Ken Wang writes:

Well, I ran the scenario "Last Train...". I gained some valuable lessons
learned.  Jon Davis' Scenario Guidelines should be commandments vice
guidelines. I study those guidelines and try to follow them. But, I didn't
really get the full appreciation of those guidelines until after I ran the
game. My lessons learned will echo his guidelines with some further insight
from my experience. Lessons learned in no particular order:
 
1.) Play Test, Play Test, Play Test. Use a wide variety of players, not just
your usual group. You may know your local group well enough to anticipate what
they might do, but at a convention nothing is limited.
 
2.) If you don't have the minis, don't offer those factions for play in the
scenario. If players want to use a faction you don't have, request that the
players provide their own minis in that case.
 
3.) Don't lose control of the game. Maintain! the flow.
 
4.) Dissuade too many sidebars and digressions.
 
5.) Know how to handle your players. Quickly resolve any disagreements or
misunderstandings. Your foundations are the rules. Your judgement is final.
 
6.) You number one job and concern is your players. Ensure they are having
fun.
 
7.) The corollary: You can't please everybody.
 
8.) Publish rules and scenario information early. Though, surprises are a good
way to keep your players on their toes and make things more interesting, they
can backfire without proper preparedness (see #1). Allow time for players to
review the scenario-specific rules and ask questions.
 
9.) Stick to the scenario and rules, don't improvise.
 
10.) Don't be intimidated about running your first event at a convention.
There are plenty of nic! e and knowledgeable players to help you out (Thanks
Indy and John).
 
11.) Solicit feedback from your players to improve your game and scenario.
They can usually see an angle that you can't because of their objectivity.
 
12.) Always expect the unexpected from your players.
 
13.) Don't be afraid to make ad hoc decisions, just record them so you can
establish a precedence for the duration of your game.
 
14.) Simpler is better. Scenario, house rules, etc. Recommend 3-4 ships max
per player. More than 4 can become time consuming to move and can become
difficult to move in close quarters.
 
15.) It's supposed to be fun for you too! I had fun, but I think it would have
been even more enjoyable for me if there weren't as many hiccups (see #1).
 
Finally, I'd like to thank my players: Indy, John, Kle, Andy, Don, a! nd
Scott. I'll see you next year with "Down the Drain - The Last Train Redux"!
 
BTW, don't ever use Delta Ceramcoat's Pearlescent White on your minis, it
looks like bare metal.
 
Regards,
 
Ken Wang