http://www.forbeck.com/2008/12/02/gen-con-for-sale%E2%80%94but-not-really/

"...Then someone stepped in and made an offer for the company. This, as it later became clear, was a hostile takeover bid by a mysterious company known only as the Gen Con Acquisition Group. The offer’s intent was to snatch up the company at bankruptcy prices while it was at its most vulnerable."

These people should step forward so that they can be boycotted.

Quote from: Abyssal Maw;270736These people should step forward so that they can be boycotted.

Now there's some motivation!

Why would you have any problem with a hostile takeover?   It was a smart attempt by someone hoping they could buy something at its cheapest.   That's Business 101 practiced at every flea market across America.

Kinda like how Peter bought TSR...when the company was on its knees.

Speaking of TSR- my wild ass, completely baseless guess, is that it is Hasbro.

Quote from: Spinachcat;270746Kinda like how Peter bought TSR...when the company was on its knees.

And just look what he did to the D&D brand.  That bastard.

!i!

(P.S. Hasbro?  Really?  Do you think they want to tie any more weight to their ankles with the D&D property?)

Quote from: Aos;270747Speaking of TSR- my wild ass, completely baseless guess, is that it is Hasbro.

WotC already has the D&D Experience (DDXP) convention and the Magic Pro Tour conventions.  They would not want a convention that showcases stuff other than their IP.

I think they want to take it and twist it to their own evil ends and bring an end to democracy and freedom as we know it! This, among other reasons, is why I must, once again, urge all of you to rise up and name me your Emperor. the only way I can can protect your rights is if I have the power of life and death over each and every one of you.

Quote from: Aos;270750I think they want to take it and twist it to their own evil ends and bring an end to democracy and freedom as we know it! This, among other reasons, is why I must, once again, urge all of you to rise up and name me your Emperor. the only way I can can protect your rights is if I have the power of life and death over each and every one of you.

I agree on the condition that you offer mountain dew instead of kool-aid

Quote from: Spinachcat;270749WotC already has the D&D Experience (DDXP) convention and the Magic Pro Tour conventions.  They would not want a convention that showcases stuff other than their IP.

Not to pile onto a conspiracy theory, but there have been numerous examples of companies buying competing properties with the sole purpose of taking a few choice bits (the name, for example) and then shutting down the competing property and sitting on the license.

If Hasbro were to do this, they'd take the GenCon name, maybe a few other things associated with GenCon, and then shut down any currently existing GenCons.  The D&DXP could be renamed GenCon and showcase only Hasbro stuff.

Do I think it likely?  No.  They wouldn't be using a Kentucky lawyer for the acquisition team, IMHO.

--Mike L.

Quote from: Abyssal Maw;270736These people should step forward so that they can be boycotted.

Why exactly?

Because I need a visible enemy to denounce. It's how these things work.

Quote from: CavScout;270754Why exactly?

I don't think that bit of the OP quite works, if you want to buy something you want to buy it as cheaply as you can.  If that means a hostile bid, so it goes, that's business.

If you want a company, snatching it up at bankruptcy prices seems sensible, and if you have shareholders of your own then you're obliged to maximise their profits.

Call me a capitalist bastard, but I don't have a problem with that.

Quote from: Balbinus;270758I don't think that bit of the OP quite works, if you want to buy something you want to buy it as cheaply as you can.  If that means a hostile bid, so it goes, that's business.

If you want a company, snatching it up at bankruptcy prices seems sensible, and if you have shareholders of your own then you're obliged to maximise their profits.

Call me a capitalist bastard, but I don't have a problem with that.

Once again, Balbinus speaks truth.

Quote from: Balbinus;270758I don't think that bit of the OP quite works, if you want to buy something you want to buy it as cheaply as you can.  If that means a hostile bid, so it goes, that's business.

If you want a company, snatching it up at bankruptcy prices seems sensible, and if you have shareholders of your own then you're obliged to maximise their profits.

Call me a capitalist bastard, but I don't have a problem with that.

Exactly, which is why I don't understand why you would boycott the potential buyers.

Hurt feelings.  Tribal allegiance.  The usual.

!i!

Quote from: KenHR;270759Once again, Balbinus speaks truth.

I concur. Folks want to buy a business as cheaply as possible? The horror! The horror!

Seanchai