Here are the things that I am currently working on that I could possibly tie into a BGI Beat:
- Marketing - Working on a recycled plastic container for our project and looking for a revenue stream with it
- Marketing - Resident Expert project of - Fair Trade
- Work - Working in program to build stronger communities by encouraging people to play Dungeons and Dragons in their local retail stores
- Other ideas: The sustainability of the outdoor industry, primarily focusing on the outdoor companies in the industry and what is being done.
Here is my suggestion, though I have to admit it is something that I hoped to do for RPGnet so I hope that if Wizards gets serious with this idea that we can increase our association.
ReplyDeleteBasically I think that you should write about the interface between online and offline. Think about the team process model crossed with the time-place model — it suggests that there is an appropriate place for online vs online. The problem is that we are not good at the interface.
EndGame in Oakland is now the best game store in area because they have a big space for group events. For instance, every Wednesday night is a euro board game night, other weeknights are dedicated to different groups of gamers. Every weekend of the month is different, so there is one day devoted all day to board games, another to minitures, etc. There are also lots of special events, like auctions, and RPGnet sponsored events.
With the RPGnet sponsored events, we advertise the event, and a few indie RPG developers (which is our strength) show up to sign books, maybe run a demo game, etc.
This has been working, but I don't think the interface between online and offline works well — there is not as much synergy and connection as I would prefer. Part of this is due to Participation Inequality, but some of it is lack of tools. Thus we've been working on an iPhone app that helps you find stores and events nearby, and when in store event, be able to connect them online. Unfortunately pace on this project is slow as we have other paying projects (and RPGnet so far is more of a labor of love)
Related, when I go to an unconference or other event, they do a very poor job of connecting me to pre-event information, and post-event connections.
So if you did a blog on making this connection work better, including things like what is going on with mainstream people thinking about it like meetup.com, eventbright, etc., or that open source disaster app, I think it could be a good topic that could inform your efforts at Wizards.
-- Christopher Allen
Some possible posts if you chose that category:
ReplyDeleteSXSW session voting app — lets you help choose sessions for future SXSW. Why can't we have something open source like that for unconferences, bar camps, open space, etc.
A look at the different kinds of events, unconferences, bar camps, open space, discussion cafes, games, conventions, larps, etc. and what their needs are before and after the event.
Who are the major players, evite, meetup, eventbright, etc, and what are they doing right and wrong?
Where does this fit in with geolocation?
Is this a space for that odd-man-out category "same-place, different time" collaboration tool?
-- Christopher Allen