Introductory Boxed Sets and OSRIC

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey, I didn't think that James' game was an introductory product (?), but I may have glossed over that in the reviews I skimmed.

Allan, James Raggi's game kind of takes the Menzter Basic D&D set as its model. It includes an extensive tutorial book (a la Menzter), a book of advice for referees, an introductory dungeon module, an introductory wilderness module, an annotated bibliographic booklet of inspirational authors, a set of dice, a pencil, graph and hex paper, and character sheets. Oh, yeah, and the rulebook and the magic book, too.

[Chainsaw]

Also, regarding Raggi's game, I don't get the impression that people who already play RPGs were dissuaded from purchasing it because of the "noob" components or because it has a free PDF online. I think there's a relatively strong appetite for products like this in the "OSR." People seem to love these D&D setting/homebrew-based all-in-one box set games, "intro-oriented" or not. Whether they play them, who knows.

Having a very strong "feel" or a setting (rather than just being a generic rule set) may be part of it, I don't know.

[Flambeaux]

Also, regarding Raggi's game, I don't get the impression that people who already play RPGs were dissuaded from purchasing it because of the "noob" components or because it has a free PDF online. I think there's a relatively strong appetite for products like this in the "OSR." People seem to love these D&D setting/homebrew-based all-in-one box set games, "intro-oriented" or not. Whether they play them, who knows.

Having a very strong "feel" or a setting (rather than just being a generic rule set) may be part of it, I don't know.

It's a good gift option for those of us with friends, children, nieces, and nephews who might be interested.

While I have no interest in Raggi's "take" on RPGs, I bought the BHP boxed S&W set for just this reason.

I think there is room in the "market", such as it is, for introductory boxed sets but it is experienced gamers who will be buying them -- the game will still only grow, as Trent correctly notes, through word of mouth.

[Matthew]

It's a good gift option for those of us with friends, children, nieces, and nephews who might be interested.

While I have no interest in Raggi's "take" on RPGs, I bought the BHP boxed S&W set for just this reason.

I think there is room in the "market", such as it is, for introductory boxed sets but it is experienced gamers who will be buying them -- the game will still only grow, as Trent correctly notes, through word of mouth.

Exactly so. As a gift, the boxed set has a lot of potential mileage. I was basically introduced to adventure games via MB's Hero Quest, and I think it was a rather good "way in".