How to Get the Younguns

[soltakss]

Originally Posted by Atgxtg

As far as how to get young gamers into the game, that is worth it's own thread.

I was young when I started playing RuneQuest way back when. Someone on our block of residence floor said he played a game that sounded interesting and I was hooked. So, I haven't got a clue how to attract younguns.

A tube of smarties with every purchase?

[Atgxtg]

In my case, I was dissatisfied with AD&D and RQ was the alternative FRPG at the time. Now, it is not so cut & dried.

I think we'd need to get their attention. Back in the old days, it was one of a handful of non D&D RPGS on the shelf. Now it would have to fight with other RPGs to get noticed.

A BRP-Lite and some free adventures, maybe even a SoloQuest or two could help. A soloQuest PDF would give potential GM's a taste, and it is GMs who we need to get. Generally if someone is willing to run, players will be willing to try it.

If we could get 4 or 5 contributors and turn it into a nice and free PDF and have one of the semi-professional people put it up as free DL at someplace like DriveThru and/or RPG Now then the game would get some exposure.

[jarulf]

A couple of things in addition to what Atgxtg suggested come to mind, all probably pretty obvious.

Being friendly, approachable and visible on various on-line forums (as in RL of course...).

Running games at conventions and on-line.

We've mentioned it a few times and I agree with Atgxtg that a BRP Lite is likely to be very useful, especially for on-line games.

[Shaira]

Originally Posted by Atgxtg

If we could get 4 or 5 contributors and turn it into a nice and free PDF and have one of the semi-professional people put it up as free DL at someplace like DriveThru and/or RPG Now then the game would get some exposure.

Absolutely agree with this - putting some kind of free PDF with some decent and evocative artwork if poss on DriveThru (etc) is an excellent idea. Especially if Jason (or somebody) produces a BRP Lite available that way too. I'd be happy to drum up an introductory scenario - FRP or "Gamma World" type preferably - or some rulesy type stuff or some critters to contribute to the War Effort.

This would probably need to be coordinated with Chaosium for licensing issues, timing, etc, no?

Also fan-sites. I'm thinking of putting something up in the next 6 months or so for my own campaign world.

Cheers,

Sarah

[Trifletraxor]

Originally Posted by Shaira

Also fan-sites. I'm thinking of putting something up in the next 6 months or so for my own campaign world.

SGL.

(Heard anything from Chaosium by the way?)

[Shaira]

Just occurred to me - and a vaguely relevant tangent - does anyone know what happened to "Different Worlds"? Looks like it pegged out in 1987 at issue #47, but there's a Different Worlds Publications - Home website that does back issues and sort of relevant stuff. Does it still live, I wonder?

[tzunder]

It pegged out. But Nick Middleton is very keen to start a new zine: Uncounted Worlds that I think could be exactly what is needed. I know Nick is keen to solicit input and submissions:

Uncounted Worlds | d100.org

[Shaira]

Originally Posted by tzunder

It pegged out. But Nick Middleton is very keen to start a new zine: Uncounted Worlds that I think could be exactly what is needed. I know Nick is keen to solicit input and submissions:

Uncounted Worlds | d100.org

Sounds very cool. A new zine covering all the many possible incarnations of BRP would be great.

Incidentally, the name reminds me of a great quote I always loved - "Worlds without number have I created..." I always wondered where it came from, then decided to google it one day, only to find it's from Joe Smith's Mormon scriptures... Which was kind of a surprise.

I still think it's a cool quote though...

[Dredj]

I honestly think the best way to get the younguns is to do the first ever video game/p&p rpg tie-in. Then sell it at video game stores as a sourcebook/stand-alone p&p rpg game. It'll be just like what game companies already do for movie and television series. If you could get a video game franchise sourcebook, plus BRP rules, plus something like the Mythic Game Master Emulator Mythic Game Master Emulator all in one package, that would get tons of new, younger people to play the games. However, I realize licensing might prove very difficult.

Or you could invade the fan fiction sites and post scenarios with stats and basic rules for play.

[Jason Durall]

These guys?