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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Snarf Zagyg" data-source="post: 8137851" data-attributes="member: 7023840">I think that we are talking past each other. First, I have to apologize as there may be differences due to country- I am discussing availability in the United States.No one would seriously argue that it is costless; almost no activity is. Even something like jogging would require, at a minimum, regularly replacing your shoes. The issue is whether the barrier to entry for D&D is primarily the cost of playing. I don't think it is. I could list innumerable ways for someone to get involved in D&D for a low cost- you can download the free basic rules; you can buy a starter or essentials set; you can get copies of the rules at a library; you can play with friends that have bought the rules; you can find variations of the SRD in numerous places; you can get used books; you can play prior editions; you can order used books over the internet of this or prior editions. Compared to almost any other hobby, even compared to buying a pair of athletic shoes, D&D compares incredibly well. Heck, compare D&D to purchasing a few board games. When you compare the cost of D&D as a hobby and the amount of time that you can spend on it, it comes out as one of the more cost-effective, if not the most cost-effective option out there.That said, I did write the following:There are all sorts of barriers in life. Whether it's because of exclusionary groups, or because of the subject matter, or because playing D&D can be a huge time commitment (and not everyone has equal amounts of leisure time), or because, even today, the idea of playing a game that largely consists of reading, play-acting, and math does not appeal to everyone .... there are barriers.Cost is not the sole issue when it comes to determining hobbies. D&D is a social hobby- it requires more people to play it. In addition, at least until the spread of youtube and twitch streaming, it did better when people learned how to play by playing at a table with other people that already know how to play. It requires a lot of time to play a campaign; leisure time is not something everyone has. Even today, the idea of playing a game that is primarily reading/acting/math does not appeal equally to everyone. And the whole "dragons and unicorns," is also not universally popular.D&D is a discretionary leisure activity. IMO, it's remarkably cheap to get into. Moreover, there are free options that are available to anyone with internet access (which, given the prevalence of mobile phones, isn't that large of a barrier). Cost is not the barrier to entry. That doesn't mean that there aren't real barriers to entry to predominantly affect certain groups, but it isn't the cost of the product.</blockquote>

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