FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO CHECK our NEWS UPDATES HERE for our most recent information emails and reminders for tips and tricks to make your con a fun one!
Question 1) What level of character will be used?
Answer: Each Game Runner should have that info listed in their event description. If not then email us at rpgalliancecon@gmail.com the game and we will clarify with the Game Runner for you.
Question 2) I haven't played this kind of game before, is it beginner friendly?
Answer: Check the Game Description, the Player Experience Level for each game is listed there by the Game Runner.
Question 3) What should I bring?
Answer: We will have pencils, name plates, and dice for you, so come looking for a fun day!
Question 4) Can I bring my own food and drinks?
Answer: No outside food is allowed. Dickens Pub is giving us the space for free for the entire day but they still have to pay their staff and cover their costs so please come and support them by having lunch.
Question 5) What about parking?
Answer: There is some free parking on the street on Sundays and a paid parking lot NORTH (behind) of Dickens that is $6.00 for the entire day. Also Dickens is two blocks from the LRT.
Question 6) How do I get a Badge and pick a game?
Answer: Read the event descriptions, which have the adventure hook and find one that appeals to you. Most have links to the game's publisher for more info on the game system and setting. SEE Question 8 for how to GET a Game Ticket, which is really just reserving your seat at a particular game.
Question 7) Can my spouse/partner/friend come watch?
Answer: IN-Person is a Yes they can come watch and hang out with you. But you can't share the Player Badge. Every person has to have their own Player Badge and these are non-transferable. Its why we brought the cost down as low as we could so it was affordable. Please don't bring any OUTSIDE food or beverages ( we want to support our venue).
Online- You need to check with each Game Runner you are playing with to see what they are comfortable with. You can ask them questions in the Game's DISCORD TEXT CHAT, on the RPG Alliance Con's Discord Server.
Question 8) I bought my Player Badge how do I save a seat at my favorite game?
Answer: Go the top menu bar:
Click ATTEND-Click EVENTS SCHEDULE,
then scroll and look at the event titles, for more information CLICK on the EVENT TITLE, you'll see the description of the Event details, including a short description,
CLICK READ MORE for the long description if there is one. If you want to pick this game go back and
Click on GET a ticket.
COMPLETE the Check Out process all the way to have those events tickets finalized (remember tickets cost $0, so this check out is just how Tabletop Events is set up).
Watch this video for a step by step how to:
Question 9) Do I need to print my own badge?
Answer: NO, we will have a check in list at the door, and each Game Runner will have a list of the Players who GOT tickets for their games.
Question 10) Will there be Badges/Tickets available at the Door for the IN-Person event?
Answer: ONLY if there are still empty seats for the games. We want to fill the tables up. So check back on the Nov 16 and see if any games still have tickets BEFORE you come down. IF we have spots available they will be $20 CAD cash at the Door.
Question 11) I bought a Player's Badge but didn't GET a Game ticket to the games I wanted to play. Can I still come and play?
Answer: ONLY if there are spots available. There are no REFUNDS so please keep that in mind.
Question 12) How long does a game take?
Normally, 4 hours, but the Game Runner will list the duration and the event has a start time. Check these and make certain you can play the entire game. Game Runners put a lot of work into these events so please respect their time and effort by arriving a little early to set yourself up.
Question 13) How do I get the link to play on the games?
The Game Runners will email players the links before the game day, to avoid spamming we are not listing them directly. We recommend Game Runners do this at least 1 week to 2 days before the game day and no later than 2 hours before the start time.
Some Game Runners may post the links in the Game's Discord Text chat on our server so keep checking there for updates from your Game Runners.
Last resort go to the HELP DESK on DISCORD and ask one of our awesome volunteers.
Question 14) How do I prepare to play?
ONLINE: At least 1 week -2 days before the con we suggest you connect with your Game Runners about Characters, TEST your equipment, especially your microphone on the app or venue the game will be played on and make sure it works. Ask your Game Runner for help if it doesn’t so you have a few days to sort that out. If you aren’t ready to play at the game’s start time the Game Runner has every right to start without you as time is limited. Most games will use the DISCORD app so sign up for a free account and learn how to use it. Other games use the Roll20 website, which also has a free account. Other virtual tabletop apps the Game Runner will post in their game descriptions.
IN-PERSON GAMES- These will still have a Discord TEXT chat to use before Game Day to interact with your Game Runner.
EMAIL- The Game Runner are asked to provide an email for Player communication. See the event description for it.
Question 15) What if I want to play but have no idea what an RPG is or how it's played? What if I'm not sure about it all?
We've all been there! We all had to start somewhere. You'll find players of all experience levels, and generally everyone is happy to help.
But, if you want to get an idea first of what to expect, have a look around Youtube for "how to's" and if you want a glimpse of what to expect, for "actual plays". You'll find actual plays (videos of players actually playing through a game) in a wide variety of qualities, from professional (players are generally performers, and may even be paid or sponsored) to regular folk just having fun.
See the bottom of the page for some short videos to get you started.
ONLINE Events & Games
1) When will the Event schedule and Registration be live?
The Event schedule can be seen at any time but check back often as we add more games, but Player Badge sales go live on October 23!
2) What platform will you be using for games and how much will it cost?
You only pay once when you purchase a BADGE. The Game tickets are $0.
Game Runners and Event Hosts can choose what platform they are most comfortable with to run their games. Some of the platforms being used are: Roll20, Zoom, Tabletopia, Discord, Google Hangouts, Tabletop Simulator, Fantasy Grounds, etc. The Event VTT platform will be listed on the event description to help attendees know which platform they will need to play or demo your game. We will also have a Voice and Text Chat for each individual game where you and the Game Runners can connect and plan your game.
3) Will there be someone to help with character building?
If Game Runners are allowing Player created characters then that Game Runners would be the person to assist in building those with you. MOST games will likely use pre-generated characters that the Game Runners makes up before the game so it is easier for them to set up on their online venue. It is totally up to the Game Runners running the game. You can post a question in the Game's Discord Text Chat to ask the Game Runners.
4) What equipment do I need?
Usually you need a computer or laptop, a microphone or head set with a microphone for the voice chats, some may need a webcam for video chat games, you may need to set up a Roll20 free account here: https://roll20.net/welcome And/Or a Discord (for voice chat), free account here: Discord | Your Place to Talk and Hang Out
5) How do I get a seat for the game I want to play?
Got the top menu bar,
Click ATTEND
Click EVENTS SCHEDULE
then scroll and look at the event titles, for more information
CLICK on the EVENT TITLE, you'll see the description of the Event details, including a short description,
CLICK READ MORE for the long description if there is one. If you want to pick this game go back and
Click on GET a ticket. COMPLETE the CHECK OUT transaction. Tickets are only held in the shopping cart for 2 hours.
If you don't go complete the CHECK OUT transaction, you will lose those tickets.
Game Runners & Event Organizers
1) How do I submit games?
[On our Tabletop Event site Game Master page.] https://tabletop.events/conventions/rpg-alliance-nov-19-20-2022/pages/game-runner-info
OR after September 15, look to the RIGHT side menu and the SUBMIT EVENTS button. Click on that and it takes you to the SUBMIT EVENTS page. You will see a GREEN button called NEW SUBMISSION, click on that. Choose an Event Type (Online or In-person Role Playing Games OR Panels).
Then fill out all the information requested The deadline for Game Runner Submissions is November 4.
2) Will I receive any perks for running an event at RPGA-Con?
Yes and here's what they are:
Game Master’s get a FREE Game Runner Badge that allows you to be a player at other games for free all weekend.
We will also have specific prizes set aside for Game Masters only!
And a special 5th Anniversary THANK YOU GIFT for every Game Runner that actually runs a game from DRIVETHRURPG.
In-person Game Runner's receive their lunch on us!
3) Can you help me set up online?
Yes, we have a Discord server for you to use. Each Game will have its own Voice and Text Chat channel on our Discord server all for you to use, post, pin messages and content to your heart's content. Email us what you want to do and we will try and help set you up. If you want to run other online platforms then unfortunately we can’t assist.
HOW TO VIDEOS
Playing on Roll20, a popular virtual table top (VTT)
A good overview of what it means to play an RPG
Not all games use minis (miniature figures) and maps, but this gives a good glimpse of what that looks like
