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October 04, 2003

ACN 2003 Observations

It's been a couple of weeks, but the blog was out then, so here's my main observations from ACN 2003...

First off, thanks to all who attended! We weren't anywhere near our best numbers this year, but that didn't seem to dampen the energy or the quality. Great fun was had, I hope, by all!

My new game, Tall Tales of Pattern and Shadow, which combined Amber characters with the improvisational storytelling style of The Adventures of Baron Munchausen was quite a success, a game full of uncontrollable giggling and very odd storytelling twists. All recognition for that must go to my players, who were universally clever and creative, particularly in picking up loose threads left by earlier storytellers. Jenn gathered a few pages of quotes, but I fear many work far less well without a long set-up... In many ways, the whole game was set-up for quotes. This one will certainly be run again!

ShadowWorld brought with it many of its usual elements, including the still-odd feeling of finding Starchild, probably the least authoritarian PC I have, in charge of a field mission. Edwin tells me she's now racked up more missions than all but one or two other PC strike team leaders, yet I still find her feeling very alien to the role. A significant loose end was left from this mission that strikes at her personally, and I'm planning to recruit some other PCs for an online exploration of that, as time allows.

ShadowWorld WWII was a bit more familiar now, its distinctions from the mainline setting becoming more visible. For one, the distinct danger of being alone behind German lines makes subtlety far more critical than it is in standard mainline Circle missions. Also, there's a lot less "grey area" in the morality of fighting Nazis via extreme measures. Success was still a hard-won thing, but that's part of Edwin's strength as a GM.

My final gaming experience was enjoying an Amber/Nobilis cross that, while just an introductory, rather cursory pass on what could be done, still showed some of the distinct differences that come from these two separate approaches to diceless roleplay.

Between and after games, the conversation was, as always, wonderful! Thanks to all who hung out in the con suite and kept me up all night!

Dining in Toronto was, as always, a great experience. Fried baby octopus was enjoyed in the post-con dinner, a tradition that seems to be contagious.

I didn't manage to step back from hands-on management at the con itself, mostly because Ian was moved off to LA just before the con began and Craig was trapped with an unavoidable work project that kept him away for just less than half of the con slots.

All-in-all, a very successful con! Here's hoping that 2004 will see some restoration in our numbers and a bit better organization on the part of the staff (we all contributed to this year's rampant chaos and deadline-slippage)!

Posted by ghoul at October 4, 2003 10:08 AM

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Comments

ACN is a sweet experience. Some of my best gaming experiences.

And Toronto is worth the price of con admission.
:)

Posted by: Arref at October 4, 2003 08:35 PM

We keep hoping that we can swing extra days out of the trip to visit friends, museums, and more of Toronto's food and shopping...!

Posted by: jenn at October 11, 2003 08:11 PM

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