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RPG Evolution: The Brand Risks of Infinite Compatibility
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<blockquote data-quote="doctorhook" data-source="post: 8936613" data-attributes="member: 58401"><p>Not to dispute your larger point, but part of what makes the MCU such an envious business case (and why everyone hopes to match their success) is that it built a multi billion dollar mega-franchise on the backs of <em>C-list characters</em>. Prior to 2008-2011, most people outside of comics fandom didn’t really know who Iron Man, Captain America, or Thor were—most of the public only knew the “big” heroes: Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, and maybe Wolverine. (Hulk, Wonder Woman, Flash, and Aquaman were B-listers that some folks would recognize from media, but they weren’t mainstream at the time either.) Even the entire Avengers comic franchise has its roots in trying to get more traction for less-popular characters. MCU’s Iron Man was a huge gamble: “damaged” actor (RDJ) + relatively unknown super hero… but it was a home run. Thor and Cpt America movies likewise boosted those heroes’ recognizability—culminating in The Avengers film, which cemented it. (MCU showed this wasn’t a one-off phenomenon when they likewise took Guardians of the Galaxy, a series with a character called “Rocket Raccoon”, and actually made it hugely successful. Rinse and repeat for many of their other characters.)</p><p></p><p>My point is that 15 years ago, Thor and Cpt America and Iron Man were pretty unknown, just like Drizzt is now. A truly solid media hit could hypothetically make Drizzt into a household name—if everything goes right. My first question is whether it’s possible to make a fantasy world like Forgotten Realms relatable enough to mimic that success, and I’m not confident about the answer.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="doctorhook, post: 8936613, member: 58401"] Not to dispute your larger point, but part of what makes the MCU such an envious business case (and why everyone hopes to match their success) is that it built a multi billion dollar mega-franchise on the backs of [I]C-list characters[/I]. Prior to 2008-2011, most people outside of comics fandom didn’t really know who Iron Man, Captain America, or Thor were—most of the public only knew the “big” heroes: Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, and maybe Wolverine. (Hulk, Wonder Woman, Flash, and Aquaman were B-listers that some folks would recognize from media, but they weren’t mainstream at the time either.) Even the entire Avengers comic franchise has its roots in trying to get more traction for less-popular characters. MCU’s Iron Man was a huge gamble: “damaged” actor (RDJ) + relatively unknown super hero… but it was a home run. Thor and Cpt America movies likewise boosted those heroes’ recognizability—culminating in The Avengers film, which cemented it. (MCU showed this wasn’t a one-off phenomenon when they likewise took Guardians of the Galaxy, a series with a character called “Rocket Raccoon”, and actually made it hugely successful. Rinse and repeat for many of their other characters.) My point is that 15 years ago, Thor and Cpt America and Iron Man were pretty unknown, just like Drizzt is now. A truly solid media hit could hypothetically make Drizzt into a household name—if everything goes right. My first question is whether it’s possible to make a fantasy world like Forgotten Realms relatable enough to mimic that success, and I’m not confident about the answer. [/QUOTE]
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