I had predicted this happening after the election. There was no clear plan for people to get Hotel rooms at this time. What does surprise me is that there is an offer of Refunds as everyone HAD to agree to NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON
From their Policies Page
Purchases and Refunds
All purchases of Gary Con merchandise, including badges and event tickets, are final. No refunds are issued for any reason.
BEWARE if you ask for a Refund: There is documented history of people who requested a refund being sent an Email that they are no longer welcome to attend GaryCon. Luke has shown outright hostility to people who have asked for a refund and toward others who criticized his running of the Convention. I myself was blocked by Luke for sharing my opinion of how he handled the Frank Mentzer issue prior to GaryCon 11. Since most of his posts in the GC Facebook page are done under his name, that put me at a disadvantage for attending GC
I will not be participating in in Virtual GaryCon, I see no upside to doing so.
I have also walked away from NightWatch (Facebook) as censorship is a HUGE Issue for me.. I would rather give up my interactions than my 1st amendments rights
Click to see
Yes, that 20 percent you were supposed to get for not getting a refund and allowing the Con to keep your money for GaryCon 12 being cancelled - You lost it... They are not even pretending to make good on keeping your money
You are not entitled to First shot at the Lake Geneva resort for your being booted to the alternate hotel for the cancelled con or even to retain the SAME BADGE LEVEL
Yep, I am not using my DM Credit in 2021
The Future:
This puts GaryCon in a precarious place. I go there to see friends and keep in touch with people I may only see a couple of times a year. The friendships made at Garycon are considerable and no where else is there a gathering for us Old school, anyone at my table is my friend for life gamers.
One of the big draws with GaryCon is being able to play games with the people who made dreams into RPGs and stories brought to life. I have made great friends with Jim Ward (I will always call him Mr Ward) and Margaret Weis. Where else can you have a drink with Larry Elmore, Deisel, Jeff Easley and others, or go to a Party With Jolly Blackburn and a host of great people there.
The Friendships I have made at GaryCon are priceless and I do not wish to single them out here.
GaryCon has been moving away from an event honoring Gary Gygax toward a Con concentrated on Internet Personalities, Adventurer's League and Pathfinder Society... OF course, the Internet Personalities, and Inclusion cult have some influence on Guests of Honor and where games are located.
GaryCon 12 was to be a huge con with games at Timber Ridge Lodge. I for one would not want to run or play in a game that is Offsite.. I actually prefer to be in the Forums because with the curtains, the noise is manageable
The cancellation of GaryCon and other cons in general have impacted me financially, I was relying on them to boost a kickstarter project. Without being able to promote my stuff, a successful launch is not possible. Also, in the age of Covid, my demos and Promotions have gone to crap.
