@3n1gm4 - your observations are welcome - the challenge is that current minorities face the same ‘entry’ problems that everyone has with this game (cost, etc), PLUS the challenges of a (currently) exclusively CWM environment. We’re trying in this thread to focus on the latter - thanks for recognising that.
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You might try shifting the locus of events from an intimidating one (game stores) to a more familiar, comfortable one (coffee shops, microbreweries).
Hard to do for really big events, but helpful as a first step.
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I can’t contribute much to this thread, but want to signal boost higgs_bozo’s point here, as I think it’s a significant one. I can relay that my wife and several other women I know have been interested in Netrunner, but simply do not want to go to a “game store” to play it. The negative stigma associated with these stores – loud, nerdy men doing loud, nerdy things – is hard to overcome, and has to be factored into any initiatives to increase diversity in the community.
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It should be factored in as a huge gain, too. If increasing diversity goes hand in hand with shedding that stigma, that would be a massive improvement for everyone.
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It could be, I suppose, but we shouldn’t overreach nor negate short-term gains for potential long-term ones.
I’ll be clearer: I strongly support increasing the variety of places/venues that Netrunner is played in, in order to move it away from the perceived stigma of the “game store.” While FFG is obviously all-in on supporting these venues, and I generally support the idea of financially supporting FLGSes, they come with baggage that are likely excluding a lot of people who would be interested in games like Netrunner. They already have the MtG/Yu-Gi-Oh/Pokémon players, and Netrunner/LCG players are small potatoes for those venues financially. It shouldn’t be on us to diversify the “game store” in general – it should be on us to diversify this game’s community.
I’m all for shedding the stigma that game stores have earned, if possible, but that seems beyond the scope of this discussion. Given the dwindling numbers of players at our local meetups, I’d much rather look into new places to play that could be welcoming to a wider variety of players without having to worry that the MtG players at the next table will be obnoxious.
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Is this the thread that @bblum promised when the Euro thread was closed?:
If so, I’m glad to see it. If not, hopefully’s Ben’s efforts can be combined with this one, since already has a good starting point with the rules laid out.
This is an interesting idea. I might do this for the next tournament, usually I know/ask if people came together so they don’t have to play first round, asking if they may want to is an easy next step.
FWIW, I think doing achievements is a great way too make a “tournament” more accessible, but it’s not going to get more people to come, just maybe have higher odds of retention.
Yes. 
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I’ve stopped playing outside a select group of friends, but one of the largest issues I’ve encountered with getting anyone outside of the stereotypical demographic into a hobby is disposable income. I have no problem dropping large amounts of cash on my hobbies because I can afford it, but I am also in the demographic that has the highest disposable income. When you only have a little bit left over after necessities are taken care of, hobbies, whether they are card games, miniature games, or whatever may not stack up against a night out, a new music album or new clothing.
I’ve tried to get my girlfriend to try my various hobbies, and it’s always a nonstarter. I just asked her why she thinks that is. Here is what she said:
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When she’s relaxing, she is not interested in doing something mentally taxing, she’d rather watch tv or a movie, or hang out with friends and talk. If she has to play a game, she prefers simple games that she can unwind with. Her favorite video games are open world exploring games and racing games.
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Makeup and clothing take up a lot of her disposable income because women are judged more on their appearance than men.
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Her disposable income is better used on practical things like kitchen appliances and household organizational items.
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Feminine hygiene products are expensive.
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Games that revolve around combat are a non-starter, as well as themes of violence.
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Game nights and tournaments require a large commitment of time. At home, you can just play a couple of games and walk away.
She had a few more issues, but these were the main ones.
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Would your local store stop supporting the game if your group decided to meet in pubs/cafes instead? Those kinds of spaces tend to be much friendlier to people who aren’t typical card game players (ie. straight white dudes).
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1 - I assume that “community” != “tournament players”.
- Show prospective community members the bookstalk about the lore of the universe before you even mention clicks, credits, tags, or how cool Jackson Howard is.
- Focus on people who you think could be interested in sci-fi, cyberpunk, technology,
- Talk about the great times you keep having with other players, but avoid make it a tale “dudebro” greatness - because even if that’s there, there’s so much more.
- When you start to teach the game to a new player, start with the lowest possible rungs. A deck that does one thing. Cards that don’t require memorizing complex timing structures.
- Be patient, be kind, be receptive and responsive to the feedback coming from the people you teach/talk about the game to.
- Do not play to win. Play to have fun, You are here to make friends, not to bury everyone.
- Accept that your new opponent most likely will never buy cards and/or compete in a tourney. If they actually feel like doing the latter (in which case, whoa, congrats!), lend them your cards, train with them, go there with them and talk about your (and their) games once it’s all over. Help them experience the fun with a friendly (=your) face around.
I’m not listing the “dont’s”, because I believe we can all imagine what they are. A simple one is - don’t make negative/jocular/biased comments about other people, especially based on the qualities described in #3 below.
2 - Is anyone trying to direct people from listed groups towards this forum (or gather feedback/suggestions)?
I mean, this is a place dedicated to Netrunner, so prospective community members may actually not know that we are exploring such questions and need their input. Maybe we should have a questionnaire, ask around, and report back?
How about getting a diverse game reviewer or two to look at Netrunner and asking about their honest opinion about the game’s setting, general mechanics, and playability?
3 - A sample adapted from a friendly org…
Diversity in our community means more fun for everyone. This document outlines both expected and prohibited behavior.
The Netrunner community thrives through its people and the desire to play a great game in equally great company. We put people first and do our best to recognize, appreciate and respect the diversity represented among us. The Netrunner community welcomes everyone who understand and accepts our goals and wants to contribute towards them in a healthy and constructive manner. As such, we have adopted this code of conduct and require all those who participate to agree and adhere to these guidelines in order to help us create a safe and positive community experience for all.
These guidelines aim to support a community where all people should feel safe to participate, regardless of:
Background
Family status
Gender
Gender identity or expression
Marital status
Sex
Sexual orientation
Native language
Age
Ability
Race and/or ethnicity
National origin
Socioeconomic status
Religion
Geographic location
Any other dimension of diversity
…etc.
4 - Apologies if I’m a bit dim. Do we mean to inspire through our exemplary community spirit and community building skills other game communities out there? I guess that “simply” requires doing our best to get more diverse people on board and let them be vocal about the Netrunner community being a great group of people.
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I’ll reply from direct experience in a different card game community: create “safe spaces”. This can take many different shapes, but it’ll help create the best environment possible and highlight the demand from these communities for playing NetRunner It could be a specific subforum with specific rules?
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We’re looking for input on how to write a code of conduct to make all of stimhack into such a safe space. We’re also trying to hold this thread to an even higher standard still. Any specific suggestions for rules?
A starting point for this might be the UK Stimhack Slack Channel code of conduct, which is linked here …
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Yes, but bear in mind there are lots of players living in areas with too few players to have regular casual meets, so their only in-person interaction with the rest of the community is at tournaments that they have to travel to. That’s partly why tournaments are important, it’s not just about figuring out who the best at running nets is. (And also why it’s important for FFG to really push more casual-friendly formats like Cache Refresh, but that’s irrelevant to this thread.) So encouraging players who are by nature or by culture less competitive to attend tournaments anyway is important, and might indirectly help to increase diversity.
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I didn’t have specific suggestions in mind but I certainly can do some digging to provide links, if needed. That being said, rules should be the result of this very community (its moderators leading the charge) creating them, not a copy/paste (and I’m sure you’re aware of that). What about creating a discussion specifically about this topic, so that it becomes a collective and participative effort?
A general comment on the thread, so that we don’t lose focus. While ideas for expanding the player base in general are welcome on Stimhack, this thread is specifically to think about how we can reach out to the currently under-represented demographics.
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Yes I meant online, because it’s infinitely easier to create a sustainable and accessible change that way. Start small but broad, then in time you’ll see this trickle down to real-life communities in an organic way. It’s very important that this never feels “forced” (although you have to know right now that some people will not accept that change, whatever shape or form it takes) and the effort is allowed to take many different shapes. It will take a very long time but the seeds of positive change are never truly the most rewarding actions. (by the way I forgot to congratulate this community and its mods on this thread )
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Definitely a good point (I’m really lucky to have avid players of all levels in geographical proximity). Netrunner needs more “fun events” or things like Terminal Campaign, where you have a good excuse to get the cards to the table and not spend a nail-biting afternoon thinking about byes, strengths of schedule and the local/global meta of the moment.
I think a great example of a fun event is the Learning League with prebuilt (and public) decks that have the right power and complexity level to get new people going fast.
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