Helo, Anthrocon community and administrators. Doubts about the convention.
Due to some complications, I likely won't go until 2012 or 2013. Mostly because my parents would have trouble understanding the concept of furrydom (turning 18 next year), along with some financial considerations.
But for when I CAN go, some questions:
*Are older game consoles like the Super Nintendo, Atari 2600 or Sega Dreamcast accepted?
*What objects should I sell as a "Dealer"?
*What are the behavior guidelines for fursuiters?
*Could you update the page in other languages, for international congoers?
Thank you for responding.
For those questions that i think i may be able to answer off the top of my head...
Are older game consoles like the Super Nintendo, Atari 2600 or Sega Dreamcast accepted?
The game consoles and games used are all ones that furs have chosen to bring and share with others, under the supervision of the game room staff. So realistically, i think furs will play anything that's available and has games that work on it. That's the good news. The not-so-good news is that what consoles are brought may vary from year to year, depending on what folks feel prepared to share. Kiric and turtyl should know whether any of those systems were brought last year.
What objects should I sell as a "Dealer"?
I think the general preference is for things that are in some way connected to anthropomorphics, but it has seemed to be pretty loosely defined. We always have a large number of cartoonists and illustrators and sketch artists and the like; we have also had maille, collars, plush toys, fandom-related t-shirts...
I think the only things we've specifically disallowed are foodstuffs, mostly because the DLCC doesn't like us selling outside food on the premises. But if you can tell us some about what you're thinking of bringing, we may be able to tell you if it's appropriate and if we think there's a market for it.
What are the behavior guidelines for fursuiters?
I believe the standards of conduct are the same whether you're wearing a costume or not. We encourage our folks to be gentle with others' fursuits and respect the expense and limited visibility involved, and we have special space set aside for fursuiters who need a break and don't want to trek all the way to their rooms for it. When waiting for the elevator, we also allow a fursuiter and his/her handler (one handler per fuzzything, please) to come to the front of the line to help preserve their health. And we don't allow fursuiters in the pool or dining areas.
In general, we expect everyone to maintain a PG-13 rating in public areas, to respect others' personal space, to wear shoes or analogous costume foot coverings while inside the buildings, and to forgo overly revealing or fetish-related gear (collars are ok, leashes are not). There are specific rules for weapons and things that could be mistaken for weapons. And of course if security or the staff of a department ask you to do something, you need to listen to them. Does that help? Is there specific behavior that you're concerned about?
Minor note: I expect that few furs would be terribly interested in playing on an Atari 2600(given that a fair share of the community was born AFTER the 2600 was dead), and you'd probably have trouble finding a TV to hook it up to. ;>
@Arrow Quivershaft: I was just using the 2600 as an example. Do you believe they'd still be interested in SNES and PS1 games (especially highly prized ones like Zelda: A Link to the Past or Metal Gear Solid)?
@Desteredra: My compliments to you for clearing things out. I hope to expect seeing you all in '012 or '013. Could I sell sculptures, paper maché figures, jewelry (necklaces and braces) and drawings? I hope these are accepted.
Really, you can sell whatever you want. You just have to do it in the dealer's room. Also, probably don't think about hawking firearms/explosives/liquor/human beings. Other than that, go crazy.
More information is here. Note that this is last year's packet and is subject to change.
Would jewelry and clay figurines be permitted? And do you also have to be 18 to sell products?
Thank you.
Jewelry and figurines would be permitted for sale in the Dealer's room.
And the age requirement for selling?
Previous Post. I looked through the guidelines and found no age requirements.
I personally have no idea, having only rarely used the video game room myself. I think the emphasis is somewhat more on games that allow multiplayer, but Kiric and Turtyl would have a far better idea than I do.
Then (if he accepted), my brother's N64 would be the best choice. GoldenEye, Perfect Dark, Mario Kart 64, Banjo-Tooie... Lots of four-player games on that system.
So I could sell sculptures and glassware if it's related to anthropomorphics?
My thanks to you, Uncle Kage.
One more doubt: Will dealers cover up their "seedy" artwork? I'd rather not run into things related to rape, strange fetishes and paraphilias, S&M or any of those unsavory things. It's supposedly a rule, but do they really avoid revealing such works?
Yes, they do. Most keep any artwork remotely adult in a separate binder marked as Adult. What's actually in there may be something you might not want to see, but there is a warning...
Thanks, Kage. Having run into an unfortunate experience with a certain user while playing Furcadia, I don't like artwork about sexual abuse or everything I've previously mentioned.
Many of us do not like it, either, which is why such things are kept under very tight wraps at Anthrocon. I am not going to censor an artist's self-expression, but I'll be damned if I will force someone else to view that expression if he does not want to.
Personal rights involve a two-way street.
Wait, you mean there is no freedom without responsibility at Anthrocon?
What a novel concept. 
Anthrocon can boast its family-friendly environment. Just wait until you see it. It's amazing!
IF the US government doesn't adopt "strict youth welfare laws" like their paternalistic and somewhat fascist German counterparts (Who else is in a "Western Democracy" is UN-democratic enough to not allow parents to homeschool their children, or send them to an educational institution that doesn't kiss, well, the Polit-Büro's butt and offer crappy mainstream teaching methods? Not to mention that they can ban films, TV shows and video games on account of them being "too violent". If these two don't sound like enough disrespect to their population, you can't legally enter a typical video store if you're under 18 on accounts that you may rent "corrupting materials." Sheesh, they could give Cuba, Venezuela and China a run for their money, at the rate at which they're going. Now that I've thought about this, I'll boycott "official" German products.)
*Sorry for the rant.*
I also need to consider monetary limitations and my father not accepting my interest in furrydom, nor wanting to go to Pittsburgh for a little entertainment event. Also, just like he's homophobic, he probably won't forgive furrydom's "dark side" (even if it's small). I need to be cautious so I may actually attend sometime.
If the "Dark Side" as you call it is the first thing he finds out about, then you're probably right, your father won't accept it. But if you go about it the recommended way your father will be more accepting of it. Think positive!
Then, I'll need a good reason to get us to fly to Pittsburgh. Probably if one of his business trips coincides with the AC dates. Airplane tickets and decent hotels aren't exactly cheap, either!
Since we have completely different worldviews, he might not want to spend hundreds to go to a comic book/cartooning/costuming convention.
Glelin, there's a difference between what you can do and what you're able to do. SO would be coming from Mexico, according to his signature. That means getting a passport (if he doesn't already have one), paying for an expensive airplane raid and the hotel room and any additional expenses.
While he can certainly attend at 18 without parental consent, realism says that he may very well need financial assistance that he could probably only get from his family.
Oh my. When I read his location, my mind rendered it as New Mexico! Yeah, that would pose a problem hehe.
I already got the passport, and a right to an American citizenship from my mother's side (her entire family migrated from Cuba during Castro's revolution). I need to earn my parents' understanding, trust, and support, but I got a feeling that it won't be instantaneous.
*An example: Despite the majority of video gamers being in the 18-35 age range, once when my Dad saw me playing MGS1, he simply remarked "It's natural to play at that age." And that the same time, he believes that violent video games corrupt people (especially since polygons, Flash animations and sprites are the most realistic representations of violence ever created *sarcasm*). Combine with his Disney/Hanna Barbera approach to animation, and I don't think he has a good chance at understanding the culture of anthropomorphics.
Unfortunately, my birthday is two months after. Though I could gain an advantage if I accompany him more on his business trips (I'd also need to take these travels to heart, as it would be greedy on my part to just keep him company for my own convenience).
Although I've dropped the issue, is Skyfoxx recovering from my misdirected comments? I feel bad for him and now regret saying the improper things in the improper place.
Thank you.
Freedom of expression is important, but prudence is still recommendable when dealing with these topics.
My apologies. Just that on the Internet at least, people can be VERY vocal about showing you their pr0n, even when you search unrelated topics (and it really p**ses me off). I wish I could give whoever created Rule 34 a bloody execution (not literally, just that I hate those types). People like them were probably the ones heading the Roman Empire when it collapsed.
FangFox, why did you jump in? What do you mean?
He was referring to an infamous incident at the convention center that resulted in Furries being forbidden from accessing the rooftop promenade for the duration of the convention.
Which made us all very, very sad pandas.
Not to mention the angry cockroach(es).
"Angry" doesn't quite describe it. I have not yet found the right word.
Extreme Rage Travis Point?
Abandon hope, all ye who enter here?
Redonkulous?
Exasperated?
Incensed?
Inflamed?
Infuriated?
or...
Abused?
Betrayed?
Violated?
how about...
Wrathful?
Vengeful?
Hihi.
Almost any kind of console is welcome in the video game room! We had a few 'stone age' consoles this year, though they didn't see much play time. The one older setup that enjoyed a bit of play was a special wii with a lot of older, odder, and translated games available.
We will put out calls for volunteers and equipment loans before next year's con.
'Kiric
Thank you Kiric. So, there are a few furs attracted to specialty consoles like the Neo-Geo, Saturn or original Xbox? Oh, goodie.
What was that incident, Uncle Kage? A fight?
Just some bozo with a death wish hanging over the railing of the roof for a photo op.
It's been a popular topic of conversation in quite a few threads here.
It's also mentioned in the opening ceremonies in explanation as to why no one was allowed on the roof. You can find a couple of vids on youtube.
Why would he end of his life in the convention, of all places? Sad and stupid at the same time. Unless he wanted to make everyone's day sour.
He was just trying to get attention from his friends and take a picture.
There was no intent on hurting himself.
links, please?
There are basically no links and no additional information (other than that which has already been released or leaked) will be forthcoming. Kage feels that...actions... might be taken against the person who got us banned from the roof. He's probably right. I've never even been on the Convention Center roof and the idea that we were banned from going there because of the actions of one unthinking, self-centered fool is enough to tempt me to violence against him.
In short, one person did something foolishly dangerous on the roof of the Convention Center and got every other con attendee banned from there because of his stupidity. That's all the general fandom knows and, given what I've seen of the Anthrocon Board of Directors, that's all they'll ever say.
We aren't completely banned from the roof, i don't think.
The issue is that the fur demonstrated that not all furries can handle basic personal safety unsupervised. As a result, we had to pay a lot of money to station a professional security guard up there and severely limit the number of folks who could go up at any one time. The cost to the con for it was a pretty serious ouch, though.
The person in question had his badge pulled, and whether he can register for future anthrocons will depend on whether he makes reparations for his actions at this one.
You should also ask that attendee why he/she wanted to exhibit him or herself like that during a recreational event that's supposed to be safe. You can't just take out your anger/frustration/sadness/boredom like that. If Encyclopedia Dramatica publicly humiliated that person (not only with furries; trolls and similar groups live off generally degrading, hurting and disrespecting their fellow human beings for the "lulz"), as an example, you could (and should) still try to move on with your life.
I'm sure security had a good long talk with that fur about the inappropriateness and lack of safety in his actions, and what consequences they had for the entire rest of the con. If he didn't know before how other attendees would react to his behavior, i'm sure he knows it now, and if he has any sense, he's laying low.
My sense was that it wasn't really about taking out anger or frustration or sadness; he just saw a photo op, wanted the shot, and didn't stop to think about whether he was being safe. No malice or harm intended; just an idiot who failed to think things through and did something thoughtless. So the powers that be came up with a judgment to help him think about his actions a little more.
The judgment leveled for his behavior is pretty appropriate for the circumstances, imho; i think he can trust that he's suffering enough already, without destroying what remains of his standing in the furry community.
When i was in high school, i belonged to a youth group that wrote its own guidelines (in consultation with the adults). As i recall, the first guideline was, "Use common sense. And if you don't have common sense, find someone who does and hang out with them."
"Good judgement comes from experience;
experience comes from bad judgement."
*Answer when possible. Thanks.
Relax. Furries won't give you cooties.