On the second pre-show episode of This Just In From GenCon 2009, I joined Ryan Macklin to talk about convention survival. (more…)
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Posts Tagged ‘hobby gaming’
This Just In…From GenCon 2009! Pre-show #2
Thursday, July 30th, 2009Who plays at their FLGS?
Saturday, July 25th, 2009‘Making money’ selling digital RPG products is tough. It’s certainly possible, if approached properly, but if you want to see more than a token return on your products your best bet is to go print. The demand for digital RPG products is growing, but the digital side of the industry hasn’t matured fully. Yet.
In Search of an Intern
Wednesday, April 1st, 2009I’m looking for an intern. Check out the stuff below and, if you’re interested, send me an email with the subject [INTERN].
What you’ll be doing (to various degrees)
- Contacting publishers to learn what products they plan to release this year.
- Contacting retailers to learn what products are selling.
- Helping design podcast shows, including format, pacing and tone.
- Managing data for existing marketing projects.
Requirements?
- Gamer.
- Have an interest in the business side of games.
- Not scared of numbers.
- Not scared of talking on the phone.
- Available at least 5 hours per week.
Hobby Gaming Conventions
Saturday, May 31st, 2008I added all the gaming conventions on my list to a Google Calendar.
By the way, if you are a convention organizer, and you don’t see your event on this calendar, let me know.
Profitable Games
Sunday, March 30th, 2008Steve Jackson’s recent Report to the Stakeholders got me thinking – of all the types of games in the hobby gaming industry, where is there profit to be had? Here’s the offending (not offensive, by the way) quotes:
Our 2007 gross was close to $2.88 million…
Our most important product, even more than last year, is the Munchkin card game. With its sequels and supplements, Munchkin accounted for over 70% of our sales in 2007!
When I think of SJG, I think GURPS, yet $2 million plus of the company’s sales came from Munchkin – a card game. And I don’t think they’re alone.
Look at the PSI client list, and note the large number of non-RPG publishers. When you talk to a FLGS owner, as I often do, they don’t tout RPGs are the biggest sellers. It’s typically the card and board / eurogames that account for the lion’s share of their revenues.
As a game designer, the market seems to be telling me something – RPGs are an uphill battle. However, as an avid roleplayer, I find it hard to turn my attention away from my first love.
I don’t doubt that profits can be had by publishing RPGs. Alderac, Green Ronin, Paizo, White Wolf – even the late Black Industries – have proven that quality product will sell and can support a business. It seems, though, that a betting man would place his money on cards and boards, not pens and papers.
Am I reading too much into this?