ADVENTURE Con - USA

Scummbuddy · Wed 28/02/2007 16:57:01

QuoteAdventureCon is America's first convention for adventure game fans by adventure game fans.

Hmm.. I seem to remember a Mittens USA in 2004, but the only special guest was me.

If we do host a Mittens in the DC/Maryland area, I should be able to get Sid Mier and some other local developers, but if you all can go to Vegas for this convention you can hear their guest speakers such as Al Lowe and Jane Jensen. Even more exciting for the non-Lucas babies here. [Looks at his forum name] Enjoy ya Sierra-babies.

m0ds · Wed 28/02/2007 18:44:27

Las Vegas, sweet! But no way! :p It all sounds pretty good though Scott!

Hopefully someone will go and represent

Dave Gilbert · Wed 28/02/2007 18:54:05

Oh boy. It's being managed by Howard Sherman! :-/

Maybe I shouldn't go.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Wed 28/02/2007 19:57:17

good old Howie.

This sounds interesting but not having a car and hating planes makes such things improbable.

Dave Gilbert · Wed 28/02/2007 19:58:45

I'm asking around the IGDA underground to see if there is any buzz about this, and if it's worth going to and/or exhibiting at. I'll let you know what I find out.

Thanks for the info, Scummy.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Wed 28/02/2007 20:00:42

You could always swing by AZ and give me a lift, Dave. Roadtrip? ;|

Darth Mandarb · Wed 28/02/2007 20:55:11

I'm always up for a weekend in Vegas ... and with adventure games in the mix? Who could resist!!

Kweepa · Wed 28/02/2007 21:06:25

Wow. I would check that the guests have actually agreed to attend before shelling out the $300.

Dave Gilbert · Wed 28/02/2007 21:42:13

I've asked around, and while I haven't heard from alot of people, but I've heard a few bits of good advice.

The main question that came up was "Will there be a large turnout?" True, Jane Jensen and Al Lowe are big names, but who outside of the adventure community (which is itself quite small) would be willing to travel all the way to Vegas, book a hotel, and buy a con pass to see them? By that same token, who WITHIN the adventure gaming community would do the same? It's a tough question.

The other issue is Howard Sherman himself. His reputation is, shall we say, kind of mixed. My opinions on the man are documented (and he might not want me there as a result!), but it's the main reason why I hesitate. His marketing campaigns are heavy-handed and egocentric and (from the little I've seen) I see the same tactics being used on this adventurecon thing. An Adventure game convention is something I'd want to support, but Howard always makes me feel icky.

I shall give it a month and see what the buzz is before making any decisions. I doubt that all the convention space will be sold out before then, so I'll wait. I might go as a adventure fan instead of a developer, just to see.

A weekend in Vegas is never a total loss. If the convention sucks, you can always go see Cirque De Soleil or something.

LimpingFish · Wed 28/02/2007 22:05:40

I don't like the look of this.

Sherman gets some convention space, probably free, on condition that he can get as many people as he can into the Mirage hotel.

Choice quotes:

"Howard Sherman used to be a homebrew developer himself and he was always looking for inexpensive ways to reach people...."

$500 dollars for table space.
$750 dollars for a table or "booth".
$1250 gets you double exhibit space, but Howard doesn't go into details.

So the profits from fifty copies of my $9.95 homebrew adventure goes on the cheapest space available. If 200 prospective customers attend, a quarter of them have to buy my game to recoup space costs.

"Please note that due to the extremely deep discounts being offered during early registration, you are entering into a binding, non-refundable contract when you purchase AdventureCon exhibit space from Malinche Entertainment Corp"

And no refund if it's all a sham!

"If you're making your own travel plans and hotel arrangements you may wish to consider this invaluable Las Vegas Travel Guide written by none other than Howard Sherman. You're guaranteed to save money. You might even win some if you follow his gambling advice!"

That's my favourite quote.

"From personal experience, Howard recommends going with the exhibitor packages that include your hotel stay at The Mirage. There's no bigger hassle than having to "commute" back and forth and waste valuable time. Plus, being on The Mirage property means you gain continual exposure to AdventureCon attendees and other guests at The Mirage before and even after the show. Since The Mirage is always at 99% occupancy, you get access to thousands of potential customers at every turn."

Yes, I'm sure he does. And what an apt choice of hotel name. Maybe that's all you'll find when you get there.

Sure, poking fun at Howard Sherman is easy, and maybe the whole thing is above board.

Regardless, do adventure game creators, almost exclusively indie-based, need to pay for this kind of exposure to, let's face it, people who probably already know about them?

The indie adventure game market is pretty much based on e-distribution, and those developers looking to publish their games in a physical medium are probably looking for something bigger than what Howard is proposing.

You get advertising in the areas that matter (online adventure forums, communities, etc) for free, with some spillover into the more mainstream gaming press, already.

Sounds a bit pointless, really.

EDIT: But then I am a cynical fish at heart.

Dave Gilbert · Thu 01/03/2007 02:53:59

QuoteRegardless, do adventure game creators, almost exclusively indie-based, need to pay for this kind of exposure to, let's face it, people who probably already know about them?

An excellent point, fish. The people who are interested enough in schlepping out to Vegas for this con probably already know about the games that are available there.

Howard Sherman organizing this thing isn't bad per se. What irks me is that his self-promoting instincts are kicking in full swing again. He mentions his name, or his company name, or his products, on every page of the site. If he were truly serious about organizing this and pushing the adventure genre, he'd remain behind the scenes and not promote himself. When I go to a con, I rarely know who is organizing it, nor would I care. I discovered Malinche's involvement after 5 seconds of looking at the site.

The literature on the site is sophomoric at best, with lame references to Zork that wouldn't have been funny twenty years ago. The site's been up for only 8 days and he's already changed the date of the con.

I wouldn't mind paying the money for the space costs, assuming that I get something for it. What kind of exposure would an indie developer hope to get at this sort of thing? I am curious as to what kind of press plans on coming. I can't imagine that the mainstream gamign press plans on being there.

Most industry conventions are for meeting your colleagues, scheduling business meetings, going to lectures or speeches, and in general to "be seen". This con could possibly offer those things, but as of now I don't see it happening.

The consensus amongst the IGDA crew is "This sounds sketchy." I might go, if the site improves or if there is some significant media buzz about it, but not as an exhibitor. Failing that, I'll wait until the con is over and if it turns out to be a hit I will go next year.

AGA · Thu 01/03/2007 02:55:36

Come to Mittens! It's free, and more people will actually attend!

Grundislav · Thu 01/03/2007 03:14:11

Sounds like a con all right!

I really can't forsee a significant turnout, especially considering the ridiculous price tag. Oh well, good luck to them. I wouldn't go if I were you, Dave. At least, not this year.

Dave Gilbert · Thu 01/03/2007 03:26:48

Hm. I found this on gamedailybiz:

"This is a fantastic opportunity for the world-wide adventure community to show its support for gaming's oldest and most popular genre," says Randy Sluganski, owner of Just Adventure, the Internet's most popular adventure game site, and AdventureCon co-founder.

Randy Sluganski is a co-founder? That makes a little bit more legit, but I'm surprised that Randy's name isn't anywhere on the adventureCon site.

AGA · Thu 01/03/2007 04:13:59

"Internet's most popular adventure game site" - !

Kweepa · Thu 01/03/2007 05:22:27

Quote from: Dave Gilbert on Thu 01/03/2007 02:53:59
The site's been up for only 8 days and he's already changed the date of the con.

Now how could there be confirmed guests with dates changing? And what about anyone who booked flights/hotel/vacation for the previous date? What a mess.

SSH · Thu 01/03/2007 08:19:12

Quote from: Dave Gilbert on Thu 01/03/2007 03:26:48
Randy Sluganski is a co-founder? That makes a little bit more legit, but I'm surprised that Randy's name isn't anywhere on the adventureCon site.

more?

Radiant · Thu 01/03/2007 08:32:13

I was under the impression that gaming's oldest genre was Pong?

Also, Jane Who?

Dave Gilbert · Thu 01/03/2007 13:17:43

Quote from: SSH on Thu 01/03/2007 08:19:12
Quote from: Dave Gilbert on Thu 01/03/2007 03:26:48
Randy Sluganski is a co-founder? That makes a little bit more legit, but I'm surprised that Randy's name isn't anywhere on the adventureCon site.

more?

I'd say so, since Randy is someone who promotes adventure games as a whole, while Howard is, well, Howard.

Mason · Thu 01/03/2007 14:49:06

QuoteAugust 29th - Panel discussion Featuring Scott Adams, Al Lowe, Jane Jensen and Howard Sherman.

Well he didn't put his name first anyway

ADVENTURE Con - USA

m0ds

Mason