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The theme for 2010 is CanGames is always looking for Game Masters (GMs) to run events for us at our annual convention. This page has been prepared to help our GMs to work with us to ensure their events (and the convention as a whole) run as smoothly as possible. This page covers the various steps associated with running a game at CanGames, and covers all the steps from submitting your game right through to what you should do just after your game ends. We encourage you to read the page through completely. BEFORE THE CONVENTIONDownload GM Reply form 2010 (RTF Format) Before you can run an event at the convention, you need to let us know about it. Unless you have been contacted by someone else on the committee, games should be submitted to this year’s Tournament Director, Chris Evans. To submit your event, please fill in the GM Reply Form and send it, as an attached file, to Chris. Even if you have run events for us in the past, please fill out all the personal information requested in the GM Reply Form. Confused about prizes? Prizes at CanGames come in two categories - those given out by the GM and those given out by CanGames. Those given out by CanGames come in two types – certificates and trophies. CanGames will provide at least certificates for the winners of your games, and may provide a single trophy for first place. Before asking for a trophy, please consider whether the winner will be determined more by player skill or by luck. Also, consider the number of players in your game. If the winner is likely to be determined by skill, your game is appropriate for a trophy. If you don’t want to decide on a winner, select “0” (zero) prizes. Your game will be given a code including the letter “D”, for “demonstration”. As the GM, you are also free to provide any additional prize support you wish. Rule books, miniatures, dice sets, and other gaming paraphernalia all make for nice prizes. Keep in mind that you are NOT obliged to provide prize support of your own. If you are planning to provide prizes of your own, however, please let us know. We’ll put a special notation in your game’s description… and then start beating back the hordes of players who will try to pre-register for your event On the GM Reply Form, indicate the total number of prizes you wish for your event, whether you will be providing them or us. IMPORTANT DEADLINES Games submitted by February 7, 2009 will be included in the schedule mailed out as part of our annual flyer. The final deadline for submitting games which will be included in the convention booklet is April 11, 2009. Please note, however, that tables are assigned on a first come-first served basis, and popular time-slots often fill early.
· Check your game description online The schedule of games is available at the web site, and will be updated regularly beginning in mid-January. After you have submitted your game, please give us about a week to add it to the schedule, and then check to confirm that your game has been listed and that the information is accurate. Please inform Chris (as soon as possible) of any problems with the published information.
Please note that the information provided in the online schedule will be used by us to prepare the flyer and convention booklet. Unless your game’s title or description are unacceptably long, we will not edit the information you provide. To avoid errors occurring if we have to edit your game’s information, please keep your title and description concise, following the suggestions in the GM Reply Form. · Check that you have everything for your game Although it may seem like overkill, making a list of everything you need to bring to run your game properly is a good idea. Use it as a check-list when you’re ready to leave for the convention. It’s very disappointing to both the GM and the players when a game can’t be run properly because some essential piece of kit got forgotten. So, for your own good and that of your players, please take the time to make a list… and check it twice. Don’t forget the “small” items that you might need - tape measures, pens and paper, all the necessary dice, a calculator.
· Play-test your game We know this isn’t always possible, but if you have a chance it’s a great idea to play-test your game. This is especially true if you haven’t had to run an event in a restricted time slot before. Try to ensure your players will be able to complete your scenario within the time you’ve been allotted.
· Pre-register for the convention Whether you’re planning to play, or only running events as a GM, it’s a great idea to pre-register for the convention. This way, we’ll have your registration package ready for you. If you’re going to play events, it’s a good idea to pre-register for at least one or two, to ensure you can play what you want. (Please remember that GMs who don’t pay for admission are not permitted to play in games. This is to keep things fair for our paid attendees.) For added convenience, you can now pay using PayPal. Also, if you want a great CanGames souvenir, don’t forget that there are special “GM Only” shirts. These are available by pre-order only, and will be waiting for you at the convention.
AT THE CONVENTIONCheck in at the Tournament DeskGMs should check in at the Tournament Desk. If you've pre-registered, your registration package will be ready for you there. If you are registering on-site, please register before visiting us at the Tournament Desk. If you're ONLY running games at the con, please come directly to the Tournament Desk. At the Tournament Desk you should check to make sure a sign-up sheet exists for your game and, if your event is running on multiple tables, find out which tables have been assigned to you. · Be at your table early Be at your assigned table at least 15 minutes before your event (or earlier if you need to set up the table). Players often stop by early, and if there's no GM they may run off to play another game. · Collect your sign-up sheet Send one of your players to collect your sign-up sheet (from the Tournament Desk) about 5 minutes before your event's start time. Take attendance when your game is supposed to start, admitting players according to the order they appear on your sign-up sheet until your game is full. Players who show up late should not be permitted to bump players who were lower on the priority list but were present on time and were admitted to the game. · Check your players’ badges Ensure each of your players has a CanGames badge that is either numbered or marked "Dealer". Players with an un-numbered badge marked "GM" were admitted to the convention for free, and are not allowed to play events. This is for the sake of fairness to our paid attendees. Players who have no badge (or who say they have lost their badge, or who have an un-numbered GM badge) should be directed to the CanGames desk, where they can obtain a numbered (replacement) badge. · Keep within your allotted time Start and end your event on time. This is both for your players, who may have other events to go to and may want to eat or shop between games, and because often another GM will be using your table in the next time slot, and may need time to set up. · Return your sign-up sheet After your event, fill out the winners list (legibly, please!) at the bottom of your sign-up sheet, and return the sheet to the Tournament desk. Please do this whether your game has winners or not. Please remind your players to check the "winners" board and to pick up their prizes, as appropriate. · Get your GM appreciation gift certificate When you return your sign-up sheet to the Tournament Desk, you can sign for your “GM appreciation” gift certificate. (Please return your sign-up sheet to us whether your game has winners or not, to help us plan future conventions.) If your game is running Sunday afternoon or evening, you may pick up your gift certificate Sunday morning. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION· If you are giving out prizes If you are giving out a prize you provided yourself, you can do this at the table (if you have decided on a winner right away) or we can keep the prize at the Tournament desk and give it to the winner for you. If your prize was provided by a corporate sponsor and was sent directly to us, we will keep it at the desk and give it to the winner you indicate on your sign-up sheet. FOR NEW GMS CanGames committee members are always around if you feel you need some advice or input. If you have any difficulties with players at your table (and we note this is NOT common), please call on us if you need assistance. Keep in mind that you are doing CanGames and your players a favour by running the event for them. Your players may have opinions and/or advice about the rules or the way you're running your event, but in the end your decisions should be final. Under no circumstances should you tolerate abusive behavior from any players, towards yourself or towards any other player at your table. If this (exceptionally rare) circumstance occurs, please ask a committee member for assistance in resolving the situation. We offer the following suggestions for our GMs: · Maintain control of the game. You are running the game - not the players. It is very hard to regain control from the players. · Be consistent. If you interpret the rules in a certain manner, apply this interpretation consistently for the entire game. · Arbitrate. Don't argue Settle disagreements quickly and diplomatically. Continual arguments destroy the game for everyone. · Avoid favouritism. No matter what the situation, stay impartial. Your respect as a game master depends on it. · Know your rules. Be up to date with the rules you are using. Your ability to GM will be significantly undermined if your players know the rules better than you or if you can’t interpret the rules in certain situations. Explain any errata or scenario-specific modifications that may impact play. Game Awards At CanGames, many Game Masters run visually appealing games. Players find such games more memorable and it creates a great display for the public. To reward those game masters who put time and energy into creating these great looking games, we offer the following awards: * o Best Terrain o Best Visual Improvements to a Board Game o Best Visuals for a Role-Play Game o Outstanding Role Playing Game o Outstanding Theme Game Suggestions? If you have any ideas regarding Game Master Appreciation, please forward them to us at: information@cangames.ca
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