I think this is the appropriate forum for this but if not, I apologize. Is there anyone who can point me in the direction of a press release regarding WotC's lack of involvement in the upcoming Indy convention. Your responses will be appreciated.

The only information we have on the issue at the moment has been given to us by users in this thread:

http://community.gencon.com/forums/t/15296.aspx

Hopefully both sides can give us an official answer soon! :-) 

Hey victor i do not think that there has been an offical press release however i know some members on the forum have contacted wotc through email and have received some interesting responses. They are posted in the rpga forum which i believe is in the events forum.

I am curious as to whether or not WoTC's participation makes or breaks anyone's trip. Will you still attend GenCon if WoTC doesn't show up? Are there any vendors whose participation is absolutely necessary for you to attend?  

No. Absolutely none. I played one D&D game last year and have none on tap for this GenCon. While curious about 4th Edition, I do not plan on picking it up anytime soon.

They were neat to visit last year. But, they didn't make the trip for me. In fact, I am rather perturbed they keep pushing back the GM guide for Saga edition of Star Wars.

I went to the "seminar" on Saga edition, and walked out half way through, my husband and I are huge Star Wars fans and felt it wasn't worth our time to sit there any more.

No difference for me..I dont even think I visited the booth last year..

From a game perspective no, I could care less if they are there as I am not too fond of RPGA events and they tend to grandstand every acheivement or release.  

However, from an overall perspective, they are very important  as they are probably the largest sponsor and contributor to the event. Unless another oe of the mid to major rpg companies step up, this could be a blow to future funding and growth of Gencon.   

 As the Cubs say, it could be another rebuilding year.

I have to admit, they're pretty important to me. Of all the tabletop gaming hours I've logged over the years, a vast majority of them have been with various incarnations of D&D. I'm not too hot on Magic these days, but I'll even play some of that now and again, especially online.

That being said, I have and do play other tabletop games (World of Darkness properties and GURPS to name a couple), so if WotC goes out of their way to make it more difficult for me to enjoy their games at a con, I've got plenty of other options.

Glory:

I am curious as to whether or not WoTC's participation makes or breaks anyone's trip. Will you still attend GenCon if WoTC doesn't show up? Are there any vendors whose participation is absolutely necessary for you to attend?  

I can definitely seeing this make or break many gamers' trips. There are quite a few gamers who specifically play RPGA events.  With the launch of Living Forgotten Realms (and WOTC's release of the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide at GC) and enough events premiering that can fill an entire 4 day schedule, I can see a lot of frustration and bitterness emanating from it.  I assume that these RPGA/Forgotten Realms devotees already booked their hotel rooms and possibly their flights.  

While my RPGA playing days have dwindled over the past couple of years, I do find it disappointing that the only news about the RPGA's reason for not submitting events came out in the form of a not-so straight forward, generic response from a nameless customer service rep.  At this point, some representative from either WOTC or the RPGA should have made a formal announcement on either the WOTC or RPGA site (or both); especially since a HUGE disservice is being done to their loyal customer base.   A little communication can go along way as many equate 'silence' as 'apathy'.

The good news is that the RPGA is no longer the Alpha and Omega of organized RPG play.  There are quite a few events on the schedule such as Living Arcanis, Pathfinder Adventure Society, Blackmoor, Legends of Kalamar, Witch Hunter: Dark Providence, and much more...If RPGA doesn't show up, it would be great if they all can be moved to the Sagamore Ballroom for one big Organized Play, non RPGA affiliated fiesta.

Are they coming as a vendor even? I'm assuming no, from what I've heard. Then again, I haven't paid that much attention to the details of it. I'm not a big dealer's hall individual and might find some time to roam the hall, but if I don't, it won't break my trip. The only time I'm really worried about getting to the hall is if one of these games I'm trying out is really good, I'll try to get over and pick up the books for it. Oh, and I'll need more dice.

Their products will be well represented at Gencon whether they have a big ole booth in the merchant hall or not. I personally care nothing about Wotc since all they care about is squeezing every penny they can from us gamers. I'd prefer they failed as a company and their products were sold to smaller companies who might also care about the games themselves.

While I usually try to fit the 'specials' in, and planned on trying out Living Realms, no, it certainly won't stop me from attending. Plenty of other things to do. However, I'm also an older gamer(42, not ancient, but no spry chicken) and don't have a TT group, so it /will/ stop me from splending the $$ on the 4E books. I like having the books to thumb through while playing, but Nascrag doesn't need that, and my other games at the con save one are Shadowrun or MHE events. I wanted a Cthulhu(sp?) game, but it filled up on me. Ah well!

I'm still going this year, but this could be a potential deal-breaker for me in subsequent years. RPGA games are usually pretty tough and of consistent quality (save for Test of Mettle.......), and there wasn't a lot of other things that caught my attention this year. No AFMBE games, No VTM. Blackmoor does sound kind of interesting, though. Has it started yet? Of so, has anybody played it?

I emailed my PR contact within Wizards, and all she said was "we are still unsure" when I asked what they're plans were. She said she would keep me informed, and I'll make sure to update this if I find out anything else.

I agree on the blunder bit. Regardless of GenCon's current situation, it's still the biggest gaming convention in North America and the biggest exposure any vendor will have for their games. WOTC would make a big mistake in not having any representation at GenCon.

Hasbro owns WotC. 

Hasbro has huge holdings in licensed products for Star Wars. 

Which sells more - licensed Star Wars stuff (new pieces of which come out every season) or WotC stuff? 

Lucas and GenCon are embroiled in bankruptcy court.

WotC is not commiting to GenCon until they know more about the court outcomes.

Seen in this light, makes perfect sense.

It may hurt GenCon, WotC and DnD, but for Hasbro, they will follow the money. 

I knew I should have stocked up on those squishy Gleemax brains last year! 

Anyone know when the final Exhibitor map is/should be released?