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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Coreyartus" data-source="post: 7720083" data-attributes="member: 5399">I'm not sure I am having the same gaming experience you are...  In my corner of the world, there is a lot of enthusiasm to play and DM, but no private in-home playing space big enough to accommodate the interested group comfortably.  And while there does exist the capacity to generate one's own printable materials and figs, and acquire all the tools and supplies to create one's own dioramas and wargaming models, the convenience of doing so requires coordination and a bit of an expenditure that's cost prohibitive to some.  There are many I know who would pay a moderate fee for the convenience of a high-end, comfortable playing space with storage lockers, available maker-facilities, food services, digital appliances and on-line access, and gaming tools if they are all done well enough that the price is right.  Many of the older generations have paid a monthly "club fee" to meet once a week at their various lodges and club houses to socialize, eat dinner, and spend time with their friends playing cards and games much like we younger folk do at gaming stores already.  In the 80s and 90s there were lots of video arcades that had monthly memberships which offered x-number of tokens and discounts on food, etc. Sure, it's possible to play without all that stuff or do it all on your own.  But you're paying for convenience.  I'm betting that some gaming stores will have to think outside the box and offer new features to sustain themselves as any products themselves aren't going to be enough to pay their rent.  It does indeed "up-the-ante" into a much riskier proposition for starting gaming stores, but the world of gaming has changed a great deal and simply having a stock of items doesn't seem like it's enough anymore--it's simply too easy to get stuff delivered to your home.And yeah, maybe having DM's available or featured playtesters to introduce new games might be something that some stores may decide to invest in--I know it's theoretically expensive and incredibly challenging, but some game stores already have paid employees that host/DM games sometimes as part of their customer outreach.  It's not an unfeasible step to at least explore.I, too, thought that most people would want to simply stay at home and play with their friends.  But I'm realizing that there are aspects that being around a whole bunch of people with similar interests can proffer that simply can't be replicated in a private home setting--that's part of what makes conventions such a big draw...  That "energy"/community is hard to connect to in one's living room.  And I'm willing to bet people will be drawn to feeling that, and if there are enough conveniences available to cater to their likes, they'll pay for them (potentially).</blockquote>

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