Did They stay or did They go, now?

[Wade Kemper]

The "They" I'm referring to are the multitude of players that discovered TTRPGs (mostly 5e) during the pandemic.

Are they still playing? Did they add TTRPGs to their new list of interests? Or, have they since either reverted back to their hobbies before COVID, or possibly went ahead to new hobbies?

I think when this all shakes out, TTRPG players will mostly return to being the children of parents who played, or younger siblings of players, or friends. Learned through a personal network, in other words.

Thoughts?

 

[aco175]

I think there will be some that found the game and liked it enough to stay with it. They become the parents that have kids that pick it up. A lot of people picked up golf at that same time and things shoe that a good amount stayed with it. Younger people tend to quasi-golf like video golf and Topgolf. RPGs might change some as well

 

[payn]

I’m guessing it’s two fold. Folks found out playing online isn’t that difficult and it has a bit going for it. I think that’s going to keep folks into RPGs alone because it makes them logistically possible where previously it wasn’t.

The second is generational. Lots of teens and young adults jumping in to see what it’s all about. Here is where I think folks will fade due to life changes and/or interest.

 

[Gradine]

I will say that, at least anecdotally, I have only seen the number of people playing TTRPGs going up and up

 

[dbm]

Gamer hobbies in general are now mainstream, so that will probably help reduce some of the attrition. Me and my boss (we are both in our fifties) regularly discuss our weekend gaming, though his is Xbox and mine is tabletop.

 

[TheSword]

Of the 6 brand new players to RPGs I inducted and played with over the pandemic four have stayed and still play with me 5 years later. Can’t speak for anyone else but that is my anecdotal experience.

 

[Theory of Games]

The numbers suggest many of the people the hobby gained during 2020 left by 2022, but those that stayed branched out from D&D to play other TTRPGs like Shadowdark and Blades in the Dark. As an industry (that includes board games), TTRPGs is expanding greatly so it's safe to be optimistic about the hobby's future

PRO: RPG Market Report and Summer 2024 Chart

RPGs a Vibrant Part of Hobby Games Business

icv2.com

Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TTRPG) Market Size 2025-2033

Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TTRPG) Market Will Surge To USD 5271.75 Million By 2033 From USD 2153.66 Million In 2025. Powered By CAGR of 11.84%.

www.globalgrowthinsights.com