From: Simon Basham (jarec@cix.compulink.co.uk)
Date: Wed 01 Sep 1993 - 21:59:00 EEST
First a statement to think about:
"Are the Rules the real issue in the unpopularity of RuneQuest???"
So far most discussions I have read seem to assume they are and indeed
until recently I thought so too. I recently found a close analogy to RQ
in my local club which I am on the committee of.
Club membership needed a boost, we were putting up posters, handing out
leaflets etc... some people where even phoning me up to ask for more
details and sounded really keen. But in the end we get very few new
members, when we do they think the club is great and within a few weeks
all their friends are coming.
Conclusion> People like the club and think that any costs to themselves
are worthwhile, but they either don't see the posters we put up or don't
bother to follow them through. Why??? I don't know.
My RQ group is very similar. Most of my group is new to RQ, but once they
play it they think it is wonderful and quickly ditch games like D&D et al..
So how does this relate to RQ????
I don't think that the rules are the main issue. Most people who go into
a games store buy a game on the strength of the price, the cover artwork
and any reviews they may have read. In most cases people are not in a
possition to flip extensively through the rules before deciding to buy,
so whilst improving the rules is obviously very important and will bring
in new players issues such as the games product and press image are more
important.
I suggest a few items:
Posters in shops (preferably large and colour)
Better pricing of the basic rules and a better intro adventure (this is
surprisingly seen to be very important, most people want something they
play immediately)
Better rules presentation, lets face it the box is very dull if your a 14
year old and the blurb on the back is hardly going to make people go out
and buy it.
Get it into the shops, if people can't see it they won't buy it!!! I know
that many shop owners don't buy RQ because they think it is dead, so get
into magazines as often as possible. How about AH releasing an official
mini scenario for publication in magazines in the UK/US etc..
I think IMHO that rather concentrate on trying to beef up things with RQ4
it is more benefilcial in the long term to re-launch RQ3. Make shops wont
to sell it, get it on the front of shelves and make people want to buy it.
Recent supplements have had excellent production and wonderful cover art,
lets carry this over to the rules. A new box and a lower price shouldn't
be to expensive and would make a hell of a difference.
(The flow of crap has now ended, normality is resumed)
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