Two TTRPG Wolves: Should TTRPGs be free?

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What factors do you consider as you consider how much you are willing to pay to play a tabletop RPG? What extra offerings or considerations would make you willing to pay more? Have you ever encountered someone who refuses to pay to play tabletop RPGs? What parts of their argument did you agree with? Here’s some examples:

  1. There’s a local game store that charges $5 for a seat at a 4 hour tabletop RPG session run by a local GM. You know the GM doesn’t see any part of this fee. Is that worth it?

  2. There’s a local game store that charges $30 for a player seat in a 5 hour session. They have premium tables with a tv laid in for maps, minis and materials for borrowing. You know the GM receives $10 of what you pay the store. Is that worth it?

  3. There’s a local convention which lasts Saturday and Sunday with 3 timeslots each day. You know this convention excels at running D&D and pays its GMs. They charge $50 for a weekend badge. Is that worth it?

  4. There’s a massive convention with loads of tabletop RPG options. Badge for the weekend of the con costs $155 and each event ticket for a seat at a 4 hour tabletop RPG session costs $20. Is that worth it?

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Options #1 and #3 are the two that I’d likely pony up for. Those seem to be reasonable deals.

I am, of course, old and unwilling to drop large piles of cash just to pay a premium for a privilege. I can get my gaming fix without it, so I have to think something is a really good deal to get involved.

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I’m of the options #1 and #3 . I’d also advocate that the GM at #1 get comparable store credit.

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Given I don’t wish to charge players to play in my own games, and I don’t find “premium” features enticing, I find myself with the same preferences as previous commenters.

If only the expensive options were available, I’d much rather run my own game.

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For me, GMing is playing, and prep is play.

I would pay to play in a game if that covers the cost of venue hire, or at a con (up to some cost). Anything outside of that I would just run a game myself or play with some friends.

This hobby is so accessible for free that nobody needs to pay to play.

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