What if we promise to tattoo the coupon code on the back of the "winner"?




But seriously, I _LOOOOVE_ NobleBear's idea about borrowing KublaCon's idea for custom money. It appeals to the economist in me. And it's fungible! (it's not, but that word is fun to say. FUNGIBLE .... FUNgible ... can't say "FUNGIBLE" without a little fun!) You could even rank the prizes by how many FtBucks they're worth. So the attendee who GM's more games or does more volunteer work get's more FtBucks and is able to pick up the $50 hardcover game book, but the dude who won "best imitation of a cat hacking up a hairball in a non-furry larp" can spend his $5 FtBucks on something smaller.

Letting people buy FtBucks could also be an alternate means of raising money to cover the cost of the con. Maybe some people want to be able to hand out FtBucks for their own purposes (as a 'thank you' to people who've done them a service, like ferried them around all week or what-have-you). Or maybe you can put up a set of prizes like "custom forum titles" and value them at $50 FtBucks so that either you run 4+ games or cough up some doe to get one.

The one downside I can immediately foresee is the confusion with those services that still require greenbacks. Announcements like "please don't tip the bartender in FtBucks!" or "Stacy doesn't accept FtBucks for food!" may be needed.

We also need a contest to name this new currency ... an artist to doodle out the art in the center of each denomination. I vote for "FtBucks" which is easy to write, and can be pronounced like "eff-tee's"; as in, "hand me 5 eff-tee's, I've earned them!" But we could also use "Fear the Monetary Units - FMU's" or the not-as-related-to-Fear-the-Boot name of "FUNgible's" which is both easy to say, sort-of-appropriate, and kind of related to having fun at a convention.

1) Not at all. I actually walked my prize right over to my sister-in-law, because I already had a copy of Call of Cthulhu and she didn't. If I cared more about prize support, I would have looked at the table before the drawing, and maybe saw the digital prize, or at least wasted less time while at the table/felt less hurried in picking a prize.

2) No, if it's good quality, or really rare/nostalgic/Earthshaker.

3) No impact at all. I ran a game because I had an idea for a plot and because I felt like I ought to, seeing how I'd been mooching (playing only) for a couple years already.

4) I think I'd like after every round more, but, eh, it doesn't really matter.

5) I like the idea of rewarding GMs who ran more games more. Maybe put a name in the hat for each game you ran, so someone who ran five games gets 5 slips of paper in the hat, and keep drawing until prizes are gone.

6) Do whatever helps the con more. It that means attendance prizes, then go for it. But, make sure there is some way to reward GMs for being there. Like GM dice.

GM dice seem so popular. I know that they were froman attendee lat year, but would it not be feasable to get some next year? I would be totally happy with just gm dice as a prize. I might even pick gm dice off the table instead of other items just for bragging rights. I am sort of antics addict though.

I have not yet GMed a game at FtC, but I plan to do so next year.


1) How important is GM Prize Support to you?

It's not. That's not to say that I don't think it's awesome. It's incredibly awesome. I would very much like to see it continue. It's just not something that comes to mind when I think of FtC. It's a terrific perk - it's just not a significant element of the FtC experience.


2) Would you care if a prize had been used?

I'd like to say no, and I really think that's true - but it's hard to say for sure. If I was torn choosing between two prizes, one of them being used might be a factor in my choice. But, assuming I was assured that no pieces were missing or anything, I would definitely pick a used item that I was interested in over a new or more expensive one.


3) Does prize support have any impact on whether you run a game or not?

No, none at all.


4) When should prize support be given out?

Wasn't there a chunk of down-time between Mikey's act and the next slot? I know there was a trivia game then, but I imagine it could be shortened to make room.

5) How should prize support be given out?

Lottery seems fair to me. Maybe tack a trading-session on the end?


6) Would changing it to attendance prizes be better? (from a selfish standpoint this is something that could be added to the advertisemens)

Unless you could give out something worthwhile, I would say no. Chintzy little knick-knacks are fine and all, but I'd much prefer our wonderful GMs be rewarded with something cool than everyone be given a refrigerator magnet or whatever.


7) Any other thoughts or comments on the subject?

How about making up the difference with a couple of prizes that you guys can provide yourselves at little or no cost? I'm sure every GM at the con would jump at the chance to GM a one-shot for you guys at some point. Maybe a pan of carmelitas. Maybe a guest appearance on the podcast. Maybe a specially-crafted work-out regimen and afternoon at the gym with Chris.

Lot's of possibilities, really. Of course, you should put some toys and games up there too for those of us that hate you guys and are in it strictly for the swag.

I have mixed, but generally positive views on "bucks" for prize support. The biggest issue is that it takes time to build the economy that makes it all work right. The option of paying for additional bucks to score the valuable prize you want might be a very handy way of supporting the con...but it could also may mean you end up with a lot of leftovers if the there isn't enough cash in the micro-economy.

* 1) How important is GM Prize Support to you?
On a scale of 1-10: 5.218745485214514529453145265411

* 2) Would you care if a prize had been used?
If it was in good condition, I would not have a problem with accepting another gamer's cast-off.

* 3) Does prize support have any impact on whether you run a game or not?
No.

* 4) When should prize support be given out?
At the end of the first day or in the middle of the second day (before the show recording).

* 5) How should prize support be given out?
The drawing worked. Next time WITHOUT lanyards.

* 6) Would changing it to attendance prizes be better? (from a selfish standpoint this is something that could be added to the advertisements)
If any prize support is given, then those that took the time to run a game should reap the bennies.

* 7) Any other thoughts or comments on the subject?
Testicles...that is all.