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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Vigilance" data-source="post: 3622357" data-attributes="member: 4275">I guess, Ive seen several people give reasons multiple times in multiple locations. But since you seem to have missed all that, let me sum up the bullet points as I see them:1. Introducing people to games they haven't heard of before. While a lot of folks interpret this as introducing people to GAMING, let me say this usually isn't the case, but it certainly does happen.For example, I was introduced to gaming generally through the Red Box D&D in Waldenbooks. However, I was introduced to Champions, Danger Int., Justice Inc., Marvel Superheroes, GURPs and Car Wars through the game/comic store near my home. 2. Providing a link in the social network. If you need four people to run a game, and one drops out/moves away, you need a way to recruit a new gamer.While this can happen online, the best way in my experience has always been a flyer posted at the LGS. You're only going to get people local.3. Providing table space. Many times in my life I would have stopped gaming because living in a studio apt is not really conducive to gaming (just not big enough for a big game).At these times, game stores were a lifeline to me. Also, and this ties into all three points above: when moving into a new town, as I have done, the LGS is THE FASTEST way to get into a local game and meet gamers. Will the hobby instantly wither and die without these services? Are they absolutely essential to the hobby as we know it?No. But they do help the hobby sustain itself and grow at a faster rate.Edit:And again, the issue isn't whether or not these choices are being made, because they already are, but by whom.Do you think Wizards, West End Games, White Wolf etc know the industry better, or Amazon?All this decision means is that Wizards can now have an influence on the retail price too, in a way that grows the hobby.Gee, that certainly doesn't SOUND like the end of the world as I know it.</blockquote>

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