Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="IconoclastX" data-source="post: 3992779" data-attributes="member: 56728">I think that the WoW claim is also ridiculous, but I think that gaming settings are a little different.  The problem that everyone who has a problem seems to have is that there is "too much history" for the Realms that they can't get involved.  That seems to indicate to me that it's unlikely for anyone except a fairly strong fan (ie. not someone who just has a passing interest in the setting) to be the heaviest consumer of material and product for the setting.  It is also these "rabid fans" (a term which I only use because it was in the thread to which I replied originally) that a lot of discussion does occur.  A casual fan (who, no doubt, exists, and may also buy a lot of FR material) will likely pick up a FR book (whether because of interest or just for the sake of completeness) and flip through it, maybe use it in a game, then shelf it because they have other settings of interest or are simply a collector.The "rabid fan" will get the book, read it carefully and pick out everything that may be of use (fluff or crunch, depending on the preference of the reader) then review it online, then talk about it on mail lists and on sites like this, discuss with other rabid fans the ins and outs, what effects some fluff might have on the campaigns they're running, etc.I think that a gameworld setting is a little different from WoW (small bingo troll:  although the new version of D&D might suggest otherwise <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /> ).  Without the centre of hardcore fans, you end up with what might be a marketable product, but not one that generates a lot of interest or excitement.  I think that we can agree there has been a lot of both for the Realms over the years - and that doesn't come from casual fans, collectors, or non-fans.I in no way mean to say that the "rabid fan" is any better than a casual fan or a collector.  In fact it's often a great thing to see casual fans showing an interest in learning more about the setting.  But, like the Trekkies comment indicates, rabid fans can sometimes be a little scary (and, in fact, know what Elminster ate for breakfast on Tuesday as you say <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> )  The longevity of rabid fans is what provides that continuity and, IMO, keeps the franchise alive and vibrant (and important in the eyes of those who stand to make money from it).  Your average casual fan will not be bothered to care and may just drift away.  There are obviously exceptions, but that's still how I tend to see it.As for the name... no relation.  Neither to Malcolm X. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></blockquote>

Verification