It depends on your definition of 'bring in'. Mostly since Gary's passing I've been in a few Basic D&D redbox and RC games. With folks new to em, or players that hadn't played em in a long time. I dunno if they continued to play, but in most of those games it seemed like everybody had fun.

Quote from: Rezendevous;222099This could call for it's own thread, and I might start one for this, but I thought I would check here first:

Has anyone had success bringing gamers who haven't been exposed to old-school gaming before into it?  I'm wondering because I'm a fan of old-school gaming, but the people I game with (early 30's to mid 20's in age) were never really exposed to it -- they began with AD&D 2nd and oWoD, with some Shadowrun and other games mixed in for good measure.  The ones who are currently big D&D players are pretty enamored with 4th Edition, too.  I'd like to do more old-school gaming, but short of starting a new game group I'm not sure I'd have much luck with my friends.

My group has, mostly though by just pitching a game and playing it.

It's much the same advice I'd give to someone wanting to try indie gaming with their group actually, you don't say "hey, let's play old school/indie/whatever", you say "hey, I want to run x, fancy a go?" and run it.

Old school games are fun, run one and folk will have fun and there you are.  Trust the games, pitch them to your group, run them and have fun.

Like any other game really.

Quote from: Rezendevous;222099Has anyone had success bringing gamers who haven't been exposed to old-school gaming before into it?

Absolutely, though mostly through Hackmaster. But I have brought new players into the fold with AD&D 1e as well. Almost all of them loved it, and I'd say about half of them stuck with loving it while the others went back to 3e or other newer games.

But I have done it.

-=Grim=-

Quote from: Haffrung;222075The essay advocates:

• rules-light
• being okay with DM fiat
• challenging players as much as challenging characters
• starting at low power-levels

I can't think of any modern games that hit all those marks, so 'old-school' gaming is correct.

Dungeon Squad and Microlite20? Although they're both non-commercial.

Quote from: Age of Fable;222127Dungeon Squad and Microlite20? Although they're both non-commercial.

My (not yet quite finished) Microlite20 variant, Microlite74, is even designed to feel and play like that 1974 first fantasy rpg. I even removed skills from M20.

Thanks for the feedback.  That's definitely encouraging.

Quote from: Rezendevous;222099...
Has anyone had success bringing gamers who haven't been exposed to old-school gaming before into it? ...

I recently introduced three thirty-something non-gamers to RPGs via the Moldvay Basic D&D set.

I play OD&D almost exclusively with my non-English speaking students and have found it's very easy to explain and get started playing. The rather generic nature of the rules also means it's easier for the players to speak about the game without learning a slew of new words first. Oh...and they love the dice!