There´s an intrigueing difference between the games from the Midwest [TSR!, GDW!] and those from California [RQ, Champions etc.], when you go back in RPG history.

Why is that?
What happened in the Midwest to enable such a rich culture of Wargaming and derived RPGs?

Why is it that so many cool gamers are also located in the Midwest?
Is there something in the water?

There ain't nuthin else to do out thataways, especially in the winter. When I was out there I'd get struck with debilitating boredom just from stepping outside it's so damn flat.

Sett, it's because the midwest rocks for anything most people consider lame.

I love the midwest.

Care to explain?
I´ve never been to the Midwest, except when driving through.
What´s it like compared to Oakland or Virgina Beach or Fairfax County?
That´s where I´ve been most of the time when in the US, but these places aren´t gaming hotbeds. I mean Berkeley is obvious and needs no discussion.

But the Midwest?
What´s going on there?
It seems I need to go there sometime in the future.

Why the Wargaming?

Is Palladium Midwest, too?

Quote from: SettembriniBut the Midwest?
What´s going on there?

Indiana is Rotwang! country.

These distinctions probably emerged because communication technologies were not as developed as today. Probably.

I think a plausible what-if for the birth of role-playing could be constructed from any large population area. The Midwest RPGs are from an area bounded by Minnepolis/ St. Paul, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

California in the early 70's was a ferment of alt ideas because of the 60's so it is no surprise that RPGs developed once the initial concept was put forth.

South is far more conservative back in the days so unlikely to have a large enough population of wargamers. The Mountain West sparsely populated.

As for why the upper midwest developed RPGs and not say the Washington,Phil, NY, Boston corridor? Or the Chicago to Cleveland Corridor. Or Ohio (a lot of large to medium size cities in one area)

Different areas of the US have different "personalities" perhaps the upper midwest was more likely generate a slightly larger proportion of wargamers and the presence of geography and population took care of the rest.

I think any difference that you will find will be a matter of inches. Wargaming was starting its golden age. Somebody in one of the more densely populated areas of the US would have tried a more free form game than the fixed scenarios generally offered. Remember the initial appeal of RPGs in the war gaming community that it allowed to set your own goals and that it offered continuity.

Also don't forget that the SCA was already started by early 70s. So RPGs could have started from a LARP. However the crucial ingredient missing from SCA was that is was (and remains) more of a sport/craftsmen organization than a LARP which is more theater oriented. It doesn't should like a big leap but it is.

Quote from: SettembriniIs Palladium Midwest, too?

Yep.  Or Old Northwest, if you want to get particular. (Michigan)

Sett, any time you can make it over, you'll be welcome in my beloved hometown of Indianapolis.

The middle of America is the butt of a lot of jokes for people on both coasts, but for me, it has a lot going for it--plenty to do, 4 seasons, a generally low cost of living vs. other parts of the US, and generally polite folks.  The landscpae is also a lot more diverse and interesting than folks would otherwise lead you to believe.  I've lived a lot of places, in a lot of cities and countries, but I wouldn't change where I am now for the world.  I love the Midwest.  Then again, there's good people all over (I should hate clash, him being from New England and whatnot, but he's a good guy [go Colts!]).

I don't know if I really see any difference in the type of gaming companies.  Companies like Palladium, TSR, Chessex, Kenzer, etc., are/were in the Midwest.  SJ Games is in Texas.  Iron Crown is in Viriginia.  I don't really see any perceptible I see more of a difference in the attitude towards fantasy in European games vs. the US (namely, Warhammer vs. D&D).

Quote from: Zachary The FirstThe middle of America is the butt of a lot of jokes for people on both coasts, but for me, it has a lot going for it--plenty to do, 4 seasons, a generally low cost of living vs. other parts of the US, and generally polite folks.  

Bah.  Seasons!  Only one of 'em's any use to me, and the other three are either not good enough or just plan crap!  Still, all my stuff is here.

Reading Jeff R.'s blog post about how he's used to Illinois being flat says a lot about diversity in geography; I'm next door in Indiana and I'm surrounded by rolling hills, ravines, stuff like that.  RIGHT NEXT DOOR!

I agree that the climate is a factor.  Wisconsin and Minnesota have pretty long, harsh winters, encouraging the development of indoor activities.  I also think that the more "make love, not war" vibe of the two coasts possibly retarded the development of the wargaming hobby that birthed RPGs.

Quote from: Dr Rotwang!Bah.  Seasons!  Only one of 'em's any use to me, and the other three are either not good enough or just plan crap!  Still, all my stuff is here.

Reading Jeff R.'s blog post about how he's used to Illinois being flat says a lot about diversity in geography; I'm next door in Indiana and I'm surrounded by rolling hills, ravines, stuff like that.  RIGHT NEXT DOOR!

True--you are smack in the really pretty part of Indiana--the south of the state is BEAUTIFUL.  

The funny thing is you could drive an hour north and be surrounded by the flattest farmland in existence.

Why not the Midwest?

I agree with the sentiment that there's not much here to do, otherwise.  Some people opt to start drinking at an early age and some people opt to nerd out.  Also, fair warning: they put bacon on fucking everything here.

Quote from: BrantaiI agree with the sentiment that there's not much here to do, otherwise.  Some people opt to start drinking at an early age and some people opt to nerd out.

That's the bare truth right there, especially during the winter, which during January and February gets really harsh. I live on God's own pool table here in the Red River valley and those days are sub-zero and windy. The two most likely options seem to be nerdy hobbies or functional alcoholism even today. I think that it's also about the people. They tend toward the old-fashioned, and growing up in tight-knit socially active chuches and are not afraid of social clubs, especially back in the formative days of the hobby.

That's my speculation anyways. Nowadays, things around here are more fragmented, and the most social geeks are anime fans, not RPGers. Kind of a shame really, I would like to try out an extra person at the table.

It strikes me that the midwest is full of down to earth 'do it yourself' sensible people.  Never mind that in California everything is done out of doors (beaches, cars, whatever) and people on the coasts are, for reasons unfathomable to me, obsessed with 'cool' of one sort or another.

See, when you have a bunch of people who think the out of doors is for work (farming, shoveling snow, whatever) and who like to get their hands in... and don't have some weird, unrealistic, hangups about violence... well, I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone decided they were tired of just recreating the battles and tired of just listening too/reading the stories and decided they wanted to DO the stuff.

Based purely on vague stereotypes of the regions of course.