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Message: <blockquote data-quote="eyebeams" data-source="post: 2025868" data-attributes="member: 9225">A couple of points:1) Pining for the Basic set ain't gonna do it. WotC has already produced one or two introductory sets for D&D. In a way, wanting to renew a strategy from the early to mid 80s to sell a game 20 odd years later is just as exclusionary. The kids now are not the kids of the 80s.2) WotC already has a lead-in product that not only pushes the D&D brand to new gamers but is relevant in the post-console, post-CCG world: The D&D miniatures set. It's not for nothing that WotC broke its rule about separate brand identities for the miniatures game.3) Complexity is something that bothers older folks more than kids. Others have explained why complexity and the commitment around mastering the system can be selling points.However, the point of this thread wasn't to discuss the fortunes of top-5ers. It was to ask how the broad industry can stay healthy. That's why complaints about WotC not being discussed all the time are off-base.Nevertheless, I'd say that the fact that D&D is the most common first game is definitely an issue. For one thing, outside of fandom, WotC does not even promote D&D as a roleplaying game. Note that the term "roleplaying" is usually avoided in D&D material in favour of "adventure game." Star Wars and D20 Modern are called roleplaying games, but as they sell on the scale of a number of RPGs they do benefit more from acknowledging an RPG community. I'm of the opinion that WotC would very much like D&D to be thought of as its own thing. This gives them the flexibility to redefine the brand as much as they like without gamers' expectations having even a residual effect. I expect 4e to, accordingly, present a core miniatures combat system with optional rolegaming elements. I don't think this is a bad idea, either.There are, however, a few other games that are lternate first games for gamers. The most common two are RIFTS and Vampire (especially LARP). I've seen a lot of new gamers come from these two and I suspect that the proportions roughtly equal the games' marketshare (or more for LARPers, since there are lots and lots of Vampire LARPers).What is necessary, ultimately, is for there to be a brand/genre identity that cuts across individual games. This will be inaccurate and games will cross boundaries, but this is OK, just like it's OK for music, books and film.</blockquote>

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