Expanding the Pie: Thoughts on Retaining and Attracting People to Gaming

[Desdichado]

arnwyn, I knew I liked you for some reason. It's by B.S./B.A. in Economics that clinched it, though.

 

[William Ronald]

Interesting posts,

To me, I want the hobby to thrive, and I believe that it is possible for companies to simultaneously serve the needs of current customers while trying to attract new ones. I do not see this issue as necessarily being an either/or option. Many companies try to please current customers, and attract new ones. However, I am not just interested in talking about economics, but in trying to find ways to open our hobby to new people.

I have sometimes seen new gamers bring a lot to a the hobby. Sometimes, I have seen new players come up with interesting approaches to a problem, or add a great deal of enthusiasm to a gaming table.

Although gaming would survive if every publisher closed down, I think having a healthy gaming industry and at least maintaining the number of gamers is generally beneficial.

I chatted with a friend who owns a small game/comic shop in Chicago. In addition to running CCG tables, he also runs a regular D&D game. He has been able to get some of his CCG customers into gaming.

There was a discussion on these boards a long time ago about Magic: the Gathering tie-ins to D&D. Would this be a good idea? Any other suggestions?

 

[buzz]

There was a discussion on these boards a long time ago about Magic: the Gathering tie-ins to D&D. Would this be a good idea? Any other suggestions?

I seem to remember SKR relating tales of how it's really just internal politics that keep MTG from being ported into a D&D setting, which is kinda sad. It seems like a no-brainer crossover hit to me, but I have a feeling the time when the iron was hot has passed.

 

[Nightfall]

I say we do a Contest of Champions. Everyone creates a D&D character, and they donate 2 dollars. The guy that wins, get that pot as his prize. Cheap, easy and effective.

 

[William Ronald]

I seem to remember SKR relating tales of how it's really just internal politics that keep MTG from being ported into a D&D setting, which is kinda sad. It seems like a no-brainer crossover hit to me, but I have a feeling the time when the iron was hot has passed.

Buzz, I think that iron is now almost covered with ice. I don't believe WotC has any comparable product that could be as effective a crossover. However, maybe a brief add in an occassional pack of CCG cards might be a good idea.

Also, maybe some sort of information on gaming similar to what GAMA once put out might be helpful.

Perhaps efforts by gamers, companies, and trade groups might add a few more gamers. However, I have seen some fairly young gamers in local shops, including Games Plus and Game Kingdom (my friend Brian's shop.) It is perhaps a little hard to get an overall view of the state of our hobby, and whether we are gaining new players to replace those who quit.

 

[Nightfall]

Again I say, we start a grassland movement of inviting people we know to play in a contest of champions. Winner gets the pot.

 

[d4]

I teach at the high school level and I use lots of games in my World History class. For example we are playing Diplomacy as we head into our World War One unit.

Diplomacy! yes, we need to teach the children to be back-biting little deceivers.

just kidding -- i love Diplomacy.

more seriously, i'm about a year-and-a-half away from becoming a high school teacher myself, and i've been thinking that if there's no RPG club at the school i eventually end up teaching at, i'd probably like to start one. not only do i want to bring new gamers into the hobby, but i think i can help promote a positive image for role-playing.

one more thing i'd like to mention: i've seen quite a few threads here on ENWorld about parents teaching their children to role-play. i really think that's wonderful. i think a lot of parent nowadays don't spend enough quality time with their kids, and this sounds like a perfect way to have that time together.