Growing the Hobby!

[artlax]

We in the BAM play in probably the most “electric” of all gaming venues – a shop that has a large gaming room and hosts all kinds of game playing (cards, miniatures, video, etc…). We couldn't ask for a more recruit rich - captive audience.

Yeah –we always have a few guys or kids stop over to check out a portion of our games and ask questions – but in three years now we have yet to have anyone show real interest and jump in the action with a team. Or for that matter even ask if they can try it out and scrimmage some. Here we are in the midst of gamers and no real interest – any suggestions?

What do we in the BAM and in the MFCA REALLY need to do to grow this hobby?

[WEIRDWOLF]

That is the 100 million dollar question? I hope we can hear some responses.

[the french guy]

For me, the developing will come from other hobbyists, especially the wargamers (fantasy or historic, with or without figures) and tabletop board players (statomatic, etc...).

It's why I'm trying to do here in france. With very low success for now, but


Perhaps you should try to touch football fans in your country too : fans conventions, veterans associations, etc...

MF is a two sided hobby : sport and modelling. Try to touch the 2 domains !

[mark robin]

the games that are played in comic book stores and board game stores usually dont have people that were interested in football. i say , get back to family oriented sports themed resturaunts/bars, where kids are there in the daytime. set up in malls, even smaller stripmalls. boys clubs, scout troops. afterschool programs. churches. or even, in your on driveway, or a buddy's driveway that has a lot of traffic. put up a sign, saying something about...

"stop here, take a look at mini football".

public libraries-their media rooms.

police /fire departments...cops and firemen have kids and generally like sports.

[NATIONAL]

Try to get in contact with the local sports radio host. Sometimes they are looking for something outside the box.
In the mall there is always a sporting goods store, ask them if you can set up an exhibit of miniature football. Make sure you have on some football jerseys. Make sure you buy something from the store!

The game has to be shown in the light of guys having fun. You get two characters playing each other, and you will get people excited! A fast pace rule set will help as well.
Youtube & facebook are great venues to use to put the word out there as well. The MFCA is working on something with a committee, so help is on the way


Nat'l

[Megawattz]

Until the image of "Elec trick football" is revamped & packaged for the 2010 audience itll never happen. Whats needed is a marketing campaign unlike any seen before, an all in 1 modern game, with bases that perform off the sprue, with the new look boards & figs. Remember were competing with video games, unlike when we were young. so a better ? would be how do we attract the youth of today.

[artlax]

we have a wide range of people to see MF at The Toy Wiz - as "The French Guy" stated - guys who do build, paint, customize and still nothing. And it is not just kids - nearly every age group is represented in this place.

But since you guys offered these ideas - how many new guys (not kids) have you attracted to the hobby using the techniques you suggest? And are they still in the hobby?

[hennedup]

Im new to the game but I will say one of the big hurdles to over come is the cost. Once somebody gets interested they find out how much it cost to get teams and bases and boards and they lose interest very fast.

Tony

[wayneinsf]

Mega nailed it "an all in 1 modern game, with bases that perform off the sprue, with the new look boards & figs." With today's youth you need a fast paced, easy to play and fun version. I hear all the resistance to use a bigger football da pill which could make passing easier from coach's and that's cool if your a so called pro. But for the beginner lets make it as easy to play as possible and shorten the game. I think with all the the sports fantasy leagues we could attract a few and when ever I take a EF team to a Raiders game in Oakland I get offers to sell and general interest at the game from fans who still think of the way it was. They are blown away with today's version.

[Megawattz]

If "EF" was a car itll be a "Model T" Ford as far as the public is concerned, if u went to the showroom & all they had was "Model T's" youll walk out. Until its brought to the Public in the "Sport Class" version it wont happen, there has to be a driving force other than History, that History is failing us in 2010. There has to be a sanctioned league or something to add credability & someway to bring it to the public as its played today not yesterday. Sorry fellas we have to shed the old, not in personal preference but in the publics eyes as a ligitimate sport/hobby unlike chess or monopoly, lets face it its still a board game.