How Longcon Works

Premise

Longcon is a convention that is designed to provide a shared space for groups to meet and enjoy all weekend games in a familiar atmospheric gaming space with nearby local facilities and overnight accommodation if required. The focus will be on ‘long form’ ttrpg play, where we can break the shackles of one shot constraints and get in a mini campaign or deeper game experience. The space will also allow for in-between socialising with the fellow gamer family.

Ground Rules

Longcon will operate under Garricon safety rules and the code of conduct and Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct Policy. There will also be an expectation of the use of some form of safety tools (see pitches, below).

Expectations

This event is for people who want to play a game with more time to explore the depths to the story, character interaction and the mechanics of the system itself. A game will be prepared to fill the full weekend. On the day timing will only be dependent on venue requirements and each table can set their own pace. For example, The Garrision Hotel has rooms accessible very early through to midnight (Saturday) and through to 18:00(ish) Sunday.

There are no convention ‘slots’. Each game will operate to its own timing, within the constraints of the venue.

GMs

GMs need to be relied upon. If you pitch a game for the convention you need to have reserved the convention dates in your calendar and be committed to run a well prepared game. GMs should be experts on the game rules, and where traditional preparation benefits the game, that this is fully ready in time for the event. (See supporting our gaming family below).

GMs will be expected to have the experience to gauge the mood and energy of their table and set sensible break points for everyone to have a rest and recharge. Ideally this will be organic and open to anyone at the table to suggest.

Players

Players will be expected to attend the Session Zero (see below), fully prepare for the game, and bring their best game play to the event.

Everyone is responsible for making the game a success. Everyone is responsible for the safety of the players at the table. Especially for longer form play, a generous play style that enables fellow players to shine will help make the game a memorable success.

Open tables will be the default. Outside of any agreed break, anyone can step away for a moment for a comfort break, get some air, or take in a jelly baby.

It’s not a marathon, but there is an intoxicating intensity to long form play, so limber up and bring your best game face!

Different with Challenges

Longcon is different. The longer form play delivers some great opportunities, but also some challenges, which the convention organisation needs to address. Here are two of the main challenges:

RISK: “I’m happy to play in most one-shots, because they are just 3-4 hours in length, but I’m wary of committing to a whole weekend game. What do I do if a couple of hours in I realise this isn’t working for me?”

CLIQUE: “Some games seem to be organised fully formed, with no opportunity to join. As someone not as well connected, this feels elitist and exclusionary.”    

Game Types

Longcon games will be entered into a shared online place, probably an editable Google Sheet as per some Garricons, so that everyone can see what is being offered. Games on the schedule will either be ‘open’, or ‘partially open’:

Open Games – those that are fully available for the game selection process

Partially Open Games – at least 50% of places (round down) will be available for the game selection process. So, for a 5 player game, 2 places need to be available for the selection process

They will all be for a whole weekend in duration.

Game Structure

The Longcon differences can also be overstated. Games should be structured such that any plot and associated play can continue with the unexpected loss of a player. This is true even of one-shots, though the impact for long form is greater. There are innumerable ways in which this can be achieved, but the GM should at least be clear about how many players make the game work, and the minimum needed to continue with an enjoyable play experience. This would be negotiated through a whole table consensus. 

Game Pitches

All GMs will run an online game pitch during a specified week in the run up to the convention. This session will inform prospective players of the nature of the adventure, an idea of structure, and any other considerations such as likely content, safety tools in operation, how player characters will be generated, all to help inform players as to their interest.

Players can attend as many pitches as they wish. They are designed to help with game selection, so the more the better.

Game Selection

Due to the Longcon format, the allocation of players to games needs to be significantly in advance of the event. This will allow time for the GM and players to attend a session zero (see below) and apply all the game preparation, reading, character generation, situation setup that the game requires.

Places in games will be offered on a similar basis to the Garricons. Players will be able to put themselves forward, on a provisional basis for a game. If there are enough games, then this will allow for multiple ranked preferences.

Let’s be clear, Players and GMs may have difficulties playing with particular people, and this needs to be right for all concerned, especially in a long form format. In an ideal world this can just be managed between GMs and players with a slice of gently applied honesty. On the basis that isn’t possible, then ‘Game Allocation’ is a three stage moderated process:

1. Players will be allocated into games matching their preferences.
2. This initial allocation will be shared with GMs to confirm their group membership and receive any feedback. Some players may need to be re-allocated to other games in their list of preferences.
3. This revised game allocation will then be published to all convention attendees. This first draft now provides players with an opportunity to move games if they have any significant issues with any other players. This is subject to a further confidential moderation process and will iterate until resolved. This will be managed sensitively by the games coordinator for Longcon, and will make them cry.

A Final allocation will be confirmed on the Google Sheet.

Session Zero

All GMs will run an online session zero for their game. All players will be expected to attend, or make arrangements for a separate update if scheduling is difficult. This session may include Lines and Veils, introductory information, any preparation for the game, potentially including character generation and forging motivation and connection to the adventure.

It is assumed that there will be an online place to discuss the game in the lead-up to the event. The organiser may have their own Discord or other platform, or GMs will be responsible for creating their own places to discuss the game.

Table Allocation

In discussion with GMs, games will be allocated Garrison venue tables for play. Depending on the size of the event, this may be spread over the usual three gaming areas. Event organisers need to be vigilant for the acoustics and ambience of the venue, to optimise the environment as much as possible.

Timeline

Here’s an example timeline that applies the above.

Event	To be completed by…
Games offered by GMs	8 weeks to event
Game Pitches	6 Weeks to event
Player Allocation*	4 weeks to event
Session Zero	2 weeks to event

*This may, unavoidably, be subject to change in the lead up to the event.

During the Convention

The LongCon games coordinator, who will also either be a player or GM, will be available throughout the event to support GMs and players as the games progress.

Supporting our gaming family

People are not machines and we cannot predict how we are going to be at the event. Acknowledging that everyone who signs up for the event is fully engaged with the expectations (above), any player (GMs are players too), may find that, for any reason, they simply cannot continue with the event, potentially early into the game. They should be able to withdraw at any point without any pressure or sense that they have let people down. This is a tough one, but the alternative of pressuring continuation is not acceptable. The player will feel bad enough, all on their own!

Our hobbies strength is at its greatest when we look out for each other.

Tea and Coffee

If you can arrange it, make sure that there are plenty of easily (and freely) accessible beverages for the event. The ritual of getting a brew is, for many, an essential part of the daily rhythm.

Final Word

The event organiser is responsible for applying the behaviour policy, and should be supported in all their efforts to make the event a safe and inclusive space for everyone.

The process above is designed to mitigate the main issues that a Longcon format can introduce. At the end of the day, a process can’t predict the multiplicity of human interaction, but it is there to help.