Pen and Paper Gaming in the 21st Century - GamesU 2009 - Keynote

Erik Mona is the Publisher at Paizo Publishing. In his GamesU 2009 Keynote, Mr. Mona provides a broad overview of the history of tabletop or "pen & paper" gaming, with a focus on Role Playing Games (RPGs). With this background established, Mr. Mona then discusses recent changes and, based on his experience and research, what he thinks the future holds for the hobby and the industry that supports it.

[jurviz]

This was only a few years ago, and he's talking about how fast technology is advancing, and it's already sounding a bit dated. That's spooky.

[Lardface]

they need a program that allows you to follow your pen and paper games with computer images and representations, seemlessely and beautifully, i think this will interest all kinds of gamers and force those who pc or console game to use their imaginations while also allowing pen and paper gamers to get a deeper sense of storytelling through visualization (the problem with this is that they would have to build seperate programs for different games)

[sasserine]

It's standard practice to ask the audience if they can hear you, as part of the opening. When the speaker doesn't do that, it can be a frustrating business for the audience, as they don't get the content they came for.
Also, this took place at a large convention, where there were multiple events running simultaneously; plus traders' booths, and passing traffic. There are going to be interruptions. Better to prepare for them, by having a early soundcheck.

[wouter]

In order to grow you guys should:
1. Focus on children
2. Offer a substantial amount of stuff for free
3. Check out 3D printing
In order to draw people in you need to focus on visual and touchable things like good paintings and figurines. Offer simplified games with lots of touchable stuff to children (I'm thinking of the game 'Hero Quest', maybe you know it). Offering content for free is important to draw people in, because of piracy and competition.

[Pengi_SMILES]

@lucduchien Im in a similar situation, but it seems like with the most recent D&D they have tried to engage with new players. This has led to lots of complaints from fans of older versions of D&D that the game has been 'dumbed down' and made too much of a hack and slash game, which seems like why games like Pathfinder have started up.

[alphaotakux]

make it more affordable to get into the hobby, redbox and the pathfinder starter kits were good ideas and more games should have a all in one beginner kit from 15-30 dollars with gm guide, player rules a couple quests and dice. than have the website have a few simple adventures to download for free.

[MMODoubter]

Due to having few remaining gaming friends in the local area, I switched to the MMORPG style several years ago. While convenient, the game play was slacking and the rules inflexible.

I have gotten sick of the style, and am wondering if there is some online interface for P&P style RPGs.

[duplicus]

I stopped watching this video when in a facist manner the speaker said: Please let me know if you can't hear me because of all the people talking in the room, effectively saying: Shutup, me and my ego are talking now.

Horribly rude...

[danthegamerkhan]

Try looking up 'D&D Encounters', they usually run sessions every wednesday at certain game stores. I think you can search it through the D&D wizards of the coast website. Worth a look if you want to get into D&D. Also eww COD

[MarcelCasella]

16:00 not true. games are not recession proof. Here in Venezuela we had a nascent MTG and RPG gaming community back in the 90´s. With our steep economic recession, you cannot find these products anymore.

[FTClownGeek]

This seems so amazing, great video. I only saw it because I was testing my video on normal view and this was the next suggestion. Makes me so anxious for my teams game that is coming to the public soon.

[bubbydo]

That was really interesting.I am just about to start a Pathfinder game and I like the way the Game is like the old AD&D in feel.I played 4th Ed D&D and it just did not do it for me.
Cheers

[MMODoubter]

Halfway through the video, but I want to comment while I think of it:

The 'surface' device could be used in gaming parlours - where groups rent time to use them.

[DayhawkSilverstar]

I love that they sell PDF's. II use them for quick searches during the game, but I love the feel of having a book in my hand as I am browsing for the next game.

[RyanGatts]

I find them super useful when it comes to searching for obscure rules in the middle of a d&d game.

[RaidenMacer]

what the fuck i thought youtube only allowed 10 minites of video not 1 hr

[calvinandhobbes]

because focusing on children wont ruin the current fanbase

[Thats]

i freaking hate PDF's and Online books...screw Kindles.

[NadivV]

Extremely interesting video, thanks! :)

[dickenbacker]

If you have a virtual table top with computer-generated characters running around... then doesn't that just make it a computer game?