CivCon 09

[DanQ]

Speaking on behalf of the CivCon '09 Committee, it is with regret that we inform you that this event has been canceled. The reason for coming to this unfortunate decision was due to low registration numbers, even during the 'early bird' period which ended this past Tuesday. Further, lower interest and availability still was received to participate in the multiplayer tournaments, which were to have made up a considerable portion of the event's itinerary.

Thank you to those of you who expressed interest in this event, and an additional nod of appreciation to those of you who did register. Refunds for registration payments, minus applicable PayPal fees, are to be issued within the next few business days -- contact Treasurer Joe "joebreeves" Reeves (joe.reeves@gmail.com) if you have any concerns in this regard. For hotel and any other reservations (e.g. airfare), you will need to cancel them yourselves. Check the terms of these bookings to ensure that you cancel before you are charged for the service.

It had been hoped that registration numbers would have been plentiful enough to see CivCon '09 realized, but unfortunately that has been proven not to be the case. Hopefully there will be further convention opportunities in the future, and that they will come to pass to ultimately become ApolyCon '06's successors.

----
Daniel "DanQ" Quick
CivCon '09 Committee Adviser

 

[da_Vinci]

Speaking on behalf of the CivCon '09 Committee, it is with regret that we inform you that this event has been canceled. The reason for coming to this unfortunate decision was due to low registration numbers, even during the 'early bird' period which ended this past Tuesday. Further, lower interest and availability still was received to participate in the multiplayer tournaments, which were to have made up a considerable portion of the event's itinerary.

Thank you to those of you who expressed interest in this event, and an additional nod of appreciation to those of you who did register. Refunds for registration payments, minus applicable PayPal fees, are to be issued within the next few business days -- contact Treasurer Joe "joebreeves" Reeves (joe.reeves@gmail.com) if you have any concerns in this regard. For hotel and any other reservations (e.g. airfare), you will need to cancel them yourselves. Check the terms of these bookings to ensure that you cancel before you are charged for the service.

It had been hoped that registration numbers would have been plentiful enough to see CivCon '09 realized, but unfortunately that has been proven not to be the case. Hopefully there will be further convention opportunities in the future, and that they will come to pass to ultimately become ApolyCon '06's successors.

----
Daniel "DanQ" Quick
CivCon '09 Committee Adviser

Well, that is unfortunate.

For future reference, how many registrations did you get and how many would you have needed to go forward?

Also as a future thought ... would having a capacity to have players joint the tournaments online in addition to in person, for some small fee ($20 perhaps?) be a way to enhance the viability of such an event?

Additional thought, should such an event perhaps be broadened to include more games? One could still have dedicated sessions and tourneys for Civ, but share some of the expenses ...

Perhaps the poll function of these forums would allow development of a design (and location?) with more viability.

Oh, you might want to make an addendum to the first post in this thread as well ... and maybe update the notice at the top of all forum pages.

dV

 

[bestbrian]

Sorry, Dan.

 

[DanQ]

Well, that is unfortunate.

It is.

For future reference, how many registrations did you get and how many would you have needed to go forward?

Less then 10 registrations were made. There were just over 20 registrants at predecessor ApolyCon '06, and that many again at least would have been required.

Also as a future thought ... would having a capacity to have players joint the tournaments online in addition to in person, for some small fee ($20 perhaps?) be a way to enhance the viability of such an event?

Given the ongoing frequency of CivIV multiplayer online, that wouldn't strike me as a draw to participate but I know I'm not everyone.

Additional thought, should such an event perhaps be broadened to include more games? One could still have dedicated sessions and tourneys for Civ, but share some of the expenses ...

No, I don't think so. Again I will cite ApolyCon '06 which was the first Civilization series convention, and it was based within the Apolyton community alone.

Perhaps the poll function of these forums would allow development of a design (and location?) with more viability.

There was such an interest thread here on CFC that bore out some such discussion. Certainly there's always room for improvement though.

As for the location, again it was selected due to proximity to Firaxis Games (as was the case in '06, and in consideration of Big Huge Games' stomping grounds also). I would not recommend changing that.

Oh, you might want to make an addendum to the first post in this thread as well ... and maybe update the notice at the top of all forum pages.

I am unable to do so, and as such have put in a request to have that done as soon as CFC personnel are able.

Sorry, Dan.

Thanks -- me too.

 

[sunrise089]

This is very unfortunate. I had planned to register and attend. At least you didn't cancel it due to only one person too few

Thanks for all of your hard work!

 

[Rusty Edge]

Well, my wife says "I told you so " .

On balance I lost the chance to buy the Polycast crew dinner, and the opportunity to win the tournament with a "put it on my tab" bar strategy. I probably am going to lose sky miles, but it looks like a net savings in $ for me. UPDATE- we were able to get credit for the tickets.

I've lost a few high hopes-

*helping with errands, registration, and what -not to contribute to making the making CivCon '09 successful.

*getting to personally thank anyone on the firaxis team for my endless hours of enjoyment.

* introducing one of my favorite mods to somebody who's never experienced it.

* making a few new friends.

*learning some tip that will save time/tedium in the game or otherwise make it even more enjoyable.

*getting a chance to take some of the discussions here to Real Life.



Regardless, I'd like to thank the people on the comittee for the time and effort they expended Successes sometimes requires only enough time and effort to get by ... an unsuccesssful attempt requires untold amounts of time , effort(possibly maximum ), and a heaping helping of frustration.

 

[bestbrian]

Damn, Rusty, that was really well said.

 

[da_Vinci]

Less then 10 registrations were made. There were just over 20 registrants at predecessor ApolyCon '06, and that many again at least would have been required.

Given the ongoing frequency of CivIV multiplayer online, that wouldn't strike me as a draw to participate [online tourney] but I know I'm not everyone.

There was such an interest thread here on CFC that bore out some such discussion. Certainly there's always room for improvement though.

Took a look at the thread/poll you mentioned ... looks like some 60 folks expressed interest at some time.

I hope it was not a matter of 10 pre-registered and 20 more were plannning on same day registration ...

If proximity to Firaxis keeps the location in the Baltimore area, then the key is to cultivate a sufficient core of interest in that area to make the break even minimum registration. Trouble is that is just the group likely to register on site rather than ahead (no travel arrangements required).

Given the interest expressed by folks unable to travel, and if there were prizes, perhaps a nominal fee online + live tournament to "support the cause" would have some takers.

dV

 

[DanQ]

This is very unfortunate. I had planned to register and attend. At least you didn't cancel it due to only one person too few

I hadn't thought of it that way before.

Thanks for all of your hard work!

Thank you for the kind words.

Well, my wife says "I told you so " .

A Civilization convention has come about before -- where I was Chairman -- and I believe it can come about again. Some unexpected extenuating circumstances played out that greatly contributed to the demise of this would-have-been gathering.

On balance I lost the chance to buy the Polycast crew dinner, and the opportunity to win the tournament with a "put it on my tab" bar strategy.

I probably am going to lose sky miles, but it looks like a net savings in $ for me. UPDATE- we were able to get credit for the tickets.

I'm glad that you were able to get credit for the tickets.

Regardless, I'd like to thank the people on the comittee for the time and effort they expended Successes sometimes requires only enough time and effort to get by ... an unsuccesssful attempt requires untold amounts of time , effort(possibly maximum ), and a heaping helping of frustration.

Thank you for your kind words as well.

Damn, Rusty, that was really well said.

QFT.

Took a look at the thread/poll you mentioned ... looks like some 60 folks expressed interest at some time.

I hope it was not a matter of 10 pre-registered and 20 more were plannning on same day registration ...

If proximity to Firaxis keeps the location in the Baltimore area, then the key is to cultivate a sufficient core of interest in that area to make the break even minimum registration. Trouble is that is just the group likely to register on site rather than ahead (no travel arrangements required).

And unfortunately, we could not rely on on-site registrations in order to break even financially.

Given the interest expressed by folks unable to travel, and if there were prizes, perhaps a nominal fee online + live tournament to "support the cause" would have some takers.

Some prizes were secured, but admittedly that was late into the event's lead-up timeline.

 

[Rusty Edge]

Thanks, Brian and Dan.

Today's thoughts are that anyone in Hunt Valley with their ear to the ground to ascertain the market would hear the fanatics" making some noise" and describe the sound as insufficient interest at this time .

 

[mrt144]

I work for a CVB (So I see all sorts of meetings, reunions, trade shows, and conventions) and seriously, 10 people registered? That's laughably small.

 

[da_Vinci]

And unfortunately, we could not rely on on-site registrations in order to break even financially.

Some prizes were secured, but admittedly that was late into the event's lead-up timeline.

No question, the early registration has to get you to break even, or you can't go forward. My point was more on whether the issue was interest, or was it more lack of willingness to commit early on by those interested ... since the solutions to those different problems are different.

I have to think that participating remotely in a tounament hosted at a convention, with some prizes on the line, is a more high profile event than the typical online game and thus may generate some interest for that reason. But that would just be gravy, and you would still need enough boots on the ground to assure the break even.

dV

 

[DanQ]

I work for a CVB (So I see all sorts of meetings, reunions, trade shows, and conventions) and seriously, 10 people registered? That's laughably small.

Seriously. I certainly didn't find it funny, understandably so, but without a doubt the number was small... too small.

No question, the early registration has to get you to break even, or you can't go forward. My point was more on whether the issue was interest, or was it more lack of willingness to commit early on by those interested ... since the solutions to those different problems are different.

The start to the registration was unexpectedly delayed several times until just a little than a month before the event was to begin -- the hotel reservation capability had been in place since last December.

I have to think that participating remotely in a tounament hosted at a convention, with some prizes on the line, is a more high profile event than the typical online game and thus may generate some interest for that reason.

I won't argue with the plausibility of that.

But that would just be gravy, and you would still need enough boots on the ground to assure the break even.

Indeed.

 

[attackfighter]

it should have been in somewhere other than baltimore....

also, it could be next to an anime convention or something so u get more registrations

 

[DanQ]

it should have been in somewhere other than baltimore....

Why? It's in Firaxis' neck of the woods, and that's where the previous convention was successfully held before as well (bit closer to Big Huge Games' headquarters in that case is all).

 

[damunzy]

Speaking on behalf of the CivCon '09 Committee, it is with regret that we inform you that this event has been canceled. The reason for coming to this unfortunate decision was due to low registration numbers

Ah, shucks. I just got 'approval' from the wife about this too.

I am glad that I was driving down and going to camp out somewhere- I hope that everyone else is able to get refunds/credits.

Thanks for all the work by the committee. Hopefully this can be done in the future. Until then, LAN Party at my place!!!

 

[DanQ]

Ah, shucks. I just got 'approval' from the wife about this too.

I am glad that I was driving down and going to camp out somewhere- I hope that everyone else is able to get refunds/credits.

The cancellation occurred sufficiently in advance for refunds, or if not possible for some reason as you note credits, to be issued. To be more specific, I haven't heard -- yet anyway -- of anyone not being able to do so... I know I was able to cancel my reservations with ease and no financial hit.

Thanks for all the work by the committee. Hopefully this can be done in the future.

 

[Glassfan]

Dang! There goes my cunning plan to check out Lemon Merchant!

Well, at least the media won't make us out as a bunch of "Trekky" nuts.

Given the international flavor of the Forums (Sweden, New Zealand, England, Japan, etc.), does it seem likely you could get everyone together physically in one place? What about a Net event?
Firaxis must have T1 - most of us have laptops with cameras - Anyone interested?

 

[DanQ]

Well, at least the media won't make us out as a bunch of "Trekky" nuts.

Given the international flavor of the Forums (Sweden, New Zealand, England, Japan, etc.), does it seem likely you could get everyone together physically in one place?

No, but that wasn't the expectation either. There was hope that there would be at least a few registrants from overseas, such as was seen at predecessor ApolyCon '06, but that would not have been the case this time around had the event gone ahead it seems. Given the cost of travel in particular (time as well as financial), the Committee knew that international participation would unfortunately be prohibitive.

 

[Skyrider68]

Why? It's in Firaxis' neck of the woods, and that's where the previous convention was successfully held before as well (bit closer to Big Huge Games' headquarters in that case is all).

True, the location was next to the "mothership", but still a long trip for some. As a west-coaster it's a tough sell to not only pay for the the cross-country trek, but also endure 10 hours in a coach seat. Still, I understand the decision on the site. I think current economic times also add hardship for some to justify the expenditure.

Maybe in the not-too-distant future another attempt can be made. Ever give any thought into incorporating a Civ event into an existing game-related con?