Gamer Gathering in Vegas?

By Ralsu

I recently discussed how gaming can forge friendships so solid it's worth a plane ride to meet a guild mate. I also noted that Ten Ton Hammer's COO, John "Boomjack" Hoskin, is curious to know if you'd like to have a Ten Ton Hammer meet and greet. But this wouldn't just be a fabulous opportunity to find out how many whiskey sours Tony "RadarX" Jones can keep down after eating an entire nachos grande appetizer; we're thinking about Vegas! The bright lights, the myriad avenues of entertainment--Las Vegas is a great place for gamers to meet up and have a fun time. Oh, and we'd invite a few other people you'd want to meet. That's right, I'm talking MMOG developers, people! What we want to know is a couple of things:

1. Would you consider going to Vegas to meet some Ten Ton Hammer staff, some fellow gamers, and some MMOG developers?
2. If we could get you a plate at a cozy dinner with these MMOG developers so that you could fire off a few questions over your herb-crusted chicken, what would be a reasonable price?

The Case for Vegas

Do I really even need to go into details here? I mean, Vegas has so many things you can do: performing arts, gambling, dance clubs, and more risque adventures, too! You don't have to enjoy what a dictionary will tell you is "daringly close to indelicate" activity to have fun in Vegas. With the number of vacationers who trek to "Sin City" every year, Las Vegas has developed quite the selection of family-friendly activities. Vegas boasts tons of fine dining, relaxing spas, gorgeous golf courses, and mounds of shopping centers. You know you want to go to Vegas!

The Case for Ten Ton Hammer

Ten Ton Hammer is one of very few gaming news networks dedicated to bringing you quality content without relying on the support of gold-farming companies who ruin the games we love. Your attendance at a "convention" organized by Ten Ton Hammer sends a clear message to the developers that you won't support the deterioration of your favorite MMOG's economy through the selling of game gold for real money. Your attendance would also mean you get to meet a great group of gamers who love to have fun. Whether it's daring to eat the world's deadliest raw fish or playing a mean game of Twister with Byron "Messiah" Mudry, the Ten Ton Hammer team knows how to have fun. And while you've got us there right in front of you, you can tell us what content you want to see on our existing sites or maybe which upcoming games you'd like us to cover.

The Case for Meeting the Developers

Speaking of making suggestions in person, what better way to let game developers know what you want to see in your MMOG than to say right to their faces? Imagine the heated forum debates about how to balance fun with profit coming to life in our round table discussion! And imagine you uttering the idea that will change the landscape of your favorite genre. Forget the wow factor that comes with meeting gaming "celebrities." Forget the geeky satisfaction you'll have each time you tell your friends you had dinner with developers. Just think of how well you'll sleep when those same developers hear your awesome idea for fixing trade skills and say, "Hmm. We'll have to think about using that." Okay, it's not guaranteed, but it could happen--but only if you're there at the table.

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I've talked a good game, but is this an idea that interests you if we can make it happen in 2007? Cast your vote and tell us what you think is a reasonable price for a round table meal with developers!

VOTE IN OUR POLL! Would you fly to Las Vegas to dine with gamers, Ten Ton Hammer writers, and developers? Vegas? 'Nuff said. I'm in! Well, it would depend on which game developers were going to be there. Meet people in real life? No way! VOTE HERE