New WotC Advert: FREAKS HERE'S YOUR FLAG

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Freak always has been and continues to be a word with negative connotations, in my view. Perhaps I simply haven't kept up with modern culture at my ripe old age of 30, but I've never found calling someone a freak to be taken as a compliment.

I think it's all a matter of the audience it's being targeted at, who the word is coming from, and how the audience uses the word itself. I know plenty of people who have reclaimed and use words that were originally used in negative connotations to their particular group-queer, dyke, fag, n****r, c**t, geek, nerd, punk, etc. Some words are accepted by all members of a group, others by a small percentage, but there are those who do not and will not use the words. BTW, my use of the words above are intended only to illustrate the point I am making, not to offend anyone.

I happily consider myself to be a geek, and would not object to anyone calling me a freak. Lord knows I have been, and still am, part of several subculture and counterculture groups that the mainstream considers "freakish".

 

[buzz]

...I find it hard to understand how calling the entire consumer base of a product "freaks" can not be negative.

I dunno. "Geek", "nerd", and "dork" are pejorative, but seem to have become acceptable for self-identification in a non-negative (or at least well-humored and self-deprecating) way. E.g., there's a local computer consulting firm called "Geek Squad". And hey, "Dork Tower".

Why not "freak"? And is there anything really wrong with an ad taking a "yeah, it's geeky, but it's fun, so who cares?" attitude? I find that a lot more genuine than previous ad campiagns that tried to make D&D look oh-so-cool.

And "freak", if you listen to rap and R&B, can have some positive connotations. "Get your freak on", "get freaky with you", "super freak", etc.

Honestly, I give WotC credit for taking the risk. At least people seem to be talking about the ads, here and elsewhere. That's more than you can say for previous campiagns.

 

[buzz]

I think it's all a matter of the audience it's being targeted at, who the word is coming from, and how the audience uses the word itself.

Made my point better than I did. This is partially why I find it confusing when I encounter gamers who take issue with the ads. It'd be like my D&D group getting huffy when I say "Are you guys ready to get your geek on?"

IMO, the tribe will understand the ad, even if they don't know they're in the tribe yet.

 

[Remathilis]

Ever seen "Freaks & Geeks" ?

Freak, like Dork or Geek, has become a counterculture trend. Punk (a derogative term now cool) is overplayed and commercialized. Freak has become the new punk, a term for people to call themselves to show they don't fit into the mold.

Who is this aimed at? Probably 15-19 year olds who listen to Death Cab for Cutie, Shop at Hot Topic, love fairies and Pirates of the Carribean, and want to do something creative and not the norm.

As a HS teacher, I'm not an expert, but I've seen it happening more and more. Magic and D&D (and various other game) are becoming more mainstream, but not trendy. Perfect for counterculture (easily accessable, not done by trendy kids, and has an aura of "satanic mystery" with adults).

I think its a smart move by WotC. Couple this with the adds targeting computer gamers (basement elf), movie lovers (D&D2) and casual games (the online ad), D&D IS reaching a new level of acceptance that WILL expand the player base.

If they could drop the price on the corebooks again, I think they'd be set.

 

[Chainsaw Mage]

I think its a smart move by WotC. Couple this with the adds targeting computer gamers (basement elf), movie lovers (D&D2) and casual games (the online ad), D&D IS reaching a new level of acceptance that WILL expand the player base.

[Falls on the floor laughing]

You . . . you just used the term "D&D 2" and "movie" in the same sentence!

Hee hee! Stop! You're killing me!

 

[buzz]

[Falls on the floor laughing]

You . . . you just used the term "D&D 2" and "movie" in the same sentence!

Hee hee! Stop! You're killing me!

It was a dang sight better than the first one. Really, for something shown on SciFi and for a DTV release, it was pretty fun.