BRP is not the only one of the "old" RPGs that is still alive. Some are doing
quite well (Traveller), some are barely surviving (Empire of the Petal Throne),
some even almost returned from the grave (Star Frontiers). True, most of
the players of these games could hardly be called "Youngsters", but there
are also at least enough younger players to keep the games alive, I think.
Besides, from my experience many players stop playing at around the time
when they start their careers and found their families, but not a few of them
return to roleplaying a couple of years later, once they have settled into
their "adult lives", and remember their former hobby. Therefore there is a
certain "thinning out" in the age group in question, which is at least partial-
ly "repaired" in later / older age groups [sorry, my English is probably not
sufficient for this subject, but I hope one can guess what I mean ...].
So, I am not pessimistic at all. Like in art, music and many other fields at
least many of the really good "classics" have survived, and will most probab-
ly continue to do so. Moreover, some even start "growing" again, with Tra-
veller being a good example: Two new editions planned for this year.
|