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Message: <blockquote data-quote="William Ronald" data-source="post: 394687" data-attributes="member: 426">Making it easier to recruit playersAs Anthony Valterra wisely said, we need to recruit more players and gain greater exposure for our hobby.  As WotC is the leading RPG company, it can and perhaps should take the lead.  However, there are some other initiatives which others might want to take part in. Several have already been suggested.1) "What the heck is role playing?"  Maybe publish a short (2 to 4 page) product that introduces the concepts of role playing.  WoTC and any other company working on it could include web site links, and possibly links to any organizations that defend the good name of RPGS.  I seem to recall some relatively inexpensive products along these lines.2) In Defense of Gaming's Good Name:  Maybe an educational pamphlet debunking anti-gaming myths, or at least a few web links in the "What the heck is role playing?" brochure.  Besides organizations, maybe having links to the sites of such people as James Wyatt, Monte Cook, and Tracy Hickman.  As well as links to any celebrities who might want to be involved.  (Lexa Doig and Vin Diesel come to mind.  If we can't afford a commercial, maybe just a link to the part of their sites where they talk about gaming.)3) Coverage:  There should have demos at every Renaissance fair, as well as brochures.  Also, maybe in any mall with a movie theater and gaming shop.  It would be good to link the hobby to movies like Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings.4) Events for Newbies:  Maybe have more introductory events at conventions.Here is one that a friend and I did for a while in the early 1980s.5) Libraries:  A friend and I ran games and demos at two Chicago Public Library branches, and encouraged people to check out books.  This improved circulation at the libraries, and allowed us to have demos (and dispel a few myths.)  Maybe local hobby shop owners can be recruited into this effort.  Also, maybe stress some things that gaming can spur interest in: history, politics, and the benefits of such things as diplomacy and teamwork in a game.Also, there are things that we can do as gamers.  First, I treat gamers of any age, race, gender, planet of origin, et cetera, as human beings.  I do not put down a gamer for lack of experience.  Secondly, I do believe that making a good first impression counts.  If you are running a game demo, make sure that you and the spell stinking cloud have little in common.<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" /> Thirdly, take time out to help people with questions.Some people need help with the mechanics, others need help with role playing.  Perhaps help new gamers with a quick review of rules and roles, and maybe ask them to think how their character might respond to a situation.  Or lacking that, themselves.  Give new players a chance to do such things as engage in combat, solve riddles, and role play.Over all, I think our hobby is in good shape.  However, we can make it better and perhaps a bit better understood.</blockquote>

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