So, you are here at your first Worldcon, or perhaps it is not your first but your 4th, or your 20th. It doesn't matter, because this applies to any, and all that are interested in the world of gaming at Worldcon. First, I shall give some definitions of commonly used terms. Second, a short description on gaming etiquette. And anything else I can think of to throw in.
Here is the first part, if you know this stuff feel free to skip on down to the next part.
Ok, well that is it for the definitions. Now lots of games are going to have their own nuances for words, and the like. If you are talking to someone and they say a word you don't know, DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK!!! I cannot stress this enough. Lots of potential gamers are driven away because they think they are going to get called stupid or anything of that nature. That is untrue. A lot, and I mean A LOT of gamers are very, very nice, and will be happy to explain anything you like, now don't go asking them what your purpose on earth is, because they will naturally say, "TO PLAY GAMES!!"
Ok, here is the etiquette part of this... I know, I know, you are probably saying to yourself "I don't need no stinking etiquette"... but if you want to play games you need to know a few basics:
First, be polite. That is not too hard to do, just common courtesy sort of stuff.
Second, don't demean, or put down, someone just because they don't know things.
Third, it does not matter if you are the biggest, or the meanest, have the most stats, or cards. That is no excuse for a bad attitude, if you have one you will be asked to leave until you cool off.
Fourth, yes I know this just keeps going but it is important, watch the language, especially when little ears are around. A lot of people tend to forget that.
Fifth, HA! There is no fifth! Get in there and play some games!!!
Ok, now some of you may wonder, "Just who is this Kevin guy to come and tell us how things work, just who does he think he is anyway?!?" Well, #1 I am staff :) but more importantly I am a fan who has been playing games since I started going to cons. When was that you may ask? Darned if I can remember, I have been going to them since I was born as far as I know. I have also been going to most of the bigger mid-west cons, and am staff at Capricon. I have also been gophering for about six years now, so I have a fairly good understanding of how this mess becomes a con. If you have any more questions, feel free to find me, even if I am not working I will gladly answer any questions you may have. NO "WHO AM I?" QUESTIONS AT 5 IN THE MORNING! Then I might have to commit justifiable manslaughter. Just kidding. I will try to remember, even then. Thanks for taking the time to read this, NOW GET IN THERE AND PLAY SOME DARNED GAMES!!!!
Scheduled Gaming Program 8/17/01
A Parents' Guide to Gaming
Thu 7:00pm M415
What are the various genres of gaming all about? How do they
differ and how are they similar? We will examine RPGS, LARPS,
CCGs, Strategy/Tactical, Miniatures and Board Games, with special
attention to parents' concerns and particularly the benefits to
children to be derived from participating in these activities.
Steve Jackson
Benjamin Newman
Lavelle Harmon
Lottie Hashem
The Art of Developing Character Histories in RPGs
Fri 11:00am CC104A
After the dice have been rolled, gamers breathe life into their
creations by creating character histories. What makes for a good
character history? Is a past full of tragedy important? How do
the numbers you rolled affect the creation of your character's
history? How much input should game masters have? Did you
remember to include some hooks for your game master to tie your
history to her world and the current life of your character?
Greg Costikyan
Steve Jackson
James Cambias
Campaign Basics I and II
Fri 1:00pm M415
"Behind the Scenes and Who Was That Masked Man?". What are the
"big picture" ideas one needs to develop when creating a role-
playing campaign? What can the GM do to make this fictional world
come alive for the players? Build your campaign from the ground
up. What can both the GM and players do to bring their characters
to life?
Keith J. Olexa
Shanti Fader
Andrew Adams
James Cambias
What God Plays In Your Universe: Music for Your Game World
Fri 1:00pm M411-412
Steve Jackson
Lee Gold
Stephen Brinich
The Next Step for Games: Cell Phones, PDAs, and Other Frontiers
Fri 6:00pm CC104A
Greg Costikyan
Neil Harris
Developing Computer Games - The Artists' Perspectives
Sat 1:00pm CC108A
As computers get better, art for computer games has become
extremely sophisticated. Join artists experienced in developing
art for computer games (David Cherry now works for Ensemble
Studios and is working on Age of Empires; Barclay Shaw is an
expert in 3-D computer art and multimedia design) for a
discussion of how art and game development work hand-in-hand.
David Cherry
Barclay Shaw
Campaign Basics III and IV
Sat 2:00pm M415
Haven't We Been Here Before? and Roll vs Role". Learn to infuse
your campaign with thematic resonances, like the value of loyalty
or the pain of lost love. Also, an overarching plot can provide
your players with direction and goals that enhance the game.
Mark Santillo
Keith J. Olexa
Shanti Fader
Playing God in Somebody Else's Universe: Roleplaying in Established Worlds
Sat 3:00pm CC201B
Roleplaying in an existing universe not specifically designed for
roleplaying: from books, tv series or movies, can be very
rewarding and fun for the players, but it places different
stresses on the GM than playing from an RPG source book. The
panel discusses the he trials and tribulations of GMing Babylon
5, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, C J Cherryh... et al.
Andrew Adams
Steve Jackson
Kevin Geiselman
Tony Finan
Uwe Anton
Online Gaming: Past, Present, and Future
Sat 4:00pm CC202B
Erik Bear
Neil Harris
Thomas Harlan
The Evolution of Gaming: From Miniatures and Boards to Dungeons and Computers
Sat 7:00pm CC202B
Charlie Petit
Greg Costikyan
Steve Jackson
Michael Dobson
Campaign Electives I and II
Sun 11:00am M415
How do GMs and other participants handle the "problem" players?
How do players deal with a GM who seems out to destroy their
characters, no matter the cost? What can both players and GMs do
beyond the character sheet and the rulebook to bring the game to
life?
Lisa J. Steele
Keith J. Olexa
Steve Jackson
Kevin Geiselman
Mark Santillo
Game to Fiction/Fiction to Game
Sun 3:00pm M415
What makes for a good translation from one medium to the other?
All genres of gaming will be considered and compared with their
analogs in sci-fi, fantasy and horror literature.
Greg Costikyan
Walter Jon Williams
Michael Dobson
Kevin Maroney
James Cambias