D&D is an Adult Game?

[Snoweel]

There are several reasons they don't do this.

1. D&D isn't more "mature" than WoW.
2. The purpose of advertising isn't to alienate potential customers, it's to bring them in.
3. The idea that D&D is some sort of natural end point to a progression of games in the average gamer's life is preposterous.
4. All such an advertising campaign does is stroke the egos of D&D players who want to believe that they are superior to people who play other games. It probably won't even get said players to buy more books.

We're all pretending to be dwarfs and magicians here, trying to claim that your way of doing that is more mature than somebody else's is ridiculous.

Sad but true. Good post.

 

[Lanefan]

1. D&D isn't more "mature" than WoW.

It certainly can be, and can be marketed as such.

2. The purpose of advertising isn't to alienate potential customers, it's to bring them in.

Agreed.

3. The idea that D&D is some sort of natural end point to a progression of games in the average gamer's life is preposterous.

Disagree. Position it properly as an end point and over time it will become known as such, and thus de facto become such.

4. All such an advertising campaign does is stroke the egos of D&D players who want to believe that they are superior to people who play other games.

Disagree. The idea is to position the *game* as superior. What the players and their egos think is largely irrelevant.

It probably won't even get said players to buy more books.

Existing players? Probably correct; they'll buy what they buy regardless. But if this can bring in new players, there's yer source of extra buying.

Lanefan

 

[Bagpuss]

Hussar- Dude...

Adults just looked younger back then.

I agree I'm an adult and I looked younger back then too, I've asked all my adult friends and they looked younger then as well. I know it's only anecdotal evidence but it seems true of all the adults I've asked.

 

[(un)reason]

That's not the only ad she did for them. This is their gamma world one from the same era.

 

[Mark Chance]

In other words, a teenager can't have a checking account. I opened one at 17 myself....

You just contradicted yourself. Either you had an account, or you didn't.

I had one when I was 17. Nobody co-signed for me. I forget the bank. It was whatever branch was operating on most Army bases at the time. I opened the account while I was in AIT at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.

 

[Desdichado]

Ok, so, we pretty much agree then.

Well, sure but there's an element of sarcasm in there too. How exactly do you target D&D marketing to age 30+ crowd? But it in AARPA magazines? Tie-ins with 401(k) and other financial services providers?

I think you're dichotomy between "adults" and "adults, but not adults enough to count for me" is a false one.

 

[pawsplay]

Thank you for understanding what I meant. It's nice when that happens.

BryonD - my original point wasn't about the PLAYERS or the content of D&D, but the marketing, because that's what was brought up. I just explained my point spectacularly badly. But, whatever, I have a feeling you are far more interested in trying to be right than actually having a discussion.

And I do think there is a serious underestimating the buying power of teens in America. What difference does opening a checking account make? Who cares? You don't need a checking account to buy a D&D book. Most places will take cash. And, never mind just bugging Mom or Dad to use the credit card to buy something online.

And, really, think of it this way. The rules for getting a credit card are likely as stringent as getting a checking account (I'm not American, so I'm guessing here). Does that mean that no teens play WOW since they cannot have their own credit cards?

You can buy game cards with cash. And if you can get your parents to agree to pay for the monthly subscription, you only have to do that once.

 

[pawsplay]

You just contradicted yourself. Either you had an account, or you didn't.

Then I didn't. I had an account with my dad as a so-signer.

I had one when I was 17. Nobody co-signed for me. I forget the bank. It was whatever branch was operating on most Army bases at the time. I opened the account while I was in AIT at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.

*shrug* I don't know the particulars. If a bank wants you to be a regular customer, they may not be too particular about 17-year-olds opening an account, particular if the new signer is a solder or a college freshman. However, it's definitely against policy in most banks I'm aware of, because typically the law affords no protection to banks who open accounts with minors. Also, modern accounting is a lot more stringent; nowadays, they investigate you for being a terrorist when you open an account.

 

[WizarDru]

However, it's definitely against policy in most banks I'm aware of, because typically the law affords no protection to banks who open accounts with minors. Also, modern accounting is a lot more stringent; nowadays, they investigate you for being a terrorist when you open an account.

Just to clarify, there is no federal regulations that I'm aware of that prevents minors from opening up their own bank accounts. Regulations that exist are on the state level, more generally. The primary reason that few banks or states allow minors to open accounts is because it is a legal contract and few states or banks are willing to engage in such transactions....but some do or are willing to do so.

In some cases, UTMA and UGMA apply, allowing minors to get custodial accounts where parents can transfer gifts and money into the account but otherwise can't touch them (nor can the minors). Most options for minors are for savings accounts, not checking accounts. But the details vary with each bank and state combination...there are general rules that apply but it's not always that simple.

In other words, the point is that some minors do have bank accounts and while it's not that common, there are banks that will allow minors to open an account by themselves. A checking account is much less likely and having an account without parental contact is also rare, but not impossible.

 

[jaerdaph]

Perhaps they plan on marketing D&D to children in the near future....