So i take it the dragonlance animated movie wasn't that good?

Dylanesque30:

 Wait, wait, wait, that's not right at all. I quote from beast666's email from WOTC:

"As you may be aware, Gen Con is currently in chapter 11 bankruptcy. Wizards’ plans relative to Gen Con are dependent on the course of proceedings in US bankruptcy court. While we hope to participate in Gen Con, we must await further proceedings in the bankruptcy matter before we are able to confirm our plans."

 

They are talking about BANKRUPTCY proceedings, nothing about litigation in there.........

This is still problematic as it is unlikely that the bankruptcy case will be completely settled before the convention takes place. One good sign here, based on the court documents I have been trying to keep an eye on at PACER, is that the largest creditor, WCP/FERN, has agreed to extend their agreement regarding Gen Con Indy from 2009 to 2013, plus reducing the amount Gen Con LLC owes to FERN for Star Wars Celebration.

I do think that WotC/Hasbro is being a major butthead on this. If the largest creditor is willing to work with Gen Con LLC and extend their contract with them, they are just plan stupid to not work with Gen Con LLC. While Hasbro is a huge company, and historically likes to throw it's weight around, the actions/non-actions they are taking and the lack of useful communication, will only hurt them in the long run. Even if it really is only a small part of their bottom line.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens I guess.

deathstarjanitor:

So i take it the dragonlance animated movie wasn't that good?

I'm pretty (ok, exceptionally) forgiving when it comes to movies. This was bad. The soundtrack was good, but that's about the extent of it. If it gives you an idea, Fear The Boot did a parody episode where they MS3K the movie. Keep in mind that these guys are not familiar with current D&D, Dragonlance is foreign to them, etc. They have a podcast on tips to gaming, etc. but most of the guys are stuck in the 80's.

http://feartheboot.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=314441

Yes, there is some friendly rivalry going on between them and a Dragonlance podcast. Even the Dragonlance podcasts could not find much good to say about the movie except they were going to support it in the hopes that the next one is better.

avatarart:

benthetec:

To be fair, it appears to be a post by someone from Gamex (an event/con?), rather than a WotC employee, but I can't be sure I don't frequent their boards.

I tried looking at Spinachcat's profile, but I'm not a Gleemax Member.  (I use a much cooler site campaign hosting site called Obsidian Portal) In any event, the thing reads like a Press Release, not a 'let me post some info' post.  But I do admit it seems to be from Gamex.

Anyone have a Gleemax {groans} account and care to dig deeper? 

I just went into Glemax and thier calendar still shows them going to Gen Con. Not sure if they are running a booth or not.

atstepchild:

deathstarjanitor:

So i take it the dragonlance animated movie wasn't that good?

I'm pretty (ok, exceptionally) forgiving when it comes to movies. This was bad. The soundtrack was good, but that's about the extent of it. If it gives you an idea, Fear The Boot did a parody episode where they MS3K the movie. Keep in mind that these guys are not familiar with current D&D, Dragonlance is foreign to them, etc. They have a podcast on tips to gaming, etc. but most of the guys are stuck in the 80's.

http://feartheboot.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=314441

Yes, there is some friendly rivalry going on between them and a Dragonlance podcast. Even the Dragonlance podcasts could not find much good to say about the movie except they were going to support it in the hopes that the next one is better.

Please stay on topic.

As you wish

Does anyone know if WotC is planning on having their giant booth at Gen con this year?  I know the events, like RPGA are still up in the air but was curious about the dealer hall.

Sorry if i missed this posted somewhere earlier.

WOTC is basically non-committed to any answer at this point.

Dylanesque30:

WOTC is basically non-committed to any answer at this point.

You know, there is absolutely no other way to sum up the last 180'ish posts!  Dylan, you win the "Concise Award!"

I'll chime in. I think Gen Con will be a breath of fresh air without WotC. Why? It allows smaller companies to features thier games, let gamers try new systems for RPGs, and we don't have to see Gleemax. Personally, I love D&D but d20 and I aren't on good terms. Besides, do we need WotC to appear to play D&D? Heck, no. 

Wow, I have to say how surprised I am that WotC is hedging on whether or not they'll be at GenCon.  As has been mentioned before, it's not like the Chapter 11 case is going to be resolved by August.

Ah well, I don't play any of their products anymore, so it's not like whether they will be there or not is going to effect me.  Still, I do feel bad for all those people who do play and enjoy their games.  Whatever problems GenCon LLC is having, GenCon the convention is still the largest gathering dedicated to gaming, and so it seems a little strange that WotC might choose not to attend.

I wonder if this is a scapegoat maneuver for WOTC to avoid the high cost of shipping 4th Ed stuff to GENCON or to front load "Why 4th Ed failed" propoganda.

LiterateWolf:

 Why? It allows smaller companies to features thier games, let gamers try new systems for RPGs. 

I have signed up for two games just so I could try out a new system.

The only concern I have is for the spillover sales that WOTC brings in.  Take any vendor that sells wotc products.  They buy and sell the cards/minis/whatever for players to do some last minute, I need this and that for the turnament that starts in 10 minutes. I would be interested to hear what their opinion is.  I honestly would have no clue how many magic cards/packs/boxes/cases are sold by some of the vendors.

I think that Hasbro/WOTC will sign a contract with Gencon last minute.  Hopefully it will be with enough time for the online registration system to be updated with the games so people could pre-register for their stuff.

LiterateWolf:

I'll chime in. I think Gen Con will be a breath of fresh air without WotC. Why? It allows smaller companies to features thier games, let gamers try new systems for RPGs, and we don't have to see Gleemax. Personally, I love D&D but d20 and I aren't on good terms. Besides, do we need WotC to appear to play D&D? Heck, no. 

Agreed.  Shrieking Emu and I were less than impressed with Gleemax last year:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thesc1ence/1181457239

Magicalgamer:

The only concern I have is for the spillover sales that WOTC brings in.  Take any vendor that sells wotc products.  They buy and sell the cards/minis/whatever for players to do some last minute, I need this and that for the turnament that starts in 10 minutes. I would be interested to hear what their opinion is.  I honestly would have no clue how many magic cards/packs/boxes/cases are sold by some of the vendors.

I'm not worried about that. Most of those vendors would have WotC stuff before they set up their booths. Gamers can stil get WotC stuff, just not from WotC. Either way, it's the same product. Also, smaller companies won't be overshadowed by Gleemax or demos of games that have been out for awhile. I started RPGs with games by Palladium Books, D&D was my 3rd RPG I played, so I have fondness for the little gaming company in general. Look at Privateer Press, I never would have thought anyone could take on Games Workshop like they have. In my area, Warhammer is there but not as big. 

Heck, certified M:TG judges are starting to organize some tourneys. This year will show that fans can organize stuff for themselves without WotC's help. May even be more fun. It may prevent an early release of something, however, the creative gamer can improvise their way around it. For example, no 4ED Monster Manual. A quick conversion of 3.5 critters can generate many monsters for adventurers to fight. Heck, take dragonians from AD&D2nd, convert to 3.5, then to 4e and let the fun really begin.

The only concern I have is for the spillover sales that WOTC brings in.

Without the events that spur the need for the last-minute sales, these will indeed diminish. I, too, am hoping for some last-minute changes.

Savior:

I wonder if this is a scapegoat maneuver for WOTC to avoid the high cost of shipping 4th Ed stuff to GENCON or to front load "Why 4th Ed failed" propoganda.

I think it's a front load for 4e's inevitable failure.

Or perhaps I should rephrase.

It's an inevitable failure for anyone who's been playing D&D for a long, long time.

Newer players who grew up with computers and high end video games will probably like 4e since that's really all it is. A video game played with pen & Paper. So it won't fail so much as just kind of muddle through, mostly supported by younger players.

Balkin:

Newer players who grew up with computers and high end video games will probably like 4e since that's really all it is. A video game played with pen & Paper. So it won't fail so much as just kind of muddle through, mostly supported by younger players.

Actualy, it's a pen and paper game turned video game. The books come with software that allows players to make dungeons et al and allow others to play in it. A hybrid system of video games, RPGs, and MMOs. Nice idea but I prefer playing with other people. Since 4e was announced, I switched to wargames and my gaming group, time permitting, plays WFRPG. I love D&D bur WotC ruined it for me. Thanks, guys. 

LiterateWolf:

Actualy, it's a pen and paper game turned video game. The books come with software that allows players to make dungeons et al and allow others to play in it. A hybrid system of video games, RPGs, and MMOs. Nice idea but I prefer playing with other people. Since 4e was announced, I switched to wargames and my gaming group, time permitting, plays WFRPG. I love D&D bur WotC ruined it for me. Thanks, guys. 

What exactly about the electronic aspect of 4e makes it so YOU can't play with your friends face to face?  So the books come with software... so what?  You don't have to use the software.  Break the CD's in half if it makes you feel better.

People's attitude towards 4e is really starting to get me annoyed.  How can so many people KNOW they're going to hate it when it hasn't even been released yet?  Why won't they try it?

some people are just afrtaid to try new things. change can be good!