tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post3013121965610726081..comments2024-03-01T11:52:44.729-05:00Comments on Bat in the Attic: An interesting conversation to start the new roleplaying yearRobert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-9160474391482863242012-01-02T23:07:31.616-05:002012-01-02T23:07:31.616-05:00I think in some ways the RPG industry mirrors what...I think in some ways the RPG industry mirrors what's happened in the music recording industry. In both, there has never been more variety or diversity of resources (music: bands and genres; RPGs: indie games and OGL resources). This increase comes at the expense of the big boxes (music: major labels; RPGs: WoTC, WW) as enthusiasts turn away from mass marketing and instead turn inward within their own gaming circles (OSR, D&D 3.5, Weird Fantasty, etc.). <br /><br />And I think, just like in the music business, those in the RPG biz who know how to connect with players and give them a reason to invest money are the most likely to be successful. The easiest way to do so is to include the player in the creative process. We've already seen success with this business model (especially in OSR and to a degree Paizo) and I think in general RPGs have been a pioneer of collaboration between game designers and enthusiasts (ex: Zines). Maybe not enough to make us all rich, but enough to perpetuate the hobby (again, much like the music industry today). <br /><br />In regards to some of your concerns about whether or not gaming is reaching kids, I have a question: were young audiences most likely to be attracted to gaming because of mass marketing (i.e. big games and advertising) or through mentoring (neighbors, friends, big siblings, etc.)? I think trying to quantify the influence of both would help clarify the best way to introduce gaming to younger folk and perpetuate the hobby. How much of it falls on the shoulders of the industry, and how much of it falls upon the community? <br /><br />To put it another way, I'm wondering that because gaming is becoming more indie, DIY, and niche-specific--because of technology changes making game design easier and/or because big companies have failed in fostering the hobby with younger people--is it increasingly up to us enthusiasts to take charge of mentoring another generation of gamers?<br /><br />Does that make sense? Let me know if it doesn't and I'll try to clarify...Brian W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00645564802508860218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-90976222507388265362012-01-02T11:35:21.518-05:002012-01-02T11:35:21.518-05:00Just one data point here....
I would not be playi...Just one data point here....<br /><br />I would not be playing Labyrinth Lord and B/X D&D if it were not for my kids. I got into those when I realized that the simplicity of the rulesets really lend themselves to playing with children.<br /><br />Of course, watching them play... I can see how things might need to be adapted for them... but I think I will try fixing whatever issues there are via the scenarios I run for them. Probably... use their existing characters, but give them a situation with some Choose Your Own Adventure plot points and some Infocom-like puzzles. Definitely less fighting and resource management, though. (Actually... that's how I got them to complete Palace of the Silver Princess... so I've kind of already done that....)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-82547176543242482592012-01-02T07:10:04.765-05:002012-01-02T07:10:04.765-05:00Also agreed. Perhaps one way forward is shown by t...Also agreed. Perhaps one way forward is shown by the Lego adventure game, as seen recently on Grognardia?Roger G-Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08594440701279968693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-81537094691089756402012-01-01T21:13:02.158-05:002012-01-01T21:13:02.158-05:00@BlogReader - I completely agree with your comment...@BlogReader - I completely agree with your comments. This hobby will be greatly diminished in years to come if more products catering to a younger audience are not produced.Charlie Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07899037807693796298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-54218760196634102802012-01-01T15:19:50.233-05:002012-01-01T15:19:50.233-05:00If the rpg "industry" were truly interes...If the rpg "industry" were truly interested in surviving, it would do whatever it could to cater to newer players, start them young, and hook them for life,..<br /><br />Read: kids.<br /><br />Instead, it continues to cater to an aging audience, while ignoring kids. I self published an rpg for kids (rpgkids) that has been at the top of the charts at rpgnow for over a year now. You know what? Parents want to teach their kids about the hobby and play with them. This will lead to newer players down the line... But the industry ignores this. Books with 160 pages of rules isnt the answer.NewbieDMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11372790799350472392noreply@blogger.com