Mainstream Roleplaying (almost)

[Matt Machell]

Wasn't sure where to post this, but I'm sure it'll get moved if Theory isn't the place.

While looking for a brithday present I found Whatever You Want (Amazon UK link to the book in question) in the mainstream fiction section of a local bookshop .

Why is this book interesting to us? Well it's essentially a "choose your own adventure" book (which have always had a close link to RPGs). The twist is that it's subject matter is modern day sexual and social minefields. It uses a lot of roleplaying tropes "you get to decide!" etc, but the setting and content are more, well, mainstream. More to the point, they're exactly the kind of content that many players of RPGs avoid. There's some interesting pop-psychology in the prelims saying, how you choose reveals much about your own character, which it seems to be using to justify (and sell) itself. It seems to be doing quite well too.

So, really this is just a for your information post, but I'd be interested to hear peoples thoughts on the concept and how it relates to various aspects of "bringing the hobby to the masses", and Ron's posts in publishing on "The Mainstream" (old topic)

-Matt

[quozl]

Wasn't sure where to post this, but I'm sure it'll get moved if Theory isn't the place.

While looking for a brithday present I found Whatever You Want (Amazon UK link to the book in question) in the mainstream fiction section of a local bookshop .

Why is this book interesting to us? Well it's essentially a "choose your own adventure" book (which have always had a close link to RPGs). The twist is that it's subject matter is modern day sexual and social minefields. It uses a lot of roleplaying tropes "you get to decide!" etc, but the setting and content are more, well, mainstream. More to the point, they're exactly the kind of content that many players of RPGs avoid. There's some interesting pop-psychology in the prelims saying, how you choose reveals much about your own character, which it seems to be using to justify (and sell) itself. It seems to be doing quite well too.

So, really this is just a for your information post, but I'd be interested to hear peoples thoughts on the concept and how it relates to various aspects of "bringing the hobby to the masses", and Ron's posts in publishing on "The Mainstream" (old topic)

-Matt

Seems quite interesting.  Did you buy it?  It also seems that it hasn't made it to the U.S.A. yet since it's not at www.amazon.com