Community Woes

[Levitas]

So when I switched to Infinity a couple of years ago, our area experienced a fantastic influx of new players and groups joining together. We had quite a few successful tournaments with 10-15 players, with our local forum enjoying a sizable member base and regular traffic. It was a golden age for sure.

But now our group is down to a hardcore few, and we would be hard pressed to run a tournament beyond 4 players. There was no real catalyst or mass exodus, just various different reasons due to life changes and such. Players have just trickled away for one reason or another. Now, we can still get a pick up game with a buddy, but a mid to large size event is just not there.

Part of my frustration, is that we can't seem to find a store that will properly support and advertise the game - despite stocking it. They don't even have staff members that know how to play, and the stores prefer to focus on their main products (which I understand but still). They are not gaming stores, but just happen to stock table top war games. I did a lot of unofficial Warcor stuff and would push gatherings, but it's got to the point where I cant be arsed if the store doesn't run with it. We've had things like mangers refusing to let us put up (nicely designed) flyers and posters. And tables being used for 40k or fantasy when they were supposed to be reserved for an Infinity day etc. Along with grumblings about prize support and shoddy promotion. It just stinks of "I don't really care about your little game".

So I'm kinda at a loss as to how to grow the community. I have already preached to all the guys in our gaming circle that play other games. In short we need fresh blood that is cultivated by a store. There is another store in the area that specializes in tabletop games, and promotes and supports like a legend, but they aren't interested in Infinity.

It's kinda killed the desire to paint and game, so i've occupied myself with other ventures (RPG, video games etc). But would love to see our community bounce back. Any suggestions, thoughts...hugs?

[Scorch]

*hugs*!

I know that feeling, all to much. It really sucks to always be working against the current. In the Netherlands it has taking some time to take of.. we only had a really active group in the far north, and the west. People traveled towards the other places, so that's great.. but not like you are going for a quick game.

Life is killing for a hobby community to function, especially if you have to sync all the agendas to get everybody in. I like Infinity because of the fact that you only need two to tango, so it isn't that hard to get a casual game in.. but tournaments? Pfff. I've heard that has been hard even within thriving communities. Some don't like ITS, others do.. people don't show up.. the nerd-rages here and there.
I'm saying this because you are not alone! Infinity is competing with one of the biggest in the hobby, and that one has been entrenched since the eighties. People don't like change.. a new game, even as good as Infinity, is a threat, especially because there is no auto-win here.

Why isn't that other store interested in Infinity? :/ I mean, it has been growing in the States.. becoming pretty big as well. They should better jump into the boat before it leaves them behind.

My advice.. war of attrition. Just stick it out.. you can still play, even though it isn't as much and against as many people as you'd like.. but the game IS growing. I think you'll soon find that stores are taking a interest. If you specialize in TTG you're following BoLS, BoW, etc.. you'll start to see Infinity getting more and more into the picture. Especially N3 will be a good moment to jump in. Our (Arachas and mine) LGS did, last weekend with a big demo.. and things were on fire! People coming from all over the place, even people stopping to look into the store, to see what was all on the table. A couple just bought a starter right away after O:I.

Keep your head up! and be happy you have people locally that like to game with you! I've had a different experience the last year.. only starting to really play Infinity regularly in the last couple of weeks after we've moved to another place.

[Levitas]

Thanks Scorch! Wise words. I'm glad it's really taking off for you guys there.

Yeah, I mean the small group of hardcore players are a great bunch of friends I throughly enjoy gaming with. I think it's a lil rough, because we had this healthy large group that with a stores backing could've really become something. On one hand it is a case of, well we had it and they were good times - be thankful!. But on the other it's, well we had it and stores didn't help sustain that growth. One store literally has the entire range but not a single staff member could tell you anything about it. I asked if I could put a flyer/poster up directing browsing customers to the local forum and was refused. When we did run a tournament there we got the dregs of an old tournament pack as a prize. Second place just got a badge, while first got a single model they already owned.

The store that does actually focus on gaming makes a ton of money from 40k, WMWH and FoW tournaments. They offer discounts and keep players upto date via email and social networking. I asked them a few times if I could run an Infinity event there and was told no with no concrete reason given. They stock the books and can special order the minis, but their calendar is full of 40k, FoW and Fantasy. I think the issue there is that he got burnt on stocking a few smaller games that just didn't sell and he got lumped with heavily discounting the goods to get rid of it. So he sticks to the tried and tested GW/PP formula.

[Scorch]

I totally understand the frustration from loosing such a thriving group. That just sucks! Indeed, be thankful for the fact you still have a great bunch of close friends that like the game as much as you do! (More of your great batreps incoming!). It is bad to hear your LGSs making such bad decisions when promoting the game. Ah well, not everybody has that fingerspitzengefühl.


And it sounds like the store is afraid of change. (there you have it already!) But that fear will dissolve when Infinity becomes another major player in the field! They are growing. Be patient, it will work itself out. That's my guess.

And believe me.. I envy the drive and zeal of the States-community in promoting the game and allowing people to meet, game and have fun together. That is unleveled in my experience around here in Europe (well, except IJW and his area in GB ). Stuff is looking to be good in the near future for the States and Infinity!

[Harlekin]

Hug. I can offer some hugs.
Besides that it's a highly individual situation.
But it might offer some comfort, if I tell you that I went through some rather harsh times, too and now have a store to support the game, one tournament per month and a growing community of about 20 very active players.

[chromedog]

ALL games go through the swings and roundabouts phase.

Infinity was big in my area a few years back then when two of the people who were behind the game (we don't hard sell, but we do encourage people to play) stopped gaming for a while (one had a child, the other had family health issues) the crowd kinda drifted.

Now with Icestorm, the interest is returning.

As for finding stores to support it ... It's never been my focus - since our club model here doesn't tend to be one based IN a store but for most of us, playing in a store just feels wrong (and then we have to deal with all the ccg hate).
We've got a FLGS who is willing to support it now, and it's picking up - and we're doing it all without warcors (OR tournaments) with slow-grows and a regular campaign (NOT paradiso) which will start up afterwards - the slow grow will take 5 months to run to completion.

It took me 2 years to get my local crowd playing - before this, I had to travel 90 minutes each way to get to another club where people played the game. 2 years. I've done it before and I've shown I'm willing to do it again.

It'll pick up - but you have to be willing to play the "long game". If you push too hard here, you run the risk of driving the prospective players away from your game and into the competitions' arms.

[Hero of Man]

Bartender Thread? Bartender thread.

At least you've got a few friends willing to play; that's a silver lining in itself. My own story of woe might make things not sound so bad.

My 'meta' consists of my wife, more of a painter than a player, and about twice a year my buddy stationed in Alaska drops by and we might get a game in. The closest FLGS to me is dedicated to MtG and LANing League of Legends, with a small, not particularly welcoming Warmachine Community. The store isn't particularly bad, honestly; they will special order whatever you like with a 20% discount, but they're not willing to really stock anything with as many SKUs as most tabletop games, or paint, or anything really related to wargaming. It doesn't help they're nearly an hour away without traffic, so I can't really try and proselytize Infinity there.

I think the last game I had was six months ago; still, in good news, some other Okies have reached out to me from Tulsa and OKC. I mean, they're even further away, but it's great to get invited to stuff. Who knows, they might even invite me on a day I'm not working!

So yeah, it could be worse. I hope Icestorm is the shot in the arm for your meta!

[Levitas]

Yeah, very much a bartender thread, ha ha. But hopefully one with a few tales of success and community building ideas too.

I was definitely spoilt, and you guys have reminded me that I should be thankfully for having at least someone to play. I think coming from 40k i've always been used to having a decent sized community, plus I love running and organizing large campaigns. The initial surge of interest and new players we had was staggering, and probably misleading when considering the long term life of the community. But the fact we do still have a community, albeit a smaller one, is a bonus. And something we can re-build on.

I think one or two lessons can be drawn from it though. When things are good it's worth looking at what is making it good, and what things would look like if it went away. If only one person runs everything, and is the only one to liaise with the store, then does the group survive if that guys leaves etc. Or is the group dominated by a big personality whose trends dictate the flow of the group. Lil things worth thinking about to ensure the community can survive a few knocks here and there.

[macfergusson]

Wow, I feel really bad for you guys... Wish there was some way to help at a distance!

Here in Sacramento, CA, we have a pretty large fluctuation of members, but a core regular group of at least a few that gathers once a week, minimum. Officially, we play every Friday and Sunday, and realistically there's at least one game going Friday evening and Sunday afternoon every week, barring special circumstances.

We do play in the game room of a store, Great Escape Games, which has sizable table space and a lot of gamer traffic. One thing that definitely seems to grab attention is all the terrain. There's a lot more going on with our tables than the 40kMaHorde whatchamacallits.

Having nice terrain set up, and painted models for people to look at, really seems to help people get past that initial embarrassment of asking WTF we're doing.

Having a store that won't even post a flyer for you, though, I don't even grasp that mindset. That seems crazy!

[ZephyrCT]

If the store has their forum or prefers customers use Facebook etc, I get that.

The key to building any community is consistently being there, with your stuff out, ready to play. If three of you show up, the third guy should be setup to run a short demo (obviously Operation Ice Storm makes that much easier)

Don't wait for the person to ask what you are up to - engage them and ask what they are into - if they are interested in the game, they'll ask YOU about the game.

Also, dabbling in the other games can give you leverage to get them to try Infinity.

[Scorch]

The key to building any community is consistently being there, with your stuff out, ready to play.

That gave me funny pictures in my dirty mind