Harry Potter, D&D, and the children's market

[Hairfoot]

Considering that tabletop RPGs are dying off due to competition and lack of interest, what merit is there in Dungeons & Dragons moving into the chilren's market?

D&D has a rich fantasy world with a wealth of imagery, and there's plenty of scope for gnomes, halflings, fey, and myriad monsters in non-violent, life-affirming plots and storylines for young readers.

A comic book series would be an ideal way to introduce kids to the images and adventures of D&D, and Harry Potter has created a generation of teenage readers for whom fantasy and imagination hasn't gone out of fashion. HP has also, hopefully, alleviated some of the absurd accusations of occultism which have held D&D back, and which were mostly only an American phenomenon in the first place.

Do you think the time may be right for WotC to start publishing products for a younger audience?

 

[Dr. Talos]

I don't think that WoTC should start producing products aimed at younger children...why?
Because that would add to the notion that rpgs are childrens games.
Even if the market has dried up a bit for tabletop rpgs, they will never go away, especially D&D.
Just my 3 cents

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

I don't think tabletop gaming is dying at all.

I also think that people underestimate how many younger(read:teenagers) players there are that keep quiet, just buy the core books, and play with a single group at their school. Just like always.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Every time I go to the Barnes & Noble at the local mall, I see high school age kids clustered at the RPG section or nearby, reading books plundered from those shelves.

And that's not including all the kids with credit cards who buy off the Internet.

 

[The Human Target]

Kids have no disposable income.

D&D is about killing things and robbing them.

And kids don't really read comic books anymore.

I have low hopes.

 

[Ranger REG]

Kids have no disposable income.

Until they get money to buy a new videogame for their console.

And kids don't really read comic books anymore.

They shouldn't, unless they bring back the Silver Age, Bronze Age, and pre-Y2K Modern Age comics back. Everything after 2000 didn't grab my interest.

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

Kids have no disposable income.

They don't have a high income, but the income they get tends to be all disposable.

 

[delericho]

Considering that tabletop RPGs are dying off due to competition and lack of interest, what merit is there in Dungeons & Dragons moving into the chilren's market?

I disagree with your first assertion. However, I certainly agree that there is a place for RPGs aimed at the children's market... but almost certainly not D&D.

D&D has a rich fantasy world with a wealth of imagery, and there's plenty of scope for gnomes, halflings, fey, and myriad monsters in non-violent, life-affirming plots and storylines for young readers.

I would hardly describe the latest Harry Potter as non-violent. In fact, ever since the end of Goblet of Fire the author has seemed downright bloodthirsty at times.

In any event, I am absolutely convinced that RPGs will not win a large audience amongst young teens (and pre-teens) by watering itself down in some foolish attempt to connect with them. Kids tend to be aware when they're being patronised and talked down to, and they tend not to like it. So, in terms of content, D&D is probably about right IMO.

HP has also, hopefully, alleviated some of the absurd accusations of occultism which have held D&D back, and which were mostly only an American phenomenon in the first place.

Harry Potter has had the exact same absurd accusations levelled against it, and by the exact same people. And the name "Dungeons & Dragons" remains a lightning rod, in a manner that the same game by any other name would not.

I do see the advantage of a kids RPG, probably using a simplified version of the d20 rules (say, no multiclassing, no distinct races, no AoOs, and far fewer options generally). And, I would argue that a really strong game could be built by basing classes on Harry Potter-style magic, on Pokemon-style beast-trainers, and such things. (I would argue, though, that the best thing is not a "Pokemon RPG" or a "Harry Potter RPG", in the same way that D&D is not a "Lord of the Rings RPG" or a "Conan RPG", but draws inspiration from many sources, and so allows many different styles of play.)

 

[wingsandsword]

Considering that tabletop RPGs are dying off due to competition and lack of interest, what merit is there in Dungeons & Dragons moving into the chilren's market?

I contest this underlying assertion of your argument.

What kind of proof, citations, or evidence do you have of this other than the perennial doomsaying that pervades RPG's?

 

[borc killer]

First, the best way to market to kids is not to market to them. Pre-teen and teenagers do NOT want to play ‘kid’ games. The best marketing for that age group is to market to 20 somethings but make it accessible to younger people. Just ask the tobacco companies.

Second, the idea that pre-teens and teenagers don’t have money is ridicules. I had money when I was 10. I bought every single 1st addition AD&D book I own with my allowance/grass mowing money. Also if their parents will drop money on an iPod/Xbox they will pay $30 for a book.

Third, D&D will have to move towards ED&D at some point if we want it to still be produced. ‘Kids today’ expect to be able to interact with things digitally. That does not mean they won’t all get together around the same table and roll some bones 10 years from now but they will sure as hell not be toting 100lbs of books to their friends house.