It is never too early to get this thread started.

In talking with a few people, I will be proposing to run an AD&D Open Tournament at the 2011 North Texas RPG Convention. Jon Hershberger, of Black Blade Publishing (tacojohn), has expressed interested in joining the foray.

Initially, I am looking for feedback on the concept. Tentatively, this would be a two-round tournament (four hour blocks). I am not sure how to set up the rounds. Friday night and Saturday morning sound good, but not everyone is at the con on Friday. However, this gives us the opportunity to announce the winners Saturday, maybe after auction or raffle.

Probably looking for three teams of eight to compete. That means we need three DMs, too.

What do you think? Ideas, comments, suggestions...

Right now I am leaning toward Storm Over Skyreach; Gen Con tournament from 1990 or 91. It fits the time slots and has been thoroughly run.
We ran 15 teams through round one. And five through round two. But, I want to talk to Jon Hershberger some more. We will need to grab another DM or two.

bbarsh wrote:It is never too early to get this thread started.

In talking with a few people, I will be proposing to run an AD&D Open Tournament at the 2011 North Texas RPG Convention. Jon Hershberger, of Black Blade Publishing (tacojohn), has expressed interested in joining the foray.

Initially, I am looking for feedback on the concept. Tentatively, this would be a two-round tournament (four hour blocks). I am not sure how to set up the rounds. Friday night and Saturday morning sound good, but not everyone is at the con on Friday. However, this gives us the opportunity to announce the winners Saturday, maybe after auction or raffle.

Probably looking for three teams of eight to compete. That means we need three DMs, too.

What do you think? Ideas, comments, suggestions...

I take it this means all three teams would compete Friday night, but only the two highest scoring teams compete Saturday morning? Or all three teams again Friday morning?  I would be worried about dropouts depending on what games are run against the tourney slots Saturday morning.

The main issue (well not really an issue if we prepare) is to get three DMs familiar with the material, three slots with 8 players each (24 players), and a hard and fast beginning and ending for each group.  Plus being able to place each group far enough away so they don't accidentally hear what other groups are doing. Something along the lines of using both board rooms and another spot in the main room, or the seminar room for one group.

Also using three slots for this Friday night would cut down on other events being run and players available (i.e. 24 players and 3 DMs out of the loop for the night).  

It sounds fun and having run this at an old Gencon I would guess you've taken it for a test drive before. I'd like to try and we have an entire year to work on the concept.

Mike B.

Mythmere1 wrote:I'm not a big fan of tournaments, but I think it would probably be popular. I guess I don't like the idea of having a competitive side to the convention. It's one thing for Circvs Maximvs, which is inherently a competitive game, but for an RPG?

Nevertheless, I think it would probably be popular ... although a thread like this is definitely a good idea ... I might not be as much in the minority as I think I am.

i agree....i think it would be quite fun, but i am more for the traditional game myself....the pace and the feel for things would be very different.

interesting though - will be fun to see what everyone thinks about it.

Al

ashmire13 wrote:In retrospect, looking at my history, probably best to stick with playing a small game rather than tournament.  

The game run by Ben Burns was an excellent game that ran smoothly with no real need to consult the rulebook.  The game was for first-level characters, so it was a simple game of rolling saving throws, attack rolls, damage rolls, etc.  No complex mapping and the like.

Simple does not mean boring.  The simplicity of the game meant that attention was focused on playing and having fun.  It had a detailed plot, numerous encounters, and problem-solving.  What more can be asked from an RPG session?

Maybe you can find a Skype or face-to-face game in the meantime to hone your dice-rolling skills.  

FormCritic wrote:
Ben Burns was at NTRPGcon?

Ben lives in the area and he ran one of his published modules for a group.  From checking on them time to time they seemed to be having a blast.

Mike B.