The problem, or part of it at least, was that prospective new players wouldn't know that. So they'd go into a game store, see the wall of books, and most likely decide they're just not interested in making that sort of investment, and being lost forever.
The phenomenon of the "wall of books" actively discouraging new players is actually reasonably well known. And, as with a certain other thread, it's largely the perception that matters here, and less the reality.
+1
There is so much truth in here. I relate to it myself.
Wall of books is a different problem to Cost of entry - and that is not even calculating the learning curve for a new player to get started without an established group.
Agreed. It is different, to be sure, but new players don't know the difference. That is where the problem lies.
Believe it or not, the very first time I ever played D&D (any version) was as a DM running LMoP for a group of players who had not played D&D either.
If you take a look at my early threads on here, it was a barrage of questions. I had to learn a lot, and do it within a short time span. My players were wanting to get started, and I needed to be on top of things.
Truth be told though, that if it wasn't for this forum, and the free basic PDF, we might not be playing at all. The reason we wouldn't be, is a misunderstanding of what is really needed to play the game.
I had been considering D&D for years (since the early days of 3.0, when I was into M:tG) but I didn't know anybody who played, the wall of books looked intimidating, and I had NO idea of where to start.
I didn't know what books I needed to get started, as an outsider I thought it would be far too complicated to learn, and so I just continued to play Magic.
For many years I didn't pay attention to D&D, heck, it wasn't until joining this forum that I learned there are several editions of the game. I thought ALL of the books on the shelves were for "The game of D&D". I have a feeling that most non-gamers, casual gamers, and those who only have a passing interest but no group to introduce them are probably thinking the same thing.
Even with me being into the game and my enthusiasm of trying to get friends and family into playing, there is still a lot of "I don't know if I can learn all that" or "You have a bunch of books, that's too much to read" or "I'm afraid I will do something stupid/mess up the game" etc, etc.
When I explain that all they REALLY need to have is the free PDF, and then go on to explain why, I see attitudes change. I see the looks on their faces when I explain that they can literally play D&D for the rest of their lives using only the free materials available legally on their official website. Once they come to that understanding, it's like an AH-HA! moment. They then realize that all of the physical books are simply more options, not the bare minimum to play the game.
Still though, if I hadn't explained that, they would have never known.
All of that is why I am a supporter of the light release schedule. Keep the wall of books to a minimum. Make it less intimidating for new players when walking by the D&D books at the store. I would love to see the player base for D&D grow, and am actively trying to encourage new people to play. I am also enjoying my two groups, and am happy to see my players wanting to invest in the game via buying their own dice and books.
