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How do you get people intersted in the game?

Posted: Mon May 05, 2003 2:14 am
by Wanderer
I picked up the boxed game a month or two ago but am having trouble getting more people in the game.

They are currently running a mordheim campaign going, there seem to be to many people playing mordheim. So they have me playing in the lower level where no one that isnt already stuck into mordheim gets to even see any of the games.

Also a new game came to the store "Warmachine" and lots of people are getting into it so after the mordheim thing is done they are probally going to switch right to that.

Also a lot of people seem to be fed up with GW and their pricing and dont seem to want to buy anything GW now.

So needless to say getting people into the game is difficult.

I put together some 7 start teams of about 12 models each, with all my spare models and a few sets i picked up and offer to let people use them but still they dont seem interested.

Most people that try the game really like it, it is just difficult to just get them to try it in th first place.

Posted: Mon May 05, 2003 3:31 am
by Icedman
hmmm.... sounds like a little bit of a quandry you've got there Wanderer...

Have you got any friends who are already interested in BB? If so, my suggestion would be to set up a game off in a corner somewhere while everyone else is playing Mordheim. That way, those who aren't playing Mordheim might take a look, especially if you're getting into the "spirit" of BB :) I don't know how hard it'd be for you to set up a table out of the way, but its worth a go.

Heck, tell them they don't really need any more models than they do for Mordheim, because really, all they need is the team (my group sometimes doesn't even have that! :) )

My group got a couple of new people in simply because they turned up at my place while games were going on. Basically, if people get to watch a game (or part of it), they're probably more likely to give it a go (it GW's policy :) and it seems to work)

Posted: Mon May 05, 2003 11:05 am
by TiMuN
Yeah, stablish a game, and run by this simple rule:

If they shout on excitement, you shout lowder!

BB is quite more enjoyable than Mordheim, the more players, the merrier.

Posted: Mon May 05, 2003 11:24 am
by sean newboy
Let them use the mordheimers as proxies. Once they get hooked, then they will find/convert mini's for it.

Posted: Mon May 05, 2003 7:00 pm
by Wanderer
Yes, I very much prefer mordheim. I have always been big into strategy games but it seems with most GW games whoever gets the first turn or charge usally wins.

I really like bloodbowl since it rewards strategy instead of relying on luck all the time.

I think I will try to set up games on a seperate day then mordheim since all the main level tables are taken up by mordheim. Will probally take some of my teams and put them in the stores display case also to hopefully catch a few new peoples eyes.

Since I am new to this anyone got any ideas on how to setup a short league or tournament?

Would a tournament be a good idea? Then set it up like GW kills are ignored at the end of the game no money is collected and on player gets a skill at the end of each game. This simplifies paperwork and would make it easier for new players to get in.

What are good teams to pit up against eachother? I was just wondering as i have been playing the humans vrs orcs to help introduce people to the game but I am getting a little tired of only playing against orcs and beating them.

I was thinking about putting together a goblin team to give the unexperianced player a more fair fight and give me much more of a challange.

Posted: Mon May 05, 2003 7:06 pm
by Darkson
"Accidently" set up a BB pitch as Mordheim scenery, and "accidently" set up 2 teams as warbands :lol:

Posted: Mon May 05, 2003 7:35 pm
by Wanderer
Wish i could but the owner says there are to many mordheim players playing so all bloodbowl has to be in the lower level. Quite anoying actually since its hard enough to get people to just try the game let alone eing practically banned to play were no one is.

Posted: Mon May 05, 2003 9:18 pm
by wesleytj
one thing you could point out is that BB is probably the cheapest GW game you can get into. Buy 1 boxed team for $35, and as long as you can supply them with a pitch or two, that's all most coaches need. Or they could have 2 coaches go in together on a box set, and split the orc/human plastic sets...even cheaper, but then you are limited on what teams you can make.

now, you and i both know that the box set isn't a perfectly complete team, but it's certainly enough to get started with...and if they like the game they can always get extra players etc.

compare that to warhammer or 40k! mordheim isn't much more expensive than bb but it can be somewhat depending on which gang you play.

Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 4:23 am
by Darkson
How about telling the owner it's the season final, and asking for a crowd for atmosphere?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 4:49 am
by Dark Lord (retired)
Also a lot of people seem to be fed up with GW and their pricing and dont seem to want to buy anything GW now.

So needless to say getting people into the game is difficult.
Same problem here. The last price increase and the general difficulty in obtaining Blood Bowl merchandise is keeping my local shop from letting me start a league. Basically, if they can't sell it then they don't want to waste their time on it. Actually, a lot of the GW end of the store is collecting dust. Just too many other alternatives that are cheaper and just as fun.

Posted: Wed May 07, 2003 8:27 am
by Arkan
if you think this is difficult, try teaching a complete tabletop newbie. We have had limited to no success there so far. It seems that the complete set of rules kind of exceeds people's willingness to learn rules. I have to agree, that the rules are quiet complex and it takes a couple of games before you even get close to being able to play. The LRB is a lot of fun to read, but not very easy to comprehend for complete beginners.

and then, starting with the limited rule set is also difficult. Any brilliant authors out there that have put together a five pages max summary of the rules. I'd be willing to add some parts, maybe we can put together something.

Posted: Wed May 07, 2003 10:27 pm
by keith_reed
Kidnapp a few friends or strangers, bind them to a chair, gag them and tell them you are not going to let them go until they agree to game with you every week.

Or network through hobbyshops, Warhammer Groups, Warhammer related websites and ,surprisingly enough, there are still sports board gamers out there who play simulation games and some of them do have an interest.

Posted: Wed May 07, 2003 11:39 pm
by Skummy
(All comments below should be prefaced by the warning that I am completely pissed at the moment.)

I'd really love to see some of the talented graphic artists make some printable sheets that can posted at gaming stores and be modified to advertise a newly formed BB league, or one that is in extistance and would welcome new members. I can't think of anything that would help draw in new members for the BB community.

Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2003 8:33 am
by Orin
keith_reed wrote:Kidnapp a few friends or strangers, bind them to a chair, gag them and tell them you are not going to let them go until they agree to game with you every week.
I agree with keith. Just grab someone, shout at them that they are going to play a really cool game with you and let them beat the crap out of you with a Dwarf or Orc team. Everyone loves a little mindless violence.

I just corner people at work and force 'm to play :wink:

Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2003 3:15 pm
by Melifaxis
I usually take my gaming group (D&D, Mage, etc) and introduce it to them. Then I do the same with the folks I play Fantasy Football with. Usually that gets me enough of a crowd to try things out.

Also, you could join NAF and post your info in the coach locator/find others near you that play. Signs at hobby stores are a good idea as well. Create a simple web site to track the season, and you're off :)