Something I Don't Like...

[deadwor1d]

Ok, boys and girls. I discovered something disturbing yesterday about this game.

It isn't moving off the shelves fast enough in my town! Spoke with a game store owner last night and he can't seem to get the thing to sell. Not cool at all. Sure, there is some personal bias: I love this game. I have offered to run demos of FC in store for them to help move product. This collecting dust thing won't do at all. People spent so much money on 3.x they won't make that change... I need to convince them that FC will work nicely with much of their currently-owned stuff.

There are three things I can think of to showcase when running these demos. Fighters (and other martial characters) REALLY shine. Wizards use a rocking and balanced spell point system. And encounter design is a snap. If anyone has any other ideas regarding things I can bring to light with them, please share. I can't have this game falling into obscurity. It's just too good for that.

[Wolverine]

Don't forget to point out the NPC system, in particular the rules for converting OGL monsters

[deadwor1d]

Oh yeah. I should have been clearer and lumped that in with encounter design. Though that works for the players, too, with their own NPC creations.

[Goodlun]

I am not entirely sure how to make the emphasis it but Fantasy Craft has to be the easiest RPG I have ever seen to actually run as a GM/DM.  Its NPC/Threat System lack of heavy book keeping handling of treasure and all that sort of stuff just makes me smile.  I don't I guess you can show them how easy it is to do an encounter on the fly or something.  I think if you can sell it to the DMs the players will surely fall

[Gentry]

Demos are your best bet.  People actually have to see it work to get how nifty it is. Grab the iconic characters, and either download The Darkest Hour, or convert an existing (short) d20 module you like (Goodman Games just put all their 3.5 Dungeon Crawl Classics back up for download, and AEG's old Adventure Boosters are still available). Then put yourself on your FLGS' calendar on a monthly basis.

If you've got a convention in your area, that's even better.

[TheAuldGrump]

Ditto on running at the FLGS, it can make a big difference in how the game is perceived.

Keep the early game simple, and make them memorable.

Give hand outs for clues.

Be generous with Action Dice.

Kill them, kill them all! Ask the players how they liked the game. Get their feedback.

Some of my players got into Spycraft following a demo at the local gamestore, where I first used both Spycraft and World Work's Games Streets of Mayhem. (Point of oddity - I mainly ran the game to test out the terrain.... The players loved both. I guess that I did too, 'cause I still use both. )

The Auld Grump

*EDIT* Mayhem, not Himmelveil. Sheesh, I think I've got Himmelveil on the brain....

[Brakk]

Well I'm from Croatia and I'm doing the best I can to spread the word. I already converted two gaming groups and am actively "spamming" local forums with reviews and information on the game. I really like this game and can see how its refreshed and new approach reflected positively on our games. Just like in the good old days.

What could really make a difference fast, is a more aggressive marketing campaign on the internet. Why not open a Facebook page about FC or pay for some Google Ads?

[deadwor1d]

Demos are your best bet.  People actually have to see it work to get how nifty it is. Grab the iconic characters, and either download The Darkest Hour, or convert an existing (short) d20 module you like (Goodman Games just put all their 3.5 Dungeon Crawl Classics back up for download, and AEG's old Adventure Boosters are still available). Then put yourself on your FLGS' calendar on a monthly basis.

Iconics... I forgot all about those. I sat down, last night, and made a new party of characters. I'll fill in the ranks with the iconics, though, since I didn't make one of every class.

As for adventures, I am planning convert a section of Keep on the Borderlands today to grab the old-schoolers. I'll probably also slice off a piece of Undermountain for a mid-level session. Might convert a high level 4e module, too, to show off how versatile the NPC design system is.

I have a group of new players for a regular campaign. This one is a little more ambitious -- I have Ptolus and have been dying to run it.

If you've got a convention in your area, that's even better.

I have a few conventions in the area. Two of them are good. GAG and Simcon. Rudicon, from what I am told, is basically a ghost town, these days. Sadly. It was my first con...

[Crafty_Pat]

What could really make a difference fast, is a more aggressive marketing campaign on the internet. Why not open a Facebook page about FC or pay for some Google Ads?

Crafty Games already has a Facebook page.

[deadwor1d]

Finished up a re-imagining/conversion of the "Shrine of Evil Chaos" portion of Keep on the Borderlands... Need to remake the map, now. And then I will custom craft some dungeon tiles old-school Warhammer style. Tactile representation will help make the adventure come to life, I think.

When done with the demo adventure book, I may post it for download, complete with characters so you can all fix whatever statistical or balance issues you may spot and use it for yourselves!

Not sure about the legality of it, though. I did completely rework names and descriptions for the 15 odd rooms. The map will be similar, though.

[Gentry]

I completely agree that tactile goodies are important, and since what you're really doing is creating a subtle sales pitch for FC, you're going to need to really put on a show. So you're very well served having something cool and visual to work from.