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<blockquote data-quote="MNblockhead" data-source="post: 7745492" data-attributes="member: 6796661"><p>I'm fortunate to have re-discovered TTRPGs and comics at an age where I have the disposable income to not worry much about indulging in them and have kids who are now at an age that I share these hobbies with. </p><p></p><p>There is a lot to unpack in this article. Here are my highly subjective reactions as a 40-something professional who is spending quite a bit on these hobbies for me and the kids:</p><p></p><p>1. Comics</p><p></p><p>Comixology has gotten me into comics as an adult in a way I never was as a kid. The convenience and more palatable cost have gotten me to spend more on comics than I ever would were it not for Comixology. I tried to support my local comics store, but it was not worth having to go drive to pick something up that I would read in less time than the time spent on travel and waiting in line and then having to worry about storing a flimsy magazine in case I wanted to read it again. Sorry, I don't see the point of brick and mortar comic stores. </p><p></p><p>The only print comics I buy are expensive collections that I want to have on my self. Works that I know I'll read again and again. For such expensive books, I'm looking for the best price, which is almost certainly going to be an online source. I'm not going to pay a brick-and-mortar store a premium to be inconvenienced. Also, I can better browse potential series online and online tools have proven better at helping me find other titles I'm interested in. </p><p></p><p>2. Miniatures</p><p></p><p>There are people who spend way more on miniatures than I ever will, but I've spent quite a bit--a lot of it trying to find the best solution that balances price, convenience, and aesthetics. I've supported Kickstarters for Bones, for Arc Knight (2D plastic), and Fat Dragon's first Dragonlock kickstarter. I have purchased paper 2D and 3D minis and terraign from One Monk, Fat Dragon and I support PrintableHeros on Patreon. I have a paper cutting machine for churning out 2D paper minis and 3D terrain parts. I sometimes paint, but spend more on Wizkid prepainted, because time is rare. </p><p></p><p>Of all the time and money I've spent, 3D ended up being the format that turned me off the most. The quality isn't great (better for terrain than figures) and it isn't convenient or particularly cheap. The money for the printer and filament is not insignificant. They are slow to print, so to print a lot of terraign or minis, you'll need to be running it constantly and will need to have a well ventilated space to do so. Then you still have to paint them. For those who ask, I always tell people who are thinking about getting a 3D printer for cheap minis and terrain that they are basically getting themselves into another hobby. In addition to the game system and miniature and terrain painting, the selecting of 3D printing equipment and supplies and tweaking the configurations is another hobby in itself that requires time and dedicated space. </p><p></p><p>Until the technology gets much better, I prefer just about any option over 3D printing. </p><p></p><p>3. Game Stores</p><p></p><p>I've participated in a number of discussions about this here in the past. In short, although I buy fewer books and gaming supplies from my FLGS, I spend a lot more money there than in the past. That is because my current, preferred gaming store has become a great place to hang out with good food. And I do end up buying games there (mostly board games that are new to me or that I've only heard of) because it is actually more convenient. (1) I'm already there, (2) I can look at the game (and try it out if it is available in their extensive game library), and (3) I don't have to wait (the power of the impulse buy). </p><p></p><p>I can participate in organized play there. I can schedule a one-shot with strangers (generally not comfortable inviting people to my home that I've only "met" on Meetup.com). I can get together with friends and not have to worry about cleaning up. </p><p></p><p>In short, they offer convenience and a good experience. I think that there is a lot of room for growth for gaming stores.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MNblockhead, post: 7745492, member: 6796661"] I'm fortunate to have re-discovered TTRPGs and comics at an age where I have the disposable income to not worry much about indulging in them and have kids who are now at an age that I share these hobbies with. There is a lot to unpack in this article. Here are my highly subjective reactions as a 40-something professional who is spending quite a bit on these hobbies for me and the kids: 1. Comics Comixology has gotten me into comics as an adult in a way I never was as a kid. The convenience and more palatable cost have gotten me to spend more on comics than I ever would were it not for Comixology. I tried to support my local comics store, but it was not worth having to go drive to pick something up that I would read in less time than the time spent on travel and waiting in line and then having to worry about storing a flimsy magazine in case I wanted to read it again. Sorry, I don't see the point of brick and mortar comic stores. The only print comics I buy are expensive collections that I want to have on my self. Works that I know I'll read again and again. For such expensive books, I'm looking for the best price, which is almost certainly going to be an online source. I'm not going to pay a brick-and-mortar store a premium to be inconvenienced. Also, I can better browse potential series online and online tools have proven better at helping me find other titles I'm interested in. 2. Miniatures There are people who spend way more on miniatures than I ever will, but I've spent quite a bit--a lot of it trying to find the best solution that balances price, convenience, and aesthetics. I've supported Kickstarters for Bones, for Arc Knight (2D plastic), and Fat Dragon's first Dragonlock kickstarter. I have purchased paper 2D and 3D minis and terraign from One Monk, Fat Dragon and I support PrintableHeros on Patreon. I have a paper cutting machine for churning out 2D paper minis and 3D terrain parts. I sometimes paint, but spend more on Wizkid prepainted, because time is rare. Of all the time and money I've spent, 3D ended up being the format that turned me off the most. The quality isn't great (better for terrain than figures) and it isn't convenient or particularly cheap. The money for the printer and filament is not insignificant. They are slow to print, so to print a lot of terraign or minis, you'll need to be running it constantly and will need to have a well ventilated space to do so. Then you still have to paint them. For those who ask, I always tell people who are thinking about getting a 3D printer for cheap minis and terrain that they are basically getting themselves into another hobby. In addition to the game system and miniature and terrain painting, the selecting of 3D printing equipment and supplies and tweaking the configurations is another hobby in itself that requires time and dedicated space. Until the technology gets much better, I prefer just about any option over 3D printing. 3. Game Stores I've participated in a number of discussions about this here in the past. In short, although I buy fewer books and gaming supplies from my FLGS, I spend a lot more money there than in the past. That is because my current, preferred gaming store has become a great place to hang out with good food. And I do end up buying games there (mostly board games that are new to me or that I've only heard of) because it is actually more convenient. (1) I'm already there, (2) I can look at the game (and try it out if it is available in their extensive game library), and (3) I don't have to wait (the power of the impulse buy). I can participate in organized play there. I can schedule a one-shot with strangers (generally not comfortable inviting people to my home that I've only "met" on Meetup.com). I can get together with friends and not have to worry about cleaning up. In short, they offer convenience and a good experience. I think that there is a lot of room for growth for gaming stores. [/QUOTE]
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