Origins 2023

[Black Jack Rackham]

What, you didn't think it was going to be a long break, did you???

Event submission begins September 7th through Tabletop (again). So make sure you all have your logins set for later!

What's that? You want our list of events? SURE why not!

Wed (21st):
1-5 HoA: Flashback - Eps 1-3
1-5 HoA: Episode 17 – One More Favor
7-11 HoA: Episode 19 – Rising Tensions
7-11 HoA: Episode 21 – Siege Warfare

Thurs (22nd):
9-1 HoA: Episode 20 – The Keystone
1-5 HoA: Episode 22 – Loose Ends
1-5 HoA: Flashback - Eps 4-6
5+ HoA: PLAYTEST

Fri (23rd):
9-1 HoA: Episode 19 – Rising Tensions
1-5 HoA: Episode 20 – The Keystone
1-5 HoA: Episode 21 – Siege Warfare
1-5 HoA: Flashback 7-9
7-11 HoA: Episode 21 – Siege Warfare
7-11 HoA: Episode 22 – Loose Ends

Sat (24th):
9-1 HoA: Episode 22 – Loose Ends
9-1 HoA: Flashback 10-12
1-5 HoA: Personal Agendas – 2 Tables
7-11 HoA: Personal Agendas – 2 Tables

Sun (25th):
10-2 HoA: DOMINGO GIGANTE!

[Black Jack Rackham]

Events are in!

[Black Jack Rackham]

Oh also forgot to add, Important Dates

Sept 7th, 2022 - Event Submission Opens for Event Organizers & GMs

Nov 1st - Badge Registration Opens

Nov 26 - Hotels open for VIGs

Dec 3 - Hotels Open for everyone

Feb 1st, 2023 - Event Submission Deadline

March 25, 2023 - (1PM Eastern) - Event Registration Opens

May 31, 2023 - Volunteer deadline.

June 21, 2023 - Origins Game Fair BEGINS!

[salamanca]

Also:

March 25- Event Registation System Crashes.

[Black Jack Rackham]

Also:

March 25 (1:03PM Eastern) - Event Registation System Crashes.

Fixed that for you

[Black Jack Rackham]

Had a little bit of a hiccup with Origins as the new events coordinator now wants us to mention characters (whether they will be available at the table, you need to make them beforehand/at the table, choose from among a list, etc.). Obviously, no one mentioned that in the description (and the new events coordinator admitted she had just thought about it from someone else's description). So I suggested for the future they should have a dropdown box for character creation, then proceeded to fix all our events by hand (because even though I cloned the descriptions of any repeated events none of that crossed over when I adjusted the descriptions).

Long and the short of it is, our events are now accepted for consideration.

[salamanca]

1- that should have been a field option on their end decades ago. (Characters Provided, Characters created, Characters Available, Bring your own Character)

2- Mandating the listing because you saw it in some submissions is damn foolish at this point. That becomes an "add this next year" item.

3- Having played in far too many "characters provided" games, it would be more accurate to list this as "character stats provided". Because most of these GMs never give them a theme or personality.

4- thank you, had they asked me to do it after submission, i would have refused on principle.

5- is there an option to list " substandard character stats available but not recommended"? What about " overly complex characters designed by obsessive stat monkeys available"? What about "stats provided, bring your own personality"?

[Black Jack Rackham]

Two things. First up, Origins convention registration opens today!
Second, given that tickets are now on sale, I need to tell all of you that I'm gonna try something different for Origins group this year. Since we don't get to just add any number of names to the list anymore (we "pay" for the discounts by running games now), I am going to request that anyone who wants to get the discount simply let me know and I will start making a list. Feel free to pm/email/let me know here that you want on and I'll get ahold of you if I need anything.

NOTE! if you go on the list you will have to wait to get a ticket until they release the discount (and this is non-negotiable, they told me last time I asked them about fixing a mistake that there would be no fixes going forward.)

[Black Jack Rackham]

Hotel Reg begins tomorrow!
But for those of you who don't want to wait, Charlie found out (and I can concur) that if you simply call the hotel of your choice* and tell them you are part of the GAMA Origins group, they are unlikely to ask for any numbers (for the VIGs) and you can book your room today (ahead of the maddening crowds).

Just wanted you all to know

*This doesn't apply to the Drury (sorry Dave, Jeremy, Mike, Katie, and the rest) because the convention staff use it so they told me I had to go to GAMA directly to book a room there.

[CaitlinCallahan]

So, I was checking the Origins website, and it looks like the timeline has been updated. Event registration now opens April 29th at 1 pm EST.

[Watcher487]

They have to update the database so it crashes after 2 hours not 15 minutes.

[vogelsong]

When is the discount for folks on the list typically released?

[Black Jack Rackham]

To all of you waiting patiently for the badge discount, I just learned today (because there was no announcement prior) that they have done away with the group discount. I am so sorry I could not warn you before this.

Mark

PS I will be sending them a letter expressing our displeasure and touting how much we liked it.

[cpugs]

Not being an Origin's apologist, but not that long ago the badge was 60 dollars and the 9ish events were another 36 dollars. This year the badge is 75 dollars and the events are free, so we have a discount (75 versus 96 or more dollars. Just food for thought.

[salamanca]

Very good point, Charlie.

But to be honest, twice the price is still a bargain for 5 days with everybody. See you all soon.

[Lady Grace]

Did Origins ever post an events list yet? I'm not seeing anything on the site...

[Watcher487]

it's on the tabletop events site

https://tabletop.events/conventions/ori ... le#?query=

[salamanca]

If you enjoy horror games, I met Bridget Jeffries last year and watched run part of a session. I would put her on my list of GMs worth playing a session with if her game systems appeal to you.

As well as our friends at Matinee Adventures and Craig and Tim running TORG.

[Lady Grace]

And, to the surprise of no one, things are as smooth as a cactus up the rectum on event registering...

[CaitlinCallahan]

Overall, registration wasn't horrible, though it was more than minorly annoying to have to re-sign in after each addition to my cart. At least everything was still there when the sign-in was complete.

Definitely not the worst registration experience.....

[Black Jack Rackham]

Just for those who didn't happen to see it elsewhere, we'll be in Morrow for the whole con (1st hallway, all the way to the back on the right), usually tables 1 or 2 (I think we're at 3 twice).

[salamanca]

Morrow...

That is a good room. We were in Morrow for year 3.
It has good Feng Shui for a convention room. My games shall be mighty.

[salamanca]

Ooooorrrriiiiigggiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnsssssssss!!!!

[daundelyon]

So if the events are free, how do generic tickets work?

[salamanca]

Don't ask that question. Nobody knew what to do about them last year.

It should be no harder than writing down their name and badge on the slip we turn in.

But nobody in registration, events departments or the general help desk could give me a matching answer last year.

In theory, they still exist for games that upcharge for their events.