Just got back from AWA

[the7k]

Just got back from Anime Weekend Atlanta. Had a grand old time, and I don't even know why - I'm not even really into anime anymore, and all I did was spend a lot of money on crap I don't need. Still, I loved it.

Got to meet Yaya Han, which was pretty awesome. Also got a few really good winning streaks in KOFXII. I finally got Waku Waku 7 and Magical Drop III in complete condition for the Sega Saturn, which I didn't think would happen. Still didn't find Yakuza 3, which I was specifically looking for, but I guess I should wait a bit now that Sega is kicking the idea around once again...

Feel free to share any of your recent con experiences. I'm going through withdrawal, so I guess I can try to live vicariously.

[Reverend]

I'm actually going to Anime Fest NYC this coming Saturday. I'll be cosplaying as Nougami Neuro .

If anyone is also going or wants pics of my cosplay please contact me.

[Hobie-wan]

I finally got Waku Waku 7 and Magical Drop III in complete condition for the Sega Saturn, which I didn't think would happen.

Sounds like 16-bit is still selling at anime conventions then. When I worked for the store, I worked a lot of anime conventions and always drooled over his table but never had much money to spend. Now I have a real job again and a little more 'fun' money, I don't go to anime conventions anymore.

[Ack]

Hey, the7k, I didn't realize you live in Atlanta. You didn't happen to step into the boardgaming area did you? The guy running it was Fastbilly. He's got another convention coming up in a couple of weeks that he'll be doing panels at, and then there's a few mutterings of future conventions he might drag me and Racket to.

[AmishSamurai]

Just got back from Anime Weekend Atlanta. Had a grand old time, and I don't even know why - I'm not even really into anime anymore, and all I did was spend a lot of money on crap I don't need. Still, I loved it.

Got to meet Yaya Han, which was pretty awesome. Also got a few really good winning streaks in KOFXII. I finally got Waku Waku 7 and Magical Drop III in complete condition for the Sega Saturn, which I didn't think would happen. Still didn't find Yakuza 3, which I was specifically looking for, but I guess I should wait a bit now that Sega is kicking the idea around once again...

Feel free to share any of your recent con experiences. I'm going through withdrawal, so I guess I can try to live vicariously.

One of my friends invited me to go to AWA this weekend, but I declined because I've overspent on crap I won't need already, and I don't need to be tempted further. Plus, it's a hell of a drive from Charleston to Atlanta, and five hours to go to a place for a day is not my thing >.>

[JWatts]

This is the first year I didn't go to AWA and I missed it quite a bit. I was never big into anime but my friends in high school and college were so it was good to go and hang out with them to be part of another culture. Glad that things are still going strong down there, maybe next year I'll remember to stop by for a day.

[fastbilly1]

See Racket, this is why I dont do my job correctly...

Yeah I was there running Warhammer Quest and Crossbows and Catapults in the boardgaming room. If not there, I was running the Momocon table, or talking to those I only see at AWA/Dragoncon - which ironically includes most of the guests and dealers... Ive been staff at AWA for three years and have attended it on and off for like ten. And while my interest at it has waned significantly over the past few years, I still like the people. And hell, any con that lets me in to teach people how to play Crossbows and Catapults is good by me. Also I finally got to talk to Heidi (the illustrator for the Dark Crystal manga). I met her months ago at another con, then again at Dragon, but finally got to take some time and talk to her there. She and her husband are awesome and I will have to find an excuse to hang out with them in the future.

Carson, from Madgear, and I had a grand time on Sunday afternoon after the dealers room closed talking about the site actually. Well the site and Majors - I didnt buy his Winning Stakes 2 like I threatened in the past (though I think you already bought one). I ended up buying one game from him, Super Bomberman 5. Which tapped my budget that has not recovered since Dragoncon...Stupid Don Rosa and his glorious art work.

Overall I think it went great. No big issues - aka no ambulance or squad car needed, and only a handful of thefts and injuries. The headstaff were all in highspirits about it, all the dealers and artist I know did well, and we sold alot of shirts. Granted atleast half of what we sold goes straight to charity, but we are a free con. Selling anything makes us happy.

Anyone in the Nashville area in two weeks?

And yes, Im looking for a place to do an Atlanta Racketboy Meetup not at a convention, but if not we may shoot for one at Animazement next year. I talked to them about panels/guests and ofcourse, that means we all get to oogle Majors collection. If not GMX is interested and Ive got a few others I am working with on the east coast. Sorry west coasters and those abroad, I can only make connections with those I can meet. Sadly I will probably never be at PAX - Dragoncon gets my priority.

[the7k]

Hey, the7k, I didn't realize you live in Atlanta. You didn't happen to step into the boardgaming area did you? The guy running it was Fastbilly. He's got another convention coming up in a couple of weeks that he'll be doing panels at, and then there's a few mutterings of future conventions he might drag me and Racket to.

I haven't skipped any of the AWAs since I first went about 3 years ago, and I don't plan to skip it in the future either. It's just one of those things I have to do. So, ya know - anytime you guys wanna meet up, we'll have ourselves a ball.

So, fastbilly, are you also staff at Momocon? I went there a couple of times, though I had to skip it this year. Didn't have a job at the time. =P

[fastbilly1]

I have issues with AWA's videogaming department from years back. I offered some of my retro stuff for their section this year and they shot me down. The guy that runs their tournaments doesnt like me very much so no matter what I say I get shot down. Their loss though, I could have given them so much more than SF2 and Donkey Kong Country. Granted he also asked on the official forums why we would ever want an original console when we could just play them on an xbox...

Sadly Momocon will not have a Retroroom next year: Doc says I gotta get help if I am going to do it (back issues) and my second in command is on baby detail now. I mean I catalog and load it all into the van myself and in a fairly short amount of time (this year it was something like 2000 titles, 15 consoles, and 6 big tvs. But we are working on something. If nothing else, at the next Momocon gameday (January something) we will have a Racketboy side room. Projector and a few side tvs.

Edit:
I realized I missed your question:
Yes I am staff at Momocon, head staff even. In the past, over six months of my life was dedicated to the convention (atleast four hours a day). I was technically just the guy who ran boardgames/ccg/rpg, provided the retroroom, and talked to rooms of 100 plus about old videogames. However Jesspanda (the con founder) is like family to me and over the past few years her, the second in command, and myself (the former third in command) did far more work for the backbone than I care to think about. At this years afterparty Jess stepped down and so did several other headstaff. We still help alot, but the weight of the con has been shifted to another set. That said I realize now my best way to help the con is promotions, selling things, and giving panels. Day of I am either spot on or a waste (depending on how much of my stuff is there and how much I trust my team on site). Because as much as I love the con, the chunk of my collection out with me is my first priority. Next year, this will be different.

Let me say this though, a free con is great for the attendees and all, but as I go to more and more conventions (AWA was number 12 this year) well I have realized that there is a fierce dichotomy in our fans. Many say we do an awful job and that we either need "real" guests or some sort of big draw (like a rave or ball), the others really respect what we do. And typically those in the first category will not support us in anyway (financially or with their time). People just dont seem to understand how much it cost to put on a con, even without flying in guests. I mean most convention centers charge you for water used and even for things like the mints in the bathrooms. Heck Racket flew himself down to be a guest a couple years ago. We were in the red for the first three years, several of us had ALOT in it fiscally - luckily that is not the case anymore. Ok Im going to stop talking now or I will go off on some really wild tangents.

Short answer - yes I staff it.

[Dakinggamer87]

If only I was close to Atlanta I may check this convention out. I may someday but I give priority to Comic-Con, PAX, WonderCon, and a couple others here and there for the most part.