D&D General The $150,000 Question: How TSR Learned It Was Dying (And Why I Was in the Room) by Ken "Whit" Whitman

[jdrakeh]

Yeah, I remember being approached several times over the years by Whitman about Rapid POD.

Luckily, you dodged a bullet.

 

[LordEntrails]

Making D&D a "lifestyle brand" where people who were formerly active players still pick up occasional products like quick pick up and play video games, or simple boardgames they can play with their kids, or licensed, branded merch (like the sneakers and collectibles and such) also would seem like a way to retain customers longer-term. Even after they're no longer choosing to invest the kind of time and energy that we active players do.

Like Star Wars? I mean 12 films over ~48 years. Pretty incredible success story of turning something into a lifestyle brand

 

[Mannahnin]

Like Star Wars? I mean 12 films over ~48 years. Pretty incredible success story of turning something into a lifestyle brand

Star Wars might be the original example, though less because of the films (which had a 16 year gap between RotJ and TPM), than because of the toys, posters, t-shirts, Burger King glasses, Holiday Special, Star Tours Disney ride, Expanded Universe series of novels... All of which helped feed the fandom and keep it alive even when no more movies were released for an extended period.

Of course, being an active fan of a movie franchise is generally requires much less dedication of time and energy than being an active D&D player, which often means participating in the hobby weekly if not more often.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Now Ken is telling stories about the Buck Rogers game, from a first person perspective about that time and what it was like and how awesome it was when Mike Pondsmith came into the offices.

The problem with that is the Buck Rogers RPG was written in 1990. Ken didn't start working there until 1994..

 

[MGibster]

Now Ken is telling stories about the Buck Rogers game, from a first person perspective about that time and what it was like and how awesome it was when Mike Pondsmith came into the offices.

And he keeps popping up on my Facebook feed! Did you guys cast a spell or something?

 

[darjr]

And he keeps popping up on my Facebook feed! Did you guys cast a spell or something?

My bet is he’s paying for it.

 

[David Howery]

And he keeps popping up on my Facebook feed! Did you guys cast a spell or something?

mine too. Is there a counterspell?

 

[Sacrosanct]

mine too. Is there a counterspell?

Or a protection from grifter spell?

 

[LordEntrails]

mine too. Is there a counterspell?

Yep, you can X, Snooze, or even block

 

[LordEntrails]

Star Wars might be the original example, though less because of the films (which had a 16 year gap between RotJ and TPM), than because of the toys, posters, t-shirts, Burger King glasses, Holiday Special, Star Tours Disney ride, Expanded Universe series of novels... All of which helped feed the fandom and keep it alive even when no more movies were released for an extended period.

Of course, being an active fan of a movie franchise is generally requires much less dedication of time and energy than being an active D&D player, which often means participating in the hobby weekly if not more often.

D&D has tried. Lots of books. Some board games, a couple of movies...
I guess D&D lightning in a bottle was very limited in scope. Star Wars' wasn't