Hey again, everybody. Earlier this week, I discussed a really cool free indie game called Warrior, Rogue & Mage. In that article, I mentioned how it's a very good thing when anyone can just pick up and play a tabletop RPG, because, using a metaphor for the human body where players are blood cells, the Roleplaying Game Industry is in desperate need of a transfusion.
Fluids aside, this is an undeniably important fact. In today's economy, it is difficult for dead tree publishers to remain afloat, especially when they publish for a niche market such as the roleplaying industry. The playerbase is aging, and as it 'matures' (I would argue that there are some very 'mature' game-lines out there, but whatever) it slowly loses members, many people do not know about certain games, and many companies do not have the revenue to advertise to even the extent that Dungeons and Dragons does. And when was the last time anyone saw an ad for D&D? I have a Game Informer from the early 2000's with a single ad in it, but that's about it. In fact, this (being the RPG Industry's current lack of consumers and their ilk) is one of the many facts cited by players (though, I can't claim whether or not I know they're true) for White Wolf's switch to Print on Demand. The fact is, the RPG Industry is slowly become unsustainable. You've probably realized by now that I know next to nothing about business strategies and economics, but even I can figure out that Diminishing Consumer-base + High Cost of Production = Loss of Profit.
Quite frankly, dear reader, there is only one thing I can think of, one plan I can concoct, to solve this grave and terrible threat to the way of the RPGs. And it relies on a very important, and very heroic group: The Players. That's right, the consumers must find more consumers, like some sort of psychotic zombie invasion characterized by people pretending to be other people while rolling dice. But, this isn't as odd as it sounds.
Many people find getting into RPGs to be a daunting task. Many people have never really heard of any RPGs other than Dungeons and Dragons, after all, and while that rules system is not incredibly complex, it is complex. If they are able to jump the hurdle of finding a system with easy to learn rules, or simply decide to learn how to play anyways, these same people are then stuck without a group to play with. After all, with the currently diminished playerbase, it isn't like there are gamers (of the old school variety) everywhere.
Here's where the currently established player-base comes in: They need to introduce prospective players to RPGs (even if it's one they already know, such as D&D), and help them along in learning how to play. They then need to help provide these prospective players with a group to play with. Simple, isn't it? Now, here's the tricky part: YOU need to be one of the currently established members of the player-base who are assisting these newbies. The why's have already been dealt with.
You (ie. all three loyal readers) no doubt all know potential new players, be they a nephew or cousin who happens to have an interest in games like The Elder Scrolls( or Mass Effect, World of Warcraft, or even Pokemon), a fellow member of your fraternity who happens to be big on the Lord of the Rings movies, a co-worker who happens to be a fan of fantasy novels, or someone else who doesn't fit some kind of stereotype. So, next time you see them, extend an invitation to play with you sometime. Then, of course, teach them the ropes, introduce them at your local gaming store (if you have one), and induct them into your group/help them form a group of your own.
And, if I'm wrong and the industry is just in a bit of a slump right now? You now have someone new to play with, or you've passed on the gaming torch to the next generation, or something like that. Either way, it can't hurt.
Fluids aside, this is an undeniably important fact. In today's economy, it is difficult for dead tree publishers to remain afloat, especially when they publish for a niche market such as the roleplaying industry. The playerbase is aging, and as it 'matures' (I would argue that there are some very 'mature' game-lines out there, but whatever) it slowly loses members, many people do not know about certain games, and many companies do not have the revenue to advertise to even the extent that Dungeons and Dragons does. And when was the last time anyone saw an ad for D&D? I have a Game Informer from the early 2000's with a single ad in it, but that's about it. In fact, this (being the RPG Industry's current lack of consumers and their ilk) is one of the many facts cited by players (though, I can't claim whether or not I know they're true) for White Wolf's switch to Print on Demand. The fact is, the RPG Industry is slowly become unsustainable. You've probably realized by now that I know next to nothing about business strategies and economics, but even I can figure out that Diminishing Consumer-base + High Cost of Production = Loss of Profit.
Quite frankly, dear reader, there is only one thing I can think of, one plan I can concoct, to solve this grave and terrible threat to the way of the RPGs. And it relies on a very important, and very heroic group: The Players. That's right, the consumers must find more consumers, like some sort of psychotic zombie invasion characterized by people pretending to be other people while rolling dice. But, this isn't as odd as it sounds.
Many people find getting into RPGs to be a daunting task. Many people have never really heard of any RPGs other than Dungeons and Dragons, after all, and while that rules system is not incredibly complex, it is complex. If they are able to jump the hurdle of finding a system with easy to learn rules, or simply decide to learn how to play anyways, these same people are then stuck without a group to play with. After all, with the currently diminished playerbase, it isn't like there are gamers (of the old school variety) everywhere.
Here's where the currently established player-base comes in: They need to introduce prospective players to RPGs (even if it's one they already know, such as D&D), and help them along in learning how to play. They then need to help provide these prospective players with a group to play with. Simple, isn't it? Now, here's the tricky part: YOU need to be one of the currently established members of the player-base who are assisting these newbies. The why's have already been dealt with.
You (ie. all three loyal readers) no doubt all know potential new players, be they a nephew or cousin who happens to have an interest in games like The Elder Scrolls( or Mass Effect, World of Warcraft, or even Pokemon), a fellow member of your fraternity who happens to be big on the Lord of the Rings movies, a co-worker who happens to be a fan of fantasy novels, or someone else who doesn't fit some kind of stereotype. So, next time you see them, extend an invitation to play with you sometime. Then, of course, teach them the ropes, introduce them at your local gaming store (if you have one), and induct them into your group/help them form a group of your own.
And, if I'm wrong and the industry is just in a bit of a slump right now? You now have someone new to play with, or you've passed on the gaming torch to the next generation, or something like that. Either way, it can't hurt.
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