tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post7468788686079055445..comments2024-03-01T11:52:44.729-05:00Comments on Bat in the Attic: An Industry of Doom. Maybe...Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-71596506513620495702009-07-16T08:32:10.680-04:002009-07-16T08:32:10.680-04:00Sure, someone that wasn't going to buy anythin...Sure, someone that wasn't going to buy anything decides to buy Item A because of it's quality. Very possible, maybe even very likely.<br /><br />My point was just that "quality sells" does not disprove the idea that writing for RPGs is a zero-sum game. One is not directly linked with the other.<br /><br />I, too, wonder if Mishler's post is a bit pessimistic. I hope so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-81117800553305238382009-07-16T07:23:41.738-04:002009-07-16T07:23:41.738-04:00instead of Item B.
Unless of course they are not ...<i>instead of Item B.</i><br /><br />Unless of course they are not in the habit of buying Item B. The problem is more that most gamers don't buy ANY items regularly. Appeal to them then you expand without having to cannibalize other publishers sales. <br /><br />Plus there are other factor such as what systems do you support, what genre you write for and so on. <br /><br />In short it is not as simple as James Mishler puts it.Robert Conleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-29206936400766516582009-07-16T00:11:27.642-04:002009-07-16T00:11:27.642-04:00I've got to agree with you Rob. I'm not ar...I've got to agree with you Rob. I'm not arguing the point that publishers have it rough right now. The whole print industry is feeling the effects of the transition to digital.<br /><br />As you've said though, if someone comes up with a killer concept, it will sell. Whether it is a truly unique game mechanic, or a well-thought out world concept that is system independent.<br /><br />Think of it as an OS-independent piece of software. Web-based apps and tools. How would you like to see a complete world concept, with web-based character- and monster-building tools to access a library of world-specific content? With the option to customize it of course.<br /><br />I think WotC are exploring something like this (albeit tied to their 4e system.) What I'm really jonesing for is some truly epic, quality content: mythology, monsters, etc. All the elements of a great novel, but formatted for gaming.<br /><br />I think that's the sort of thing that would get people up and buying.Keith Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059044388944936192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-66900997826041738042009-07-15T23:09:18.706-04:002009-07-15T23:09:18.706-04:00"Quality sells = TRUE" does not mean &qu..."Quality sells = TRUE" does not mean "Zero-Sum = FALSE"<br /><br />Quality will sell. It will sell to people who spend their money on Item A (because they perceive it to be high quality) instead of Item B. The producer of Item A makes money that won't go to the producer of Item B.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-40692836222974804382009-07-15T22:51:46.855-04:002009-07-15T22:51:46.855-04:00I was going to write a comment, but it turned into...I was going to write a comment, but it turned into a blog. <br /><br />http://gothridgemanor.blogspot.com/2009/07/doom-oh-drama.htmlGothridge Manorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11371740532802642972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-32872371461505323632009-07-15T18:05:59.158-04:002009-07-15T18:05:59.158-04:00Very hopeful. I remember thinking that role-playi...Very hopeful. I remember thinking that role-playing had died out completely when even "the geeks" at my high school had stopped playing (around 1991-1992)...even keeping alive a "small flame" with some close friends seemed doomed until my second year of college (1993) when I found a whole new vein of gaming to mine. It's cyclical, man...I'm guessing the next small peak will be around 2013.JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08532311924539491087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-65142613120228313412009-07-15T13:43:19.848-04:002009-07-15T13:43:19.848-04:00I agree with your view that it doesn't have to...I agree with your view that it doesn't have to be a zero-sum game. If a product is good enough and if it addresses a void/need in the marketplace, then people will buy it. Granted, those purchases won't reach 1999-2001 sales levels -- discretionary spending has been hurt badly by the recession -- but it'll get noticed. But again, it has to address a need; in an economy like today's, a terrific product will get ignored if there's already another great product that offers the same thing.<br /><br />I like the Black Swan example you describe. While James makes excellent points, I don't agree with his conclusion that there will never, ever be another "boom" for D&D. I remember quite well the period around 1995-98, when Magic and other card games were the wave of the future and how their rise meant the end of RPGs. All that was needed was a company with vision and resources (ironically the creator of Magic) to spin a version of D&D for a new generation.Ken Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13545923862917750773noreply@blogger.com