FLGS are dead already -- they died back in 2006

gonster · May 27, 2014, 07:48:29 PM

This is just a post I am putting up to prove a point. As far as RPGS are concerned, the FLGS died back in 2006. This was the bust of the incredible boom cycle of d20, and the final saturation of the internet into the market place.

As far as the industry is concerned, the FLGS concept is over, and any mentioning of it is just a marketing ploy.

Discuss.

Omega · May 27, 2014, 07:50:04 PM

Quote from: gonster;753198This is just a post I am putting up to prove a point. As far as RPGS are concerned, the FLGS died back in 2006. This was the bust of the incredible boom cycle of d20, and the final saturation of the internet into the market place.

As far as the industry is concerned, the FLGS concept is over, and any mentioning of it is just a marketing ploy.

Discuss.

I'll let Ryders know they are just a hallucination.

gonster · May 27, 2014, 07:55:11 PM

Ryder's major product line are RPGs?

Kiero · May 27, 2014, 07:58:31 PM

I haven't been in a gaming store since about 1998, before I went to uni. I don't remember the last time I bought anything from one.

Endless Flight · May 27, 2014, 08:00:31 PM

Isn't that when comic book stores died too?

gonster · May 27, 2014, 08:03:32 PM

People say "We have to maintain our FLGS, how will the hobby grow?" But the idea of this being a massive hobby for the people of the world is BULLSHIT. It is a hobby now, pretty much the equivalent of model trains.

And this is a great thing.

Now we can just play our games, share notes and products. If you are worried about growing the hobby, it is time to get off our asses and drag in some new blood.

crkrueger · May 27, 2014, 08:03:35 PM

Quote from: gonster;753198This is just a post I am putting up to prove a point. As far as RPGS are concerned, the FLGS died back in 2006. This was the bust of the incredible boom cycle of d20, and the final saturation of the internet into the market place.

As far as the industry is concerned, the FLGS concept is over, and any mentioning of it is just a marketing ploy.

Discuss.

You're forgetting the card game, boardgame and wargame markets, which all require physical space to play in, unlike RPGs which can go online. There's not a FLGS I know of that isn't booked solid for rooms for a wide variety of weekly or monthly events, RPGs are just one of the product types to base a FLGS on.

gonster · May 27, 2014, 08:04:49 PM

Comic book stores haven't died yet -- they are just on the downhill slide.

Just like the general admission movie theater.

Endless Flight · May 27, 2014, 08:07:36 PM

Our movie theaters are thriving.

Where else can you buy three tickets for $35 and then go in and spend another $30 on food and drinks and get the same level of entertainment?

(That's what the three of us spent a couple days ago)

JamesV · May 27, 2014, 08:08:10 PM

In my experience, this is a loaded proposition. While I'm no world traveller, I've never been to a gaming store that was primarily RPGs. My gaming stores have always shared RPG space with varying proportions of comics, genre fiction, toys/collectibles, board/card/miniature games, and other hobby stuff.

gonster · May 27, 2014, 08:08:28 PM

Quote from: CRKrueger;753207You're forgetting the card game, boardgame and wargame markets, which all require physical space to play in, unlike RPGs which can go online. There's not a FLGS I know of that isn't booked solid for rooms for a wide variety of weekly or monthly events, RPGs are just one of the product types to base a FLGS on.

RPGS are barely a product line anymore. If your "FLGS" carries just D&D and/or PATHFINDER, it is not a FLGS.

They only store I know in the area that I would even call a FLGS -- ALL THINGS FUN in Berlin NJ -- basically told me that they would simply order in the new D&D for those customers that ordered it. None would take up shelf space.

gonster · May 27, 2014, 08:12:23 PM

Quote from: JamesV;753212In my experience, this is a loaded proposition. While I'm no world traveller, I've never been to a gaming store that was primarily RPGs. My gaming stores have always shared RPG space with varying proportions of comics, genre fiction, toys/collectibles, board/card/miniature games, and other hobby stuff.

Back in 1997 I went into a FLGS and bought WASTEWORLD, KULT, JOVIAN CHRONICLES, HEAVY GEAR, and DEADLANDS and supplements.

It isn't that way anymore.

Warthur · May 27, 2014, 08:12:30 PM

Quote from: CRKrueger;753207You're forgetting the card game, boardgame and wargame markets, which all require physical space to play in, unlike RPGs which can go online. There's not a FLGS I know of that isn't booked solid for rooms for a wide variety of weekly or monthly events, RPGs are just one of the product types to base a FLGS on.

Truefacts: aside from the demo tables in Games Workshop, I don't know of a single hobby games store here in the UK I've ever frequented that has had space for physical gaming to actually take place in the store.

Piestrio · May 27, 2014, 08:16:34 PM

Quote from: gonster;753213RPGS are barely a product line anymore. If your "FLGS" carries just D&D and/or PATHFINDER, it is not a FLGS.

They only store I know in the area that I would even call a FLGS -- ALL THINGS FUN in Berlin NJ -- basically told me that they would simply order in the new D&D for those customers that ordered it. None would take up shelf space.

I'm fairly positive nearly every FLGS in Colorado (with a couple exceptions) carry more than just D&D and PF.

gonster · May 27, 2014, 08:16:56 PM

I still play almost every Sunday at a local game store. There is another group of youngins that play the current D&D Playtest. 40 or 50 other people are playing either Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh, 40K or X-Wing.

They look at us like we were Muslim terrorists.