Hello Friends and Fans of FFTCG! This is Brian B. from Breakers Corner here with a new post!
There has been a lot of site planning to keep up with FFTCG news. We want to keep track of upcoming events on our new site, fftcg.ca so players have a simple method of finding information. I would be lying if it didn't feel intimidating to start making a new source of content. Making new channels or pages can feel daunting, but like many other creators, the goal is usually the same: To grow the community!
As a Content Creator, my goal is to reach out to as many people as possible to spread the word of our favourite TCG. I hope that this site will serve as both a welcoming platform for new players, and a great central hub for people to check out for the latest news and events going on in Canada and the world! This post is a write up of my thoughts on how to help promote and grow the game to help others who want to expand our community. I am sure for many it seems both daunting and can have you constantly second-guessing what's the best way to do it. Here is my take on it!
LOCAL GAME SHOPS (LGS)
One of the first things that happens when someone discovers FFTCG is to seek out local players in their area. (Not as fun a game without others to play with!) Even if there are others that play in their town, it can be hard to find them if no one gives them a hand!
First off, if you are new to the game looking for people to play with or need product, you should ask your local game shops! Even if they don't have any product in, tell them about it over the counter and how you are interested in getting a group together to play! Starting the game here in Ottawa was pretty tough at first. We were able to convince them to order just a little product in so that our friends could get started. We would help each other out with cards we were missing and trade for others. If you are new to card shops, you can always try and meet players who play there and see if any of them are interested in Final Fantasy. The Nostalgia bug can be quite motivating for some people to try the game out in the first place. As well as only being two years old, a selling point for many vets of other TCG's is that the cost is pretty low in comparison.
Every TCG has different rules, prizes and release formats. I have found it never hurts to remind or keep your LGS up to date with upcoming events. It hurts when the store didn't know about a pre-release and it's too late to sign up!
CONTENT
Moving on from that, for those serious about really motivating people to play the game, nothing says it better than sharing content. One of the biggest joys in this game I find is being a content creator! Whether that is making gameplay videos, doing write ups of local and major events, or even hosting tournaments to bring people out to play you can really do no wrong here. Sharing links to major content providers and to high level tournaments can really engage people.
Based off of my experience helping host the Ontario seasonal tournaments, running a small YouTube channel, and just being an avid player since the games release, I know any form of content you can make will be welcomed by people always craving something new to read, learn, try, or discuss.
THE FORUMS
People always forget about the simplest way to promote the game, and that is through your own Facebook or Twitter or Reddit pages! Never underestimate the power of a public post instead of just posting to the Facebook groups.
A few of the biggest ones that are always buzzing are:
Final Fantasy TCG - US
Final Fantasy TCG - Canada
Final Fantasy TCG Fans (UK based)
My advice for those in these groups, is to share on their front page! Often you tend to share FFTCG news in likeminded groups. But sharing publicly means all your contacts will see the posts! You never know when one of your links will pull in a new player from out of touch high school friends to co-workers or their spouses.
Have no shame being the guy redirecting every chat back to fftcg. Any
"...my favourite Final Fantasy character? That would have to be Cloud because that's the main card in my final fantasy trading card deck. ...Oh you haven't heard of FFTCG? Here let me hook you up."
Not too pushy, but juuust enough to get them hooked.
Japan keeps a large collection of their player base on twitter. I would check out there for news and another place to post.
CONVINCE THEM TO PLAY
One of the hardest parts of it all! Some fans are die-hard in their preferred game already. Whether it's MTG, or Yu-Gi-Oh, etc. you can always explain the pluses of FFTCG over other games. Either the lower buying cost of high meta decks, the little to no rotation. Even how the rules make it simpler to share the game in comparison to the complex MTG ones, as well as how the games are more interactive and tend to avoid the huge combo 1 turn plays of Yu-gi-oh or modern / legacy MTG.
Those who say "I can't afford it." yet play other major TCG's may simply feel it's a lot to start at this point. If they don't want to start investing, you can always redirect them to try out OCTGN. (A free PC based TCG program) That way they can test out their deck ideas before dropping money.
Promoting Pauper Events locally and sharing cards can often be a way to introduce the players without a huge cost investment. Standard Units, Title, Pauper can all be a gateway to getting them involved in the full game experience!
TAKE THINGS INTO YOUR OWN HANDS
As I mentioned before, getting your LGS to help you out is a great start, but I don't think we would have as great of turnouts if we all didn't pitch in some effort of our own to make side events! Square Enix will always host major events, but that doesn't say you have to wait til Cup Season to get your games on!
Remember LGS’s are still a business and it is ideal to partner with them to grow the game. A thriving community is good for both player and store.
We here in Ottawa, along with Kingston and Toronto formed a community run Seasonal Tournament, where all were welcome to come out and play! Every 3-4 months various people chip in prizes and time to help grow the game. I would offer art for custom playmats, another would make the trophies and prize bags, and we were lucky to have a friend in printing who makes dividers, boxes and much more for the players. We even have dedicated stream equipment so people at home can watch it! It's a perfect example of the community coming together to build something great. I can't be more proud of how it turns out. (it sounds like a lot, but it started small just like everything else. You can get there too!)
BOTTOM LINE
If you've read this far, then thank you! First thing someone needs to help grow the community is having an interest in these things! This list is barely scraping the surface, any additions you can think of to help it out are always welcome in comments!
Good luck with your own FFTCG community.
Brian
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