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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dristram" data-source="post: 2412825" data-attributes="member: 1639">I think I'm noticing somethingAfter reading all these posts, I think I've noticed something that is causing this rift between gamers.Some gamers like, and prefer to shop for their gaming stuff at a store that specializes in their hobby.  They don't want to see their game store(s) go away.  And some want them so much that they'll even buy from less professional game stores.  When they walk into a game store, it's like the preverbal "kid in a candy store" feeling to them.  I’ll call these “game store fans”.  I’m one of these types  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" /> Other gamers couldn't care less if they have a local game store because without one, they can still get their gaming stuff online or big book stores.  They don't get any real thrill out of walking into a store where they are surrounded by the games they like.  And they don’t have any real need for game space (because they play at home) or need to find gamers (because they have their longstanding gaming group already).  Also, the online stores, with their discounts, have devalued RPGs (and other games), lessening the value-add of a local game store.Most game store owners are “game store fans” that are trying to live their dream of running their own game store.  Many assumed most gamers are like them and since the proliferation of on-line stores, are surprised at just how many aren’t, which worries them.  Other “game store fans” see the struggle their beloved game stores face and wish more gamers would be like them and may get frustrated that they aren’t, because if all gamers would choose to patronize their local game shop, they’d flourish.Thus, the conflict we see here.I think I may be rambling now, so I think that’s it.  How does it sound?One last observance.  Not all owners of game stores care about the gaming hobby.  Some game store owners do what they do because they think they can make money at it.  I think a lot of these types were created during the booms of Magic and Pokemon, and then supported by the smaller Yu-Gi-Oh! and Clix crazes.  I'd hasten to guess a lot of them used to be owners of baseball card shops and saw gaming as a way to stay in business.  They’re always on the lookout for the “next big thing” and an "angle" on how to turn a quick buck.  They're chasing the gaming "fads".  Unfortunately, gamers, particularly RPGers, don’t feel very welcome in those kinds of stores because RPGs are not of much interest to these kinds of owners.  And those stores can give “game stores” a bad rap, which it truly unfortunate.(-BradOwner, Gamer’s Keepe</blockquote>

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