[Dredj]

Originally Posted by Jason Durall

Actually, I remember seeing the Starcraft and Diablo II games at my local Gamestop in Seattle.

They also had some other game stuff, mostly WotC material.

I'd disagree with the notion that getting pen-and-paper RPGs into computer game stores would be an effective move, mostly because those stores are struggling to stay afloat now in a world of downloadable games, online retailers, video rental stores that also rent games, and big-box store competitors like Wal-Mart or Best Buy.

(I work in the computer games industry and we see a lot of market data about the condition of the retail games space... and most of it is not very promising.)

If anything, I think RPGs should be making more effort to get into the retail bookstore space (despite the returns policies). I go to my local B&N or Borders, and the only games they have are from WotC, White Wolf, and Games Workshop. There's plenty of Chaosium fiction, but no games. No Steve Jackson games. No HERO games. No Green Ronin or Mongoose stuff.

Another option would be for games companies to provide game clubs free or radically-discounted copies.

Additionally, game companies should focus on more "starter" games that are actually easy to play (D&D is not a starter game), and more emphasis on pre-packaged scenarios and campaigns to overcome the massive amount of work a GM has to do before a game can begin.

But that's just me.

I'll shut up now