Let's tackle part 2 of how to run a
convention like a dumbass brought to you by the fine folks at Archon.
This time we'll talk about their first big show of disdain for the
Facebook group in the fight over peacebonding and prop weapons.
Okay I can see the reasons for weapon
policies and all that. Especially at conventions where there is
quite a bit of drinking going on later in the night. But sometimes
the people at the top let the control go to their head which trickles
down to the people on the floor.
Things I've personally seen with my own
eyes. Telling a person with a leg brace that he couldn't have a walking
cane. Going after people who were carrying around umbrellas even
though it was raining outside and the con takes place in both a hotel
and a con center in which you have to walk between the two. When
brought up to staff they hand wave these things off and act like you
are making this up. But then they get to walk around with whatever
the fuck they want with no problem. They make the rules but never,
NEVER, follow them themselves.
Eventually things started getting to a
louder roar when they were peacebonding a toy ray gun (small pistol
sized) that a child was carrying around. Made him strap it to his
outfit so he couldn't hold it. Why? Because he MIGHT run into the
art room unattended and he MIGHT damage something and the parents
MIGHT not want to pay for it. Yes they basically came and accused
the parents of being basically bad parents on this. Nothing was left
to be held in the hand. Tried to make a guy in a full Ghostbusters
uniform strap his working prop PKE meter into a little belt holster
so he couldn't pull it out. Why? Because he may hit somebody with
it. Yeah right whatever. Dicks.
Then suddenly ComiCon appeared on the
horizon with them opening up a St. Louis date. Archon sat back
unworried and said they'll have a promotional desk there. All was
cool. Until all the cosplayers started talking on the group about
their experience at ComiCon.
Peacebonding and prop weapon policies
super lax compared to Archon. They could pull out their fake guns,
swords, whatever and pose with them for pictures (at Archon that
could get you kicked out because it's not peacebonded on you). The
staff was mixed in with them, talking, taking pictures and enjoying
the whole thing with them. Then came the big line that made Archon
staff shit themselves a little.
“I think I'm just going to focus on
ComiCon every year and forget about going to Archon”
A line that was joined in by many of
the costuming folks. Tired of the constant harassment by the staff
they finally had another option. Many also started asking about who
they need to get into touch with to get a refund on their preorder
passes. Oh shit, cosplayers were making up a good chunk of Archon
attendees, and now they were talking about leaving.
Staff FINALLY paid attention. Pissed
off over this all coming up on the group (though never acknowledging
the fact that they never gave a damn before) they started to back
peddle rapidly. Citing that they needed to talk with their insurance
providers and a lawyer before making any official statement to soon.
Well the continued well of unsatisfied
folks continued to press that they either wanted a refund or a policy
change before the next con date. So finally the staff, gritting
their teeth the whole way, caved in. Relaxing on the policy a lot in
certain areas, especially during the day but not at night when there
are a lot of drunks about. But they also added in the veiled threat
that these rules would be enforced more strictly without much of a
chance of appeal.
This was the first big blowup that
spawned from the fan community for the con. All made possible by
them all being in the same place to communicate with each other
instantly and easily. But this change put a big chip on the shoulder
of another group, some of whom decided to be complete assholes
because of it. Security. But the big blow up over them and the
second fight from the Facebook group that angered staff will be
covered in a near future installment of Jaded Gamer Diary. Can't use
everything all at once can I?
