#2 by September, from a public health standpoint, we'll be as back to normal as we're every likely to get again.  COVID won't be completely gone, but it never will be.

And, most importantly, #3, according to Gen Con's official statement, not moving forward with a physical convention this year "would leave us in a financial position where Gen Con’s future might not be clear".  As an official sponsor of Gen Con, you'd think this would be something about which they'd purport to care.

It will be hard to view them as supporters of Gen Con going forward.

I don't have stake in this at all, but it should be pointed out that Paizo 100% did not "flake out at the last minute".  They made their intentions known on May 18, 2021.  GenCon hadn't even published the exhibitors list at that point.  
 

OK I'm going to reply to this in no particular order

Back to normal?  I'm going to politely disagree with that one

Last minute? I'm pretty sure they made their decision weeks before badges went on sale

 I'm throwing this out there. I'm fully vaccinated, and I still where a mask in public

I've voluntarily bought a badge for this year. As of today I still plan on attending 

I have a great employer who is not forcing me to return to the office or travel for work.

Maybe...just maybe they made this decision because it was the right thing to do for their employees, or maybe it was purely a financial call. Cons are paid for out of the marketing bucket. Maybe they realized that they were still paying full price for only 1/3 the customer exposure this year

 I for one do not fault anyone, which ever way they lean, when it comes to making in person decision during a pandemic

GAME ON! 

Paizo has had problems in the past submitting events in time for registration, probably due to the logistics of such a large presence in past Gencons.  This year, they probably didn't have enough time to get it all together.

In my opinion, Mid-May is pretty last minute just generally -- and particularly so given the context of the advertised badge roll-over deadline being at that same time.  I also think it is funny that mid-May not being last minute is argued in the same forum where people were demanding Gen Con tell them about mask policy and exhibit hall practices back in February.

Regardless, I am with the person who said it will be hard to see them as Gen Con supporters going forward.  As was said, Gen Con said their entire financial future was uncertain.  And this company claimed to be an official sponsor.  This is where the rubber meets the road.  Paizo has to make its own choices, but I can't say I didn't lose respect for them.

3/17/21 - Gen Con announces that Gen Con 2021 will happen on September 16-19, 2021
4/21/21 - Gen Con publishes a Health & Safety Update that lays out the general lay of the land for the upcoming convention, including attendance limits, dealer hall restrictions and mask protocols
5/7/21 - Gen Con announces Badge sales will open on May 23.  They also announce that people who have 2020 badges have until June 24 to roll them forward to 2022 and people who already have 2021 badges can get a refund until July 20.
5/18/21 - Paizo announces they will not have a presence at Gen Con.
5/23/21 - Badges go on sale for Gen Con

I fail to see how that timeline qualifies as last minute anything.  Especially considering how quickly the landscape was changing based upon COVID vaccinations/infection rates/etc.

Look, I get it that people are mad that a company who is the centerpiece of their Gen Con experience isn't going to be there.  I'm just trying to say that accusing the company of bailing out on the convention at the last minute just isn't borne out by the facts. 

:)  Have a nice day.
 

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So if you take that at face value, at least it was lack of awareness and not indifference. But let's be clear - I'm not trying to tell anyone how to feel, so interpret as you see fit...

https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sho9&page=3?Paizos-Gen-Con-2021-Update#107

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