From: Jim Groves (jayson@tir.com)
Date: Thu 14 Sep 2000 - 06:31:55 EEST
Hi..
I'm a lurker here, and am replying to Rick Meint's post regarding
Glorantha's future.
I come from the point of a view of a returning player from Runequest 2nd
edition, and failed attempts to run during the 3rd edition days..
It was my experience in the early 80's that people were interested in
RQ. I seem to recall that it had it's 'foot in the door' in my area right
along with the original hardback AD&D books. Unfortunately I was only a
young man then, and not well developed as a GM, or I might have recruited
more people to the game. AD&D seem to win out then, due to greater product
support (or the appearance of greater product support).
I am not suggesting that 'more' products is the answer to the current
situation, just providing a personal historical perspective. I will go so
far as to say that I think people genuinely liked 2nd edition. There was
nothing wrong with the game. I think what happened then was that young
folks would get the boxed set, say, "Cool game!" Learn about the 'campaign
world', and found resources limited. We weren't adult gamers, we couldn't
track down Pavis and the Big Rubble.. Once Griffin Mountain was gone.. it
was gone.. We wanted more resource material and it wasn't available, and we
weren't savvy enough to make it up on our own. I can do that now, but now
I'm 33..
Another thing- Sartar and Dragon's Pass was always held up to be so
darn interesting and exciting, but all the effort seem to go into Prax. At
this point in my life, I think Prax is neat- but then I wanted Sartar. (I
still do, but I don't look down my nose at Prax any longer).
I applaud that Sartar related products are on the table and being
developed. I think it's wise that the region is finally being given the
treatment that it deserves.
Well, I'm rambling.. I will make my points and hush up.
1.) I contend that new people are distrustful of fan-related material. I
have posted and read a few lists where there's always many vocal people who
will quickly boast how much they enjoy innovating their own material and
other than basic core rule books, they need nothing else. I find that vocal
chorus to be misleading of the overall consumer. Your 'new player' wants
leadership and support from the game company. Websites and fanzines are for
the experienced, not the recruit.
2.)Before I say this next bit.. I would like to say I am actively
playing HW.. That is, I am playing in a live FTF starting Sartar campaign.
The game "LOOKS" hard. I don't think it is hard. It 'appears' hard. And
appearances matter, quite a bit, especially when you don't know if you want
to shell out money for it or not. Appearances matter when you're trying to
decide if you could get anybody to play it with you or not.
3.)HW is not easily conveying what kind or type of play one might expect
to a new consumer. I know what's like, I played old RQ. So, step outside
yourself, and pretend you know nothing about the game- how would you
describe it? How would you describe it quickly to someone who may only
glance at what you're saying? Art, I realize is very expensive... How
would you sell this game when it's sitting alongside of another game?
4.)Knowledge of continuing support is helpful. Hell, knowing anything
about the game doing well is helpful. I have been told recently that the
deluxe boxed sets are selling really well.. Much better than the individual
copies of the Player and Narrator's books, so that Greg is ordering new
boxes so he can put individual Player and Narrator's in boxes to ship and
sell.. This leads one to believe that Greg is kinda happy, and encouraged.
If Greg is encouraged, the development of future books like Thunder Rebels,
She Guards Us, and Sartar Rising is hopeful and positive. You know guys,
knowing all that makes me, after 4 playing sessions, want to go out and get
my own deluxe boxed set now. Call it faith, faith restored, or some comfort
zone reached.. but yes- the very fact that sales are good makes me want to
buy one too. Crazy huh? Disclaimer: I don't know if any of the statements
I made about sales are accurate, it's all hearsay, rumor, and speculation. I
was glad to hear it though. I hope no one falls over in a rush to
contradict it.
In conclusion... I am not going to say that advertising, great art,
and more books (because quantity is not 'quality', and I think quality needs
to be a goal in every publication from here on out) is the answer.. I'm no
dummy, I know the budget must be tight, and those things are expensive. I'm
not bitiching about the work that has been done, I know it was done with
limited resources.
HW needs recruitment, and the best way to do that without a large
overhead is by running games for new folks. You find new players by telling
the gamers that you do know, to set that *other* game aside for one weekend
to try this one instead. The other way is by offering to run at
conventions, and doing a really good job. Nothing makes someone want to buy
a game more than playing it and having a good time.
I hope I didn't write a long post and tell everybody stuff they already
knew. But I'm not part of the 'Digest' gang.. I may be returning 2nd
Edition, but don't consider myself to be an insider.
Jim Groves
PS.. I agree with my GM. The first book I put in a new player's hands
would be the Glorantha book, not the Players...
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