Improving the gaming industry

[buzz]

You want to improve the industry? Write and distribute great products. In any industry, it's great products that make markets.

Ten points for Gryffyndor!

 

[buzz]

This would be a great idea. If ENWorld would put up more support for non d20 games and people on it would be more open to talking about other games besides ignoring threads when they are mentioned, then I would appreciate ENWorld even more. Plus, it would stop me from going to rpg.net for my other gaming conversations.

Acid_crash, Funksaw: You have the power to make this happen.

A truckload of HERO products just got reviewed here. There are a few Story Hours that feature other systems. Anyone is allowed to submit articles. You can talk about any systems you want to in General.

On top of this, despite the occasional aberration, the ENWorld community is one of the friendliest gaming boards in existence. As long as your discussion of other systems don't start with "d20 sucks...", you'll be in pretty good shape.

 

[buzz]

Their primary goal is making money.

From a publisher's perspective, I can see no better incentive. WotC has been pretty upfront that growing the hobby is one of their biggest concerns; more gamers means more revenue. It's the driving force behind the Basic sets and the D&D-branded minis (both Chainmail and current).

 

[physicscarp]

Involving kids

If you really want to involve more young kids in the hobby, here's an easy idea that doesn't cost all that much:

This coming holiday season go buy a copy of the new D&D Basic Set that WotC is putting out, and throw it in a Toys For Tots Bin. Or, if you don't want to spend $25, go buy up any remaining copies of the original boxset released with 3E or the Invasion of Theed Star Wars box set. I think they're only $10.

Either way, you're exposing more kids to RPG's and D&D in particular.

 

[Sir Elton]

Ten points for Gryffyndor!

Although a Harry Potter RPG would be a grand boon to anyone who can get the license. And if it is anyone, it would be Wizards of the Coast. Why? Because they have the power and the backing to make the License sell to 10 year olds. A great product for Basic D&D.

 

[drothgery]

Although a Harry Potter RPG would be a grand boon to anyone who can get the license. And if it is anyone, it would be Wizards of the Coast. Why? Because they have the power and the backing to make the License sell to 10 year olds. A great product for Basic D&D.

It's not clear (as far as I know) whether Rowling is holding up the license because she doesn't want to see an RPG made at all, or because she thinks she'd need to release setting information for an RPG that she hasn't put in the novels yet. If it's the latter, we might see a Harry Potter RPG eventually (ideally launched pretty close to the paperback of book 7).

But it is clear that there's not going to be an RPG any time soon. Which is unfortunate, because if done well, it'd certainly be an excellent way to get kids into the hobby.

 

[buzz]

This coming holiday season go buy a copy of the new D&D Basic Set that WotC is putting out, and throw it in a Toys For Tots Bin. Or, if you don't want to spend $25, go buy up any remaining copies of the original boxset released with 3E or the Invasion of Theed Star Wars box set. I think they're only $10.

Someone (here or on another board) had the idea of donating gaming product to your local library. Or better yet, your local public school library (assuming the administration isn't the sort who'd burn them immediately). I mean, none of that 3e product clogging your shelves is going to sell for much on eBay anyway, so why not give it away to a public resource?

Sure, it'll probably get stolen from said library, but any kid desperate enough to do that is probably a future gamer.

 

[William Ronald]

It's not clear (as far as I know) whether Rowling is holding up the license because she doesn't want to see an RPG made at all, or because she thinks she'd need to release setting information for an RPG that she hasn't put in the novels yet. If it's the latter, we might see a Harry Potter RPG eventually (ideally launched pretty close to the paperback of book 7).

But it is clear that there's not going to be an RPG any time soon. Which is unfortunate, because if done well, it'd certainly be an excellent way to get kids into the hobby.

I agree that a Harry Potter RPG would be a good idea, but Rowling may be reluctant to license one until her novels are done.

However, it was suggested that an Eberron-adventure in a boxed set might be appealing to potential younger gamers. If I recall correctly, one of the adventures being run at many stores in October for the 30th D&D anniversary is set in Eberron.

Also, if Decipher goes belly up, maybe WotC should try to acquire the Lord of the Rings RPG license. (You may want to make it a bit different from standard D&D to more accurately reflect the books.)

 

[buzz]

Also, if Decipher goes belly up, maybe WotC should try to acquire the Lord of the Rings RPG license. (You may want to make it a bit different from standard D&D to more accurately reflect the books.)

Decipher's CCG business seems to be doing fine, I think. Ergo, the LOTR RPG license will sit on a dusty shelf for the forseeable future. Which is a shame.

Or is Decipher in trouble?

 

[William Ronald]

Any additional thoughts or suggestions? It seems that if someone were to organize a group to promote the interests of current gamers and to attract new ones, then there would be people here willing to lend a hand.

In the long run, I am an optimist about the future of our hobby. However, I think that it is best to make a few determined efforts than just leave things to chance.