LOTR and RPing

[Hawkeye]

So does everyone think that the LOTR film series will bring people to D&D?

Will Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli become the Drizzit's of the 21st century?

Hawkeye

 

[Mark]

So does everyone think that the LOTR film series will bring people to D&D?

Will Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli become the Drizzit's of the 21st century?

Hawkeye

I think that Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli have already brought plenty of people to roleplaying. I think, however, that roleplaying brought people to Drizzt...

 

[Hawkeye]

I agree that Tolkein and his characters are the basis for many player's chracters over the years and are the archetypes that the D&D races and classes are based on. I remember the first time I read the Hobbit and LOTR more than 20 years ago. However, in this day and age, I think it quite possible that there are those both inside and outside of our RPing world that have little to no idea before the move, that there was a LOTr trilogy. The movie might give them a chance to see another world and the possibilites of doing the same.

Hawkeye

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

Will Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli become the Drizzit's of the 21st century?

My latest character, Lucan Oaksilver, is Legolas to a big extent. A blond-haired, blue-eyed wood elf archer.

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

Hawk -

the movies will definitely make a bunch of people more receptive than they may normally have been towards RPGing. - But they still need someone to teach it to them.

My impression is that most RPGers learned from someone instead of learning to play by themselves ( saw it in the store etc... ). Might make an interesting Poll question...

 

[Fiery Todd]

It was my hope that WotC would somehow position themselves close to the films in some fashion to bank on the resurgence of fantasy. Whether this has happened I can't say. However, there are some very good signs that over the last few years, and the years to come, a new influx of gamers may come from:

-computer console, and internet rpg's. Very, very popular right now and seem to be attracting a boat load of new blood.

-movies and television have been very fantasy/sci-fi orientated of late. Buffy is leading the charge, but stuff like Samurai Jack are great and then, of course, all the comic book films, etc.

-LotR and HP seem to be the biggest influence. LotR may reinvigorate those that haven't played in years and may want to get back into it, while HP is setting the stage for those becoming old enough to try it.

-however, the most encouraging sign I've seen is what is going on at the local Warhammer store. It's always packed, and not with the same faces every day. I was in there browsing over the weekend and kids where standing around the demo tables mesmerized. Adults were chatting with staff candidly about product. All makes and models of guys and girls were present - from the "geek" to the "chic". Now, I know what you're saying, "It's Warhammer, not D&D!", but I don't think that it matters. The point is, here we have a sizable portion of people with a wide demographic interested in table-top fantasy gaming. Let's hope they find D&D. And why shouldn't they? D&D begat Warhammer, the reverse could be true. I'm just pleased at the range of customers. Great potential.

Anyway, that's my thoughts on it. What D&D really needs is a quality film of its own that could rival LotR. We didn't get it, unfortunately, but because of the success of LotR, some talented director who knows what direction to take the film in is likely to be given a second chance. I would suspect that there was a surge in Spider-man product and comics after the success of the movie. D&D would do well to have another kick at the can.

Cheers!

 

[Wolfspirit]

I personally don't think that the LotR movies will be directly responsible for an increase in roleplaying... there's too much misinformation with RPing to really reach untapped markets. Think of it this way... James Bond might be popular, but it would still be considered geeky to spend 6 hours a week *pretending* to be James Bond.

On the other hand, LotR movies are going to get more people to read the books, with I think is a Good Thing (tm)

 

[Fiery Todd]

I personally don't think that the LotR movies will be directly responsible for an increase in roleplaying... there's too much misinformation with RPing to really reach untapped markets. Think of it this way... James Bond might be popular, but it would still be considered geeky to spend 6 hours a week *pretending* to be James Bond.

On the other hand, LotR movies are going to get more people to read the books, with I think is a Good Thing (tm)

I wouldn't underestimate the acceptance of "escapism" as a viable form of entertainment. When Star Wars first hit in '77 you were considered a freak if you didn't like the movie (at all age levels) and make believe through the movies was considered normal. In fact, I would guess that the inspiration that Star Wars provided helped pave the way for D&D's surge into the mainstream. People were in the mood for "pretending" all of a sudden and D&D helped fullfill this niche. It's no coincidence that D&D was at the hieght of its popularity during the run of the first three films, and were helped out by other franchises through the years like Aliens, Die Hard, Terminator, etc. I don't know about everyone else, but when I see a good movie, I'm ready to game. However, I do concede that times have changed, and the historical preception of those times hasn't weathered very well, but it did prove the connection between fantasy films and related media to D&D. The point is, we're now back in a time where fantasy is popular once again and the hope that D&D will grow along with it.

To reiterate my Warhammer thought, I had a funny experience a few weeks ago. At my day job I have a couple of tough guys who are good guys, but are still pretty rough around the edges. They're bouncers at a local bar as a night job to give you an idea. Anyway, at work I make it no secret that I game and that I have Fiery Dragon on the side. Somehow, these guys ended up participating in a Warhammer demo (at a different location than the one I mentioned above) and found they liked it. So much so, that they started asking all about Fiery Dragon and how D&D was related to Warhammer. Two guys who'd you think would be the last guys interested in table top gaming suddenly found an interest. I have lots of these kinds of "testimonials". From my POV there does seem to be a shift happening of some kind and it would be a shame for WotC/Hasbro to shrink from the possibilities (this being said in light of store closings. sheesh!).

Yes, pretending to be James Bond for 6 hours would be perceived as geeky, but then, playing the video game for 10 hours plus would likely be perceived as cool.

Cheers!

 

[ruleslawyer]

As Mark and Hawkeye said, Aragon, Gandalf, and Legolas (and Bilbo, Thorin, and others) already have been the "Drizzts" of their day. LotR is one of the major fantasy staples that informs D&D (though Gary Gygax disclaims this, something that I find rather amusing given the inclusion of actual hobbits and balrogs in the original D&D game, and the importance of orcs in all editions).

 

[Azure Trance]

(though Gary Gygax disclaims this, something that I find rather amusing given the inclusion of actual hobbits and balrogs in the original D&D game, and the importance of orcs in all editions).

I find that odd as well. Are you sure?