What happened to Entuthiasm?

Submitted by Leviatham on Thu, 2009-02-26 16:58. Rants

Is it me, or we are not as entutiastic as we were 20 years ago?

In the hey day of RPGs we coulnd't get enough of it. We had conventions on a regular basis, our own adventures writen and played, our own magazine that was supported by local businesses which would advertise... It was awesome.

Now?... well, now is not the same.

I started the main mailing list in the town where I live about 6 years ago. It has worked really well, we have over 90 members. That list has worked really well to make sure we have quite a few active groups playing lots of games and at a good range of ages.

So far so good...

Now I try to start a small magazine. Make the suggestion in the mailing list and everybody is really keen on the idea. We get togheter to discuss and everything sounds good. One week goes by and no one has done anything. One month goes by and no one has done anything. When asked, people just are busy with life, work... but they all still have plenty of time to do other things, like playing other games or watch TV.

Uhmm.... maybe it wasn't a priority. Needless to say, when told why they weren't they doing anything, people got pretty pissed off with me because they don't really want to feel the obligation to do something for a hobby.

Now my friend joins me in trying to organise a small convention. Something just for us. Again everyone is REALLY keen on the idea and lots of ideas flow in.

Come getting together to organise it.... silence.

Still, I move it and start to try and get the £1000 ($1500) to hire venue, security, insurance and advertising. I manage to get a shop to help and a videogames company that develops a very well know MMORPG (Guild Wars). Needles to say, they couldn't give me enough money to cover all the expense. Did anyone commit to help and even come to the convention? No... No one wanted to commit to it.

Now I am pushing to have the mailing list turning into a proper club with constitution and fees so we can opt to get grants that will fund the publication of our own material and get stuff (like, say.... games!) to play at the club and organise activitie at schools.

Yes... you guessed.... started very strong and now no one is bothered to do anything.

Is it me or things are not what they used to?.... actually, maybe we are not who se used to?

Paco.

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Problems and Soloutions?

Submitted by Chainsaw Aardvark on Fri, 2009-02-27 16:03.

I can froward a few hypothesises, as to the lack of response.

There are far more distractions as of late. Twenty years ago, computers were less powerful, and often built from kits - a bit less accessible then a book and a character sheet. Now its plug and play while RPGs require planning.
Diffusion of responsibility - people tend to believe others will do it. If this was reason not to act in defense of the victims of violent crime (ie. Kitty Genovese) then being motivated for a hobby isn't too likely.
We don't need cons to meet other players - so why go through the expense and crowds when my space (or this lab) will work just as well.

As to means of addressing these problems.

start small - just your game group, then build up to 8-10 people, menstatize into two groups and an continue the cycle.
Simply pick people or assign jobs. First aid training points out that being specific make people more likely to act.
Offer means that aren't as readily available out-side a con - try to offer a raffle of a swap meet.
There is a fine line between hobby and obsession. I seem to have lost sight of it some time ago.

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