2014 Feedback

[CashWiley]

Actual feedback when I get to a real computer, but as far as the auction goes, I was in a class and gave away my 1140 to the group. Hopefully I can snag a few items from the pool, but either way I'm happy people had fun and the auction wasn't even on my radar.

 

Be friendly, talk to people at the con and join the forum discussions. I only had met two people prior to attending the con(and I had metboth of them on the forum prior to paint day), but I knew more people than I didn't due to the forums.

[Hymn]

...join the forum discussions. I only had met two people prior to attending the con(and I had metboth of them on the forum prior to paint day), but I knew more people than I didn't due to the forums.

 

Yep, this seems like a "must" ... especially when it comes from a user with 6,440 posts.

[klarg1]

I may try to post more thoughts later, but I wanted to comment on the auction now:

 

For me, pooling actually made the experience better. It helped me share my auction experience with the people around me. The pool I was in got me an iPhone case, but I could have afforded that with my own Reaper Bucks. Thanks to the pool, whatever was left over went to "buying" stuff for other people, and that was fun for me too.

 

I like the low-price items, like branded swag, but I think easily splittable items provide the best bang for the buck, in terms of sending people away with goodies in-hand. Paint sets, boxed mini collections, vampire boxes, etc. are all things that can be split a few ways, allowing 2-5 people to pool their funny money and walk away with a prizes for all of them.

 

 

Added:

 

...join the forum discussions. I only had met two people prior to attending the con(and I had metboth of them on the forum prior to paint day), but I knew more people than I didn't due to the forums.

 

Yep, this seems like a "must" ... especially when it comes from a user with 6,440 posts.   

 

This is actually *really* good advice. I was pretty anonymous during my first ReaperCon. Last year, a fellow forum-user advised me to participate and post more. Not only has that drawn me into a great online community, it also enhanced my RCon experience 100%.

 

I was actually kind of shocked by how many people recognized my forum handle when I met them, and searching out forum people to match names & faces with online handles is like the best scavenger hunt ever!

 

Edited April 28, 2014 by klarg1

[Last Knight]

Indeed, everyone should post on the forums more. We're delightful. Stop by the Randomness thread and say hi.

[MonkeySloth]

Actual feedback when I get to a real computer, but as far as the auction goes, I was in a class and gave away my 1140 to the group. Hopefully I can snag a few items from the pool, but either way I'm happy people had fun and the auction wasn't even on my radar.

 

Be friendly, talk to people at the con and join the forum discussions. I only had met two people prior to attending the con(and I had metboth of them on the forum prior to paint day), but I knew more people than I didn't due to the forums.

 

You have a few Victoria Lamb solders if you want.  Outside of that our stuff went towards Corporia's dragon.

 

 

I may try to post more thoughts later, but I wanted to comment on the auction now:

 

For me, pooling actually made the experience better. It helped me share my auction experience with the people around me. The pool I was in got me an iPhone case, but I could have afforded that with my own Reaper Bucks. Thanks to the pool, whatever was left over went to "buying" stuff for other people, and that was fun for me too.

 

I like the low-price items, like branded swag, but I think easily splittable items provide the best bang for the buck, in terms of sending people away with goodies in-hand. Paint sets, boxed mini collections, vampire boxes, etc. are all things that can be split a few ways, allowing 2-5 people to pool their funny money and walk away with a prizes for all of them.

 

I was in this group and it was fun as it made the auction very social with discussions on how high to bid and other strategies.  Everyone in the group, before we joined up with another group, got something they wanted as we were able to share resources that just weren't Reaperbucks.

 

While many didn't get to spend their Reaperbucks they were already giving away a lot of great stuff for the cost of the con that didn't require the auction to feel like you were getting a sweet deal.

[Bonwirn]

This was my first Reapercon... and I was in the "losing" group for the big paint set.  There were originally four people combining for the set, all being first time attenders.  We talked about it at the table, and those on either side overheard us (apparently we weren't being to subtle) and asked to join in.  More folks starting tossing in funds as the price climbed over 10k...  It was just that we didn't think we could top out of 14k and not really bog down the auction nor dilute the intent of getting the paint set.... to start Mr and Miss Melons off with a chunk of new paint.

 

I want to thank everyone who donated to our "cause" and I hope we returned as many chips to the right people as possible. 

 

I know not everyone is an extrovert, but there are plenty of opportunities to meet people:  in class, in line, at a gaming table, at the painters tables, on the open areas...  We are all there with a common interest.  Use that common interest to break the ice!

Edited April 28, 2014 by Bonwirn

[MonkeySloth]

I made the point of asking people in all my classes if they were on the forum.  That's how I met several of you like Mocha, Girot and more.

[Shakandara]

Reaperbucks do not carry over. Most items are available for viewing prior to the auction. There was some inflation this year, in part due to the number of items offered, and in part to how/how many Reaperbucks were handed out. And yes, being aware of what you want and how much you have at your disposal is important.

 

I'm not picking on anyone; I went through the same thing my first year or two of the auction. It's perfectly understandable for people to be disappointed that they didn't get something, but that in and of itself doesn't mean that the auction is broken. In fact, if anything, I think the manner in which Reaperbucks were handed out this year was probably the most equitable we've ever seen. The people that ended up with large pools of bucks this year did so because of effort, compromise and sacrifice; this can be achieved by any group of people (old or new), as long as they are willing to do it.

 

~v

[Sergeant_Crunch]

Maybe convert the entire auction to a raffle?

 

This was my first time back to RCon since 2007. I will say I missed having a CAV2 tournament to get my butt kicked in. Overall my experience was excellent. I did not sign up for any classes as I was more interested in seeing friends, shopping, and checking out some games, and to be honest I'm happy with my painting as is. I also did not sign up for the dinners. I didn't enter the paint contest. As I told Bryan, the categories I would be competitive in are "Best Basecoat", "Best Non-descript Basing", and "Best Minwax Dip."

 

I'll start with the negative so I can end with the positive.

 

- I had to leave before the auction, so can't comment on that. Since I couldn't stay I figured I would give the approximately 500~600 ReaperBucks to someone I knew that could use them.

- Table management for demo games. There was a lot of confusion about which table was which, who was scheduled for which table at what time, and tables being moved around. Maybe appoint a "Game Area Gestapo Coordinator" to keep things running smoothly.

- Announcements could not be heard outside the painting/vendor's hall

- Need more coffee. I'm willing to pay for it, but not $2 for a tiny cup.

- Information regarding food service in the hotel for lunch/dinner was not readily available that I saw.

- Names on badges would have been nice.

- No IPAs, dark lagers, stouts or porters in the bar service

 

Of those the only major one is the table management, and slightly so the announcements.

 

The positive:

- I love ReaperCon because for as many people are there, it is surprisingly welcoming

- I liked having the venue at the hotel for the reasons stated

- There were plenty of tables, I was able to set up and play a couple of friendly games.

- Even though I didn't participate, I like the format for the paint contest much better than the old way.

- The location has plenty of other options for food nearby.

- Lots of activities, classes, games, dinners, etc to choose from. Theres is always something to do.

- I would not feel uncomfortable bringing my kids (I have before and probably will next year)

- Most importantly, Reaper's staff and volunteers greatly and genuinely CARES that the attendees are having a good time. This alone makes it worthwhile, even if the con was just all of us around a gigantic table painting.

 

On a personal level, I finally got to meet some people I've known online for over a decade in person.

[Shakandara]

- I had to leave before the auction, so can't comment on that. Since I couldn't stay I figured I would give the approximately 500~600 ReaperBucks to someone I knew that could use them.

 

You need to PM me your address; I have something to send you.

 

EDIT: This is true for anyone that contributed to our group, but was not present at the end of the auction. I know there are a handful of you out there, and I'll be reaching out to you one by one, but you are welcome to contact me first if you see this post.

 

~v

Edited April 28, 2014 by Shakandara

[JeffyBaby]

I missed names on badges. It made it easier to spot someone's (forum) name on their badge and strike up a conversation like old friends.

 

It also would have been nice to have tables labeled. It didn't make since that tables were labeled on the Schedule (online and in book), but not in real life.

[kacey3]

It also would have been nice to have tables labeled. It didn't make sense that tables were labeled on the Schedule (online and in book), but not in real life.

 

I have to agree on this, at least to a point. I was confused that there were no numbers on the tables and even as someone hosting a game, I was told to just "pick a table." I realize it would have been no sweat to just walk up and ask "what game is this?" but sometimes you feel like you're invading or interrupting something by doing that.

 

I did my best to at least keep the Fiasco stuff visible at all times so that my table was obvious, but with 3+ tables running Pathfinder, you would definitely have a hard time determining which one was yours.

[NomadZeke]

I need to try to make it next year...First off, thank ya'll for this is, it's actually VERY insightful for someone who'd be a future first-timer. (though been going to dragon-con for seven years...does that make me still a rookie? O.o)

Couple thoughts:

It seems like the not bringing your own drinks would have to be in the rent agreement, every other con I've been to doesn't really care if you bring your own...I know some people that bring probably thousands + worth of booze alone...but those are the ones hosting a room party assigning people badge of "If found, please return to hotel x, room 123."  I personally bring a couple gallons of frozen water in a cooler...and typically supplies for chicken wraps (cheap, easy, and quick.)
As for the badges? Most cons I've been to simply print out one of those 1x2ish whatever labels and slap it on the bottom edge of the badge to put your name...even if reaper themselves hadn't thought of this (or decided against it for some reason) me thinks even masking tape and a sharpie would be a good ad hoc badge naming system.

[Sergeant_Crunch]

There is no try.......

[groovyedwin]

For games, you had to hunt out the table and ward off squatters. Most individuals running games allowed people who pre-register to play. I saw one that just took whomever squatted first and excluded those who pre-registered. Hopefully this will be better communciated and stressed for next year.