Supporting T&T at Conventions

[gamepunk26]

I thought that I would move this discussion over here.

I pose the question again:
Which edition of T&T would be the best for me or other GMs to run at Convention games?

[gamepunk26]

Here is something I thought about while at the con. I played in two other RPGs, a GURPS intro session and a 4e D&D game. Both were good. The people running the games had prizes for their players. The GURPS GM gave away a $30 book that the company sent to him as prize support. He gave one away at all of his sessions. The D&D GMs gave us the minis we used to play the game. This came out if their own pocket and was exceptionally generous. I gave away a free set of rules that are a mediocre representation of the game. I cannot see FBI providing me with much more than that as they seem to be perpetually running on a shoestring budget. Considering the amount of money that I spend at a con it isn't that much of an investment to buy a $35 box set of 7.5 or 5.5 to give away, but I feel that since I may (and did) generate sales for the FBI booth I would rather that the company provide me a prize to give away. I just don't see that happening. Would it be worthwhile to ask FDP about support?

I much prefer the "that company" 6th ed. The book for that is $13. I have zero problems spending that amount to give away and I could imagine that I may get a small donation from "that guy" and co to give out as they seem to give me some free stuff every time I order from them. It is easier for me financially to support 6th ed and it is the version I like best, but people will not be able to purchase the book at the con. Apart from that, "that company" is producing new material for 7.5 ed so there is much more available for the time pressed GM, like me, who run alot of modules.

This is a bit long and somewhat off topic, but I value the opinions of the members of this board. This discussion will affect which edition I run at cons from now on. I have one coming up in October so I need some input in order to prepare.

[order99]

Why not just print out copies of the latest T&T 5th PDF ? It's got enough rules to play, the Goblin Lake Solo and the Riverboat GM adventure, and I think it's still free on RPGNow... fire up the printer, purchase a few $1.00 cardstock sleeves and give away as many as you feel up to making. At about $1.95 apiece you could get a lot more hooks into a lot more unsuspecting first-time players...it's how I finally got my group hooked BTW. ;D

And if FBI , "that guy" or FD happen to wander by or set up a booth, perhaps they'd appreciate your efforts-to be honest, I think the FBI, FD and Hobbit Lands should ALL be showing copies of this Intro set on thier respective websites, and maybe you could drop that hint for us...shoestring budget or not, ' The first hit's free ' usually works!

BTW, Labor Day has come and gone, but if you desire some help on defraying the costs of something like this(for next time), give me a PM and about two week's advance notice...my spiffy Laser Printer could turn out innumerable copies for just a few pounds of paper, and i'd gladly eat a few bucks to ship a few dozen or more copies to your Meatworld address, and that would leave you with just the cost of a few folders($10.00-$12.00 or so). It's as close to a Con as i'll get for awhile with my A+ computer studies consuming all my free time lately...

Time to hit the books again. Now where's that AR 3 Helm of Studying?

[order99]

Oh, and as to what Edition to run-just run ANY version you want to! It's not likely that the new guys will get overly confused about thier shopping choices since you'll be there to explain...just let them know that 7.5 is the latest, that there's not too much difference between the Editions and how very LUCKY they are to be able to have all these choices!

[gamepunk26]

Thanks Order99. I could defray the costs of printing out the quickie versions, but I want a nice shiny prize to give away. I gave away the newest edition of the Free RPG Day rules this time. Next time I want a nice box to give away. I am leaning heavily toward 7.5e, but that is alot to spend on prize support if I go to 3-4 cons per year. I think I am going to ask FDP and "that company".

[apeloverage]

The companies should definitely provide prize support. You're already helping them by running the game!

As for what edition, I'd just run whichever one you prefer to run. Most people seem to play a cross between different editions anyway.

[mahrundl]

Gamepunk26, don't restrict yourself to just rulebooks (although they do make great prizes). Get modules, accessories (such as the T & T dice and pencils), artwork, attractive character sheets (perhaps get pads of sheets made up) - you name it!

Contact the assorted retailers, and see what they'll give you free or at a discount. Sweeten the pot for them by handing out flyers with contact details - sometimes a company's advertising can be a nice freebie in itself.

[machfront]

Well...honestly... if it's someone's first time playing T&T and then they go and buy a version of the game, are they truely going to notice or know if it's a different edition of the game than what they played at con? Something like Kremm Resistance may stick out, but beyond that, not much...

I guess what I'm saying is that it's just important to push the game, rather than which edition. Especially since, with T&T, different versions don't really play all that much like totally different games as some other rpgs have gone through.

I still stand by my statement in the other thread that you should make out a simple and concise lil sheet that explains about the different editions and that most are still in print and from whom, etc.,etc.

[mahrundl]

Give away copies of the 5th edition Survival Guide. 2 double-sided pages gives you most of the rules you'll need, although it's obviously missing a lot of spell descriptions and so forth...

I'm not sure if it's still available from Flying Buffalo though.

[koraq]

I don't know about any Survival Guide, but when I ran a T&T demo I had gotten old FreeRPFDay folders from last year from Rick to give away. Ask him, before you assume he can't afford it!

Now it doesn't hurt to ask FD as well...

machfront is of course totally right. Push the game and only talk about editions if someone asks about it. Then you put a positive spin on it ("they don't make each other redundant") and point out how well supported they both are ("legacy" support with a lot of stuff out there, "that company" and FD publishing today) and you can't loose.

[koraq]

BTW give out T&T dice to everyone and let them keep the nice and shiny character sheets they used. (make sure to make nice sheets!!)

Then give a boxed set to the ones who seem to have enjoyed it most and are most likely to be hooked. Those will in their turn probably run a game with the nice set you gave them, and bring in more fans!

Just a thought.

[apeloverage]

Maybe it'd be better to ask for more copies of smaller stuff? eg Flying Buffalo has the City of Terrors for $3.00 (seems to be the Corgi edition), and "that company" has a couple of 'mini-solos' for $5.00.

If that's too expensive for them...

[koraq]

I'd say the FreeRPG Day booklet surely must qualify as "smaller stuff", right?

[gamepunk26]

"that company" has agreed to sell me a few copies of 6th ed for a discount. I will happily be supporting 6th ed T&T at the next several conventions that I attend. Hail "that guy"!

[order99]

Mr. "that guy" seems to be supporting the line more than FBI and FD put together lately...Hail "that guy"!

A pity the other two can't work out a distribution arrangement to let Hobbit Lands add 5th and 7th Editions to his growing catalog...business would likely triple in a few months.