RPGaDAY 2018: Day 8...How Can We Get More People Playing?

I'll quickly address today's prompt, "How Can We Get More People Playing?" by first saying that most of the companies today are doing exactly what they need to do to get more eyes on the product. Some of the most well-funded KickStarter projects are in the RPG genre. Both Wizards of the Coast and Paizo have made their products easily accessible both by posting free, simplified rules online and by publishing "beginner version" sets for what are the best selling RPGs in the United States. In general, from the launch of Dungeons and Dragons 5E, there has been a resurgence in gaming--this has extended to board games as well as traditional table top RPGs. The media--as much as I hate them as a card carrying deplorable ;) -- has been kind to RPGs for the most part in recent years with celebrity players such as Vinn Diesel and Stephen Colbert making their love for the genre known, and of course shows like Stranger Things--and earlier examples like Community and The Big Bang Theory--reaching more people--potential players--in a single episode than the entire marketing department for most game companies. Also, the advent of virtual table-tops like Roll*20, streaming campaigns like Critical Role and the synergy from video games such has grown the pool of potential players. I think the popularity of streaming games is responsible for removing much of the "mystique" that has always surrounded the hobby. When someone sees regular guys...and even girls?!...just like them playing and enjoying gaming, they'll most likely want to give it a shot. It doesn't look too difficult or scary.  As I mentioned in an earlier entry, today, I get to run Cyberpunk 2020--a game with its origins in 1990--largely because of interest in the upcoming video game, other groups streaming sample playthroughs, and having a place like Roll*20 to run the game. In summary, it's a great time to be a gamer.

What can WE do then to keep this potential audience and transition them from being curious in playing or observing a one-shot to being a full-fledged lifetime member of the gaming hobby? A few tips:

1.  If you have the time to run a game...do it! Too often we'll complain that there aren't any games to join, but nobody wants the big chair. As a teen, I ran some games for my younger brother and one of his friends, but after that I didn't GM for years. In my defense, opportunities even to play were few and far between, but nevertheless, I am guilty of being a player exclusively from age 18 until age 39. Now that we have Roll*20 and other services, there isn't any excuse. If we want the hobby to grow and even survive, those of us with experience should be running for the greenhorns.
2. Be patient, open and welcoming: Not everyone coming in will have the same experiences that you do. Watching a playthrough won't answer all of the new player's questions nor show them proper gaming etiquette. At least give them a chance to get their legs under them before kicking them from the table. It was a bigger problem back in my day, but, for example, if you have a female member of the opposite sex at your table, and she thinks its a good idea to talk with the dragon instead of run from and/or try to kill it, then let her try. She's bringing a different perspective to your game.  I only say this because a lot of the time--especially in the old days--the very basement dwelling geeks who should have been welcoming any girl they were lucky enough to get at the table,  would instead run them off and keep it a "boys only" hobby. I'm sure no tree-hugging, soyboy hipster, but diversity at the table is a good thing. It also keeps me from having to play female characters all the time. 
3. Participate in the wider community: Attend the cons, support the products and participate in things like RPGaDay or possibly even stream or post video of one of your own games...and it should go without saying that you should try to recruit your family members and friends as gamers, but sometimes that's easier said than done. Be careful of recruiting coworkers as some may still view RPGs as a tool of Satan and come at you with a torch and pitchfork. 

To wrap up, I am a partcipant in many nerdy hobbies and for me, playing RPGs is the most satisfying. Unfortunately, even with all the resources that are available to the initiate these days, RPGs are still kind of hard to get into without a helping hand from an experienced RPG aficionado. I think this is almost essential to gaining a new, long-term player, and it's where we can help grow the hobby. I'm not one who's going to specifically sell anyone's book, product or game system--except if it's Ryuutama, because it's so cool--but the activity itself is worth preserving and proselytizing for.