Gloranthan Volunteers

From: Pete Newallis <reaper_at_sound.net>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 20:20:33 -0500


  I'm not sure, if this is the right place for this, but I don't just want Chaosium's
thoughts but other fans with their different geographic views. I visited Chaosium's
web site the other day. I had looked over recent "Gloranthan News". I recalled something about volunteers and running demo games at cons. Today while driving
home I gave that some thought.

   I was thinking some thoughts on my volunteering and things relating to the proposed publication plan. First, with totally new rules that truly break with the RQ system, there are few or no experts. I doubt there are any outside those tied to Choasium's offices, some in England, maybe MOB and some friends, Seattle and wherever Robin Laws lives.

  I live here in Kansas City. I'm as likely to be an expert as anyone who buys the game when it is available (Leading to the question will it be available
here or force me to turn to mail or Net order). KC has several gaming groups, at least a half dozen game shops and a ton of book and comic stores that also sell games. There are a dozen cons that are mostly gaming or partly gaming within a few hours of KC during the year.

   Now, I'm a long time fan of Glorantha and have most (not all) of the RQ II, RQ III and strictly Gloranthan material. But I have no current gaming group to train. Most local cons are dominated by RPGA events with it's continuing characters, rankings and prizes. So will there be some prizes, con-friendly scenarios, promo materials (our cons have flyer tables). Another point, if I go to a con and try to promote a new game, will dealers there have it. I HAVE seen promo events at cons (sponsored by well stocked dealers which lead big sales at the cons)

  Besides the cons. Efforts to talk local stores into carrying the games AND supporting them, they will want promotional support too. Again, promo games can be run at stores and club meetings. So who else is out there?. I guess I'm just an observer as far as the GTA goes. Be nice to know who else near me might be willing to help? Observation: GURPS doesn't seem to be a major played game around here but GMs who run events at cons I've gone to say they help support the con GMs. What are other people's experiences with support for a new game?

   Lastly, if Chaosium is expecting volunteers to be a major force is making early
sales and promotional efforts (Maybe I'm wrong from my reading of their website)
then they will need to let us in on some (not all) of their plans. Will they sell
through a regional distributor (some stores only buy through them) The degree of support to gamers or shops to spread the word. I'd really like new game to succeed, I'll get it for me, but for me to talk it up, and make efforts on it's behalf
I'll need some support.

   Pete Newallis   


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