I got the flyer from my LGS (www.alteredsts.com, if you're really that curious) and I didn't chuck the collection of D&D anmd Warhammer ads, Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh schedules and such because there's something interesting in it this time. A brief article called Understanding Role-Playing Games by Frank Snyder that is sort of a brief primer for those unfamiliar with RPGs. Rather than focus on the content of the article, which is not on their web site and I don't have time or permission to retype it here, I'd like to focus on the idea of games stores mailing such things out to the general public.

Thoughts?

Jack Spencer Jr wrote: Thoughts?

Kester Pelagius wrote: Obviously it works.

If they start inserting flyers in the Sunday papers beside Price Chopper and Walmart, maybe it'll do something.
Mailing it to people already on the game store's mailing list sounds kind of counter-productive to me.

Greetings,

Jack Spencer Jr wrote:

Kester Pelagius wrote: Obviously it works.

Did it? I'm not the intended audience for the article since I already have an interest and understanding in RPGs. The target audience is squarely on non-gamers, starting right off with refuting misconceptions like witchcraft and bedroom games in the first paragraph.

Jack Spencer Jr wrote: As for how good the article is, I will give it props for covering many points in a small space. I'll see about getting permission and time to copy so you all can look at it.

Kester Pelagius wrote: Any interest generated in something that gets feedback, and perhaps potential PR, can't be all that bad for a buisness. Can it?

Hello,

No one on this thread has yet considered the possibility that the people who most need a good "what is role-playing" essay are the self-identified role-players themselves.

Depending on the essay's contents, perhaps it's extremely well-placed in its current form. Without being able to read it, I don't have any particular further to add.

Best,
Ron

----- Original Message -----
From: Alteredsts
To: Jack Spencer Jr
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 10:20 AM
Subject: Re: permission needed


Permission granted.

Chris
ALTERED STATES GAME & HOBBY

----- Original Message -----
From: Jack Spencer Jr
To: alteredsts@alteredsts.com
Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 11:55 AM
Subject: permission needed


I had received your most recent mailer which includes the article The Understanding of Role-playing Games by Frank Snyder. I frequent a RPG theory discussion site (http://www.indie-rpgs.com) and I'd like your kind permission to show this piece to the other members so we may discuss this article.

Sincerely
Jack Spencer Jr

The Understanding of Role-Plaing Games
-----------------------------------------------------------
Frank Snyder

Most people when they hear mention of role-playing games (RPGs), think of mind control, witchcraft, or bedroom games. That is not what they are about.

Role-playng games are, in effect just that: games. They are what the players make of them, and which should be fun. RPGs inspire the imagination. Have you ever wanted to be a secret angent trying to recover stolen documents from a hidden lab in the Swiss Alps? Or slay an evil sorcerer and win the heart of the fairest princess? Perhaps you want to fly wing -to-wing with a team of specially trained pilots? Well, that's what you can do with role-playing games and never leave your home.

In an RPG, there is usually an average of five people involved. Four individuals to portray characters, often called "PCs" (Player Characters), and one to run the game functions outside of the PCs, as the GM (Game Master). There are multiple title for either the PCs or GM, but these are the most common terms used in gaming. The PCs are then given a scenario with various goals to accomplish, the trick being the GM controls the characters the PCs encounter, called Non-Player Characters (NPCs). Through a bit of teamwork, interaction with the NPCs, and various forms of problem solving, the PCs should be able to meet the challenges set before them. This is made more challenging through the use of whatever rule-system the players are using.

In most cases the players use a set of multi-sided dice. The dice produce various results based on information found in the rulebooks, and the circumstances on which the dice are being rolled. These dice represent the "random x-factor" that affect us all, and depending on the results of the roll, could be good, bad, or have no consequences at all on the outcome of the game.

Many people claim that there are no benefeits where role-playing games are concerned. I know that this is untrue. Not since Vin Diesel (from the movie "xXx") admitted to playing Dungeons & Dragons for more than twenty years on a late night live broadcast TV show. If there is one there are more.

The games improve the individual, opening their minds to better accept life by giving them a sense of purpose. The RPGs provide and [sic] inspiration for learning. Studies of cultural arts, foreign languages, sciences, literature, mathematics and history all play important roles in the game. What's more, they inspire the players to create and recreate innumerable stories, each with its own unique flow of events, cast of characters and outcome of the two combined.

Altered States Game & Hobby carries an excellent selection of such games. So if you want to try going on an adventure, with bare minimum of cost and barely negligible risk to your safety, stop in and try one out. Check our website (alteredsts.com) or monthly events calendars for demos of these games. Our staff is ready to help you expand your imagination.

The apollogetic tone is grating to me.

"No, no, all the bad things you've heard aren't true, it's really OK."

The text needs a shot of self-confidence. And some plain better writing:

In most cases the players use a set of multi-sided dice.