What the AF: A BGG Love Story

Can I have another bitch about BGG's ability to milk money out of gamers in return for doing nothing? For instance by charging a $1,000 registration fee too ...



Now as I understand it, the price of these is going to drop the longer they remain unsold, down to $300. But still, the "benefits" on offer for the extra money seem ... somewhat insubstantial? Things you could quite easily do for yourself by picking up a phone and sending an email?

Oh, how first world nerds must have money to burn in exchange for making them feel good about their wasteful hobbies.

Nobody is obliged to pay for BGG.
Nobody is obliged to pay for a Golden Ticket to BGG-Con.
The site has value, even as an empty database filled by the users, because it is the empty database that everyone uses. They can spend the money on hookers and blow for all I care, it's not a collectivized national service.

JEM wrote: They can spend the money on hookers and blow for all I care, it's not a collectivized national service.

Sure they can and sure it's not. But just imagine for a moment how dispiriting that is if you work hard trying to fill the tabletop game space in with worthwhile content for nothing.

I think you're setting up a false dilemma.

Eh, it's merely a supply and demand thing. BGG.Con sold out in a couple of hours last year. Likely will sell out in 20 minutes this year. These people are guaranteeing themselves admittance.

I don't know why they don't just raise the ticket prices to the point where it just barely sells out.

Or, grow it by getting a larger venue. That would be the best way to serve everyone

SuperflyTNT wrote: Or, grow it by getting a larger venue. That would be the best way to serve everyone

They are, but this year were still locked in at DFW airport.

Wow, I thought the $1000 badge thing was a joke til I saw it on BGG.

Its basically the same premise as the GenCon VIP badges - those go for $500 a pop, guarantee access to a connected hotel room ( sold separately ) and give the holder an hour's head start on the vendor room, which at a con where shit usually sells out fast and convention promo items are the norm, is not a bad benefit . They also confer right of first refusal on follow up years, so annual turnover is quite minimal - getting one is hard. Be interesting to see how the BGG version plays. Its a Dutch Auction, I doubt it goes for $1000 when the dust settles.

boardgamegeek.com/thread/1714538/announc...ggcon-premium-badges

As for growing the con by moving it to a bigger location, past inquiries have been rebutted by saying the current size is about the max size they feel they can manage . Never having been there, can't say how hard it is to manage as it stands now. They manage growth by adding more conventions in other parts of the year.

Raising prices would be the next logical step, but they seem strangely reluctant to use basic economic principles. I think they enjoy the goodwill generated by "not being greedy" although I suspect their revenue stream is far larger than the Kool Aid drinking masses suspect.

Raise prices 10$ and get a larger venue in Dallas or Fort Worth that will accomodate 1000 more people.

That's ten grand. Hire a legit manager and more staff.

That's how you grow.

Somewhere in the thread they mention they are moving to a larger venue in two years.

To each his own, but I can't imagine paying upwards of 2 grand to play boardgames somewhere.

i can't imagine paying anything other than gas

As it is, they are charging $150 for a regular attendee ticket, which is just plain nuts IMO for basically a long weekend event . At that time of year, they aren't paying that much for the meeting room space, not to mention they are guaranteeing a hotel sell out. I think a relatively high % goes to comp rooms for the various BGG groupies and what not, but at the end of the day I suspect they are netting a fair bit of profit.

Yet people still "donate" money .

I gotta give them credit for the "non profit" vibe they create on TOS while raking over the suckers for money.

Atlanta Game Fest is charging $50 to be able to walk into a hall and play some games. $150 for an actual convention doesn't sound all that outrageous in context. Of course, we can keep manufacturing controversy for some reason.