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The Gaming Club?

Started by RPGPundit, July 10, 2007, 11:06:45 AM

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Aegypto

#30
July 11, 2007, 11:19:38 AM
Quote from: RPGPunditDoes anyone know of any place like this in North America (the only ones I could think of were RPG clubs in Universities, which were kind of like that)? Are there any in Australia? Europe?

Aside of university clubs, in Spain there are clubs subsidized by local towns, as part of youth oriented programs. Town hall provides a place to hang out and a budget to buy material and organize activities, such as cons. In fact, the big Spanish cons - by which I mean, those where con visitors come from all all parts of Spain - are usually backed by the youth council at the town where the con is taking place, since extra space is needed to host the con and for the con-goers to stay.
 

Blue Devil

#31
July 11, 2007, 11:35:08 AM
Quote from: RPGPunditWith the increasing collapse of the LGS in North America, I was starting to wonder if maybe the "gaming club" model they have down here in South America might even stand a chance of working up there.

The "Gaming Club" here is a place (often even a private house) where people come to run their games.  There's food and tables, there may or may not be books or gaming materials for sale.  What there isn't is an "open door" policy, its not a business, its a club. This means some nominal membership fee might be charged.  The benefits would be use of the tables (which you could book for regular games), plus a hang-out place where you might meet people for pick-up games, or where you can organize a gaming group.

Does anyone know of any place like this in North America (the only ones I could think of were RPG clubs in Universities, which were kind of like that)? Are there any in Australia? Europe?

Do you think that, as the gaming store model folds, the Gaming Club might come to replace it?  Over here, my feeling is that the gaming clubs were formed as a direct response to the fact that there were no FLGSs.

RPGPundit

Ok my question is this:

Since you say people have to pay a membership (which is fair) and many people claim the game store helps bring in new gamers, then how would this attract new gamers who used to walk into the game store and learn there?

Aegypto

#32
July 11, 2007, 12:12:50 PM
Quote from: Blue DevilOk my question is this:

Since you say people have to pay a membership (which is fair) and many people claim the game store helps bring in new gamers, then how would this attract new gamers who used to walk into the game store and learn there?

Clubs can have guests, too - allowing non-members to sit and play before they decide if they want to join or not. Note also that membership fees aren't likely to be high if the club is an informal one or subsidized in some way.

(Granted, it isn't like a gaming store where you could theoretically be a complete newbie who was passing by the store, got curious and walked in, but I suspect that most people who enter a gaming store are already a bit familiar with gaming - or looking for photocopiers. The main thing about gaming clubs is that they provide a place for gamers to meet, come in contact with other gamers and other games)
 

joewolz

#33
July 11, 2007, 12:17:58 PM
A friend and I have talked about opening game stores in the past, but never have.  One of the things we've discussed is a "club" associated with the store, with attached but independent space for gaming which people pay a membership fee to use.

Similarly, what would anyone think to opening an online store and using extra space as a gaming club?  So, the entities would be separate, but if the club fails there's always the store and visa versa.
-JFC Wolz
Co-host of 2 Gms, 1 Mic

enelson

#34
July 11, 2007, 12:37:36 PM
Quote from: GoOrange...they applied for non-profit status, and made a few improvements to the place. There are about 20 members. $50 per month gets you partner status - the ability to make decisions and have a key to the place. $20 per month gets you member status, which means you can show up and use the club as long as someone is there to let you in.
...
The big draw is for married people, who have a place to go and game other than their houses with their significant others around.

This is really interesting. So the fees that are paid are for rental space, utilities and anything else? Are games purchased for the club or does everyone bring their own?

Thanks!

Eric
 
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