That is true, but there are already several people that run big games of it.. If it keeps getting diluted, nobody will get their hours that way anymore..

I started that craze 3 years ago and had over 200 players, now at least 3 other people run it for 20 or more in a group and my numbers have dropped because it is more spread out... :(    so that is really not feasible any longer..

That being said, a bit of creativity goes a long way :)

I didn't say you had to do it in one day, I said it could be--  I do not work my convention away, I work my ass off for 1 solid day- from about 11am to 1am... but then I am done- that's it.  That one day is so worth not fighting the hotel lottery, the badge price, the hotel price (even if you are lucky enough to get one)...    I'm sorry you don't like my idea but please don't make it sound like its impossible to potential new people, because I assure you, it isn't.

And also - very doable for games with 10 or more players.

Example - We run Circus Imperium (4 hours x 10 = 40 hours) - so technically my son (with my help) could run that 2x on Thursday, 2x on Friday, and once on Saturday...and then be done. 20 hours of a game he loves to play and then still have the additional convention time to do as he wants.

Roleplaying games are a bit more investing - where you would need basically 32 hours (4 hours x 6 = 24 hours).

Again - all of it definitely doable and it would not take up your entire convention. The key I think is that you do want it to be someting you enjoy because you are the GM and the players may not know the game. I stay away from groups that drop a game on the table and walk away. When I run a game, I am there for the entire time 'running' the game.

Thank you Jerry and Rayken-- I appreciate you understanding what I am offering isn't impossible or even improbable-- we have already recruited a couple new GMs who are very excited to have the opportunity at a FREE downtown hotel space...  Running games they love and wanted to play anyway  win/win!

Also at any GM's that had to cancel events due to lack of room space - we are happy to take you on as well.. 

No problem Ladyflame, the entitlement of some posters startles me, I was basically reading "NO I don't want to volunteer my whole convention and turn it into work... Btw can I just pay for the hotel room and still have it anyway?"

These threads aren't for people just walking over people for hotel rooms. 

Marian-- I got spammed, lol...

RPGs is another story. Our group has talked to the GC staff about this for years, through many staff members. For a while they wanted just to do hours, if I recall. Player-Hours isn't perfect, but there's no good alternative. It does allow, however, for the people who teach a two hour boardgame to two groups of 6 people to get the same consideration as one GM who runs an RPG for 6 people for 4 hours. (I am not slamming anyone with that, but it's true the RPG judge will put in more work...you just need to love what you're doing, and not do it for the comping, that's my take on it).

In the past, when previous staff members were in place, we were told that they would consider looking at things like the effort you were putting into running a game when they determined if you were eligible for compensation. I am not sure if that is the case anymore. But when they were doing just straight hours, I remember sending all the files from one entire 30+ player 4 hour LARP I had written to the staff, to show them why that game should maybe count for more than a 4 hour 6 player game. They listened. But that was a while ago, I don't know the policy anymore.

That's the rate GC comps rooms at. That's the rate OP is passing along to GMs.

There's no hidden math, no tricks. Player-hours work better for some types of games than others, yes. But that's how it's run. It *can* be done in one day, although, yeah...it's work.

Thousands of people, maybe tens of thousands, GM (and volunteer with exhibitors) every year to afford to come to the Con.

BS. Right.

There is no hidden math or even BS regarding this . I am the EO for the Group that puts on Gencon's largest number of miniature games (19 & One) . It does work out as our GM's know.
However its important to remember that the 200 hours only entitles you to 1/4 of a room - you must share with 3 others !! most rooms have only 2 beds . and most cots are already spoken for .
So you may be stuck with someone not to your liking . a very heavy snorer can ruin any sleep ,let alone if you are the lucky person sleeping on a chair .

It can be done and ,many do it ,just be aware of a potential pit fall .   If you don't mind the randomness of roommates or if you and your friends can do the 800 hours -Well worth it .

Not trying to rain on the parade-merely bringing up something that volunteers may not have thought of . Better to know up front ,than be surprized and upset at this (or any ) gaming group for something beyond their immediate control.

i volunteer part time since my first con (this is year 5 for me) to help defray cost. I already travel with a group so the hotel isn't the main thing. I get compensated fairly well but it comes out monetarily to around $8-10 during con. That doesn't take into account the prep work and test i take in order to volunteer for my chosen game. I do it because i support the game and want to see it run. The defrayment of cost (badge and other goodies) helps me quite a bit though.

For comparison not including pre con time spent (1-3 hours) i spend around 15 hours during con volunteering to qualify.

Do you still need people. I know I would be interested and my wife may be interested as well.

Please let me know-