From:	Josh Harrison mataxes@****.net
Subject:	[OT] Gaming in the Media
Date:	Sun, 25 Jun 2000 23:40:37 -0400

----- Original Message -----
From: Raveness Ravensbane <ravenessravensbane@*****.com>
> Do you suppose now, or any time in the future, there
> will be a big market for "Antique/Classic Roleplaying
> Source Books"? I'm kinda surprised I haven't seen any
> on the Antiques Roadshow yet, but I don't watch -that-
> often... *shrug*

As a resident of Downeast Maine, one of the antiques capitals of the USA, I
know that things don't generally achieve that status until *at least* twenty
years have gone by. The RPG hobby is only twenty-five years old or so (D&D
premiered in 1974). I think that after another generation has grown up and
we're all doddering in the old gamer's home...

(I can see it now... "These kids today! Banded mail, gnomish workman's
leather... bah! When I was their age, we had three kinds of armor -- four if
you count buck nekkid -- and that was it! We didn't have all these fancy
storytelling games with character interaction and non-player motivations! We
had 500 orcs stuffed in a 10' by 10' room with a chest in the middle! That
and a broadsword were all we needed! that was the way it was, and we liked
it!)

Anyhow... I think in another 20 years, "antique" games may start to be worth
something.... collector's value is driven by scarcity, and it isn't *too*
hard to track down the older stuff if you know where to look.

Speaking of which, has anybody else noticed the resurgance of "classic"
games? I've seen promotional material for a new version of "Space: 1899" --
not to mention the reprinting of old Traveller stuff, and I know there are
one or two others I'm forgetting... but isn't this a great time to be an
"old timer" ready to introduce a new band to the old masters? (Even if they
are antiques by today's hip standards?)

-- Josh