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Why is fantasy the dominant RPG genre?
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<blockquote data-quote="WayneLigon" data-source="post: 1370363" data-attributes="member: 3649"><p>I <em>do</em> think that the main reason that Fantasy so popular is because D&D was The First. Also, D&D as a game has the greatest market penetration of any system, hands down. It's carried in all major and minor book chains that I know of (without a knowledgable store owner or employee, often it's the <em>only</em> RPG they will carry, though in the last three years or so that's been changing). That kind of edge is very hard to overcome. Plus, there are a ton of D&D novels, compared to a handful for other systems (most of which have gone out of print).</p><p> </p><p>The Familiarity idea is compelling, but... until just the last few years, there have been virtually no widespread fantasy movies to give people that familiarity. Arguably, Familiarity should make Star Trek and Star Wars the most popular RPGs, followed by Call of Cthulhu (who hasn't seen a horror movie?) and then any Western RPG. </p><p> </p><p>Superhero gaming, while my favorite, is a small niche. In my experiences, at least, comics fans and gamers don't mix much at all. Of all the gamers I've known, only four have been comics fans or would even touch a superhero game. (The number one drawback cited to me: 'you have to be Good all the time'. Usually that was a good signal not to bother trying to recruit that player for anything at all).</p><p> </p><p>I do agree that Fantasy is the easiest of the genres to run, yes. Familiarity acts against me as a GM for modern and futuristic settings, mainly because several players know a lot more about modern tech than I do. It makes me feel uncomfortable and stupid. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Fantasy:</strong> </p><p> </p><p><em>Leader:</em> We need to find out what's going on inside that house. Anyone know how to Clairvoyance? </p><p> </p><p><em>Team Mage:</em> Hell, no. It'll be a couple of years before I can even attempt that spell. </p><p> </p><p><em>Leader: </em>OK, I guess then one of us will have to sneak up there. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Modern.</strong> </p><p> </p><p><em>Leader: </em>We need to find out what's going on inside that house. Anyone know how?</p><p> </p><p><em>Team Snoop</em>: I go online to <a href="http://www.spygear.org" target="_blank">www.spygear.org</a>, use my credit card to buy a shotgun mic and some gear to snoop on the spillage from their cell phone or web cam, pay for next day delivery. We go back the next night.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="WayneLigon, post: 1370363, member: 3649"] I [i]do[/i] think that the main reason that Fantasy so popular is because D&D was The First. Also, D&D as a game has the greatest market penetration of any system, hands down. It's carried in all major and minor book chains that I know of (without a knowledgable store owner or employee, often it's the [i]only[/i] RPG they will carry, though in the last three years or so that's been changing). That kind of edge is very hard to overcome. Plus, there are a ton of D&D novels, compared to a handful for other systems (most of which have gone out of print). The Familiarity idea is compelling, but... until just the last few years, there have been virtually no widespread fantasy movies to give people that familiarity. Arguably, Familiarity should make Star Trek and Star Wars the most popular RPGs, followed by Call of Cthulhu (who hasn't seen a horror movie?) and then any Western RPG. Superhero gaming, while my favorite, is a small niche. In my experiences, at least, comics fans and gamers don't mix much at all. Of all the gamers I've known, only four have been comics fans or would even touch a superhero game. (The number one drawback cited to me: 'you have to be Good all the time'. Usually that was a good signal not to bother trying to recruit that player for anything at all). I do agree that Fantasy is the easiest of the genres to run, yes. Familiarity acts against me as a GM for modern and futuristic settings, mainly because several players know a lot more about modern tech than I do. It makes me feel uncomfortable and stupid. [b]Fantasy:[/b] [i]Leader:[/i] We need to find out what's going on inside that house. Anyone know how to Clairvoyance? [i]Team Mage:[/i] Hell, no. It'll be a couple of years before I can even attempt that spell. [i]Leader: [/i]OK, I guess then one of us will have to sneak up there. [b]Modern.[/b] [i]Leader: [/i]We need to find out what's going on inside that house. Anyone know how? [i]Team Snoop[/i]: I go online to [url="http://www.spygear.org"]www.spygear.org[/url], use my credit card to buy a shotgun mic and some gear to snoop on the spillage from their cell phone or web cam, pay for next day delivery. We go back the next night. [/QUOTE]
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