Why I am not going to Gencon this year.

[The Atog Lord]

I am not going to Gencon this year. I could have gone, could have made that trip. But I believe that going would be a poor idea, for myself and for anyone else in the Vintage community. As much as I would love to participate in the largest Vintage tournament in the nation, and as much as I would love to see my friends in the Vintage Community at the event, I simply cannot justify attending this year. I want to share my thoughts, explain why I am not going to Gencon this year, and caution others lest they share in the grief that Gencon has brought to so many people last year.

I started writing about a deck that I have been working on. What I would have played, had I gone to Gencon. My most recent deck was Vintage Jund, a deck that Ryan has used to success lately. I've put together something much more powerful, and that's something that I had wanted to write about. But I realized that I also had to explain why I wouldn't be running that deck this year. And that's what brought me to this missive.

Vintage and Legacy tournaments are great. They represent very high-level play, thoughtful decisions, and a genuine challenge. But, when sanctioned, they also represent some fairly valuable cardboard. And I don't mind having a considerable portion of my assets tied up in cardboard. But I simply can't put myself in a position where those assets are likely to be stolen from me. And that, in short, is why I cannot attend Gencon this year.

Last year, my backpack was stolen. Fortunately, my Vintage and Legacy decks were not there. I lost my trade binder, and my standard deck, and a backpack that I have had since I was just starting at Brown over a decade prior. This theft was but one of an outbreak of thefts throughout the event. We all know that David Williams was a victim of the theft. Several other friends were victims of theft too. And I've heard that more than one dealer had valuable cards stolen from their tables. Lest you think that keeping your backpack close will be a sufficient safeguard against the rampant thievery at Gencon, consider what happened to Kenta. During the Legacy championships, he had his Legacy deck snatched right off the table in front of him. I was sitting at the table when this happened, and it was so sudden that there wasn't time to react.

The effects of all of this theft were devastating on many people. Police told me that, as of Sunday morning, they'd had reports of over $80,000 in Magic theft. And I know of at least one friend who was a victim of theft later that day. I am very thankful that Ray and the rest of the Vintage community held a tournament to benefit me after the fact. I am appreciative of that, indeed. And I believe it best to avoid putting myself in any situation where the thefts can be repeated. After all, if I show up to Gencon, and find my Vintage deck stolen, I'll have no one but myself to blame for subjecting myself again to that environment I know to be unsafe.

Further, I am quite disappointed in how Gencon and Pastimes have handled things. The environment of the Vintage and Legacy championships were crowded and cramped, and anyone could wander around the tables during the event. At many high-level events, only competitors themselves are allowed near the tables. This greatly reduces congestion, and helps prevent a throng of people from gathering for a malicious purpose. Yet there was no such crowd control this year at Gencon. Nor was there any reasonable camera coverage of the event, despite the fact that the organizers were well aware of the value of the decks. I am not saying that all of the responsibility for theft prevention lies with the tournament organizers. But given how much money everyone was paying for Gencon entry, it is not unreasonable to expect to be provided with a more secure environment.

And so, that is why I won't be attending Gencon this year. I wish that I were comfortable enough to attend. But I have heard nothing from Gencon or from Pastimes even acknowledging that there was a problem, and certainly nothing from either group about how thefts might be mitigated this year. However, rather than end on a gloomy note, I would like to offer my suggestions for improving matters in the future. I believe that some relatively painless steps could be taken to ensure that the Vintage and Legacy championships become more secure.

0. Watch your stuff. We all know this, and it only goes so far. But do try your best. The rest of the suggestions are directed to Gencon/Pastimes.

1. Mark everyone playing in the tournament. Maybe give them a bracelet or something of the sort. Then, partition the location where the event itself will be held, and only let those marked people into the area. No friends watching, no people trading at tables. Just competitors. I realize that space at Gencon is limited, but everyone is paying good money to be there.

2. Hire security guards to stand around the area. Again, I realize that this costs money, but the money from those event tickets could be used for that purpose. The response to all of the thefts last year was anemic at best. There may be a deterrent factor, and moreover the thefts may be prevented. Perhaps a theft could even be interrupted, and the thieves caught!

3. Cameras for the Championships. The cameras set up at Gencon are only for ``crowd control'' and are generally useless for catching thieves. But this can be addressed by putting better cameras out to monitor the area. I realize, of course, that there are privacy concerns sure to be raised by this. I study privacy and I've written papers focused on privacy. But for the duration of the championship event, I believe that the very real threat posed by thieves warrants their use.

Taken together, I believe the above three suggestions could help mitigate the thefts at the Vintage and Legacy championships. Yes, they would only apply to the events themselves, and not to the rest of Gencon. But for much of the convention, valuable decks could be left secured in hotel rooms. Or perhaps these measures could be applied to the prelim tournaments as well.

In either case, it would be much better if Gencon or Pastimes acknowledge what happened. It would be great if they told us, their customers, about what steps they were taking to make Gencon a positive experience, instead of the very regrettable event it was for so many people last year.


Sincerely,

Rich Shay

[TheWhiteDragon]

Sucks balls that this stuff happens, but it is the human race afterall.  I like all your suggestions, but I rely most heavily on item "0".  You can't depend on anyone else to offer security measures beyond what you can do for yourself.  I carry ONLY the deck(s) I intend to play and the cards I want to trade.  I keep them in a backpack that only leaves my back when I am looking in it, and it is closed with a luggage lock on the zipper and the key in my pocket.  I only store my cards in the LOCKED pocket of the backpack and watch what I am playing with vigilantly.  Some people are in general good, but a fair percentage are not with the excrement they produce.  Unfortunately, it is near impossible to tell the difference between them in a crowd.  If it weren't too hindering to game play, I'd go as far as to handcuff myself to a locked briefcase with my cards in it. 

If you want stuff protected, then protect it.  Nobody else will be able to do it as well as you, and even if someone got caught, they basically have to have the stuff in their hands, or they get off.  Even then, they can most likely get out of it or face a minor penalty in comparison to their valuable plunder (it's why these people risk it in the first place - low risk, high reward).

This is no statement to you Rich, just to be clear.  What happened to you sucks - but again, random people shouldn't be trusted farther than thrown.  This is merely a piggyback on your statement to let anyone know that if you want to attend ANY event and feel safe, have your stuff locked up like fort knox and attached to you like a limb.

[BC]

I am going to Gencon this year.  First of all, Rich, your absence will be deafening.  It is really an unfortunate situation that a lack of tournament organization/security can discourage participation by the community's most prominent members. 

Second, I am usually pretty paranoid about keeping track of my stuff at big tournaments, but this year I am going to be FUCKING PARANOID about my stuff.  It is a significant expense and commitment for me to trek across the country for Gencon, and I can definitely see a scenario where it would stop being worth it to me to travel 2000 miles just to put thousands of dollars of my highly valued cards at risk.

[Samoht]

Rich,

You will be missed. I value our conversations from last year quite highly, despite their brief nature. Your insight and understanding are things that the rest of us could only hope to achieve. That said, I fully understand your wariness.

Tom

[Klep]

I'm going to miss seeing you there, but I completely understand your unwillingness to attend.  It's a real shame that there seems to have been no efforts by either GenCon or Pastimes to address this serious issue.

If you want stuff protected, then protect it.

While this sounds simple enough, the fact is the thieves at GenCon last year were extremely good at what they were doing.  At least one person had his deck stolen while it was on the table right in front of him. 

[Prospero]

Rich, it's a real black mark against Pasttimes and GenCon that you won't be there to participate this year.

I intend on going this year, and I will be even more vigilant than I was last year.  Paranoia should be the modus operandi for all of us who attend.

[Tha Gunslinga]

I'm not going either.  I have attended every Gencon for the last 10 or 11 years at least.  My first Gencon was in Milwaukee, before proxies were even allowed.  I don't want to go to Gencon this year because I don't want to get my cards stolen.  The theft last year was crazy, and I just can't justify going this year.

[Smmenen]

wow, that sucks. 

[TheWhiteDragon]

Just goes to show:

People who suck ass > People who want to have fun.

It's tough to live life in a decent way when so many people are degenerate wastes of air.

[nedleeds]

That's a shame. I am going to play vintage champs for the first time in a decade and the fact that many passionate members of the vintage community won't be attending is a little disheartening.

I'd encourage everyone to directly voice the security concerns to Pastimes in the form of questions.

'What security will be in place for Vintage / Legacy champs?'

'Will non competitors be allowed to wander the rows?'

'Will there be additional space between tables at Vintage / Legacy champs?'

'Will there be cameras?'

http://www.facebook.com/pastimes

sales@pastimes.net

Anyway, lets all be vigilant lets call out anything suspicious.

- Sean O'Brien

[AmbivalentDuck]

Perhaps an online tournament instead?  I promise I'll steal every digital object you've ever paid for on Cockatrice

[KrauserKrauser]

I posted a topic on the official Gen Con forums and received basically no positive feedback on this. 

Even the simple idea of cordoning off tournament areas with ropes or the like was met with ambivalence and statements of "You need to look after your backpacks"

I'm definitely going to Gen Con but might just play limited events unless I see some efforts being made to address the security issues.

[nedleeds]

I posted a topic on the official Gen Con forums and received basically no positive feedback on this. 

Even the simple idea of cordoning off tournament areas with ropes or the like was met with ambivalence and statements of "You need to look after your backpacks"

I'm definitely going to Gen Con but might just play limited events unless I see some efforts being made to address the security issues.

I think making it pastimes problem is the way to go. That space to Gencon is no different than people playing minis with green army guys. Pastimes is getting some benefit out of being the TO for all these events (cash, prime retailing space in the CCG hall, etc.). If we want change I think it has to be through them. They also organize the judges I believe and in these situations the judges being on board is a huge plus. Judges want clear walkable aisles. Judges don't want to deal with cards being stolen off the tops of active libraries during matches (I was told this happened last year, but maybe it's an urban legend).

[MaximumCDawg]

I'm probably going to play over in Denver's Legacy tourny at Comic-Con this weekend, and I've had the same thoughts as Atog here.  My solution?  I'm bringing an elf combo deck in a small box and nothing else.  That way, I can keep my eyes and hands on the deck at almost all times, and perhaps more importantly, I'm not really out a huge chunk of change if it gets swiped.  Hundreds, sure, but not thousands. 

Ultimately, I don't think fear of assholery should stop you from playing a game you enjoy.  There are ways to find a happy medium, even while asking the organizers to act.

[Madpeep]

I've traveled to Gencon each of the last five years and I'll be going again this year as well, but I can't say for 100% certainty that I'll be playing in the vintage/legacy champs.  I completely agree with Rich.  Every single year tens of thousands of dollars are stolen in the CCG hall and the level of security is unacceptable.  Thieves are getting bolder since they're rarely ever caught.  Decks are being stolen right off the table, even during play.  Good luck catching the thief with that bag wrapped around your legs (to protect the cards they just ran off with).  Rich, if you change your mind, there's a TON of other stuff to do there besides play Magic.  Although I really wanted to avenge my loss to you last year, I've always wanted to take a run through True Dungeon, but never found the time.  Chances are Pastimes won't do anything about it until they start seeing a drop in attendance.  It's not just Pastimes though, GP level events are just as prone to theft and there's no security there either.  As our pieces of cardboard continually climb in value, we should really be pressuring the TO's for more security.

I'm just thankful that we have a close bond as vintage players and we don't have to worry much about theft at local events in NY/NJ/NE. 

[RitNecroWin]

I was originally planning on attending Gen Con this year, but after a lot of contemplation regarding the string of thefts I will not be present.

As someone who only plays Vintage Magic and no other games, it is not worth the time and financial aspects of traveling to Gen Con only to spend the weekend in paranoia. Additionally, if I were to fall victim to theft, I would be out thousands of dollars and irreplaceable, altered cards.

I would hope that Wizards of the Coast sees this thread and understands that now more than ever there is a need for sanctioned online Vintage play. It would prevent the fear of theft, break the barrier of travel and help to grow the format. My .02.

[Klep]

As for me, I'm going to go to GenCon, and I'm going to bring my Vintage deck, but I may decide to leave it in my hotel room and not bring it to the venue.  Much as I'd love to play in Vintage Champs, if I don't feel safe bringing my cards to the tournament I won't.

[nedleeds]

Whats the point in owning real cards at this point if you can't play them at champs? Kind of a morbid question. Did BOM face the same issue?

[MagicIsCardboardCrack]

(just to trying to lighten the mood a little)

The worst is when someone steals half your championship painting right in front of you.

[InfectedMushroom]

Whats the point in owning real cards at this point if you can't play them at champs? Kind of a morbid question. Did BOM face the same issue?

I am not positive on this, but I believe the BoM people had an entire security crew. In the one thread thanking everyone, he mentioned the security.

[AmbivalentDuck]

Whats the point in owning real cards at this point if you can't play them at champs? Kind of a morbid question.

Exactly what I've been saying for years.  Champs is where people with too much free time and money go to compete against each other for extremely limited bragging rights.  Frequent, global tournaments will quickly tell us who the best players are and which decks are actually best.

[KrauserKrauser]

I just fired off this email to Pastimes.  Will post any responses I get, if any.  I suggest others do this as well to increase awareness if nothing else.

Hello,

I am considering attending the Vintage Championships that you will be hosting at Gen Con this year but due to the events from last year, I am questioning whether or not this is a wise decision.

In the aftermath of the rampant theft that occurred in the Card hall last year with over $80k worth of magic cards stolen I question your comany's ability to provide sufficient security to ensure that I can compete in a tournament without having to hold my hand on my deck at all times to prevent it being stolen, even during my matches.

There were reports of organized theft rings stealing binders, decks even some during sanctioned matches.  To consider participating in a tournament this year I need to know what effort your company is making to prevent the same rampant theft that we saw at last year's convention.

Is your company planning on implementing any of the following for 2012 Magic events?

1) Marking Tournament players with ID bands/badges

2) Roping off areas where events are underway and preventing non-tournament players from entering

3) Strictly enforcing no spectators while matches are underway to prevent opportunities for theft

4) Security guards for tournament areas that are tasked with monitoring play areas and maintaining a physical presence.

5) Increased camera coverage on play areas.

6) Publicly acknowledging the events of last year and announcing the changes that will be made to enhance security this year.

All of these elements would help me and many others in making the decision whether or not to risk our decks by playing in your events at Gen Con this year.

I will be posting this email and any repsonses on TheManaDrain.com.  You should read the thread they currently have other there concerning this very topic as the events of last year have left a very bad impression with many players.

I hope to hear back from you soon.

-Josh

[InfectedMushroom]

Exactly what I've been saying for years.  Champs is where people with too much free time and money go to compete against each other for extremely limited bragging rights.  Frequent, global tournaments will quickly tell us who the best players are and which decks are actually best.

Think about Poker. The online champs can't stand up to the elite real life poker players. Look at who owns all the bracelets.

 
Online Magic is great, but you lose all of the human tricks and tells of people. Watching the people who organize their cards after drawing, knowing they have a FoW. Looking at people's eyes and getting reads is what makes physical card games so much fun. The human interaction is also why a lot of people play these games in the first places.

[PETER FLUGZEUG]

Whats the point in owning real cards at this point if you can't play them at champs? Kind of a morbid question. Did BOM face the same issue?

I am not positive on this, but I believe the BoM people had an entire security crew. In the one thread thanking everyone, he mentioned the security.

I wasn't at BOM this year, but the other years i never heard of things like these. There are several reasons for this:
1. Eternal magic players in the whole room only, and some staff/judges/dealers, few spectators.
2. The venue is like a "pit". You have the playing space, where no spectators are allowed (there would be no space anyway, it's croweded with tables, basically back to back. The spectators are looking down on the players, There is an elevated balustrade around the "pit".
3. Last years, there was one massive big security guy (maybe more i didn't see), watching the door, and very friendly at that.
4. Personal anecdote, not representative at all: people brought decks someone else forgot to the judges..
Maybe someone of the BOM crew can tell more? (hemgath on TMD)
I really hope you can get the situation right over there! Otherwise come to BOM. Everything is awesome there.

[TheProfessor]

I wish this thread would have been a week or two earlier before I bought my badge and signed up for all of the vintage events.

Last year was my first time at GenCon, and it was also the first time I had seen people playing vintage.  I watched a lot of the events, even quit the other events I had signed up for because of how much fun it was to watch.  I also loved how welcoming and nice the Vintage community was last year, so much that I made the jump into Vintage so I can join everyone in the fun this year!  It really sucks to see that players like Rich and Brian are not going to be attending this year, although I understand why.

This thread has made me question whether or not I wish to partake in any of the vintage events this year because I don't want my investments to be snagged off the table in front of me.  I didn't have any problems last year at GenCon, but then again, I did not own power at the time.  I may just end up sitting out of the actual events (although I am already signed up and paid for), and just get some cards signed.  Who knows though, I have been looking forward to the Vintage Champs all year because it is the only place I will actually get to play Vintage, so I may take the plunge and try to enjoy myself.

I hope that measures will be taken to by Pastimes and the GenCon Staff to prevent theft this year.

[InfectedMushroom]

I think that setup is more well suited to deter theft. Players can focus on their games without worrying about a thief watching them from behind for a moment to strike.

[nedleeds]

I just fired off this email to Pastimes.  Will post any responses I get, if any.  I suggest others do this as well to increase awareness if nothing else.

I did as well ... similar content. I encourage concerned people to do the same. I believe there is financial incentive for Pastimes to have a large turnout (they may split entry with Gencon?)

below .........
--------------------

I'm directing this towards the organizers of the Gencon events.

After seeing first hand and reading around some of the eternal format message boards ...

http://www.mtgthesource.com/forums/showthread.php?21686-Theft-at-Gencon-2011&highlight=theft+gencon

http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=44278.0

The local type 1 players from Atlanta (numbering 4-5) definately want to participate in the legacy and vintage main events at Gencon this year. They are some of the last great North American eternal events. Threads like the above detail the problems when eternal formats and huge crowds meet filled with all kinds of unsavory people.

I think we can discount the thefts that happen in the trading / open tables area. People splashing out suitcases full of trade stock and simul-trading with multiple people are making themselves attractive targets.

However actively playing in an event, with only my deck, my pen / pad / dice. I think I should, for my entry fee, expect a reasonable level of safety in the play area. Contrast the way things were run last year with something like bazaar of moxen. At BoM only judges, participants and other security are allowed in the play area.

In my humble opinion, I think you should consider a similar measure. Maybe even issuing bracelets, and / or roping the tables off. I understand you aren't Gencon, you don't supply security staff (and probably aren't allowed to even if you wanted to). I think a really loud, really public announcement deriding any thieves, double warning participants, perhaps even bluffing security (plain clothes security etc.).

Another enhancement might be camera coverage, hosting the video on your retail site (getting some traffic to your site, revenue, etc..).

Anyway, I hope you take these problems seriously, I think Pastimes addressing these issues and really getting out ahead of them publicly would benefit everyone and get attendance up this year. Thanks for reading and I hope we get the biggest turnout ever.

[JACO]

If you want simple solutions, here they are:
1) Have security cameras up everywhere. This doesn't cost that much.
2) Have dedicated trade tables.
3) Have dedicated play tables, with no spectators beyond the roped off lines surrounding (similar to how SCG Invitationals have everything roped off, and if you want to railbird you have to do it from a distance)
4) Have colored/stamped wristbands for individual events. If you don't have that specific wristband on then the judge at the entrance of the cordoned off tables doesn't let you in.

I probably WILL be going to GenCon this year for the first time in a while, and you can bet your ass I'm not going to be walking around with everything. Be smart and diligent, and only carry around what you need to play in the tournament(s) that day, or if you're there to trade do that instead. Leave the rest of your stuff locked up in the hotel. Don't leave it in the backseat of your car where it's visible either.

Ben and Rich, you guys should go. Carry a small, comfortable messenger bag with only the essentials in it, and carry it around your neck, even when you're sitting down to play in matches. Nothing will leave your side.

[quicksilvervii]

This thread along with some other things going on in my life has turned my "more than likely" attendance to a "highly doubtful."

I wish everyone that goes the best of luck and I will watch you guys on the streams.

Hope to see you all at Waterbury.

[Smmenen]

If you are contacting Pastimes, keep it simple:

1) Remind them how rampant the theft was last year - $80,000 is theft?

2) Tell them you are concerned about this and want greater security.

No need to go into more specifics than that besides maybe suggesting some ways to do it.  But if you write a long winded note you are less likely to get the kind of reply or response we want.