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Forked Thread: [Ryan Dancey's D&D Death Spiral] - D&D doomed to cult status?
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<blockquote data-quote="ExploderWizard" data-source="post: 4748151" data-attributes="member: 66434"><p>Roleplaying games generally have never really been as mainstream as other entertainment forms and hobbies. There have been spikes and dips in popularity and mainstream awareness over the years but nothing that comes close to making it as popular as moviegoing, or sports for example.</p><p> </p><p>Regardless of the ruleset, simplicity, or complexity of any given game the very nature of a roleplaying game does not have the level of mass appeal that other entertainment forms do. Roleplaying games require creativity, imagination, and active participation by those involved. This is too much effort to be considered entertainment for some people. These days, roleplaying games are played by a broader spectrum of people than ever before. The "geeks only" thing is largely gone. This doesn't mean that roleplaying games have gone mainstream. </p><p> </p><p>Science fiction and fantasy in general have become more mainstream which is why I think we see more diversity in the gaming community. Fantasy in popular culture can draw more people into gaming but those that stay gamers and move beyond whatever brought them to gaming are the types of people who might have been gaming already had they been introduced earlier. Not every sci-fi/fantasy fan is a gamer. Some might become gamers once they try it and others won't have the desire for that particular form of entertainment. </p><p> </p><p>I don't see videogames drawing people who really like tabletop gaming out of the hobby. Modern MMO's do allow you to socialize with friends while playing (" I AM socializing you R-tard. I'm logged on to an MMORPG getting XP with my friends, using teamspeak"<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />). This is a fun experience but to me does not in any way replace the kind of enjoyment I get from a real PnP/FTF roleplaying game. </p><p> </p><p>In the videogame environment there is no shared creation. You can cooperate as a member of a team, interact with others in the virtual environment , and even chat about miscellaneous subject matter like you might do at the gaming table. What you can't do (at least currently) is create a meaningful shared adventure together that has any effect in the imaginary world. </p><p> </p><p>I'm ok with roleplaying games not appealing to everyone. I would much rather have such games be a niche entertainment form for those that appreciate and enjoy them than be transformed into something cheap and devoid of substance in an attempt to market to the masses. The real elephant in the room is that rpgs do not have the same level of popularity as board and card games. Changing the nature of what roleplaying games are all about will not increase thier popularity. Those more attracted to shiny, visual presentation and instant gratification will prefer video games over rpgs as thier first choice in entertainment. Attempting to market rpgs as competion to video games will fail.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ExploderWizard, post: 4748151, member: 66434"] Roleplaying games generally have never really been as mainstream as other entertainment forms and hobbies. There have been spikes and dips in popularity and mainstream awareness over the years but nothing that comes close to making it as popular as moviegoing, or sports for example. Regardless of the ruleset, simplicity, or complexity of any given game the very nature of a roleplaying game does not have the level of mass appeal that other entertainment forms do. Roleplaying games require creativity, imagination, and active participation by those involved. This is too much effort to be considered entertainment for some people. These days, roleplaying games are played by a broader spectrum of people than ever before. The "geeks only" thing is largely gone. This doesn't mean that roleplaying games have gone mainstream. Science fiction and fantasy in general have become more mainstream which is why I think we see more diversity in the gaming community. Fantasy in popular culture can draw more people into gaming but those that stay gamers and move beyond whatever brought them to gaming are the types of people who might have been gaming already had they been introduced earlier. Not every sci-fi/fantasy fan is a gamer. Some might become gamers once they try it and others won't have the desire for that particular form of entertainment. I don't see videogames drawing people who really like tabletop gaming out of the hobby. Modern MMO's do allow you to socialize with friends while playing (" I AM socializing you R-tard. I'm logged on to an MMORPG getting XP with my friends, using teamspeak":)). This is a fun experience but to me does not in any way replace the kind of enjoyment I get from a real PnP/FTF roleplaying game. In the videogame environment there is no shared creation. You can cooperate as a member of a team, interact with others in the virtual environment , and even chat about miscellaneous subject matter like you might do at the gaming table. What you can't do (at least currently) is create a meaningful shared adventure together that has any effect in the imaginary world. I'm ok with roleplaying games not appealing to everyone. I would much rather have such games be a niche entertainment form for those that appreciate and enjoy them than be transformed into something cheap and devoid of substance in an attempt to market to the masses. The real elephant in the room is that rpgs do not have the same level of popularity as board and card games. Changing the nature of what roleplaying games are all about will not increase thier popularity. Those more attracted to shiny, visual presentation and instant gratification will prefer video games over rpgs as thier first choice in entertainment. Attempting to market rpgs as competion to video games will fail. [/QUOTE]
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