This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Going With Simpler Games to Attract Casual Gamers

Started by jeff37923, May 24, 2010, 08:40:06 AM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages 1 ... 3 4 5
User actions

Cylonophile

#60
May 25, 2010, 02:00:31 PM
Quote from: Werekoala;383554Do you think that some of the book- and splat-bloat has something to do with human tendency to think that more of something is better, even if it costs more? A 350 Page rulebook must be superior to a 128 page one, things like that.
Might have something to do with the game writers wanting to make more money...
Go an\' tell me I\'m ignored.
Kick my sad ass off the board,
I don\'t care, I\'m still free.
You can\'t take the net from me.

-The ballad of browncoatone, after his banning by the communist dictators of rpg.net for refusing to obey their arbitrary decrees.

Benoist

#61
May 25, 2010, 02:13:58 PM
Quote from: Werekoala;383554Do you think that some of the book- and splat-bloat has something to do with human tendency to think that more of something is better, even if it costs more? A 350 Page rulebook must be superior to a 128 page one, things like that.

Quote from: Cylonophile;383558Might have something to do with the game writers wanting to make more money...

Sure does, Cylo, but Werekoala's got a point as well, for sure.

Atomic Scotsman

#62
May 25, 2010, 02:15:01 PM
Quote from: Nicephorus;383212It's not just for noobs.  Your typical person with a full time job, spouse, kids, and other interests doesn't feel like taking an hour just to make a character.  They also rarely have the time for 6-8 hour game sessions.
 
Simpler games require much less reading time to learn and combat resolution is usually much quicker  which works better for short sessions.

I certainly fall into this category, and I don't think it's unreasonable to postulate that with an aging gamer community, I suppose more and more people do as well.

You could also factor in the tastes of younger gamers. A lot of them have played MMOs or console RPGs, and while they require a lot of time to play they don't require a lot of upfront investment -time wise that is.

Simlasa

#63
May 25, 2010, 03:50:18 PM Last Edit: May 25, 2010, 03:53:02 PM by Simlasa
Quote from: Werekoala;383554Do you think that some of the book- and splat-bloat has something to do with human tendency to think that more of something is better, even if it costs more? A 350 Page rulebook must be superior to a 128 page one, things like that.

I think so... but there is a limit... if I'm already 'invested' in a setting/system then more resources are usually welcome. But on a 'cold sell' having ginormous books and a shitload of splats will give me pause... I think there is a middle ground of accessible-yet-expandable that draws me in.
White Wolf's slutty proliferation of content has always turned me away... but the Dark Heresy/Rogue Trader pace feels just about right to draw me in.

PathfinderSchala

#64
May 25, 2010, 04:07:26 PM
I gotta agree with you. These games are an extreme investment and for me, I generally don't pick up games unless I know what someone is going to play them. In fact, the way I came to start playing these games was by visiting my local game shop. I asked if I could join in (very confused, of course), and that's how I eventually met me best friends. :)

With that being said, I'm more comfortable with buying games. It's actually a social thing. I think that's why many game stores HAVE game play areas. The more you socialize, the more you're prone to purchasing games. Events are also held to do the same thing.
Table-top gaming takes me away from the realities of life: Forex Trading, paying bills and unimaginable amounts of dog slobber on your shoes. O___O
[/FONT]

ggroy

#65
May 27, 2010, 02:12:39 AM
Biggest barrier is getting anybody to pay attention in the first place, whether casual or hardcore gamers.

http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2010/05/20/the-hold-steady/

Replace instances of the music related keywords with "rpg" in the above linked article.  In particular:

"Hip-hoppers and indie rock fans and the clueless all live in their own private universes.  And you know what?  The clueless are just fine with this.  And they're not entirely clueless.  Music just does not light their fire, it's not number one."
Print
Go Up Pages 1 ... 3 4 5
User actions