The Apolyton Convention of 2006.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
Is the convention going to cost anything?

Well, it'll cost you much less than most because you don't have to get a hotel (I don't think), but you think this is really going to be free? Who's going to pay for it?

[JohnT]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
Is the convention going to cost anything?

I don't have much (any) cash.

I put a tentative "attendee budget" on post 138 (I think) in this thread.

As far as the convention itself, yes, there will be a convention fee of between $40-70, this fee paying for the meeting rooms, Dan/Marks travel reiumbursements, golf fees for Sid/Brian, and some miscellaneous expenses.

In time, when I find out more and can nail down some things, I'll start an official "finances" thread.

[Zopperoni]

Originally posted by JohnT
For starters... What is a "nine-person carrier"? I've never heard of such a thing.

It's a large MPV:

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by JohnT
I put a tentative "attendee budget" on post 138 (I think) in this thread.

As far as the convention itself, yes, there will be a convention fee of between $40-70, this fee paying for the meeting rooms, Dan/Marks travel reiumbursements, golf fees for Sid/Brian, and some miscellaneous expenses.

In time, when I find out more and can nail down some things, I'll start an official "finances" thread.

I guess I'll have to figure out how to get a paycheck before then...

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by JohnT
A nearby hotel is really the best way to go because once you're there, you're there. The convention center we'll keep in mind, but do note that it is 20 miles away from BHG, 26 miles away from Firaxis. I'll send an email to the proper person at the Marriott and see if I can't get a price sheet by Monday night (GMT -5).

Well I'll have THABOAT with me, so I can shuttle people. Its not a "nine-person carrier", but I've fit nine people in it before. Y'all just have to be thin and not mind riding in the trunk.

You think I'm kidding....

[conmcb25]

Cool!

The "Official Apolycon Limo"

Brought to you coutesy of OzzyKP

[JohnT]

Ozzy, if you are up to ferrying people around in that thing, we might work a bit on lowering/eliminating that fee for ya.

However, if the price of gas doesn't plummet to $.75/gallon by next July, you'll likely do better cost-wise by just attending and let the other people fend for themselves.

[conmcb25]

OzzyKP if you cant get a picture of you ferrying Sid Meyer around in that thing Ill pay for your conference fee

[Adrian Hon]

This sounds like a lot of fun - I'd definitely like to come (pending availability/time, etc) and moreover, I'm really keen on the idea of a realtime MP democracy game Demogames are one of my favourite 'game theory' subjects and I'd be up for helping to organise one.

[conmcb25]

Originally posted by Adrian Hon
This sounds like a lot of fun - I'd definitely like to come (pending availability/time, etc) and moreover, I'm really keen on the idea of a realtime MP democracy game Demogames are one of my favourite 'game theory' subjects and I'd be up for helping to organise one.

Ditto

I think I mentioned that somewhere in the main thread but I agree a 100%.

We NEED to do this, and should check to make sure both facilities have wirless internet (for ease of playing) or some of us bring the stuff to set up a lan.

I think the wireless internet is a better idea because then we can play whereever we want to play.

We should start another thread about this, Ill get to that today.

[JohnT]

Most hotels have hi-speed wireless, what's important is whether their network can handle something like a gaming convention, or if they got a Linksys thing from Wal-Mart, hooked it up to the computer in the office, and called it "hi-speed wireless". Yeah... for the front desk.

Marriott should do it right. I sent out a RFQ yesterday to the Hunt Valley Marriott based upon 60 attendees and I made particular reference that this was a gaming convention and to expect heavy usage on their network. Elsewhere in this thread it was mentioned that they've hosted gaming conventions before, so if that's true, there should be no problem.

[conmcb25]

Originally posted by JohnT
Most hotels have hi-speed wireless, what's important is whether their network can handle something like a gaming convention, or if they got a Linksys thing from Wal-Mart, hooked it up to the computer in the office, and called it "hi-speed wireless". Yeah... for the front desk.

Marriott should do it right. I sent out a RFQ yesterday to the Hunt Valley Marriott based upon 60 attendees and I made particular reference that this was a gaming convention and to expect heavy usage on their network. Elsewhere in this thread it was mentioned that they've hosted gaming conventions before, so if that's true, there should be no problem.

Great, I think this is what we need, the amount of gaming that will be going on during this thing will obviously be tremendous.

[JohnT]

One thing that I did not ask for is a permament, 24-hour "gaming room", a meeting room set up specifically for gaming sessions. We could do that or we could game in our rooms.

The meeting room is the better idea as it keeps the meet going, however it will add to the budget.

Our rooms will work, but coverage might be spotty and we will lose some of the "togetherness" feel gained from having a dedicated gaming room. However, gaming in our rooms has the distinct benefit of already being paid for.

Possible solution: Reserve a block of rooms on the same floor. If we get enough people, reserve the floor. We have until 6 weeks until the start of the convention to positively, absolutely sign a contract with the hotel (effectively making that the close date for registrations!), so we should know what we need.

I have no idea if it's possible, but is there some quick way to measure wireless signal strength - something from Radio Shack? It would behoove the convention to, if possible, check on that when making the on-site inspection of the place.

[conmcb25]

I would say game in our rooms or have gaming time as part of the schedule in the room we are getting anyway for presentations and get togethers.

The reason I say that is if Im in a demo game lets say (and I think you'll have a lot of interest for that) i want to be in one of the team members rooms so I have privacy to discuss issues as a team.

Putting us as much as possible on the same floor will enhance that because if I have a diplomatic issue I can just go to the other teams room and discuss or visa versa.

At least IMHO that would work best, and it would be cheaper

[Adrian Hon]

Whilte there'll obviously be people playing a lot of MP Civ during the con, I doubt it'll be anywhere near the levels seen at other gaming cons. Even with the infamously quick games of Civ4, we're still talking about hours per game; such things are not as well suited for cons as FPSes or RTSes. I suspect there'll be more interest in a more limited number of focused 'exhibition matches' featuring interesting players (e.g. Brian/Sid) and demogames

Incidentally, a projector is a must, as well as a decent projector screen. Firaxis will have a few lying around which they might be able to lend us; otherwise we could borrow one from somewhere else, or if all else fails, just rent one.

You can buy little wireless signal detectors that aren't too expensive, but ultimately the best measure is turning on a laptop.