Originally posted by Fritz88:
Loren, if they're handing out something free (like a LBB0 for T5), does that free item have any impact? Especially if it's as good as Traveller has been (discounting whichever version you think was terribly broken).
Free stuff is easy to get rid of at conventions, but getting people to take it is one thing . . .getting them to read it is another.
Women in skimpy outfits draw people to your booth . . . where they stand around, gawk at the women in the skimpy outfits, and block traffic. They usually don't buy anything, and the thing they remember about the booth is that you had women in skimpy outfits.
If your booth staff are pleasant and attractive (and dressed normally), but know nothing about the product (the typical spokesmodel you can hire from agencies everywhere), gamers will lose interest quickly, and go someplace else. They'll take your free book/brochure/whatever, and toss it in their booty bag with the rest of them. If you're very lucky, they'll glance at it before chucking it in the trash.
The best marketing approach is to have intelligent, erudite people _demonstrating_ the game. Ken Burnside of Ad Astra has a great technique where he has people playing his games at the booth, and other people explaining and discussing it with passers-by. There are promotional materials, to be sure, but the big draw is the people clearly playing and having fun _right_ _out_ _front_. If the consumer shows any interest in the game, they'll be offered the chance to join in and play a turn or two (helped out by the other players, who are there to help other people enjoy themselves). Ken's starship combat demo involves maneuvering a ship to line up a shot on a stationary target (usually a chocolate bonbon) and when you've hit it, you get to eat it. Ken has great success at conventions, and is constantly sharpening his techniques. Ken can get _women_ to play (and enjoy) starship combat games (q.v. the aforementioned bonbons).
As for game illustrations, Marc's feelings are that women should be shown as competent, capable, and confident -- not mindless bimbos.
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) were tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek. I think women in your gaming booth, though (actually playing!), makes your game that much more attractive - all around. And, that is especially true if they aren't bimbos, but they're not freaks, either.
