So we've already discussed running 15 minute and 1 hour demos in some detail, but we've also started to run one-shot games at conventions over the past year. I thought this might be a good place to collate some advice for running our games as one shots at conventions, as they can sometimes require a little tweaking.

I admit there's an alterior motive - I'm running one-shot games of Best Friends and Covenant at Conception in a few weeks and want some advice!

So, I'll start:

Dead of Night - DoN is designed for one-shot games, so can be ran right out of the book at a convention. I normally pre-gen characters, but it's easy enough to have players make them right there at the table. "Ok, you're all students on a roadtrip - make characters!" And then 5 minutes later you're ready to start. I usually hand out a list of fun things to do with survival points, but I'm not sure anyone ever looks at them.

Contenders - again, I find a damned satisfying game of Contenders can be ran at a convention without any changes. I generally ditch NPC contenders and just have the players' contenders. One small thing I do is say, about an hour from the end, that we'll have one more turn each and then hit the endgame, to make sure the game wraps up properly.

Cold City - CC is another game perfect for a con with little to no changes. I normally set the characters up with agendas and traits both perfectly suited to the plot, and set up to oppose one another. I'm not sure whether this is too much of a cliche, but it seems to produce fun every time!

So, talk to me about how I can best run your game at a convention in a 3-4 hour slot!