The Problem with Gaming, Where did we go wrong? Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Outline Switch to: Standard Switch to: Linear+

[TheForgotten]

So I was in my local comic book shop (that has a very limited game selection) and what did I see but a new game Anima. Attractive layout, flip through randomly find the magic chapter, glance at a page, well this looks like it might be interesting. It's been nearly half a decade since I picked up a new game system (last one was warhammer FRP), primarily because of lack of exposure to new games in my area (they just don't make it to store shelves anywhere within 100 miles). Ok, why not, I'm sold how much is this game? $60 ?!?! On second thought never mind.

Most FLGS's have stopped carrying RPG's (even one store within 100 feet of a college campus that I stopped in recently). Seems like, while everyone is blaming either MMO's or online piracy for the decline in RPG sales we are overlooking a couple of things:

1. Games are too expensive. The $15 D&D splat book I bought in 1992 should cost about $22 in 2007 dollars (last year the calculator I used has data for). Street magic retails for $34.99. Simple economics higher price = lower demand. Can you afford an extra $10 over what the inflation adjusted cost should be, probably, will it result in less demand for games, definately.

2. There is no good way to find new games. There is really no equivalent today of being able to walk into your FLGS and find a new game on the recent releases shelf.

3. We killed metaplot! And there was much rejoicing, then sales fell off the cliff.

4. Games today are boring. I don't mean this of all games but many of todays rulebooks read like design docs for an MMO. Every action needs a procedure call to carry out (D&D 4 I'm looking at you). Magic systems have been heavily influenced by MMO's, balanced to be a mundane part of the world with every action taken under the system mechanically described (as opposed to earlier more freeform systems).

I know most of these don't apply to shadowrun under the current company holding the license. Just venting a bit, and finding it interesting that games now seem to be priced taking Amazon discounting into account.