Re: [Open_Gaming] Unorthodox D20 modules

[Rob Baxter]

Okay, okay,   All morning non-coffeeness aside. I have to apologize for coming off as abrupt and mean as I did. The problem is that these kinds of stereotypes sully the image of who a gamer is or tends to be. Stereotypes are bad. And the fact that you *did* have these perceptions and no longer have them does a lot to ease my mind.   I am sorry. Really. I should have used my brain a little more when composing the message. I am very glad you don't have these perceptions now, and I feel ashamed that I misread your post. As a gamer it hits a sore spot, I know people have perceived me in that way in the past, and judged me on it.   I think that in order to change the market, you have to change the fundamental perception of these stereotypes. These are the breaking point of the gamer image.   In the popular media, gaming is seen as a dorky thing to do. It is made to seem silly, trite, and juvenile. Gamers are seen as an extension of this.   In order to market outside of the gaming sphere, it is necessary to minimize the impact of that image. Possibly one strategy would be to show a cross spectrum of gamers. Everyone from Grandparents to B-boys game. It is necessary to show that adjusted normal people are gamers, can be gamers, and that gaming can be fun for people.   Regards, R.   ----- Original Message ----- From: Margaret C Vining To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM Subject: Re: [Open_Gaming] Unorthodox D20 modules   On Wed, 21 Feb 2001 10:49:47 -0800 "Rob Baxter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > Hi Maggie, > > As a gamer who has worked in a gaming store I think I can mirror > some > sentiments others on the list may have by saying: > > What planet are you from?     Hi Rob,   The same one you are from.  We all have different perceptions about the world around us.  I assumed it would be safe to share my _past perceptions_ with this list so you all can learn how to market to people who currently  think like I _used_ to.   > > *My point is that many women grow up like I did.  We are taught to > *avoid men who look like most gamers and avoid places that look like > most > *comic stores because if we don't we are going to get raped and > pregnant > *and uneducated and jobless and it will be all our fault. > > Hmmm, a very intelligent and qualified statement. Despite the > obvious social > bias evident in your posting   I can even find some ground to agree > with you > on. However a lot of the gamers ( such as myself ) on this board > might take > this as a personal attack.     They shouln't because I wasn't attacking anyone but myself.  I agree that my _past_ thoughts about gamers were biased and ignorant.  In fact that was the whole point of my letter, so I don't see what you are so upest about.  I shared my thoughts with this list not so I could be attacked for my _past_ faults but so marketers might understand why _some_ women don't go into comic stores.     > > Your statements are akin to saying: > > "All Star Trek fans are maladjusted dorks with no social skills." > > or > > "Members of sororities are elitist snobs with a shallow world view"     Again if you read my letter carefully you will notice that I intended any negative statements about gamers to reflect poorly on my past perceptions... NOT to insult gamers.     > > just not as direct. > > *  But for now the look and customer base of most gaming stores will > make > reaching new customers difficult. > > Ahhh yes, it's all about beauty isn't it? That's the reason I play > games, so > people can percieve me as being cool and fashionable. >   I never said that.  I never said anything close to that.  You are trying to label me as a closed minded person, but that was _exactly_ my point.  I _was_ closed minded.  It _was_ about looks.  And if you want your products to reach people who have not yet learned that "image is nothing" then you have to plan accordingly.   > If you don't want to market your game to gamers, don't.   I never said I didn't want to market to gamers.  But I did say that my products couldn't be sold in most gaming stores.   I will not be using d20 for games.  I don't expect you to understand since you aren't in the know, but don't misquote me.     Good luck in > selling > more than vanity press level amounts of the game though. Certainly > your > perpetration of a stereotype will not endear your efforts to me or > many > others who might be capable of helping.   It was my _past_ perception.  I don't think I could have made that more clear in my letter. I shared it openly with this list and I don't appreciate your attacks.  Don't you think I feel bad enough having spent most of my life clinging to images of  "good looks" = "good soul"?  I met my share of wolves in sheeps clothing and I assure you I paid the price.   I learned my lessons the hard way and I don't need you to reteach me.    And don't threaten me with professional abandonment.  That's just mean and unfounded.  I don't like the person I was any more than you do.  And your obvious lack of tollerance for my past makes you no better than I was.  Except I learned from my mistakes and changed.    Maggie