A meeting this year for the 20th birthday of Dungeon Master?

[Trantor]

Once again digging up this old thread. We now have 2007, the year in which the 20th birthday of the Best Game Ever (TM) takes place. If there is enough interest, we should plan this soon, so we can all organize the trips timely. Basically, I'd say we have two choices concerning the date, either late summer as Lunever suggested, or around Christmas to accomodate DM's real birthday. One weekend will probably do, we could either meet Friday evening or Saturday morning and disassemble on late Sunday.

Concerning the location, London is still the best in my mind, as it is easily accessible for all those of us who don't live in the UK. I'd be happy with either date, what about you? Still people interested?

[copperman]

Count me in folks. London in the summer sounds cool.

[Gambit37]

I may well be living in London soon, so that could be cool. But even if I'm not, Brighton's so close it's easy for me to get to.

I think nearer Christmas would make more sense in terms of an "anniversary" but Summer will probably be more enjoyable!

I'm still hoping to go and visit Doug Bell in San Diego at some point -- he did mention about a reunion of FTL when I last spoke to him about three years ago!

[beowuuf]

YEah, I get busy at work during the Christmas, and already have a huge costly trip up to Scotland to fit in - Summer would be best

Do it around July and its my biiiiiiiirthday!

[cowsmanaut]

hey, remember that guy.. who was making those sculptures a long time ago? yeah.. and then coulldn't figure out how to send them without busting them into a bazillion bits.. yeah.. it'd be really great if he did something about that huh... maybe he could bring two for three for three of those people who live in that area

[beowuuf]

Yeha, whatever happened to that guy and his wacky Chaos statues?

[Steve-B]

I wouldn't mind attending a UK reunion. That would be pretty neat.

What would be REALLY amazing would be if we could hire some labourers to dig into the side of a mountain (maybe ben nevis) and dig out an exact replica of the hall of champions complete with specially painted replica portraits of all the characters. We could then hold the reunion inside the dungeon (which would be lit by flaming torches and have adjustable central heating).

There is only one snag. Its going to cost about 8 million pounds to complete the hall of champions (anyone wishing to donate???). lol.

I can see it now... Ten years in the future with all 14 levels finished ready for the japanese tourists. The 'attraction' would come complete with specially trained actors in costume playing the monsters and holographic wizardry for some of the exciting spells. Don't forget the central heating.

One day.

[Parallax]

As long as the party* remains inside the prison level (i.e. level 0 ) you won't need torches.

You may consider the savings generated by this observation to be my contribution.

*: 'party', hehehe, I'm so witty!

[j.m.ratkos]

I'm located in the states but will probably be making another trip to the london area next winter/spring for a wedding, so I'd be up for meeting anyone.

if you've got a copy of the chaos strikes back adventure's handbook (ftl) or the dungeon master ll hintbook (interplay), I'll gladly autograph it for you as well.

[Gambit37]

Ooooooh.... Jim Ratkos in the house! Hi there!

[Lunever]

By now I got my exam schedule. Seems that the only time this summer/fall I'd be able to attend a meeting would be september. Hey Gambit, Andyboy, Copperman, how about meeting again in september? All others - what do you think of september for a Dungeon Master party?

[Trantor]

Sure, I'm there.

[beowuuf]

i'm in india most of it

[Trantor]

India?

[Lunever]

"Most of it", does that leave room for one september weekend not in India?

[beowuuf]

it's the 9th to the 24th, umm, give or take a few day of ensuring my works up to date and re-acclimbatisation aroudn that - if that can fit in with others plans and London was the destination, then that's cool and I can be there like a shot

[MitchB1990]

Don't worry guys, 'll be there "In Spirit", so no one is allowed to cast Des Ew.

[Lunever]

So how about Saturday 29th of September?

[Trantor]

One big resounding "YES" from me.

[Gambit37]

I was hoping for something closer to Christmas (when it was released) but I guess that will be quite tough.

At the moment, I can say yes. I'll be living in London then so it will be easy for me.

Now we just need a venue! Why not take a leaf out of the Star Wars Exhbition for the 30th Anniversary, and book County Hall?

http://www.starwars-theexhibition.com/
http://www.londoncountyhall.com/

[linflas]

bad luck for me, i can be in london on any weekend in september except the 29th because i'll fly to thailand the same day and of course, i cannot change the reservation..

[Gambit37]

Still up for discussion -- 29th isn't a given yet.

Anyway, we need to think more clearly about what we're going to do/ No good everyone spending a fortune to get to London only to spend a few hours sitting in a pub.

If we are going to do this, we need to start talking more seriously about exactly what we're going to do to:

a) Celebrate DM without looking too strange (I draw the line at dressing up! Lunever, you can come in full battle gear if you like, but I'll be in regular clothes! )
b) Make it worth while for everyone coming long distances
c) Consider how to get some of FTL / other contributors involved

I have an extensive array of DM merchandise. Maybe we could actually make some kind of exhibition, get hold of old machines and get the game up and running across lots of platforms. Make it bigger than just a forum thing?

[Gambit37]

I've been thinking about an exhibition for the last 20 minutes and am quite inspired by the idea. However, it would take a lot of planning time and cost -- not something I have this year. But -- 21 years is always a special anniversary too, so maybe it's something we could consider for next year? Perhaps part of our meeting this year could be to discuss how to go about an exhibition?

Just thinking out loud at the moment...

[Lunever]

Right, September first would be ok too, my last exam for this semester is on 30th of August. Alternatively, Christmas would be ok also for me, but I didn't suggest it in the first place because I assumed that many people would be bound by family visits.

[Lunever]

So, what will it be? September or December?

[beowuuf]

September I hope, theres' too much stuff in December for me and work is too busy too

[Gambit37]

I still maintain we need to decide what we're actually going to do. There's no point in just sorting out a date to end up sitting in a pub for a few hours and I'm realy not interested in that. If it's worth celebrating, it's worth doing well.

[Trantor]

I actually wouldn't mind just sitting in a pub with you. Meeting all of you people whom I only know the avatars of is the thing that interests me most about this meeting. But if we really want to celebrate, I'm cool with that as well, of course

[Gambit37]

I should rephrase that! It would be great to meet you all -- I just think 20 years would be nice to celebrate with more than getting drunk and then forgetting most of it!

[Lunever]

Haha! Trantor - don't forget that the main goal of British "drinking culture" is still to become completely pissed until 11 PM. So while I'd usually agree that just meeting and talking would be still worthwhile, in this instance I'm rather with Gambit - let's do some worthwhile activity.

Beo - just how busy are you in December? Don't forget that it is easier for you to go to London for couple of hours - even in a busy time of the year - than it is for Linflas (especially when he is in Thailand).