Where has D&D gone?

Alderaan Crumbs · March 14, 2017, 02:46:51 PM

Quote from: Necrozius;951431Also I love the look on new players' faces when they realise that GMs don't HAVE to be wholly antagonistic and railroad-y. When they realise that the GM (me) doesn't already have a pre-written book in his head about the campaign.

That's a great feeling, huh? I love it.

Alderaan Crumbs · March 14, 2017, 02:50:37 PM

Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;951436Actually, I DO play with people I hadn't met before, but they're already gamers. I don't try to make new gamers, just like I don't try to make new model railroaders.

I'm generally the same, but if it was a stone-set rule my wife wouldn't be gaming with me.

If I meet a non-gamer who's interested in the hobby I'll game with them and teach what I can, but I won't chase down non-gamers and waste time proselytizing the hobby.

Simlasa · March 14, 2017, 03:29:24 PM

Quote from: Black Vulmea;951417Gold star for you, 'stones, but the willingness to take a chance on gaming with complete strangers offers an unlimited horizon.

"Sometimes I just star roleplaying with random people on the bus... you'd be surprised how many take to it immediately... next thing you know we're out on the pavement shouting at all the orcs and dragons roaring down the street!"

bryce0lynch · March 14, 2017, 03:50:23 PM

I have a theory on openness and new people. My wife ran the fourth largest gaming meetup in the country for 13 years. My theory is based on that experience.

New people show up. They meet other cool new people to game with and then go form their own groups and we don't see them much anymore, except for cons or LARGE public parties. Except, for a few. Those people so odious that no one can stand to game with. They continue to hang around the public games, meetup after meetup, and you get to "enjoy" them over and over again.

Voros · March 15, 2017, 02:08:17 AM

I game with my wife, her sister and our circle of appropriately nerd friends. Actually my sister-in-law and her husband are bigger D&D fans than my wife, she prefers CoC. We started playing because her sister was interested in D&D and I had my previous 2e DM experience. Myself and a friend are the only ones with previous RPG experience at our table. Introducing people to the form is tremendously invigorating. I'm hoping to introduce some of my nephews and nieces as well, like they say the 'golden age of sci-fi is twelve years old.'

Spinachcat · March 15, 2017, 02:30:07 AM

Quote from: Black Vulmea;951405For the 'game companies,' perhaps, but if that's the case, pull the plug and let them die, gasping in their mediocrity and irrelevance. Let the creatives who do it for love and beer money dance on their fucking graves.

I am unsure if the hobbyist publishers or the hobby will thrive if the game companies go under.

Quote from: cranebump;951424and I introduced some 9-year olds to the concept via the Dungeon! board game. They are one step away from being hooked FOREVER! :-)

Hail Satan!!

Llew ap Hywel · March 15, 2017, 03:55:52 AM

I've been playing with my group for a little over 24 years, I'll be sure to tell them we need to break up and play with other people

Back when we had a Gencon here in the U.K. and the makers of D&D remembered to publish sourcebooks and settings I played in some good, some bad games with people I'd never meet anywhere else even ran a few games. I've introduced a few friends and relatives some of whom even have their own groups now.

However fantastic my games are I still think it's the companies and the products they put out that are the big draw, my notepad and sketches (being generous) are no way as enticing as a well laid out book or box set. Particularly since I'm reaching a much smaller audience.

cranebump · March 15, 2017, 12:58:23 PM

Quote from: Spinachcat;951550Hail Satan!!

Now, now, it's just a board game (now, please stay inside the pentagram while I read this passage).:-)

crkrueger · March 15, 2017, 01:08:25 PM

Quote from: bryce0lynch;951461I have a theory on openness and new people. My wife ran the fourth largest gaming meetup in the country for 13 years. My theory is based on that experience.

New people show up. They meet other cool new people to game with and then go form their own groups and we don't see them much anymore, except for cons or LARGE public parties. Except, for a few. Those people so odious that no one can stand to game with. They continue to hang around the public games, meetup after meetup, and you get to "enjoy" them over and over again.

I've seen that happen, all the good players get snapped up for private tables eventually and what's left to show up week in and week out are the dregs of humanity.

Matt · March 15, 2017, 04:53:52 PM

Quote from: Spinachcat;951550I am unsure if the hobbyist publishers or the hobby will thrive if the game companies go under.

Fuck 'em all. I already have my copies of the games I want.

Voros · March 15, 2017, 05:10:32 PM

Great so the hobby can go the way of model trains and die with y'all.

Tristram Evans · March 15, 2017, 05:22:19 PM

I went to a model train convention this year, one of three held annually in the area.

Gronan of Simmerya · March 15, 2017, 05:33:14 PM

Quote from: Tristram Evans;951729I went to a model train convention this year, one of three held annually in the area.

Cool. And talk about 'vicious arguments over nothing...'

Just ask "Which is better, steam or diesel?"

crkrueger · March 15, 2017, 06:45:12 PM

Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;951731Cool. And talk about 'vicious arguments over nothing...'

Just ask "Which is better, steam or diesel?"

Maglev.

Voros · March 15, 2017, 06:59:45 PM

Well to be fair I doubt you'd find model train collectors declaring they don't care if anymore model trains are built.