Despite all the caterwauling and fanboyism over 4e, 2008 is a great time to be a gamer.

For old schoolers and grognards there's still the tons of game supplements produced by TSR that can satisfy anything from story urges to dungeon crawling smash fests. There's more than enough out there for a lifetime worth of gaming. Or if you want an AD&D fix but demand newer product, Hackmaster (possibly with a few house rules) can give a great AD&D 1.x feel.

Superhero gamers can get Marvel Superheros in its entirety for free. If they don't like that, there's at least 20 other options available ranging from DC comics to Silver Age Sentinels and more.

D&D 3.x revitalized the hobby, and left behind enough supplements for a lifetime of gaming, as well as enough offshoot games to play in any genre you want.

Non-traditional players have indie games from both inside and outside of the Forge. I don't know anything beyond reviews for any of them, but from what I understand there are lots of people having lots of fun with them.

Those who want a more high-powered game than others can play anything from the D&D Immortals boxed set to 3.x Epic, or even dip into the Storyteller system fro Exalted and Scion.

Speaking of Storyteller, they've got enough games there to cater to any pretentious swine. Or, if you're more like me, you can have fun with your unashamed munchkin masturbation.

Heck, you don't even need dice. Amber, Nobilis, Marvel Saga, and others have thrown those out the window for a "purer" experience. With just a pen and a sheet of paper even the homeless can game these days.

And finally, we've got 4e on the horizon, which promises to be fun for a lot of people (myself hopefully included).

For those times when you can't get a group together, or if you've only got an hour a day to devote to gaming, there are websites for play by post as well as play by email options available. Or, if you just want to talk about gaming practically every game has a forum devoted to it, and there are several other sites that are there for general chatter.

Say what you want, it's a damn fine time to be a gamer.

Is there anyone I missed?

Virtual tabletops (FantasyGrounds, Screenmonkey, Kloogeworks, OpenRPG...), social networking communities (Meetup.com) and web-based tools and applications (like pbwiki and skype) make getting a group together easier than ever.

Quote from: James McMurrayIs there anyone I missed?

You covered a lot but I think you missed all the free and essentially free tiny games, supplements, maps, and such. Sure it's a bit to sort through it all but that's only because there is a lot there to choose from.

Oh, and the ability to realitively easily contact, ask direct questions of, and basically carry on a fairly interactive discussion with the developers of the game you are playing? Wow.

Hey now, mister! There'll be none of this sort o' positive thinking around here. We only tolerate Negative Nancies in this neighborhood.  Better be checkin' that attitude at the door or the Sherriff'll be round to see you out of town right smartly.

I agree, that its quite possibly the best time ever to be a gamer.

I just wish the hobby and industry were better at making more of us.

RPGPundit

Shoot... Palladium just released the Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles RPG...
Not only is Robotech back, but Palladium's still going strong.

And for your MMORPG fans, herogames is working with Cryptic Studios on Champions Online!
http://herogames.com/aboutChampionsOnline.htm

EDIT: And for single player CRPG fans, Fallout 3 is coming out THIS Fall!

Here, here!  It is frustrating that more people aren't interested in our avocation.  It's always been the cat's meow to me.  However, getting that sense of awe across to others is not always the easiest thing.  I blame video games, etc.  But, that could be used as an advantage.

Like that video game?  What if you could do more stuff that you are not allowed to do in that video game?  Sure, you have graphic sequences, etc.  But, the imagination is virtually unlimited.  Yadda, yadda, yadda.  You get what I mean.

Quote from: RPGPunditI just wish the hobby and industry were better at making more of us.
RPGPundit

Quoted for truth

Well, the hobby and the industry..is us. So that really falls just as much on us as it does on anyone, any company, etc.

To which I have these three uhh.. rules I live by:

1) Don't hide your love of the hobby
2) Invite new people!
3) Showcase the hobby for the regular fun it is*.  




i.e: And by fun, I don't mean "I roleplay for therapy", and not "issue tackling" or "performance art" or "activism" or any of that crap. Actual fun. People love fun. Fun and games. They go hand in hand.

You know why so many people play video games? Because nobody gets wrapped around the roleplaying and story axle when theyre playing videogames. They just want something entertaining to do.

Quote from: Abyssal MawYou know why so many people play video games? Because nobody gets wrapped around the roleplaying and story axle when theyre playing videogames. They just want something entertaining to do.

I am assuming you mean those "video games" which are not RPGs. Planescape: Torment, Xenogears, Fallout, Baldur's Gate, Knights of the Old Republic (and the like) are all about getting immersed into your character and roleplaying.. Still not as "pure" as the real thing, but these games do go beyond mindless entertainment and strive to simulate a grand part of the tabletop experience.

Computer/console RPGs actually go a long way in informing the masses about tabletop RPGs. I see them as helping to spread the popularity of tabletop games, not hindering them.

Well, then, maybe I should discuss the human interaction side of roleplaying.  Few places in our society is "Let's Pretend" taken to such a level.  And, you can't replace the randomness of people with a computer program.  Another reason to leave your room, besides going to work.  The development of a creative work (the "Story") is not to be denigrated, of course.

I've always been amazed at the things players come up with.  I can compare that with some of these "rpgs" on the computer.  And, computers pale in comparison.  Plus, the camraderie for people who may not be into sports, etc.  I'm glad computer games have come so far; but, personally, they haven't gone far enough for me.  And, that would be hard to without including other human beings.

  I think that's a big reason that so many people play World of Warcraft online.  They are actually able to game online in real time with real people.  Being able to tap into that market could be very promising (one would hope).  But, I just don't see it happening, currently.  If we have ourselves to blame, then we do.  I just don't see the crossovers that I would have hoped to see.

  When's the last time you saw advertising on regular TV for an rpg?  Now, I could be wrong; but, I don't see that.  I used to see D&D being pushed on TV, no less.  I used to see their boxed sets in Wal-Mart.  What would it take for this to happen again?  Maybe a movie tie-in (I'm trying to forget the last D&D movie, and I'm sure you are too)?  Maybe other games, besides D&D.  White Wolf Publishing has done a TV series (briefly, I know).  The games are just not be touted like they were before.  Many cries for a cartoon movie of Exalted or something like that have been called for, and it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility.

Comic books were not taken very seriously until recently.  Lots of neat supers movies out of late.  And, most of them are done in a very "realistic" fashion.  Now, would be a good idea to push some hero games.  I dunno.  I'm just thinking out loud.  But, the people behind our hobby can only hold themselves to blame for many things that they've missed out on, from what I see.  Everybody gets comfortable,  especially corporations--especially those that rely on the former fame of a product to assure their financial backers that this sequel will make money for them all again.

If they want to lose money, they can keep putting out sequels of everything we've seen before, IMHO.  Picking up some of these rpgs for movie properties sure wouldn't hurt our hobby.  Unless, of course, they try to do a low budget movie about something generally very creative.  Of course, there are other ways they could screw it up too.  Anyway, stepping off my soapbox.  :cool:

Quote from: LancerComputer/console RPGs actually go a long way in informing the masses about tabletop RPGs. I see them as helping to spread the popularity of tabletop games, not hindering them.

I'm saying: "there are obviously people out there who want to have fun...". I see that as a potential.

Now obviously video games are nothing like RPGs, but man, I really do think the motivations for play and the experience can be very similar. Getting hung up on the idea that "well, they'll never try it  because theyre kids" or "my verbal descriptions won't match computer graphics" or whatever else is just giving up.
Honestly I think many of those same people who have tried out the offerings on Gametap or whatever but haven't ever played an RPG (or who played once in alike..1994)  would play if invited just to check it out.

I'm saying "invite someone new".

We spent the last decade working through the geek shame thing and advising each other never to play with strangers, never to game with anyone who doesn't "make you feel psychologically comfortable" and all kinds of other bullshit. But that doesn't help anyone. If we're really serious about not being pigeonholed or stereotyped, we should be inviting.. everyone.  And in return we should show how  fun it is, and not "serious therapy" or "moral exploration" or whatever the fuck. That freaks people out because it is fucking weird.  Don't let the thespians strangle the hobby.

Roleplaying games are no more shameful than Poker night.
Pass it on!

I think the industry needs to get back to producing viable, fully functional entry points.  I know they're seen as not making money, but grocery stores don't make money on bread, milk, or bannanas and keep right on chugging away.

I've been trying to convince SJG to put together a mini, Fantasy, Sf, and Modern supplement for GURPS lite for a couple years now.  But they "know" rpgs are dying and believe it's a waste of resources trying to sell to new customers.

Meanwhile, ICE's done quite well with Rolemaster Express.  Nevermind my own feelings about various rules choices they made.  At least they're trying to grow their market.

But then I think what we really need is to graduate from miniatures to create your own posable action figure kits with sprues in different colours so you don't have to paint them.  The cross over with the toy market would be huge.

Quote from: blakkieYou covered a lot but I think you missed all the free and essentially free tiny games, supplements, maps, and such. Sure it's a bit to sort through it all but that's only because there is a lot there to choose from.

Oh, and the ability to realitively easily contact, ask direct questions of, and basically carry on a fairly interactive discussion with the developers of the game you are playing? Wow.

More specifically I want to point to projects like OSRIC and Labyrinth Lord that are giving their AD&D/D&D counterparts a shot at OGL immortality. That's immeasurably awesome in my opinion.

Quote from: teckno72Well, then, maybe I should discuss the human interaction side of roleplaying.  Few places in our society is "Let's Pretend" taken to such a level.  And, you can't replace the randomness of people with a computer program.  Another reason to leave your room, besides going to work.  The development of a creative work (the "Story") is not to be denigrated, of course.

 I think that's a big reason that so many people play World of Warcraft online.  They are actually able to game online in real time with real people.  

And yet for all the interacting with "real people" (i.e virtual people) on MMORPGs like WoW, the roleplaying experience is inferior to that of any good single player CRPG... Which in turn pales to that of a well-run tabletop RPG. Playing with other people doesn't necessarily equate to good roleplaying or even roleplaying at all. Although playing with others can certainly enhance roleplaying when done correctly.
I'd argue that most MMORPGers have no interest in traditional RPGs..People don't play MMORPGs to "roleplay", but to chat, socialize, and to work with other people for raids, hack n' slash, and PvP. MMORPGs  have a lot to learn from their single player counterparts in terms of what roleplaying truly is about before they can offer anything approaching a satisfactory roleplaying experience. Of course, when you start designing MMORPGs this way, you will appeal to a totally different subset of gamers.
 The single player CRPG, I argue, is a better market to tap because that medium actually TRIES to simulate the experience of tabletop (minus the social aspect). Single player CRPG designers often tend to be tabletop gamers themselves.

Don't go far.. I am one of those video game RPGers that broke into tabletop RPGs via video games and computer games. Granted, if it worked for me, it must have worked for others as well.

QuoteI've always been amazed at the things players come up with.  I can compare that with some of these "rpgs" on the computer.  And, computers pale in comparison.  Plus, the camraderie for people who may not be into sports, etc.  I'm glad computer games have come so far;

Just because people may like computer games/RPGs (or MMORPGs or whatever), doesn't mean they are not into sports..:raise:

QuoteBeing able to tap into that market could be very promising (one would hope).  But, I just don't see it happening, currently.  If we have ourselves to blame, then we do.  I just don't see the crossovers that I would have hoped to see.

I don't have the statistics to prove it, but I am willing to bet that when Vampire: Bloodlines or Neverwinter Nights were selling, tabletop RPGS were directly influenced in a positive way by their sales.

EDIT: Hell, I never had the slightest interest in roleplaying Supers games until I played the computer game, "Freedom Force." I enjoyed that game so much that it led to my eventual fascination with supers tabletop rpgs.. The same goes with "Shadowrun" on the Genesis... Would have probably never gotten into cyberpunk games if it weren't for those stupid evil video games.. If it weren't for them, I'd still probably be interested in playing fantasy only.

The roleplaying hobby is a niche and it will never enter the mainstream in the same way as , say, Star Wars fandom. The people that will like it, will, while everyone else will prefer to do whatever else that they were going to do anyways. No amount of marketing will change that. Even through all the advertising done in the '80s, the hobby never amounted past cult/niche status.