However, everyone in the software world knows that it’s one thing to talk about a product, and an entirely different animal to actually deliver on the promises. Gleemax is shooting for a lot, and so far, most people have balked at the actual product (color-scheme being the #1 gripe, but lack of any real substance is a close #2).

Being a little guy in the game is like being a lesser known political candidate. Your chances of coming out on top are slim, but you stick it out on the chance the front-runner implodes.

Abulia, does the text flow properly on yesterday’s post, with the cupcake picture? How about here?

Telas: Honestly, I think it’s going to be tough for independent RPGSN sites to get a foothold. Gleemax will carve out a big segment of the potential market — mainly younger folks, I would guess.

The tricky thing is convincing gamers that they need a SN site dedicated to gaming, and convincing gamers of anything can be tough.

Right now, I’d say that the RPGSN site most likely to succeed would need to be started by a place like RPGnet, which has a huge, established base, and already has community projects and SN elements in place.

That’s not a knock on the independent sites at all, though! I’m not trying to talk down to anyone, I just think it’s a going to be an uphill battle for new, smaller sites.

Abulia: God no — the last thing I need to is to set the site on fire right before ENnies voting opens.

I’ve known the site needed more pictures for a long time, I just finally decided to bite the bullet and commit the upfront and ongoing time to make that happen.

Right now, all of the static pages (Archives, etc.) have graphics on them, as well as most of the top 25 posts. I’m shooting for at least five out of every week’s seven posts to include pictures, too.

It will be an interesting time while the RPG-SN sites battle it out… Gleemax currently sucks hind tit, but I’m not counting them out yet (the rumored custom skins are a good start). If anyone has the resources, WotC does. Any thoughts on how it’s going to go down?

I really want to see that gaming mat in person (maybe mid-August?). A friend GMs on an gridless mat, using retractable keychains, rulers, etc. He claims it takes out the element of “perfect tactical knowledge of the battlefield”. Does anyone else use gridless mats?

I think of NPCs this way: NPCs should have something to offer the party, and something the party can offer them. Even if it’s just “a good fight” and “justice at the tip of a blade”.

Finally, the ars ludi post was a good reminder to make sure everyone gets some time in the spotlight.

I just don’t want to see a bunch of MySpace clones that have no added value for gamers.