4e taking a real, observable nosedive regardless of region would mean bad shit for the rest of the hobby.  I wouldn't be amused at all, nor would I ever wish that to happen to the brand, despite how much I may dislike the edition.

4e has crossed some geek barriers with video-gamers and CCG players, and while it may not be as successful as 3e initially was, I think it has helped bring in some fresh blood.

Honestly RPGs are just going the way of hex n chit wargames.  

Its going nichier than niche, and it may as well be accepted.

The prices keep going up, the requirements for play are absurd, and its a challenge to not only FIND a group, but agree on a game, a style of campaign within said game, players and a GM who show up and play on a consistent schedule, and so on.

Wargames had a bit better luck in going low as there really weren't any ONE GAME TO RULE THEM ALL deals to put up with, and half the market was happy to buy the game and not bother to play it.  (I'm reading Jim Dunnigan's Wargames Handbook right now.  Fascinating stuff.)  In fact many wargamers feel another player gets in the way of whatever they are doing with the game!

RPGs have a LOT of problems to overcome.  I love RPGs but all they seem to do is break my heart.

I've taken a step back and realized that I am another person largely being pushed out of the hobby by the companies that make the games and the people playing them.

Why?  Man, that's a big question, and one not really suited to this thread.

I don't see it dying off as fast as it could be, and the current pop-culture climate is probably helping sustain the hobby, if anything.

Just play the games you like and share them with others.  Ignore the things you don't like.  That's all you can do.  Ill-wishing and infighting (whether between 3.x OGL fans and 4e fans, or trad gamers and indie gamers) don't do anything to help the hobby.

I see quite the opposite - most pencil & paper RPGs are more affordable than video games in a tight economy.

 People still want to be social and see friend in public or private in a social setting with snacks.

Role playing games and board games fill that role very nicely.
Much more affordable than a group going to a new movie together.


- Ed C.

Quote from: Koltar;362488I see quite the opposite - most pencil & paper RPGs are more affordable than video games in a tight economy.

 People still want to be social and see friend in public or private in a social setting with snacks.

Role playing games and board games fill that role very nicely.
Much more affordable than a group going to a new movie together.

A deck of playing cards is even less expensive than rpgs and board games.  One can play poker without any real cash.

Koltar only plays strip poker.

Quote from: Aos;362540Koltar only plays strip poker.

While wearing his Klingon cosplay outfit.

I think I understand why Mongoose stopped publishing the d20 SRD in book form but is there a good (i.e., legal or financial) reason why nobody else is printing the stock d20 3.5 SRD in bound book format?

Quote from: John Morrow;365194I think I understand why Mongoose stopped publishing the d20 SRD in book form but is there a good (i.e., legal or financial) reason why nobody else is printing the stock d20 3.5 SRD in bound book format?

Lack of demand?

I suppose if the Pathfinder core book did not exist, there may possibly be still some demand for the 3.5E SRD as a bound book.  Albeit it may be very little, other than maybe as print on demand.