Absolutely. I think the question is rapidly becoming how long will they have a place, and how much of a market share will they retain?

Quote from: beeberto go back to the US market, and southern illinois, since joe (i think) gave us library and 'net figures.  are there bookstores (other than the "big box" variety) or comic stores, or even game stores?  is there an means of obtaining gaming material for those without internet access?

Well, we have a game store here in So. Ill, Castle Perilous.

is it doing well?  or at least stable?  

i'm trying to think of game stores in my area, and the closest is 25 minutes' drive.  there used to be a couple in the local malls, but they're long since gone.  aside from borders/b&n presence, the only other outlet for gaming stuff is comic shops.  there aren't many of those left, either.  

in this area i think it's a dying breed.  sales just can't be high enough to cover rents & taxes & the like.  and trying to compete with internet prices?  i honestly don't know how even the one (gamer's realm) stays in business.

Quote from: beeberin this area i think it's a dying breed.  sales just can't be high enough to cover rents & taxes & the like.  and trying to compete with internet prices?  i honestly don't know how even the one (gamer's realm) stays in business.

Castle Perilous is the only game store in Southern Illinois, as far as I can tell.  I also honestly don't know how it stays in business, but he did just have a big move to a different location.

Fort Worth has at least 3 game stores, all of which have been around for quite a while. Two of those are within 5 minutes of each other, but still seem to be doing all right for themselves.

One (a member of a chain) focuses more on the big name stuff. They don't carry anything that doesn't sell fast. For instance, they have Magic the Gathering, but stopped carrying Lord of the Rings and Legend of the Five Rings. The other store carries a smattering of everything, and has a lot more room inside to use to host tournaments and free play.

Arlington, which is at most 30 minutes away, also has at least three game stores. All of those belong to the same chain, which also owns one of the Ft. Worth sites. There may be more of them, but I've only ever gone looking for those three.

Dallas, an hour away, also has a good selection of game stores, or at least it used to. I haven't been over there looking for games in a long time though, so couldn't give an accurate count.

Denver apparently has several large game stores. One of the guys in my group is going on vacation next in August and has been looking forward to seeing what they've got.

I have heard that Castle Perilous makes a lot of its money off the con circuit.

BTW, I love that their site announces "We have moved!  We are in our new location at 207 West Main."  As far as I can tell, the front page gives no clue what town, state, or even country this West Main is located in.

Maybe they sit at the nexus of all cities, overlapping all of the W Mains that are or could be?

ah, 207 west main, in tanelorn.  a bad area, but some excellent restaurants, there.  worth the risk!

Quote from: beeberto go back to the US market, and southern illinois, since joe (i think) gave us library and 'net figures.  are there bookstores (other than the "big box" variety) or comic stores, or even game stores?  is there an means of obtaining gaming material for those without internet access?

I'd be very surprised if one could no longer mail order the old-fashioned way, sending orders by mail or phone. The problem is knowing what to buy and how to get in touch with the sellers. Magazines used to serve this function but they're gone by and large. Some game producers and retailers send out newsletters by mail, though, so if you can somehow get on their mailing list,  you're not completely isolated.

Quote from: Serious PaulI'm curious, does either of those countries-by the way thanks for those interesting statistics I for one think it's neat to learn what happens elsewhere-have any RPG sales?

That I sure don't know, and Google searches haven't been any help.

Quote from: jrientsI have heard that Castle Perilous makes a lot of its money off the con circuit.

BTW, I love that their site announces "We have moved!  We are in our new location at 207 West Main."  As far as I can tell, the front page gives no clue what town, state, or even country this West Main is located in.

It's in Carbondale, IL, 62901...if anyone has a vested interest.

I can't imagine they make a lot of money at Cons.  I've seen the owner at Cons, and he doesn't discount anything, ever.