Reply To: Are we the grognards?

[onlyonepinman 18062xp 2]

You are probably right with the business model.  I think it’s a combination of the two.  Create a hobby where nobody ever has to go anywhere else – GW.  Monetize everything in the game right via micro-transactions – Blizzard, EA et al.  I mean, if you are going to be a supervillain, why limit yourself to only one role model for inspiration.  Hell, why not outsource development and maintenance of the system to India or China so you can also pay staff next to nothing.  Like Apple

For me, I am not a fan of online RPGs at all, and not just RPGs.  During the pandemic when lots of things went online, from pub nights to RPGs, I never got any benefit from it.  I didn’t actually get the feeling of social connection that I get from being with people in person.  I was lucky that I was living with my brother at the time and we both like gaming so I wasn’t entirely alone, but I get precisely nothing out of online, zoom calls for gaming.  So VTTs are the absolute antithesis of everything that I love about RPGs and Wargames.  And I don’t see why playing in person should prevent me from seeing the sparkly armour my co-player bought in the game.  I think he should absolutely turn up to games night in that sparkly armour that he bought…  If he doesn’t he should not be allowed to have it in the game

I totally agree with you on the whole ownership of physical items too.  I have a lot of RPGs and wargaming books and they are all beautiful works in their own right.  They are well made with gorgeous artwork and even if they aren’t currently in use, they sit on a bookshelf and bring me joy just being there.  And nobody can take them away from me, I can play them anytime I like until I am no longer capable of doing so.  It’s not a service that can be switched off, I cannot be banned from playing them because I have said the wrong thing to the wrong person.  It’s mine.  Forever.  Although I do wish someone would come and take my D&D books away (nice to see I am not alone in thinking D&D is shite)