You know, there has been a lot of talk over the years about bringing "new blood" into the hobby, attracting new gamers, new demographics. On one side, you've had games like D&D attempt an easy, entry-level, simple yet customizable game that can scaled upwards in complexity (I'm not commenting on the success of that one way or another, so relax, both "sides"). You've also had games like Tri-Stat DX, companies like Palladium, and numerous "lite" versions of RPGs attempt a cheap entryway to the hobby. You've had folks market their games as psycholoigcal exercises, coffee table/art books, social therapy, dating games, "edgy games", kids' games, and plenty else. You've had folks pound on their pulpit about how they need to target blacks, gays, women, video gamers, furries, and everyone else in between.
 
Admirable goals, all, I'm sure (except maybe the bit about the furries), but for folks who are really looking to reach LARGE new crowds, I don't see any of this working. If you want alarge influx of more folks into gaming, you need AN EVENT.
 
Yeah, I demo Palladium games like a mofo, and I've recruited a ton of new players. The new folks I get come from a lot of different backgrounds and ages, and come to Palladium (or gaming in general for a number of reasons)--some saw a game going on in the back of the shop, some were converts from a different system, and others were talked into giving it a shop by me or one of their gaming friends. But as many folks as I can reach, it'll be a drop in the bucket overall, dependent on my own hard work and the product I'm selling more than anything. What I'm talking about here is AN EVENT.
 
What do I mean by "event"? I'm talking about exposure that reaches a large number of folks. Now, D&D had a crack at this--the D&D movies. Unfortunately, these were not exactly blockbusters. No marketing tie-ins that took off. Heck, even Men In Black and Independence Day had toys!
So, you're thinking, "D&D shot it's load. What now?"
 
Personally, I think the event that could bring in a new flood of gamers would be a TV show--either a reality-based sleeper hit, say on A&E or somesuch, or possibly a cartoon series that would echo the success of YuGiOh. I've often thought that a Rifts cartoon done in the style of Cartoon Network's Clone Wars series would be pitch-perfect. Shadowrun, hell, even a Forgotten Realms or Dragonlance 'toon--if one of these would explode into popular culture the way cartoon from Pokemon to DBZ. I can think of a ton of RPGs that would make great cartoon/show settings--can't you?  Of course, the problem still being how to ever get the damned thing licensed and show, I suppose...
 
Even after this, there's still the problem of a movie or TV series only appealing to one particular title. I doubt the success of YuGiOh! has helped out Magic: The Gathering that much. I think a reality show as mentioned above might get folks more interested in RPGs in general, whereas a cartoon or game-based TV series would largely only impact one line or company.
 
Me? Personally, I'd love to see more gamers, on all levels. I've got a lot of friends who publish wonderful games, and I'd love to see a bigger market for them. This isn't an "expert analysis" or My Solution To Fix The Hobby, just a gamer's opinion. As usual, just BSing here.  But I think it would be wonderful to see.

I'll agree that I think in order for rpg publishers to bring in "new blood" and to increase their exposure atleast, that expanding into other markets is a great idea. I think a cartoons and even a series are a smart place to start.
The thing is, these ideas would have to be played smart. I believe a FR series that was handled more like say Heroes or Battlestar Galactica would bring in a great audience. Shows like these prove that an audience can except a supernatural/fantasy type element easily if they are given good storytelling. . . and I believe there is an audience very much interested in a pure fantasy type show. However, you can't put out a Xena or Beastmaster tv series, yeah it might get a strong cult following- but I think most of those fans would generally be a part of the hobby anyways.

A cartoon would also be a smart idea. Something that takes itself seriously and appeals to kids and adults. Shows like Avatar are doing very well and have a huge following.

The problem is marketing. In order for any of these to work, you need a smart marketing plan. Do I think a D&D cartoon would automatically bring huge numbers of kids running to buy dice, no. What I do believe is that they will be interested to find out more. That's when you push merchandise, t-shirts, toys, video games, books, and then a Jr. edition rpg that is a rules lite gateway into the hobby.

Comic companies have been spending the last several years expanding the media they work in with the idea of a)surviving and b) bringing in a new audience. They have actively pushed for films, tv shows, books, cartoons, etc. How succesful have they been? Well, I think comicbooks are more of a common word and institution now then they have ever been. RPG publishers need to follow these footsteps.

And last, I think RPG pblishers need to appeal to parents and teachers. The one thing i always hear from gamers is that tabletop Rpg's will always be better then video games because of the social environment, the face-to-face. I think a good marketing attempt would simply be to push rpg's as a healthy alternative for children, to meet with friends, be social, and unplug. Especially since video games are taking heat for being addictive.
As for teachers, with so many historical rpg's, I wonder why a great effort has not been placed on providing teachers with a historically acurate teaching aid that allows students to take the roles of the people in the places they are learning about? I think if handled correctly that could be an extremely smart move.

anyway, I'm rambling.

As for movies and TV series, the only way for them to work is to not be total and utter shit. The first D&D movie had a couple of big stars, but no script and the second well lets just say it had a hot blond and leave it at that. RPGs are a niche market and the only way to grow is to appeal to the next generation of gamers, but they also have to keep the current group of gamers they already have. Interactive web applications such as mappers, char gens, random generators, e-books, and online playing aides (virtual table tops) will go along way to appealing to new gamers.

and finally

Don't treat your customers like shit, and don't try to sell them shit wrapped in foil and call it candy.

So, You guys haven't heard about FREE RPG Day/Week in June of this year? Have you?

 Its being talked about in 2 or 3 industry magazines that game stares receive.

- E.W.C.

That is preaching to the true believers, Free RPG day advertisements need to be in magazines/tv shows that appeal to people who might find it interesting, such as Shohen Jump, cartoon network, etc. and yes I am talking about young people  (young teens, junior high school, maybe even up to college freshmen), because after you hit your mid 20's or graduate from college or whatever your not going to give a shit about gaming unless you have been introduced to it early on.

Quote from: KoltarSo, You guys haven't heard about FREE RPG Day/Week in June of this year? Have you?

 Its being talked about in 2 or 3 industry magazines that game stares receive.

- E.W.C.

Quote from: KoltarSo, You guys haven't heard about FREE RPG Day/Week in June of this year? Have you?

 Its being talked about in 2 or 3 industry magazines that game stares receive.

- E.W.C.

Yeah, of course I've heard of it, it's been talked about at all the places that host gamers go to read, gossip, etc. I think it's a great idea, yet have no real idea of how it will bring new blood into the hobby.

Except, if people in the hobby promote it and bring in new people to play/experience. . . which can be done, and is done without a Free Rpg day.

I think people are making a mistake in expecting the laws of the comics world to apply to the RPG world.

Right now, yes, comics have gone apeshit with the media tie-ins, but it's also become their chief profit source.  I've been told by some that Marvel runs its comics division at a loss now, and makes up for it with media tie-ins.  That's not really a good business strategy.  what happens when the show gets cancelled?  Or the audience tanks?  Or the next movie deal falls through?

As for "Free RPG day" that's the stupidest fucking thing I've ever heard.  You can give a comic away, because it's a disposable use product.  One issue, or even one TPB, is not big deal, because if the freebie recipient gets hooked, they're come back and buy the next issue.

RPGs don't work that way.  They aren't a single use product.  If it's a game the palyers enjoy, there's nothing stopping them from just playing that game with their friends until the end of time and never buying another game.  All you've done there is given away potential profit.  And given that most RPG publishers are barely running within the margin of profitability, that's gonna hurt a lot more than it would for a company that can just make it up in the books with the next movie deal that gets signed.

QuoteI've been told by some that Marvel runs its comics division at a loss now, and makes up for it with media tie-ins. That's not really a good business strategy. what happens when the show gets cancelled? Or the audience tanks? Or the next movie deal falls through?

Well, it's true that Marvel does take a hit on it's comic sales just about every month - but this is due to mainly supporting way too many comic titles then needed. DC does the same. However, I'm not just talking about the big companies. Many small press comic companies have been making deals with their IP's as far as movies and such go- many of which you probably wouldn't even know were comics. . . because not all comics are superheroes, and not all rpg's are fantasy. It opens up a lot more possabilities.

As far as it not being a good business strategy, well it's kept Marvel from going bankrupt. A whole new generation knows who spider-man and wolverine are, and superheroes are no longer just for geeks. Not sure, but I don't think that would be a bad plan for rpg's.