First ever D&D TV ad!?

[Zander]

I saw an ad for D&D on telly this morning. Granted, it was for the D&D board game, but still. It featured live action sequences of four iconics: Redgar, Jozan, Lidda and Mialee. You only got to see Redgar and Mialee well. Redgar was pretty naff but Mialee casting a spell was cool. The ad also showed a group of kids playing the board game and some close-ups of the minis/dobbers that come with the game. Overall, I'd say the ad was cheesy fun and will appeal to its target market, i.e. kids.

Interestingly, the game features two heroes and two heroines. I wonder if Hasbro are hoping this game will be bought by as many girls as boys.

Check out the game's web site for more corny goodness. Turn on the sound or you'll miss the realistic (not!) sythesised dripping water noise.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

actually the D&D3e Players handbook appeared in a Maytag commercial a few months ago. I think.

 

[Zappo]

I don't know what they are hoping, but they probably figure that they can gain at least some market among girls (and women). .

Good thing Hasbro is running TV ads! That's something a lot of people hoped for. Even if it's just the D&D board game, hopefully it can serve as a doorway to the real thing.

 

[Zander]

Good thing Hasbro is running TV ads! That's something a lot of people hoped for. Even if it's just the D&D board game, hopefully it can serve as a doorway to the real thing.

That's what I was thinking. I don't think the ad will encourage any adults to play the RPG but I think it will (1) attract kids to the board game some of whom will graduate to the RPG and (2) make the "Dungeons & Dragons" name more familiar to kids and adults.

 

[Zander]

actually the D&D3e Players handbook appeared in a Maytag commercial a few months ago. I think.

I heard something about that but they never showed that ad where I am. Also, from what I read, the ad showed a PHB but didn't actively promote the D&D brand (it was for an appliance company after all).

Many years ago, back in the early to mid-80's, there was a TV ad for the Fighting Fantasy gamebooks by (British) Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. So neither the D&D board game ad nor the Maytag ad was the first to feature a fantasy gaming product.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Oi Zander matey!

How you been keepin mate!? Not too busy I hope? I trust the family is all keeping well!?

What channel/time was the advert on?

 

[Ao the Overkitty]

GE commercial, actually.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

I don't know what they are hoping, but they probably figure that they can gain at least some market among girls (and women). .

Good thing Hasbro is running TV ads! That's something a lot of people hoped for. Even if it's just the D&D board game, hopefully it can serve as a doorway to the real thing.

Does that make the board game a "gateway drug"?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

D&D had both TV (IIRC) and radio spots back in its heyday in the '80s.

Morley the wizard and all.

 

[Zappo]

Does that make the board game a "gateway drug"?

Hopefully.