Game-a-thon Rules of Engagement

GAME-A-THON GM RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

So, why GM?
The GM’s are our life blood towards making Game-a-thon a success. We wouldn’t be able to have these events without you! On a personal level, the more interest you can generate in your favorite games, the more likely it is you will play them later.

What’s in it for me?
GM’ing an event allows you to play all day for free, including the game you are running where possible. Some games, by their structure, prevent this from happening. We do ask that if you are playing that it be made clear in advance to the Game-a-thon Czar and your fellow players.

What do I have to do?
First, submit a game to the SWA. This can be done by submitting it in the appropriate slot of the Game-a-thon forum, emailing the Thon Czar at gameathon@swa-gaming.org or contacting the current Czar, Bill Dickerson, directly. Please make sure you have had your event confirmed, by hearing from the Czar that you are on the schedule, or see it posted on the official schedule.

When submitting a game, be sure to include: Name of game and what type (board, RPG, minis, LARP, etc), a brief, catchy description, min/max # of players, materials being provided by GM or what needs to be brought by players, requirements needed at the Studio to make your game a success and time slot to run. We currently run 2 slots, Early (11am to 4pm) and Later (5pm to 10pm+). Additionally, what experience level of players will be accepted? Will beginners be taught, (strongly suggested by SWA), some experience needed or experts only?

We expect you to have full knowledge of the game you are running. It can be a frustrating experience for everybody, including the GM, when it becomes obvious that an unprepared GM is constantly looking up rules and chasing down another piece of scratch paper because there weren’t enough charts to go around.

We have always strived to maintain a relaxed atmosphere at our Thons. Everybody likes to win, but it is important that the GM approaches their event as if they were an instructor, particularly when playing with a significant number of beginners. Rules manipulation, fostering an unnaturally tense gaming atmosphere and similar poor “gamesmanship” will not be allowed and will lead to having future GM submissions being denied. Save the “win at all costs” attitude for when you are playing with experienced players or require “experts only” when submitting your game.

If you are submitting a popular game that could generate enough interest to make use of a second copy, we would encourage (but not require) you to do so. If need be, you can designate an Asst. GM who could handle the 2nd game and that person would play the game for free.