Is roleplaying having a hard time recruiting younger people?

[Armin]

Originally Posted by Loukas

Another thing I was told by the shop worker is that board games are having a major boom, and that some of those games have RPG elements. So people are able to get together and play. Maybe a board game offers physical support and isn't as daunting7demanding as a pen and paper?

Not as daunting, maybe. But I think the primary reason board games are having a resurgence is because they're *social* games, and require nothing more than some time. There's no continuing investment, no significant prep time, nobody has to be the GM, and anyone who shows up can play. RPGs are social, but don't have the other, more casual benefits. And with more of our lives being conducted through electronics, I think there's a real desire amongst many folks to get together with friends and do something, without a large commitment of time being required.

My regular RPG group plays every Wednesday. When the current game is canceled for some reason, those who are able usually still get together, but we play board games when we do, for the reasons I mention above. Having a quick, casual, spontaneously generated RPG session just isn't usually practical. Plus, board games are really fun, in a different way from RPGs.