What, why?

This page is for Game Masters (GMs) who will run tabletop role-playing games in Ropecon 2017. This information is not for live action role-playing games.

Ropecon is a great chance to test your own adventures with new players and receive feedback. You can rerun great scenarios, and give new ideas to others. You can introduce new game systems and game worlds, or just enjoy running games.

Ropecon’s theme for year 2017 is “Classics”. Have you wanted to run a game using a classic game system? What classical mechanics, character types, or plot elements could you use in your games? Maybe with a new twist? What are the modern classics of role-playing games? What are your classics? We encourage the use of the theme, but it is not required.

Game Masters will receive free weekend tickets by running eight hours of games, or one day ticket with four hours. It's possible to upgrade the day ticket to a full weekend ticket by paying the difference (12 euro). Game Masters will also be rewarded with loot, free role-playing stuff, which is given out on Sunday. The more games you run, the higher you climb in the loot ladder!

How to sign up to be a GM?

~~First, read this guide with thought. Then fill the sign-up form.~~ When your sign-up is registered to our system, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. If the form is not suitable for your needs or you didn't receive the confirmation message, contact the head of role-playing games via e-mail: roolipelit@ropecon.fi. Please note that the game time asked in the form is a request, which we will try to follow, but which may change.

~~The sign-up is open until June 30th. Make sure that you do the sign-up before the deadline.~~ The sign-up has closed.

If you didn't sign up as a GM, but want to run games, you're free to do so. You can use any empty table, but you have to move if a game has been scheduled to use the desk. If you want to include your game in the official player sign-up process, ask the Role-Playing Game Desk and they will help you out. The games added during Ropecon will also count towards the loot ladder, as long as they're recorded to the GM feedback form.

Only GMs who signed up before the sign-up deadline will receive a free ticket.

Tips for GMs

Ropecon and similar conventions are a unique environment for running games. This should be taken in consideration when planning your games.

Use pre-made characters. If the character creation takes more than 10 minutes for a new player, you should consider bringing pre-made characters.
Write a good description. You want stand out and draw the attention of the players. You will also be more likely to get the type of players you wish for. The sign-up form includes keywords you can select for your games. It's also good to let the players know if you are testing a game that is not finished.
Think about the game length. The usual standard for convention games is 2-6 hours. In a convention like Ropecon, the player's time is more precious and there might be a new game starting in the same table, so please pay attention to your allocated time. It should also be considered that it might take 30 minutes to get the game properly running.
Consider the convention environment. Game rooms are large and loud, and there are constantly people passing by, which might be a trouble for games requiring silent place and certain atmosphere. We try to offer more peaceful rooms and single-game rooms for those who need them, for example more atmospheric games and freeform games, but the space is limited. Mention your wish for a quieter space, with a short justification, in the "Other information for the Role-Playing Help Desk" field of your sign-up form.
Consider a flexible number of players. If your game can take 3-5 players, instead of strict four, it is easier to avoid surprises caused by the number of players.
Ropecon encourages beginner friendly games. Please consider if your game would be also suitable for beginners. The growth of the hobby requires new players, who will be the future GMs and Ropecon organizers.
In Ropecon, there will be a lot of different kinds of players. Treat all your players with respect, without looking at their gender, game experience, or social skills.

I signed up as a GM, what now?

Finish your con games before the Ropecon. It's also recommended to test your games beforehand.
Arrive to Ropecon (Ropecon 2017, 28.-30.7.2017, Messukeskus Convention Center, Helsinki, Finland).
More information closer to the con.

Loot

On Sunday, before the closing ceremonies, the GMs who have returned their GM feedback form will be rewarded with free role-playing stuff. The Loot will mostly consist of role-playing products, and often contains some real finds. All GMs will be able to pick loot at least once, those who have run the most games maybe even more. To attend loot, the GM feedback form must be returned to the Role-Playing Game Desk in time.

If you prefer, you can forgo the loot and instead get the right to use the Ropecon staff back room and attend the staff wrap-up party. Ask the Role-Playing Game Desk for more details.

T-shirt

GMs can order Ropecon's staff t-shirt, with or without your (nick)name and role-playing games' group slogan. You can claim your t-shirt when you arrive at Ropecon.

~~Order deadline is June 14th, and the payment has to be on Ropecon's bank account by June 16th.~~ T-shirt orders have ended.

Game advertisement competition

You can advertise your game with an A4 size or smaller advertisement. Bring a physical copy of your advertisement to the Role-Playing Game Desk, and they will put it on the wall.

The best advertisement will be rewarded at the start of the Loot. Remember to put your name and phone number (or other contact details) on the advertisement, so we can contact the winner. If you cannot attend the Loot on Sunday, you can send someone to pick the prize for you. Unfortunately we cannot deliver the prize after the convention.

Questions?

If you have questions, feel free to contact the head of role-playing games Aatu Liimatta: roolipelit@ropecon.fi.

Ropecon 2017 GM guide