Quote from: ForgottenF on October 29, 2024, 08:04:17 AMYeah, I honestly think 3e would have been a better game is they had leaned more on making it a kind of Rolemaster lite. Instead of making classes predominantly defined by "class features" and leaving the skill system as a kind of afterthought, they should have stripped away most of those features and had classes be more defined by how they interact with the skill system.

The beautiful thing about RMSS is that just about everything is treated as a skill so there's only one (admittedly a bit complex) structure for buying things.  Even when you get into Talents and Flaws they are generally described in the form of existing objects rather than creating entirely new rules for each thing.

What people don't seem to grasp is that every single special case rule increases the complexity and difficulty of balancing a game.

Quote from: Ratman_tf on October 28, 2024, 09:35:13 PM

Quote from: BadApple on October 28, 2024, 05:53:06 PM

Quote from: Ruprecht on October 28, 2024, 05:32:56 PM

Quote from: BadApple on October 28, 2024, 08:32:02 AM6. invest in/build gaming stores akin to GW stores
8. hold DM training classes to onboard new DMs

Yes, and yes. Add Open Tables in those game stores. I'm sure there are a ton of gaming stores that aren't doing well that could be bought, or franchised or something.

One of the biggest things I've noticed is that there's a noticeable trend in things players and GMs bring and use that aren't sold by most FLGS.

food and drinks
pencils
paper
copy and printer service
dry erase stuff

I absolutely believe a FLGS combined with a pizza parlor would make money.

We have a few like that here in the Seattle area. My local gaming site sells booze (ciders and ales and whatnot) ice cream and toaster oven food like mozzarella sticks.

https://www.attgamepub.com/

Mox is straight up attached to a resteraunt.

https://www.moxboardinghouse.com/bellevue/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7Py4BhCbARIsAMMx-_Lh7yioUpiH_CYtO2_4ONwjFdC4Y7DyCUVM2N6KkBd_E1kWrdiBDLgaAp4WEALw_wcB

Does this increase their foot traffic and cash flow?  Obviously, you probably don't have any inside info on the success of their business but I can't help but be curious if my theory is true.

Quote from: BadApple on October 29, 2024, 05:53:50 PM

Quote from: Ratman_tf on October 28, 2024, 09:35:13 PM

Quote from: BadApple on October 28, 2024, 05:53:06 PM

Quote from: Ruprecht on October 28, 2024, 05:32:56 PM

Quote from: BadApple on October 28, 2024, 08:32:02 AM6. invest in/build gaming stores akin to GW stores
8. hold DM training classes to onboard new DMs

Yes, and yes. Add Open Tables in those game stores. I'm sure there are a ton of gaming stores that aren't doing well that could be bought, or franchised or something.

One of the biggest things I've noticed is that there's a noticeable trend in things players and GMs bring and use that aren't sold by most FLGS.

food and drinks
pencils
paper
copy and printer service
dry erase stuff

I absolutely believe a FLGS combined with a pizza parlor would make money.

We have a few like that here in the Seattle area. My local gaming site sells booze (ciders and ales and whatnot) ice cream and toaster oven food like mozzarella sticks.

https://www.attgamepub.com/

Mox is straight up attached to a resteraunt.

https://www.moxboardinghouse.com/bellevue/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7Py4BhCbARIsAMMx-_Lh7yioUpiH_CYtO2_4ONwjFdC4Y7DyCUVM2N6KkBd_E1kWrdiBDLgaAp4WEALw_wcB

Does this increase their foot traffic and cash flow?  Obviously, you probably don't have any inside info on the success of their business but I can't help but be curious if my theory is true.

Yeah, I'm not privy to their numbers.

I'm most familiar with Around The Table, as it's been "my" game spot for about 15 years now.
They're almost always packed during peak hours. People playing RPGs and MTG and board and wargames. The counter is busy. People getting snacks and drinks during their stay.
I've been to Mox a couple of times when they hosted the occasional X-Wing Miniatures tournament. They seemed to be doing well.

Both survived the Covid lockdowns. I bought gift cards online from ATT during Covid to try and help them have a revenue stream while closed to the public.

I think the idea of a game pub/resteraunt is sound. I also think that location would be a significant factor. This is the pacific northwest, the home of WOTC and Magic The Gathering. Lots of nerdy tech types to draw a customer base from.

I'd redecorate wildly! We'd change up all the corporate office rented "professional modern art" with pillars padded with cork (like peg boards) to pin up sent-in fan art -- and beanbags arranged around them for people to appreciate them (likely when they're high and in the middle enjoying some munchies)! OOH! And we can have a DJ for each office floor playing down tempo muzak mash-ups. And we'd travel on adult-sized bounce balls with handles on them!

I'm not getting the job, am I?

Quote from: Opaopajr on October 30, 2024, 05:04:30 PM I'd redecorate wildly! We'd change up all the corporate office rented "professional modern art" with pillars padded with cork (like peg boards) to pin up sent-in fan art -- and beanbags arranged around them for people to appreciate them (likely when they're high and in the middle enjoying some munchies)! OOH! And we can have a DJ for each office floor playing down tempo muzak mash-ups. And we'd travel on adult-sized bounce balls with handles on them!

I'm not getting the job, am I?

Greetings!

"Travel on adult-sized Bounce balls". *Laughing* Hilarious, Opaopajr! As ridiculous as it seems, I can see that whole scene being very popular at WOTC. People bouncing down the hallways on bounce balls, while others lay around in bean-bag chairs, fresh from getting high, all chomping on munchies, and occasionally talking about games. Somewhat pretending to work. With the muzak playing on each floor. Yeah, that all makes a lot of sense!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: Opaopajr on October 30, 2024, 05:04:30 PM I'd redecorate wildly! We'd change up all the corporate office rented "professional modern art" with pillars padded with cork (like peg boards) to pin up sent-in fan art -- and beanbags arranged around them for people to appreciate them (likely when they're high and in the middle enjoying some munchies)! OOH! And we can have a DJ for each office floor playing down tempo muzak mash-ups. And we'd travel on adult-sized bounce balls with handles on them!

I see you too have worked in Portland Oregon! Fun times.

There is an old story of a trick flee-covered dogs (wolves) would do. They'd take a stick in their mouth and slowly submerge themselves in water. The idea being the fleas would migrate to the stick to keep from drowning. The dog would then release the stick and fleas. I don't know if its true but it makes me wonder...
I mentioned initially about creating a basic version of the game. What if you left 5E as is with all the wokeness and connections to the VTT and that basic version wasn't a starter set but a stand-alone more OSR game that would compete and had access to all the old AD&D IP. Maybe even call it AD&D or something. Then allocate resources depending upon sales.

Quote from: Ruprecht on November 23, 2024, 08:55:52 AMThere is an old story of a trick flee-covered dogs (wolves) would do. They'd take a stick in their mouth and slowly submerge themselves in water. The idea being the fleas would migrate to the stick to keep from drowning.

I don't get it. Would the fleas drown any less if the dogs submerged themselves without a stick?

Quote from: Zalman on November 23, 2024, 09:02:53 AM

Quote from: Ruprecht on November 23, 2024, 08:55:52 AMThere is an old story of a trick flee-covered dogs (wolves) would do. They'd take a stick in their mouth and slowly submerge themselves in water. The idea being the fleas would migrate to the stick to keep from drowning.

I don't get it. Would the fleas drown any less if the dogs submerged themselves without a stick?

I think the stick is sticking out of the water.

Quote from: Krazz on November 23, 2024, 09:55:40 AM

Quote from: Zalman on November 23, 2024, 09:02:53 AM

Quote from: Ruprecht on November 23, 2024, 08:55:52 AMThere is an old story of a trick flee-covered dogs (wolves) would do. They'd take a stick in their mouth and slowly submerge themselves in water. The idea being the fleas would migrate to the stick to keep from drowning.

I don't get it. Would the fleas drown any less if the dogs submerged themselves without a stick?

I think the stick is sticking out of the water.

Yes, I understand that. So what? If there is no stick, what happens to the submerged fleas then? They still drown and die, just like they do when the dog with the stick lets go of the stick ... right?

So what benefit is the stick providing?

Quote from: Zalman on November 23, 2024, 10:00:33 AM

Quote from: Krazz on November 23, 2024, 09:55:40 AM

Quote from: Zalman on November 23, 2024, 09:02:53 AM

Quote from: Ruprecht on November 23, 2024, 08:55:52 AMThere is an old story of a trick flee-covered dogs (wolves) would do. They'd take a stick in their mouth and slowly submerge themselves in water. The idea being the fleas would migrate to the stick to keep from drowning.

I don't get it. Would the fleas drown any less if the dogs submerged themselves without a stick?

I think the stick is sticking out of the water.

Yes, I understand that. So what? If there is no stick, what happens to the submerged fleas then? They still drown and die, just like they do when the dog with the stick lets go of the stick ... right?

So what benefit is the stick providing?

The dog can't stay submerged long, since it needs to breathe too, so without the stick the fleas would either cling to the dog or swim nearby, and once the dog comes back out of the water, it's got lots of fleas again.

The stick gives the fleas somewhere to, well, flee. They go to the dry end of the stick where they aren't drowning, but that's far from the dog. The dog then releases the stick and swims away, leaving the fleas behind.

Quote from: Krazz on November 23, 2024, 10:32:57 AMThe dog can't stay submerged long, since it needs to breathe too, so without the stick the fleas would either cling to the dog or swim nearby, and once the dog comes back out of the water, it's got lots of fleas again.

The stick gives the fleas somewhere to, well, flee. They go to the dry end of the stick where they aren't drowning, but that's far from the dog. The dog then releases the stick and swims away, leaving the fleas behind.

Yes Krazz is correct. Sorry to derail the discussion with that aside. I assumed most had heard the story or I would have gone into more detail.

Quote from: Krazz on November 23, 2024, 10:32:57 AMThe dog can't stay submerged long, since it needs to breathe too, so without the stick the fleas would either cling to the dog or swim nearby, and once the dog comes back out of the water, it's got lots of fleas again.

Aha! The dog not being to hold its breath long enough was the piece I was missing, thanks!

Beware the day fleas invent tiny snorkels.

Maybe make it a policy that disparaging the game, it's creators or, especially, it's customers is not acceptable.  I'm actually not okay with people who work for us calling our game problematic and our customers racist.  Get the hell out.  Uttering the phrase, "If you don't like it, don't buy it" to potential customers would be grounds for immediate dismissal.  I don't know why any company in any industry puts up with this stupid shit for an instant.

Find out who our customers actually are, what they actually want and make that.  I don't mean the customers that the DEI people think we should be courting.  I mean the people who actually buy our products.  If it turn out that it's mostly a bunch of straight white guys who want classic D&D adventuring content, so be it.  That's what we make and who we make it for.  No more chasing a phantom audience.  Time to start serving our actual audience. 

Take a hard look at what actually sells and what doesn't.  Make more of the former and stop making the latter.

DEI grifters don't matter.  12 psychos on Twitter making a lot of noise don't matter.  These people don't matter.  They would gleefully burn this business to the ground for internet clout and to stroke their own egos.  Stop listening to them.