Here's another interesting passage from the September 1980 issue of Fantastic Films, where its author, Neesa Sweet, talks to Jeff Urquhart, owner of Sutler's Wagon Hobby Shop in Chicago (any readers remember this place?).
What I find most remarkable about Urquhart's comments is that, even in 1980, it was already apparent that, as a hobby, RPGs don't actually require players to buy all that much to enjoy them. As he says above, you can "get away with spending $15 ($55 in today's devalued currency) and have enough material to play with the rest of your life." Equally remarkable is that Urquhart doesn't think much of "the newer, complete scenarios," believing that they "rob people of the freedom, energy, and imagination that the game had in the beginning."
The more things change, the more they stay the same!
Amen.
ReplyDeleteOh yes i think that place was up on the north side either off diversey or belmont. my recollections of hobby shops in chicago was limited to emperors head quarters off of irving park. fortunately for us being almost in the loop, waldenbooks and krochs and bretanos had a fine selection of games materials. oh! there was also flying tiger in forest park, impossible to get to as a kid due to miles of hostile territory
ReplyDeleteRob? I don't think that word means what you think it means.
ReplyDeleteI remember Sutlers wagon on Central ave in Chicago. Bought many models there.
ReplyDeleteSutlers' Wagon was located on Central Ave 2 blocks south of Belmont Ave on the East side of the street.
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