looks like a great program (and the rewards are very generous), but unfortunately I can't run three con games every six months (the requirement for active status), so I won't be able to participate.

So what kind of experience and expertise do you need to run official games at a tournament?

It seems like all you have to do is sign up for the Mongoose Infantry if you want it to be "official," but I think just having a love for the system and a good scenario in mind is enough to run a good game at a convention.

Thanks for running it. I was the one who insisted on hiring two guides, and had a great time I'll try to run something at the next con (not sure which or when yet though)

Haha, that was pretty funny hiring two redshirt guides because you were sure that the first one would get killed! Good luck with what you are running next con, whatever it may be!

 

[CosmicGamer]

I had no idea that existed! It looks like a great program (and the rewards are very generous), but unfortunately I can't run three con games every six months (the requirement for active status), so I won't be able to participate.

Took a look at this and a nearby gaming retailer letting you post a sign up sheet and host a game counts.

I also think you can qualify by running multiple demonstrations at the same convention.

 

[GypsyComet]

The man who ran Traveller religiously at GenCon for many years, Clay Bush, died a few years back. Sorry to hear that no one has taken his place.

Various Traveller editions pop up at the west coast conventions, and I've both run them and played in them.

 

[Elrick]

I run Traveller at several conventions in the UK - mostly 3rd Imperium, although I have run HALO in the past and I'm running a 2300AD game at Continuum in July.

Origins is just a bit far for me though...

Which conventions? How far away are they from Northumberland?

I used to travel all over for shows from Aberdeen to Frankfurt, but once I had kids money started to be a limiting factor.

These days generally I run games at Dragonmeet in London (November), Conception in Hampshire (January), Continuum in Leicester (July) and Conquest in Derby (April/May time). I have also run Traveller at Furnace in Sheffield (October), although not this year.

I do know there is a show in Edinburgh every spring and one has just started up in Newcastle which is supposed to be twice a year. I couldn't get to the first Newcastle one in May because I was busy, but they are planning another one in November I think.

There is also Travcon (a three day residential show near Sawtry in Cambridgeshire every March/April) which is just Traveller. I don't always get to that one, even though I'm probably only 10 miles from it.

Whereabouts in Northumberland are you?

 

[IanBruntlett]

Whereabouts in Northumberland are you?

Bedlington (South East Northumberland). From what I've seen on this thread, one day, sometime in the future, I might run a Traveller game in my FLGS in Newcastle. Or in one of the Morpeth Gaming club's meetings. I'm hoping to move house soon so there's nothing definite for the short term.

 

[GamerDude]

Hey all, thanks for the positive feedback! I'm glad to hear that this isn't falling on deaf ears!

Join the MI Program, Would you like to know more...
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/demoteams.htm

I had no idea that existed! It looks like a great program (and the rewards are very generous), but unfortunately I can't run three con games every six months (the requirement for active status), so I won't be able to participate.

So what kind of experience and expertise do you need to run official games at a tournament?

It seems like all you have to do is sign up for the Mongoose Infantry if you want it to be "official," but I think just having a love for the system and a good scenario in mind is enough to run a good game at a convention.

The MI program is a fantastic program... of all the companies I've been with over the years (since 1998) the MI is one of the best.

You can call it a "GM Rewards Program" if you want - since any member of a demo team is the GM at their events.

Personally I attend six cons a year in my region (WA/OR/MT) and average a low of 27 hrs of GMing (3-day cons) to a high of 36 hrs (at 4-day cons). I've worked Gencon twice for WotC GMing all day in their booth (and then running an adventure or so in the RPGA room after that).

Last Gencon I was supposed to go as part of a company... glad I ended up parting ways because I don't go to Gencon to be stuck in one of the big halls or something doing what I do the rest of the year... I want to be in the booth showing large groups of people how great a company is running quick demos of the RPG or Minis games etc. (Which I'll be doing this year).

 

[Putraack]

I've been surprised that Traveller isn't more visible at Origins or any of my local cons. For years, I don't recall ever seeing a Trav. adventure being played, and I suspect that's a reason I know so few players of it.

 

[crossmlk]

Thunderforge,
Thanks for running the adventure at Origins, I had the privilege of playing in it and had a great time.

In the future please feel free to reach out to me for product support. If you're going to be running conventions games in the future we want to do what we can to make the experience special to players. That goes for anybody running convention games, we'll do what we can to support you.

Thanks,

 

[rcbecker1]

First off remember for having a good size fan base it is nothing like D&D or Pathfinder or some other very popular games. Also remember Mongoose cant force people to be reps for there company so they have to settle with people who are willing to do this in there spare time as volunteers. We have mentioned it to several people here and the first thing they say is oh I cant do that much to join the Mongoose Infantry. So as you can see it takes time and devotion to a game and the company making the game to support it. It takes more than playing it for there game group for this to happen. Next what games do you like if you love traveller then you promote it. If your favorite game is Starfleet then you promote that. Well rounded Gm's will promote more than one game but there are limits to how many different games you can tote to a con not to mention rules sets to learn. I run lots of mini events which is more intensive when you figure things being toted to the con versus rpg's so in my opinion even more work. This year Im running demo's for Acta SF, Acta NA and VAS at Dragon Con. So my arms will be full when I show up at there doors to run my events. Dont forget the expenses when talking about running events that are not local to where you live.
Maybe some of you will sign up and we can get lots of games for next year.

 

[rcbecker1]

At least in Germany support is none. The few Traveller scenarios you find are CT,Mega or TNE, the local licence owner barely makes FeenCon (One of the 5 big ones in Germany) and the Traveller Forums are silent. The last german version was a lousy and little supported CT version in the late 1980's so there is litte base and those mostly prefer MT/TNE/GT and won't support MgT since „no benefit" exists for them. Add in FLGS dying, Amazon delivering late and CC/Paypal not that well liked and MgT is almost aot here

what do you meen no benefit from Mongoose?

What does aot meen?

 

[rcbecker1]

Well for that it takes a fan who owns Mongoose Traveler to go to those cons and run games and support the product. For that the fan if he is a rep gets credit for Mongoose product which gives him something for his hard work. Now what this comes down to is for some one who likes this version of Traveler to do this, if no one in Germany is interested then there is no support in Germany. Since I live in the USA obviously It wont be me, but in my area I support it the best I can. Mongoose as a gaming company same as most, probably will never go to cons in different countries so its left up to fans.

 

[rcbecker1]

But if you sign up with mongoose as a rep (Mongoose Infantry) then run demoes would Mongoose not give you support as they do for reps in other countries.
Ray

 

[rust]

I seem to remember that 13Mann did pay its supporters in kind, they
got the new Traveller publications for free. However, I have lost the
contact with the members of the original supporter team, and do not
know how 13Mann handles it today.

A short while ago 13Mann announced that they will translate and pub-
lish Traveller 5, too. I am not convinced that this is a good idea, the
German market for Traveller products is hardly big enough for Mon-
goose Traveller, and I doubt that many people will spend money on
yet another version published at the same time.

But at least the new version means that 13Mann will have to improve
its support for the game, including presence at conventions, because
otherwise the project is in serious risk to become stillborn.