Hey everyone,

It turns out that the next Leap Forward for Sorcerer relies on store demos. Or that's what I'm told, anyway.

So what I need are prep materials for the demos that already exist out there, like the obstetrical one that was run at GenCon (and that I never saw).

Given some e-mails I received lately, a bunch of people are already running "intro to Sorcerer" games and sessions out there. Some of them are even happening in stores. My hope is to document and encourage all of this, a LOT more.

I'm especially interested in knowing about in-store demos, so I can feature the stores and stories on the Sorcerer website.

Best,
Ron

P.S. Oh yeah! As Jim just did, let me know about any stores that carry Sorcerer and were nice about it, or promoted it in any way. I'm planning on e-mailing them to say thanks and see if demos can't be organized.

[ This Message was edited by: Ron Edwards on 2001-08-27 12:34 ]

On 2001-08-27 12:32, Ron Edwards wrote:
Hey everyone,

P.S. Oh yeah! As Jim just did, let me know about any stores that carry Sorcerer and were nice about it, or promoted it in any way. I'm planning on e-mailing them to say thanks and see if demos can't be organized.

Hey,

I don't have a record of store copies at all, except for the few (mostly European) that bought copies direct from me at GenCon. What I have is a list of distributors or anyone who got their copies direct from Tundra, my warehouser.

So feedback from you guys is pretty much the only way I can get an idea about the stores. And I'm not interested in a nation-wide or world-wide insight into every store, just in the ones that have it, those who want it (due to people urging them), and especially those who are interested in doing demos.

Best,
Ron

Ron,

I'm pretty sure I could write up the obstetrical demo Paul, Tom, Mike and I ran at GenCon. I'm not sure that any of the original material was saved, but it needed to be streamlined anyway.

I'm also fairly positive that at least one hobby store in the Ann Arbor area would be willing to carry (if they don't already) and demo Sorceror, and I'd be more than happy to work a demo or two with that store if I can free up the time in my schedule. If I can get Paul or Tom or Matt to play ringer for me, life will be good. :smile:

Take care,
Scott

P.S. I wish I had had a chance to discuss the demos with you while we were at GenCon, but things were pretty hectic. The session Mike played in was especially disturbing...

Editorial Update:

I just got off the phone with one of the two decent game stores in Ann Arbor, and they do have copies of Sorceror in stock. The manager said he'd love to have me run some demos for them, but asked that I hold off until September 24th (they're currently in the process of moving locations). That gives me a month to prep the demo...

Here's the URL for The Underworld, in case anyone wants to check it out. They aren't promoting Sorceror on their website, but the manager assured me that they had and he liked its "look".

http://www.underworldcomics.com/index0.htm

I'll call the other store sometime in the next few days and see what I can work out, but right now I'm off to play The Pool!

[ This Message was edited by: hardcoremoose on 2001-08-27 16:48 ]

[ This Message was edited by: hardcoremoose on 2001-08-28 22:05 ]

On 2001-08-27 15:55, hardcoremoose wrote:
P.S. I wish I had had a chance to discuss the demos with you while we were at GenCon, but things were pretty hectic. The session Mike played in was especially disturbing...

...try and focus a bit more on the psychological side of things, instead of the awful viscera...

There waren't no viscera when I ran it! What the hell's wrong with you Scott?!?

Hey folks,

As implied by the above posts, store demos should not include content that gets the game banned.

I'm serious, though - already, retailers are asking for demos, and so I need them really fast. Email me what you've got, or remember, or came up with, or anything.

Best,
Ron

Ron,

How would you feel about people using mini-supplements for demos? I'm reading Demon Cops right now (more comments later), and it seems like the sort of thing that would be great for demos - it's an easy concept to grasp, the issues of Humanity are a little more "viewer-friendly" than many Sorcerer games, and just about any player can jump into the role of a cop.

Hi Ron,
Pegasus Games is carrying Sorcerer in Madison. I asked about running demos, but they felt the game might be too "mature" for running in-store. (They said they prefer more "family-oriented" games.) Like D&D3E I guess. :razz: If Demon Cops is more anime-oriented, that might be a good way for me to go as well.
Sean

Clinton, Sean,

Demon Cops is a fine idea. You could even call the demons "OtherSiders" or "Wyrders" or anything else like that, as a kind of stealth tactic. In my opinion, the art is very engaging and would be a good attention-getter.

It also strikes me that a "demon" definition would be a good thing to include with each demo pack, e.g.
- conscious, powerful being
- source of power
- agenda of its own

And specify that this concept, and its dramatic potential, is found across all cultures.

Best,
Ron

OK, demos are starting to shape up.

Do I hear any volunteers for running a demo at:

1) Titan Games, Battle Creek, Michigan?
2) Endgame, Oakland, California?
3) Dream Wizards, Rockville, Maryland?

VERY IMPORTANT
Let me handle all negotiations with the store until I tell you to talk to them. Step 1 is squaring it with them, Step 2 is setting a date with you and them, and Step 3 is you meeting them (officially; never mind if you know them already).

The demo files should be ready by next Friday.

I need to hear from people about this reeeeal fast!

Best,
Ron

Ron-

I'd be happy to run the Oakland demo-- Never been to Endgame, it would be nice to see it.

Lon

Howdy All,

On 2001-09-02 01:17, Uncle Dark wrote:
I'd be happy to run the Oakland demo-- Never been to Endgame, it would be nice to see it.

Yeah baby. That's Oakland. Await your emails, you two.

Rockville? Battle Creek?

Best,
Ron

Yeah baby. That's Oakland. Await your emails, you two.

Rockville?

Hi everyone,

One key point about store demos - they do NOT have to be especially profound. In fact, I suggest kind of a "Soap Sorcerer," in which a lot of relationships and actions are already hitting, and thus the demo itself is about sorting it out - the "last act," as it were.

I am putting together a character-starter demo kit which allows the group to make up PCs very fast (or allows you to pre-gen PCs quickly too, if you'd prefer).

As for scenarios themselves, I suggest starting with the in-book situation involving the scary demon house. It's really just a battle-romp with a dangerous sorceress NPC, but it does have the advantage of playing out very differently with different groups, and of allowing a hell of a lot of sorcery in an isolated situation.

So overall, don't get worried if you don't think you can Do Sorcerer Right. You guys are all hyped about the depth (and depths) the game can achieve, but store demos are all about showing off that the game is (1) pretty to look at, (2) actually playable, and (3) interesting on a very basic level, i.e., ooh, demons. More than that isn't necessary.

Best,
Ron

Judging by the Dealer's room at the Con, at least two of the local game stores here have at least one copy of Sorceror.

I'd be willing to run a demo at a game store here in Denver.

Hey Ron,

I'm willing to run a demo at either of the two gaming stores here in Eugene. I could be persuaded to head up to Portland and demo at a store there.

Best,

Blake

James, I suggest contacting Heather at Attactix (Aurora CO). I don't have their number offhand, but you can reach her at heather@attactix.com.

ttfn - woody