Free RPG Day - good idea, or bad?

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I can tell you that EVERY consumer that contacted us about wanting their local store on the list, go a phone call and/or an email from me making sure they knew they had interested consumers...I can tell you there were some store owners I spoke with that vehemently did not care and treated me like junk. Oh well...

When people freak out over the deaths of gaming stores, they should remember the fairly common stories like these. There are people who don't seem to WANT to be in business.

 

[Creeping Death]

Why is Free RPG Day a bad idea because some retailers aren't participating? That's a bizarre argument.

For the same reason X is bad, not everyone has it!

Where X is money, clean air, health care, spouses, diseases, etc. etc....

 

[Creeping Death]

If I were in the market for a drink, then yes, I probably would try every drink possible for $1. Indeed, I've probably tried every pizza place within 35 miles, and those cost $12 or so, including tax.

But my point really was, if someone who is in the market for a d20 module, and is too cheap to spend $2 to try one out, would a free once really convince them to buy $12 ones? IMHO, they would be too cheap to buy those, either.

Maybe. I only have so many dollars that I can spend on RPGs. Between DDM, Source materials (non adventures), Adventures, and other RPG supplies (lead figures, paints, etc). I hardly if ever buy adventures. I mainly buy source materials, latest being denizens of advadnu. DDM's, I just started, wife bought me the gargantuan blue dragon and the colossal red dragon for Father's Day. So I'm tapped for now. Next I want the Gargantuan Black Dragon, but that is 30 dollars. Probably won't get that until September or so, with no other purchases between now and then. Then there are the psionic stuff I want to buy from Dream scarred press, but that will most likely come after the black dragon.

So you see, it all comes down to finances. I could spend a couple of dollars for an adventure that I may use once and may or may not like, but then I would have to push that black dragon back a little. However, if I can get 1 adventure that is free and really like it, then I will move things around to buy more adventures. Yes cheap ones are only 2 dollars, and there are things on ENWorld for less than that, but how many can I buy before I can't afford the things I really want.

 

[EditorBFG]

But my point really was, if someone who is in the market for a d20 module, and is too cheap to spend $2 to try one out, would a free once really convince them to buy $12 ones? IMHO, they would be too cheap to buy those, either.

If I understand correctly, the major goal is not to get non-gamers hooked.

The point is to get people to go down to a brick-and-mortar store, in the hopes that they will come back. The benefit to game companies themselves is secondary, this is to help the specialty stores, which have to compete with chain bookstores and the Internet.

And yes, that is a good thing.

 

[RFisher]

I have to believe that the good from getting people into local stores outweighs the bad from the frustration of those who can't get a freebie.

I can tell you there were some store owners I spoke with that vehemently did not care and treated me like junk.

Yeah. One of the stores I recommended did that. I almost feel like I should apologize for having suggested you contact them.

So, I doubt I'll be darkening their doorway again, though I've spent a lot of money--& not just on RPG stuff--there & recommended them to all kinds of people looking for various hobby products. I mean, it's fine if you don't want to participate, but you don't need to be rude about it. Kind of sad to lose a long-time customer like myself that way. Though I guess they probably won't even notice.

On the up-side, though, I've discovered a new local store because of Free RPG Day, which means it's a big win for me whether I get any of the freebies or not.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

I have to believe that the good from getting people into local stores outweighs the bad from the frustration of those who can't get a freebie.

Freebies aside, I was stating I was pissed that neither game store joined in on the free rpg day. It says more about the stores than anything else. And they wonder why I buy online.

 

[Wingnut]

Yeah. One of the stores I recommended did that. I almost feel like I should apologize for having suggested you contact them.

OK...this is funny...I did an email search to find you and I did and reread my response to you about the 4 stores you suggested to me...I now see who you are talking about!

And you also said you discovered a new store...you should let me know how it goes for them!

Best,
Aldo

 

[Squire James]

Freebies aside, I was stating I was pissed that neither game store joined in on the free rpg day. It says more about the stores than anything else. And they wonder why I buy online.

Sci Fi City is not on the list? Wow, how the mighty have fallen! I guess RPG's have become a small piece of their business lately... even the WoTC stuff seems to be moving closer and closer to The Corner of Eternal Inventory these days!

 

[Wingnut]

Sci Fi City is not on the list? Wow, how the mighty have fallen! I guess RPG's have become a small piece of their business lately... even the WoTC stuff seems to be moving closer and closer to The Corner of Eternal Inventory these days!

I forwarded two consumer requests for Sci-Fi City in Orlando, but they never responded to me.

I think it ends up being that some stores just did not want to spend the $30 and thought the money spent would not be worth it...maybe if I get WotC on-board for next year more stores will find it worth it.

Best,
Aldo

 

[JVisgaitis]

Perhaps you should be annoyed at the Orlando stores rather than Free RPG Day. It's not like the cost was particularly high ($30 per store).

Seriously. How anyone can construe FREE RPG DAY into being a bad thing is insane. I don't have a LGS at all, but I'm definitely going to drive to one that is participating and let them know I support them. Hell, I may even find a store I like and visit often. I just think its a great idea overall. I hope it gets enough impetus to continue on every year.