Micro-blogging is making me lazy.

[wpeters]

It's been absolutely ages since I posted in here. The fact is, Facebook is making me lazy. When I can just post some random cryptic sentence or selection of song lyrics in my status box on Facebook, the idea of sitting down here and writing an entire paragraph (or more) just seems like hard work - and I hate the fact that I feel like that

Comments

The future of pen and paper roleplaying

[anonymous]

I've been involved in RPGs since I was 12, and I'm 42 now, but the hobby won't last much longer than my generation, except as a very small niche hobby around the guys innovating system mechanics and format in the Indie RPG scene.

Why is really simple to understand. There are 2 main factors:

1. Pen and paper RPGs require some preparation, often a lot of preparation, which is why it started as a student hobby. Students have the time. As the generation that played grew older, got married, got careers, had kids they had less time. I mostly read RPGs today, do a bit of world building, build some ships and vehicles, but the group I played with is scattered all over the country and all are preoccupied with other bits of their life.
2. Most people never actually roleplayed much, they simply roll played. For these people, World of Warcraft and Skype or something similar on XBox or PS3 provides a close enough simulation of what they enjoyed with paper and dice. Although the paper-based games had much more potential for storytelling and roleplay, not enough people care about that to gripe that WoW et al are largely linear grinds that principally deliver a simplistic experience around bashing things, stealing treasure and levelling up. Sounds like most people's use of D&D, though, doesnt it?

Add these factors together - limited time and a good-enough substitute for most, available asynchronously, 24/7 - and you can explain the massive shrinkage of the industry compared to its apex 10-15 years ago.

Re: The future of pen and paper roleplaying

[wpeters]

Oh sure, yes, I know why the hobby is dying. I just don't understand the urgency for bringing in new players. I'll always be able to roleplay even if, for some inexplicable reason, I have to write my own rules. Newcomers to the hobby are always welcome and I'll try and introduce my kids to it when they are old enough, but beyond me I don't really care wether anyone else roleplays or not and if the hobby dies completely when I do then so what?

Wayne

Re: The future of pen and paper roleplaying

[jonathonbarton]

I think the ones who lament the status of Roleplaying and the need for new blood are primarily the ones who are really interested in the status of the Roleplaying Game *Industry* - and yes, if you're interested in writing, illustrating, publishing, selling, purchasing, and using (or collecting) the product of that industry, then New Blood is vital.

However, if you are one to write your own systems, and play with a small group of players, then the Industry is of trivial consequence, as is new blood.