Read An RPG Book In Public Week (Feb 28 - Mar 6 2010)

[Hisham]

Anyone participating in the first RARPGBIPW?


Read An RPG Book in Public Week is an event that happens three times a year, during the weeks surrounding March 4th, July 27th, and October 1st (starting on the Sunday on or before, and ending on the Saturday on or after). During these weeks, roleplaying enthusiasts are encouraged to take their favorite RPG rulebooks out with them and read them in public - on the bus, in the coffee shop, at lunch, at the park, or anywhere (as long as it isn't disruptive to work, school, church, or any other functions).
What's the point?
The point is to make the roleplaying hobby more visible, to get it "out of the basement" and into public areas where more people can see it. This will make others more aware of the hobby - some may ask you what your book is about, giving you the opportunity to explain the hobby to them. A few of those may be interested enough to try it themselves. Former gamers may see what you're reading and think about the great times they used to have with roleplaying, and possibly even try it again.


Links:


The Escapist (http://www.theescapist.com/readrpgsinpublic/)
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Read-an-RPG-Book-in-Public-Week/316050748718?v=wall)

[cheshire]

I'll see if my wife will take a copy of a D&D manual up with her to the pulpit when she goes up to preach this Sunday to make RPGs more visible. I'm sure we'll get an overwhelmingly positive response. :)

[retriever]

I didn't realize this was going on, but I guess I already participated yesterday, reading my SW 2E (blue book) on the train to and from work/school. Green Lantern/Green Arrow won out this morning. Guess I'll switch back tomorrow!

[Lubidius]

While a great idea unto itself, perhaps folks could do demo play sessions in open public areas. That would possibly attract more attention. outside cafes, anything open and airy that does not distract people at the business. I know a few folks use coffee shops to do it. I think it is the 'basement geeks only" (ok, most of us are who are we kidding) is a myth. I know a lot of relatively mainstream folks that have enjoyed it. I think the real problem with RPG is commitment. If you can split your playing into casual, and advanced, you'd be surprised who'd be willing to play pick-up toned down matches. I think RPG producers should split their rules into tactical/casualrpg/fullonrpg using appendix or free miniatures only versions available to owners. Such a tiered level of play works well for example in FASA's Battletech line of games and rpg. Each style of play materials feeds one another. It's actually been the major staying power of their line of goods. The fact that the RPG sources gave a lot of underlying 'story' to their tactical boardgame. I think WOTC have mixed it too much into one anothe into the rpg rules they offer. It needs to remain tiered, with each tier very approachable (stepping stone rpg). Warhammer and other similar games that started first as miniatures games, and moved towards source materials and rpg, have done EXTREMELY well world-wide. That's my 2 cents. I may add these comments over on that other thread apart from this site.

We use similar grass-roots methods of "outreach" programs to attract people to historical miniatures for our local hobby group --> http://www.trianglesimsociety.org/

We've had a lot of success bringing folks in with light quick-play rulesets, helping them along the way paint minis, etcetera, and then gradually co-ercing them into the heavier rulesets involved. That method works for rpg too, but we need to not be completely "die-hard" and "only pure rpg" when attempting to attract new folks in. Gaming is gaming. Board, card, or rpg alike. You have to start simple, approachable, and non-commital (single sessions) and work your way forwards.

[Whill]

Anyone participating in the first RARPGBIPW?

I did today. I normally work at home but this week I've had to go into the call center because I "volunteered" for a project. I took my two new RPG books with me. Star Wars d20: Galaxy of Intrigue and Serenity: Big Damn Heroes Handbook, both of which have some really useful stuff for my Star Wars game.

I'm normally really O/C about protecting the condition of my books, but in the spirit of the week I resisted the urge to put them in a backpack or anything. I carried them both in and took them with me to read them on lunch and breaks. While working, I left them out on the desk. My manager and a few others glanced at them but no one made any comments about them to me. In my late 30's I'm not too worried about being embarassed because most already know I'm a Star Wars nerd and they don't care. :cool: