Looking for Suggestions

[spect_spidey]

I really enjoy Frostgrave. A buddy and me have been playing it. I have tried to stir some local interest, but I am not having much success. I have ran three demos of the game so far in my local store. And I have another scheduled for later this month. The store owner has said that he has sold about 5 or 6 copies of the rulebook besides the one I bought. The problem is that no one shows up for the demos except for the first which had three people show up. I know who at least three of the people who have bought a rulebook are. They are heavy role players and the demos always seem to coincide with either Pathfinder, D&D, or Star War rpg days at the store. Any suggestions on how I can get some interest in this game? I really would like to eventually set up mini-campaigns that include 3 to 4 scenarios that we could complete in a day sorta like a Frostgrave tournament.

[JohnDSD2]

Hello,

Obviously, I don't know what you have tried previously, so sorry if you have tried this already but perhaps to draw in role playing types you need to try a cooperative type game.

Also, I'd suggest trying some wizards/warbands with some experience and emphasis that a starting wizards needs to work on his development to get that good. How a starting wizards can struggle to cast spells but after some progression they have choices to make about improving casting numbers and/or learning new spells. I enjoy that decision making process and planning a long term goal for my wizards.

Anyway good luck with it.

[jp1885]

Use pre-generated warbands and pre-chosen spells - that way players can get straight into the action 

[Plus Four]

I know who at least three of the people who have bought a rulebook are. They are heavy role players and the demos always seem to coincide with either Pathfinder, D&D, or Star War rpg days at the store. Any suggestions on how I can get some interest in this game?

Might be stating the obvious but try organising your demo on a day that doesn't coincide with a RPG day??

[spect_spidey]

Thank you for your replies. I have six pregens that I have ready for anyone to play. I would love to try and schedule a demo for a non-rpg day. Unfortunately, D&D is every Sunday usually and Pathfinder/Star Wars alternate Saturdays. And the guys that I know bought the books, play in all three rpgs.  I am not sure how else to get the word out. The store owner posts the demo on his events page of his Facebook. I also play Warhammer 40k, but I can't get any of them to even take a look at the game. LOL

[dbsubashi]

I have been running campaigns, tourneys and gaming events for 20 years now. I have worked in advertising, general retail, and gaming retail (15 years now!) I have watched those events succeed, and watched them burn in flames or just sputter into nothingness. I am not "the" expert, but I am "an" expert. So here is my (free! And we all know what that it worth!) advice.

Placing notices, flyers, or signs (or all 3!) will generate little activity. I find that gamers are like children, and you must work hard and establish "play dates" for them. This requires going up to each of them, introducing yourself, explaining your event, inviting them to your event, and shaking their hand. It is the personal level of involvement that works. It "shocks" them out of their complacency, and creates a bond that most people feel they cannot disappoint. Also, most people want to be "wanted" - "this person wants me, so now I am special!", or since most gamers are not social extroverts, "this person wants me! That doesn't happen much!" So go and personally invite them. One by one. Remind them everytime you see them. Yes, it is a lot of work, but it is the only thing that does work.

I hate to make this seem like advertising, or business/politics, but that is what it actually is. You are trying to create a "brand"-the "Spect_Spidey" brand of fun games and fun times! And creating a brand takes hard work for tiny returns. Flyers and such, or a notice on the locations web calendar are just advertising, and advertising only generates a 2% return when it is really good! Yep, if you have kick-ass flyers and such, and 100 people look at them, then you will be lucky to get 2 who show up for your event! If you are going to use this form of advertising, then you will need to expand it, so you have more than 100 people see it. Try posts on forums boards (such as this one! Do it in the event section. Go on, I'll wait!) Most boards have such a section, and the more you post on, the more will see it. Set up a web page or blog (or both!) so that people have a dedicated place to find info on your event, and also a place that generates returns for Google searches.

"Pressing the flesh" is key. Just like a budding politician, or a basement rock band, you need to get personal involvement. Every hand you shake, every gamers you remind about "this weekend's event", is one more person towards that "100" people. And those personal exchanges are worth more than plain advertising. Remember it is not just "D&D Saturday" you are vieing against, but new movies, birthday parties, etc. You have to convince people that your event will be more fun and rewarding than whatever else they had planned. And a personal touch does that better than anything else.

Do you have a local gaming convention? Then host a game there! Again, lots of people who will see your game and that you can shake their hand and personally invite to your events. Are there other stores in the area? Host an event there on the Saturdays your FLGS is hosting D&D. Find every venue you can to create the "Spect_Spidey the Frostgrave Guy" brand. Eventually you will see returns. Remember that GenCon, Salute or Historicon didn't become the "must attend" events they are overnight. They all started small, and grew.

2 last tips, and my most underhanded ones. First, bring in a ringer. A friend from outside the store, who will attend your event and make it look "bigger". Humans are herd animals, and instinctly flock to a bigger herd. So create a bigger herd. It is underhanded, but works. Next, try food. I have never met a gamer who will turn down free food. I recommend a couple of tubs of store brand ice cream, in a cooler with salted ice, chocolate syrup, some paper bowls and plastic spoons. Get the venues okay (your store may not allow food, but might if the owner gets ice cream!). This has never failed me, but I also told everyone there would be ice cream when I shook their hand. It is a winning 1-2 punch.

[spect_spidey]

dbsubashi - What you are saying makes perfect sense. I think assuming is one of my problems. I assumed that since some people bought the book that they would want to play the game. And since I was making it accessible, that they would eagerly want to join in. Out of the three role players who bought the book, I have only spoken to one and that was when he joined the first demo I ran. I will have to try and chat up some of these guys the next time I see them.