Does it sound familiar? The gamer who is “too busy to game,” now that married life with kids has come his way? The gamer who can’t find a gaming group in his area that plays the Arcade games he likes to play? The gamer who can’t find any support for that nifty new product he found at the local convention? The veteran gamer who’s looking for something “more” in his hobby to keep him active?

The adventure gaming hobby has attracted a huge number of enthusiasts over the past 20 years. A look at the roleplaying side of the industry shows a group of intelligent, dedicated individuals who are usually left to their own devices, and to whatever support their local retailers, volunteer web sites, the occasional game convention, and publishers of their favorite gaming products can provide.

That support has been sporadic, with respect to both location and source. Some retailers are the roleplayer’s greatest friend, spending immense amounts of time organizing groups, events, product demonstrations, and in-store game nights for roleplayers to enjoy.

Some companies have organized their own support networks, centered on their product line, and they vary greatly in size and effectiveness. But that kind of support is the exception to the rule, not the norm.

Roleplayers are typically left on their own to find ways to meet other players, enhance their playing experience, and share resources to create rewarding game sessions. And they find roleplaying support split between computer products and face-to-face products with a vast chasm in between, rather than the cross-marketing and mutual support they would expect to see, given the similarities between the two.