Guide
Original by Mick Reddick
So you decided to give Conception a go; firstly let me say, good choice!! Welcome to what many people rightly or wrongly feel is on of the UK's best gaming conventions.
The site itself is probably as good as you will get at a convention; the main 'reception' area where you collect your accommodation booking is the main hub of the con. Almost all of the games that take place will happen here spread around the numerous tables available.
Games are run in slots, with three slots per day. 0900-1300, 1400-1800, and 1900-2300 except for Sunday, where everything runs an hour later. Check sign-up sheet though, some run later for shorter games.
Before actually getting to play a game though you need to do two things.
1: Sign up for your chosen game - Sign-up sheets are blue tacked to the boards in the main foyer and are directly in front of you as you enter the main complex. Sign-ups are only shown for the following 24 hours. Scour the board and locate the sign-up sheet for a game you wish to play, then if there is room, write your name in the available space, and your place is effectively 'booked'.
2: Buy a ticket for your game - Conception runs for. The ticket cost is £3 per game. Tickets can be purchased from the con desk just to the right of the sign up boards and is manned throughout the convention (until the complex closes at about midnight).
Okay so I've signed my name and bought my ticket, what next? When the time for your game comes around you need to attend what is commonly known as the 'muster' this is a noisy, busy mass congregation of all the players gaming in this particular slot. It takes place right by the sign up boards. You must turn up on time!
The Game name will be called followed by the GM and his listed players, The GM will then take you to his allocated table and ask you for your ticket (write your name on your tickets reverse, as at the end of the convention all the tickets are placed into a big bag and a few are drawn as random prize winners).
Your game will then commence, lasting approximately four hours. (Note if you are signed up to play a game in the following slot you have about an hour between this game ending and your next one starting.)
If you want to run a game of your own, ask for a sign up sheet from the con desk, (where you bought your tickets) if you require a table for your game let the staff know at this point.
Once you have it fill out the name of the game and a short description and state the maximum number of players your game can take, then tack it up on the board under the slot you wish to run it in. If that slot is not yet up on the boards, give the sheet in at the con desk, where staff will put it up for you at the correct time.
Once your sign up sheet is full it will be removed by the Conception staff. Muster as normal for your slot (you must be there 5 minutes before muster, which is prompt on the hour). Once your name and those of your players have been called take them to your designated table and collect in their tickets.
On completion of your game take the collected tickets back to the main desk with your sign up sheet and hand them in to the staff. In return they will give you a Discount ticket, this ticket is your reward for running the game and can be used for one of four things.
1: In lieu of a player's ticket for a game you wish to play.
2: Saved until next years conception, where you submit any tickets you have with your early bird accommodation booking form and you will receive a £5 discount on your costs per Discount ticket submitted.
3: Put your ticket in the GM's grand prize draw on the Sunday, for your chance to win one of the prizes in the special GM's only draw.
Right I understand all this but what if there are no games on the sign up board that take my fancy? There are numerous games running each slot but suppose there was nothing that tickled your fancy. My personal advice would be to sign up for something you have never thought of playing before. (Some of my greatest gaming experiences have been had this way.)
However if there is nothing at all, then use the time to chill out with a beer, talk to other attendees, browse the trade hall or pick up one of the demo games (normally also in the trade hall). Maybe a trip back to your room for some well deserved sleep would even be in order!
Any questions at this point ASK FOR HELP at the con desk. Duncan will always help you out. The guy's on the desk are there to help you and have heard and dealt with all manner of silly questions before (most asked by me!). Ask another gamer, in general most gamers are extremely friendly and will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Finally, some other things that may be of use.
Food: It is important that you try to eat between games and there is a fast food servery right next to the bar, it's open all day and sells all manner of burgers, chips, jacket potatoes and baguettes. These can be purchased with a nice cold pint and taken to your table. It can be a long day so keep sustained. No food from outside in the main hall please.
Respect: Whilst out and about around the convention you will come across all manner of strange things for example sometimes LARPS (Live Action Role Playing) takes place in the bar. So when you go in to buy yourself a drink, remember others are playing a game so try and keep noise and disruption to a minimum. Also some players have a strange adversity to being watched while gaming, before standing and watching a game in progress please ask those at the table if they mind, I'm 99% sure they wont, but ask anyway.
Flash Photography: Taking pictures of the convention is an excellent way to remember certain things, but before snapping away be aware that others may have photo sensitive epilepsy, Therefore a good 10 to 15 seconds before taking your picture shout the word Flash giving any sufferers a chance to take cover.
Supplies: The onsite shop is never open! However, if you need to get supplies in, tea bags, milk, and shower gel ask the friendly people at the desk and they will give you directions to the local Tesco's (a twenty minute walk from the site).
Keep Your Ears Open: Just because the complex closes at midnight doesn't mean the activities stop as well. Many people hold late night games and/or parties in their lodge's or chalets. If you hear of one and would like to attend always ask in advance as opposed to gate crashing.
Photo Board: There is a photo board on the inside cover of this pamphlet, with some rather scary photographs of the organizers of Conception. It can help you get accustomed to who is who amongst the staff, so if someone can't answer your question and tells you to ask John Amos for example, and you have no idea who he is, a quick glance at the board will help you at least know what he looks like.
Smoking: The main complex is a no smoking building, ashtrays are provided outside for those of us that smoke, and each game normally has a ten minute break for you to get a quick smoke in if you're that way inclined.
Sunday Raffle: Sunday afternoon is when the organizers of Conception hold the grand raffle, award any prizes and tell us how much has been raised for the charity. This is their moment of glory after the days of solid work they put in to ensure we have a good convention experience. During this raffle (30-40 minutes) the con desk will not be manned. Therefore, if you need to check keys in on the Sunday, it would need to be before or after the raffle.
Fun: This is what the convention is all about, make sure you have lots of it.
