Supporting DUST With the release of the new starter kits, there has never been a more opportune time to introduce new players to DUST. However, with the recent changes to the DUST rules, the slightly ambiguous status of DUST Warfare and the “passionate” online conversations between DUST enthusiasts there exists a certain perception of unease about the game. (At least in my area of Mid-America). Three months ago at my local game store there were only 3 people playing DUST at any regular interval. Try as I might, I was unable to generate interest. One of the challenges I had as a DDI Post leader was that the current interest in DUST was primarily in the Warfare rules. My local store has many terrain tables that are just too cool to pass up. Then…I changed my approach. We now have 12 participants in our DUST Fellowship league, and another 5 people who play individually. In support of this game, I want to share the strategies I used to create interest and support for DUST in my local area. 1. Identify a “Champion” of the game: I would assume if you are reading this then you would be the supporter of a DUST community, either a Post leader or an avid enthusiast. Either way, you must have a specific individual who is committed to the time and effort required to gain support for an organized game. If you do not have a Dust Devil International Post Commander in your area: Become one. There is an application online at the DDI website: see that for details. Also, timely and friendly communication with players and the store will be a key factor in getting support. A champion cannot be an anti-social jerk. It just doesn’t work. 2. Find some friends: You need friends. Maybe just one who is willing to play DUST during demonstrations. However, you will need at least one person who will agree to play DUST with you at a game store on a weekly basis. Perhaps this is a game store employee (See #3 and #6) 3. Find a local game store and approach them with a PLAN: I was fortunate that I am the assistant manager of my local game store. However, I know from personal experience that many game stores utilize volunteers and/or industry reps to demonstrate games (Privateer Press Gangers, Catalyst Games Agents, etc). Make an appointment with the owner/manager of the local game store and have material ready to present a plan for demonstrations and an initial investment in the game. Typically I would suggest 2 sets of each starter kit. ($150.00 investment for most game stores), but perhaps a single set if they are very nervous. a. BUY YOUR PRODUCTS FROM THIS STORE: This is EXTREMELY important. Yes I know that Fantasy Flight Games and Miniature Market are super-cheap, but you need a place to play. Spend some extra cash and gain your store’s trust. It will go a long way. This includes paint. b. Agree to a Demonstration day convenient to your and the store’s schedule: You will have to be patient, you are competing for space used for a bunch of games which are important to the store. Try to get an evening time slot if possible, most people shop after work c. Ask the store for display space: This is EXTREMELY important as well. DUST sells itself when properly displayed. Most stores have a glass case in which to show models. d. Ask the store to put up fliers/announcements for your demo days. You will need to tell people about the demonstrations and when you will be there. Ask the store for use of this space to highlight your game. Also if they have message boards or Facebook…USE IT! e. Register your store as a Dust Devil International Post. There is an easy application online at the DDI website. See the application for details. But this creates a sense of ownership for the store. 4. Paint your models: If you are an experienced painter great. If not, then sit down at your computer and watch you tube on how to paint models. It is remarkably easy to do and it will really catch the eye of people in the display case. If you absolutely cannot do this, I understand, but it really helps. 5. Know the rules: This seems simple but nothing is more embarrassing than showing a new player the rules and having to look them up (I know this from personal experience). You don’t have to be absolutely perfect, but you should be VERY familiar with the way the game plays. Cheat sheets are perfectly acceptable at first. 6. Demo the game REPEATEDLY: Bring your friend from #2 and play DUST at the same time each week. I would strongly suggest that you do not show up to the store hoping for some random stranger to ask to play. That does not work. However, when that random stranger walks up and looks at your Allied Punisher walker and remarks how cool it is, IMMEDIATELY ask them if they would like to play a demonstration. If they want to watch that is also ok. Have your friend either help them play or go shop, eat ice cream etc. Here are some helpful hints a. Don’t look like a bum when you demo: I know that pizza stained T-shirts are fun to wear (I have some myself) but look presentable when you demo. You don’t need to wear a tuxedo, but take a bath, comb your hair, and put on clean presentable clothes. [This seems silly, and I am sure that this does not apply to you…. but I have seen people attempt a demo looking like a homeless person and become surprised that no one wants to play] b. Demo the game the same time each week: Be consistent. Make sure that you are there at the same time each week playing away. c. Make sure you have a sign on your play space saying that your game is a DEMONSTRATION. You don’t have to create anything fancy. I personally like the Stencil font but you just need to create a single page cardstock sign which folds in half announcing that you are doing DUST demonstrations. Otherwise you will just look like a person playing a game. d. Be reliable: I know that the season finale of your favorite show is on, and that your pre-ordered Xbox game just came in…but you have a responsibility to demo the game. If you need to miss the game (sickness, getting married, etc), call the game store and tell them as soon as you can before the demo time (more than 24 hours before if possible). It is professional and it will gain you respect. 7. Get players to purchase from the store: You need the play space, so tell them to order their products through the store you are playing at. NEVER tell them to buy their products elsewhere within earshot of a store employee. You can do this outside the store, but it will be counter-productive to getting the store to order product for you. 8. Play the Game: Have those players join you in gaming. Get those players to play with you on a regular basis; either at the store or elsewhere, but hopefully at the store where others can see you. 9. Create an organization: It is extremely easy to create a Facebook group. If possible, create a list of the names and contact information of people that you demo for, or that purchase DUST products so that you can invite them to a playgroup. Use the store forums if they have them. If not, create a thread on Battlefront or elsewhere to get players to contact each other. I created a Fellowship League based not on competitive play but on having a good time and playing scenarios but you can create whatever fits your playgroup. 10. Organize your play: Have scheduled events for DUST. YOU NEED TO GET THE STORE TO AGREE TO THIS FIRST. They have to allocate play space to many people. Don’t schedule an event before clearing it with the store first! These events could include scheduled days for casual play, perhaps scenarios, and even tournaments. If you are successful at recruiting players, the store should be more amenable to providing prize support, perhaps gift certificates for use exclusively on DUST products?!? Once you have organized events, ask the DDI organization for prize support. They will need dates, etc. and I would suggest providing the web address of the event announcement. Well, that is all of the advice I have. I wish you the best of luck and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at Justin@valhallasgate. May your VK never run out! Justin DeLap
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 19:50:33 +0000
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