SotACon Austin 2020 - Ideas, plans, and coordination starts now!

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Winfield, Oct 13, 2019.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Winfield

    Winfield Legend of the Hearth

    Messages:
    1,291
    Likes Received:
    6,525
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    San Antonio, Texas
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2019
  2. Lord Andernut

    Lord Andernut Avatar

    Messages:
    3,340
    Likes Received:
    10,087
    Trophy Points:
    165
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    New Britannian Market
    Excitement :)

    It's a long trip but this sounds great, Winfield puts the Win in Winfield. And also the field.
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2019
    Elgarion, Rhiannon, Lady Addy and 6 others like this.
  3. Bayard

    Bayard Avatar

    Messages:
    285
    Likes Received:
    1,517
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Maryland
    Sounds wonderful! Perhaps we can set up Taberna Novia again to support the revelry.
     
  4. HoustonDragon

    HoustonDragon Avatar

    Messages:
    1,526
    Likes Received:
    4,399
    Trophy Points:
    125
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Would love to see this.
     
  5. Duke Ezekiel Cooper

    Duke Ezekiel Cooper Avatar

    Messages:
    738
    Likes Received:
    1,772
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Blackrock Cove (Quel)
    I just got back in my home office to officially give this notice to the community,
    and this post is just for the sake of no confusion in the community.

    It has been my honor to serve the community for 5 successful conventions,
    (BMC Convention 2015 & 2016, SotACon Austin 2017 & 2018, SOTAICON 2019), in Austin, Texas.

    I want to thank @Lord British, @DarkStarr, @Chris, and all the attending developers over the years, that have given their valuable time to keep the community informed and answering questions on the various panels.

    The name that was given SOTAICON 2019, "The End of an Era" was appropriately named, not only because of the transition of Shroud of the Avatar's development to Catnip Games, but because I also had made the decision early in the year, that 2019 would be my last year to organize the convention in Austin.

    As I told the audience at the convention this year, 5 years is enough.
    The time had come for me to step aside and make room for new leadership for the Austin, Texas convention.

    I approached @Winfield at this year's convention, because in my mind, he is the obvious choice to lead the community and to take on the colossal responsibility of organizing this annual event.

    I implore all members of the staff that I was the Event Manager of, to give their unwavering support to @Winfield as he takes on this leadership role.

    As for the BMC, to which I return my full attention, I call upon all members... Start making plans... ;)
    Were going to Austin, Texas next year...
     
  6. Lesni

    Lesni Avatar

    Messages:
    971
    Likes Received:
    2,153
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Novia
    And best RP story while at SOTACON
     
  7. Minerva

    Minerva Avatar

    Messages:
    327
    Likes Received:
    1,405
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Ordinis Mortis
    Texas at that time would be pretty uncomfortable for all!!

    If we have many hands doing a small amount of work each, then it should be successful.


    @Winfield I know we spoke about connectivity and helping those not able to be physically there feel included, how will the connections be? If my memory serves me correctly, internet was not easy at Castleton.
     
  8. Winfield

    Winfield Legend of the Hearth

    Messages:
    1,291
    Likes Received:
    6,525
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    San Antonio, Texas
    Hi Minerva! Certainly the goal is to connect all the activities to the Internet somehow. We will research, test, etc. sooner than later.

    A few of us kicked around ideas already:

    HOW ABOUT AVATAR-CAM !!

    Imagine wearing or holding a tablet in a chest harness and then you are paired with a person from Australia, London, or Chicago. You are their arms and legs. You both participate in the events, quests, Q&A and such. Even dress up your tablet, put a name on it, add clip-on speakers, and your tablet comes alive! Make sure you turn off your tablet-mate for certain activities ... yuck.​

    AND ... AVATAR-DRONE !!

    Careful of those tree limbs!
    INTERNET, WIFI, AND ETHERNET ... OH MY !!

    We can try out some ideas for IT, WIFI, Internet Access, Live Streaming, connect to a satellite, bring in the drones, etc. sooner than later so we know what may work, what gear is needed, what ISP services are best, etc.

    There's even a large scale trade show internet company at ... hmm ... https://tradeshowinternet.com/solutions/event-organizers/austin that does temporary internet and local network for events -- Trade Show Internet Provided - Satellite Internet with redundant 4G backup to ensure connectivity for 60 devices over a 4-day event. WiFi, multiple VLANs, Ethernet drops and on-site network engineering support.​

    Not saying we can afford all these ideas, but it starts with "Is it possible?"
     
  9. Duke Ezekiel Cooper

    Duke Ezekiel Cooper Avatar

    Messages:
    738
    Likes Received:
    1,772
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Blackrock Cove (Quel)
    :)
    *Had to grin at that line*
     
    Elgarion and Curse2 like this.
  10. Winfield

    Winfield Legend of the Hearth

    Messages:
    1,291
    Likes Received:
    6,525
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    San Antonio, Texas
    Definitely want to bring Taberna Novia to Castleton! I think there's a cabin for that! Huzzah!

    Provisioner Shop! Very appropriate!

    [​IMG]
     
  11. Elwyn

    Elwyn Avatar

    Messages:
    3,617
    Likes Received:
    4,783
    Trophy Points:
    153
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    San Antonio, TX
    Some of his best "loot" is telling stories. I've been lucky enough to hear stories from him a few times in recent years. (he's been going to an SF con in Austin that I've been going to for years)

    Anyhow, it sounds like I'd better get my tent back in shape, haven't used it since around 2010.

    Good point. The hot weather had only ended a day or two before SotaCon this year. Likewise, February would likely be too cold, maybe January too. (too cold for the local people that is!) So February and May through September should be right out for an outdoor event.

    So sort of like a human version of the "Robo Richard" telepresence.

    In a few years (likely not 2020, but maybe 2021), Elon Musk should have something working quite well for that. And now I realize I haven't thought of Starlink in a "bring your antenna to a campground" configuration. It's likely to be a slab or saucer antenna and very forgiving of aim, unlike a geosat dish. But it might have a problem with tree canopy.

    While Castleton has definitely been infamous for lack of internet, once a way is found it will probably keep working.
     
  12. Cirsee

    Cirsee Avatar

    Messages:
    484
    Likes Received:
    1,013
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Gender:
    Female
    1. I would love to see an SCA type archery or sword contest between the devs.
    2. It would be nice to have it at the same time as the Texas Ren Faire so i can convince my husband to take me.
    3. Players and devs can do short plays on the events in-game over the past year. Fir devs it could be about the best/worst moment for them.
    4. A naked newbie race through novia to open the week of the con
    5. An old school LAN party where we watch the devs create and play through progression without cheats.
    6. Live AMA done through the game during con
    7. Everyone drinks five of X every time Starr says Dark Winter.
    8. RP classes in-game
    9. PvP paintball tourney (must be a field there somewhere)

    I will think of more later.
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2019
  13. Elwyn

    Elwyn Avatar

    Messages:
    3,617
    Likes Received:
    4,783
    Trophy Points:
    153
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    San Antonio, TX
    Could maybe arrange for a mass drive out there on Sunday, but that might be difficult for people who flew in unless locals can carpool them and take them back. Houston/DFW/San Antonio folks would probably rather just drive home Sunday night. Sherwood Faire in March (?) is a lot easier to drive back to Austin first.
     
  14. Winfield

    Winfield Legend of the Hearth

    Messages:
    1,291
    Likes Received:
    6,525
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    San Antonio, Texas
    https://www.sherwoodforestfaire.com/

    Open Weekends: Feb 29 - April 19, 2020
    Also Open Friday, March 20th for Spring Break

    [​IMG]

    At Sherwood Forest Faire near Austin, TX

    1883 Old Hwy 20
    McDade, TX 78650


    [​IMG]
    We had a player gathering at Sherwood Forest Faire in March 2017. Lots of fun!
     
  15. Ragnarr Lodbrok

    Ragnarr Lodbrok Avatar

    Messages:
    186
    Likes Received:
    372
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Skalabrekka in Mistrendur
    @Winfield What if the Highland Games was somehow incorporated into the mix? I know I love attending these games. I Even participate in the caber toss :)

    Here is a link. I know sometimes they can be contacted to arrange location sites. Basically they use a football field here locally when they come to Gatlinburg.
    https://www.texasscots.com/tickets.html
     
  16. matpsch

    matpsch Developer Emeritus

    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    1,223
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Austin
    Sign me up for the beer/ale/mead-chugging contest.
     
  17. Alley Oop

    Alley Oop Bug Hunter Bug Moderator

    Messages:
    15,678
    Likes Received:
    19,462
    Trophy Points:
    153
    relevant user pic is relevant.
     
  18. matpsch

    matpsch Developer Emeritus

    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    1,223
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Austin
    Me from Hobloth 3:

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2019
  19. Belladonna Rose

    Belladonna Rose Bug Hunter

    Messages:
    2,015
    Likes Received:
    3,434
    Trophy Points:
    153
    Alot of great ideas. I will keep a weathered eye and keen ear open if i hear more suggestions that might work....or come up with one myself
     
    Elgarion, Winfield and Curse2 like this.
  20. Winfield

    Winfield Legend of the Hearth

    Messages:
    1,291
    Likes Received:
    6,525
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    San Antonio, Texas
    [​IMG]
    Caber Toss

    This would be great fun in the grass between the Pirate Ship and the Castle Fortress at Castleton! I'll look into reaching them, thanks Ragnarr Lodbrok !!


    And/or we head to their festival and have a fun gathering.

    The 34th Annual
    Texas Scottish Festival
    & Highland Games
    May 1-3, 2020


    Friday 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
    Saturday 9:00 am to 11:00 pm
    Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

    3101 FM 51
    Decatur, TX 76234

    [​IMG]


    Keep the ideas coming!
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.