Just want to hop in on this thread to clarify some stuff:

• Locations are indeed online - but only the building is currently displayed (i.e. ICC, Hyatt, Omni). That's not because the rooms & table haven't been assigned but simple because we're actually using different database fields for those now. They were always there, but the whole location was put into "Location" instead of breaking it up. We just haven't had time to update which fields are displayed online yet - it's not particularly urgent right now and we were concentrating on the program guide content & finalizing the event charts for publication in the book
  
  
• Almost all RPGs are in hotels this year. There are some in the convention, but only in a few rooms. We did this because we lose event space with the exhibit hall expansion - but get most of it back with the added space in the hotels. This does mean that - on the whole - RPGs should be in smaller, quieter rooms. There are some big ballrooms in the hotels as well, however, so don't expect every RPG to get it's own, private, cozy room Whether this trend will continue in the future isn't clear yet, but space constraints will only get worse before they get better a year or two down the road, so I'm not sure this will change in the near term.
  
  
• If you're having trouble finding a hotel, check the map. The area map should be much improved this year. When you find out where your events are, just glance there and get your bearings. Trust me, it'll make thing easier.
  

I am not doing any official RPG's this year, but I like the idea of having them in hotel settings.  The rooms are probably more conducive to the playing, as people have said, with the noise dampening.  Hopefully not too much of a walk for folks, but having run from a miniatures game to an rpg last year, covering the length of the ICC, I'm not sure it is going to be any worse this year than last.

Personally, I am happy NOT to be one of those trying to fit all of us into various locations. 

Here's to those who try and find a place for all us gamers in all our various games!  

Thanks for the update Derek.

And thanks for the map links TickTack....those are really handy!

FaePooka:

Thanks for the update Derek.

And thanks for the map links TickTack....those are really handy!

no problem! 

Looks like most of my gaming's going to be at the Hyatt.  Coo' beans!

Um, does the Hyatt (or any of the other hotels, for that matter) have any rules on bringing in outside food? <g>

braewe:

Ooo, I hadn't thought of that. Considering the hyatt has a bunch of handy food places itself, I'd say anything goes. Rock. Smaller rooms, outside food--I am liking this idea.

even if you couldn't bring in true outside food, you could probably at least have the mcdonalds or subway I bet, since they sell it right there... sounds pretty good to me.

BladeRunner-Press/Gene:

Derek, thanks for the update.  I went and checked out my tentative event locations for the RPGs, and had a small issue that I e-mailed you about.  Just wondering if you ever got it, since the first two times I mailed it out, I got it back on an error, and the third time I haven't gotten a response, and it's been almost a week since I sent it out.

 I saw in another thread that Derek has been Origin-ing and is a little behind. Just passing this along so you don't feel ignored.

bad_karma97:

 

 I saw in another thread that Derek has been Origin-ing and is a little behind. Just passing this along so you don't feel ignored.

Yeah, I completely forgot about this past weekend being Origins weekend until I started seeing some of the new Origins threads.  I'll give it a couple more days before I actually start to wonder.  Thanks for reminding me though, sometimes my mind just doesn't work like it should!

A few notes (as at least one person was wondering where the Mini's had gone...). Not all RPG's have left the ICC. All of the RPGA events will be run the Sagamore Ballroom.

Additionally, all of the D&D Miniatures events will also be held (Including the Delve, a hybrid D&D and Miniatures hack and slash event...) in the Sagamore.

I have been told that the other WotC miniatures games (Star Wars Mini's, Axis and Allies Miniatures, and Dreamblade) will be held in the TCG hall.  Not sure where all the other mini's are going though....

Pat E 

PatEllis15:

A few notes (as at least one person was wondering where the Mini's had gone...). Not all RPG's have left the ICC. All of the RPGA events will be run the Sagamore Ballroom.

 

Additionally, all of the D&D Miniatures events will also be held (Including the Delve, a hybrid D&D and Miniatures hack and slash event...) in the Sagamore.

 

I have been told that the other WotC miniatures games (Star Wars Mini's, Axis and Allies Miniatures, and Dreamblade) will be held in the TCG hall.  Not sure where all the other mini's are going though....

 

Pat E 

My worst fear confirmed.  Minis events scattered to the four winds.

Honestly, I"m not entirely sure - I've got a bunch of emails and voicemails to go through. It's like everyone was just waiting for me to head off to dump a bunch of messages on me ]:)]

I'd say give me the email/subject and I'll check - but I figure you might as well just re-send it. If I already got it, no biggie. If I didn't get it, well I will now.

Thanks, and sorry for the inconvenience

Bubba Ho-Tep:

My worst fear confirmed.  Minis events scattered to the four winds.

Not quite.  Without a specific hall, miniatures are definitely challenged this year, but they're not scattered all over the place - or at least no more than RPGs used to be.

WotC wanted to pull their D&D Minis in with the RPGA because they want everything that's D&D branded together in the same place. That'll be busting out of the Sagamore on the second floor - and pretty much the rest of that floor will be used for other minis games (this used to be mainly RPGs, IIRC). We will also be having some minis events on the first floor (WizKids and - I believe - primarily historical miniatures) in 101-108 and Wabash.

As always - don't bet your life savings on this info. Things may very well change, I'm just trying to give you an idea of where we're working form now.

Derek Guder:

Honestly, I"m not entirely sure - I've got a bunch of emails and voicemails to go through. It's like everyone was just waiting for me to head off to dump a bunch of messages on me ]:)]

 

I'd say give me the email/subject and I'll check - but I figure you might as well just re-send it. If I already got it, no biggie. If I didn't get it, well I will now.

 

Thanks, and sorry for the inconvenience

No problem Derek, you've alwasy been great about helping me out.  I'll resend the e-mail when I get home today, the subject is "Event Locations"
 

Derek Guder:

Bubba Ho-Tep:

My worst fear confirmed.  Minis events scattered to the four winds.

 

Not quite.  Without a specific hall, miniatures are definitely challenged this year, but they're not scattered all over the place - or at least no more than RPGs used to be.

WotC wanted to pull their D&D Minis in with the RPGA because they want everything that's D&D branded together in the same place. That'll be busting out of the Sagamore on the second floor - and pretty much the rest of that floor will be used for other minis games (this used to be mainly RPGs, IIRC). We will also be having some minis events on the first floor (WizKids and - I believe - primarily historical miniatures) in 101-108 and Wabash.

 

As always - don't bet your life savings on this info. Things may very well change, I'm just trying to give you an idea of where we're working form now.

 

Thanks Derek, I knew that with all the construction and such we would have to endure some inconveniences, but this makes me feel much better.

Derek Guder:

Bubba Ho-Tep:

My worst fear confirmed.  Minis events scattered to the four winds.

 

Not quite.  Without a specific hall, miniatures are definitely challenged this year, but they're not scattered all over the place - or at least no more than RPGs used to be.

WotC wanted to pull their D&D Minis in with the RPGA because they want everything that's D&D branded together in the same place. That'll be busting out of the Sagamore on the second floor - and pretty much the rest of that floor will be used for other minis games (this used to be mainly RPGs, IIRC). We will also be having some minis events on the first floor (WizKids and - I believe - primarily historical miniatures) in 101-108 and Wabash.

So Wizards puts D&D minis with the other D&D stuff, but does NOT put A&A minis with the other A&A stuff....

Sounds like a decision Wizards would make...(sigh)

I kinda figured Dreamblade would get put in with Magic in the TCG hall.  It does play alot like a combination of Magic and chess, IMO.

They most likely want to have as much WotC (DCI sanctioned) games together as they can so they don't need to get more staff for each room and can double up the responsibilities.