[JLV]

Well, the technique I've used in the past is to show them the game, talk about it for about five minutes, and ask them if they want to create a character, just to see how easy it is.

Most of them recoil in horror at that point (remember, most of the RPGs they are already playing require up to several HOURS to create a character). Then I make a bet with them. If they can't put together a basic warrior character in ten minutes or less, I'll pay them a buck. Then, when I've won that bet, I bet them another dollar they can put together a beginning Wizard in 15 minutes. After that, we play an arena battle or two. And after that I tell them we can use the system to play a full-up Fantasy RPG. And then tell them to set up their characters to start an adventure, and then run them through something like Death Test for starters. I haven't actually lost any money yet...

The best part? The learning process, complete with arena games and Death Test, takes less time than it takes to set up a character in most other RPGs. (I track the time, so I can SHOW them how much easier the game is -- and the fun of the Arenas/Death Test shows them that it's not a trivial game.)

Since that process has worked pretty well in the past, I probably won't change it much, though having the nice new shiny components will undoubtedly help in the initial "catch their attention" part of the drill! ;-)

You know what I'd really like though? If you could include an introductory "scenario" designed as a "teach the basics quickly" exercise in the big book (AW/AM/ITL) when you launch it (or as a special addition, sort of like you did with the Rat King thing in GURPS: Dungeon Fantasy). That would make the process of grabbing new players even easier!