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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Greatwyrm" data-source="post: 1891722" data-attributes="member: 479">I don't believe the fate of rpgs in general is so grim.  Slow periods are just part of a natural product cycle.  Somebody innovates, it catches on, people copy, and everything looks the same until someone breaks out of the mold again.Seriously, how many other times have we seen things we were all certain would kill traditional rpgs?  Crpgs didn't.  Magic: the Gathering didn't.  Even TSR's woeful financial situation could have been read as a black mark for the whole industry.The thing is, there are two main things that will be able to keep rpgs and even D&D itself alive as long as we want to keep them alive.  First, the OGL.  A complete, free system that you can do just about whatever you want with.  A complete rpg, running wild and free, spawning offspring forever.  Second, electronic publishing.  Now you don't have to have $5-$10,000 just to get your book printed.  If you've got time and a buddy with a copy of Acrobat, you can sell your game.  Removing this kind of barrier to entering the market just makes it more likely the next big innovator will have a shot at being successful.</blockquote>