I was really pleased to see a game hitting the high street shelves shortly before Christmas. The game was " Lord of the Rings " , designed by Riener Knizia and published by Parkers. I did actually buy the game myself, but I'm still to play it. The consensus from various magazine reviews is generally OK for playability, but a bit short on realism. Perhaps I will have to try it out at Knutsford. What I do consider important about the game is that it was being sold in the mainstream high street chains such as W.H. Smiths. I am a firm believer that the only way to reach most of the general population is to put your wares right into their respective laps. Most people do not walk into specialist game shops, which are few and far between anyway, but put the games alongside paperbacks, CDs, stationery etc. and sales will rocket. I will be interested in seeing later this year, what the sales are for the game. I suspect, however, that the subject matter may be of some benefit in it's own right. As I get older I notice that my tastes seem to be altering in different ways. It's not that I can't listen to loud rock music anymore or that very hot curries don't seem to be worth the effort any longer, what is worrying is that I don't like spending more than 2 minutes reading rules of new games. If I am alone in this please tell me and I'll put myself quietly out to pasture, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I may not be alone in this! Have I discovered the reason why the hobby is greying and declining? Do us older types need simpler rules and games and, if so, are we dumbing down the overall hobby for the younger generation coming through? I suspect that this need for quicker set up and play is the reason for the recent growth in the more family-orientated games, especially those coming out of Germany. Like a lot of the older generation I firmly believe that present educational standards leave a lot to be desired, but the younger gamers appearing on the scene should be able to develop a taste and enthusiasm for our type of games, if the desire is there. If it is not, what is going wrong? Would someone like to put forward their suggestions for reaching newcomers, whether old, young or indifferent. I find it hard nowadays to get anyone interested in something as boring as " gaming ".
New Member:
Jarkko Suvinen (9318)., Tapanintie 10
E, 63610 Tuuri, Finland. With Jarkko joining I think that doubles our membership
from Finland. Is that grounds for a Far Northern Convention?
Rejoined:
Andrew Davidson (9150)., 91 The Avenue, Ealing, London W13 8JT.
Mark Humphries (US member)., Intranet Business Systems Inc., Philippines Stock Exchange Centre, Suite 1403-B Tekite West Tower, Exchange Road, Ortiga Centre, 1605 Pasig City, Philippines.