Ralf, you missed my point. Gamers should absolutely run game companies. Just like lawyers run law offices, doctors run doctors offices, etc.

But companies need, no, require professional advisors, accountants, tax planners, marketing groups, IT departments, etc to run efficiently. TSR was a management nightmare. WotC is a corporate machine, not some guy in a office playing Magic all day long. WotC clearly figured out how to operate after its success with MtG; prior to that it was a basement operation. WotC capitized on its success while TSR destroyed itself. The difference is a sound business plan backed up by professionals.

The most successful companies are the ones who realize they need help, then they go out and get it. TSR was a joke. They were so tied up in who had more controlling interest than who, it destroyed the company. No one was listening to the supporting infrastructure, though it really seems there was no supporting infrastructure to listen to (which is worse, yet).

I'll let you in on a little secret. It doesn't matter if you are selling cars, books, houses or popcorn, your business needs to function as a business. Find your niche, create a good product and drive on. Be creative and do what you do. But gosh darn it, listen to the business pros. Or you can join the other 75% of new businesses that fail.

It takes a lot more than a good product to be successful. And that is the sad, boring, unsexy truth behind any business.

Absolutely! I think we are in total agreement.

I started my company by myself; built one home sold it, built another and worked my ass off (70-80 hours a week easy). My wife was gonna kill me; said she would see me more often.

It takes desire and love for the product, service or whatever. That love must be fed by hard work. That is how to start a business, in my opinion. You have to believe in the project no matter what anyone says. Then you learn more, grow, become successful. But then you need help. Almost anyone can build one house a year, maybe even two. But that's gonna get old and you poor. Your business grows and then you need professional help - accountants, lawyers (Oh I hate them so!!!), insurance specialists, etc.

You see, all I am saying is that business have two sides. The one the customer sees - i.e. the product and staff. Then there is the business side. Just because you know the product does not convey to knowing how to run the business. It makes my head ache sometimes, but if I want to be successful, I have to face reality. TSR did not.

bbarsh wrote:Absolutely! I think we are in total agreement.

I started my company by myself; built one home sold it, built another and worked my ass off (70-80 hours a week easy). My wife was gonna kill me; said she would see me more often.

I agree. I run a game store, not a bulding company, but I fully share all the BBarsh opinions. I am a gamer when writing reviews, paying with friends or partecipating in forums, but when I'm working in the store I am a retailer: I don0t order what I like, I order what sells. I have been called many times 'a bastard' - for example when throwing out Magic players convinced I run some youth center and not a business and so thinking they can buy cards, boosters and boxes elsewhere but playing here all day.

It takes hard, hard work to succeed. I work from Monday to Saturday and often Sunday too, for tournaments and such. Holidays are very limited. You have to confront inefficient suppliers and banks from hell. You have to confront bizarre people wanting your advice but buying elsewhere (Internet being a prime example) because it costs less. No wonder at least two other stores opened in the last years but all failed and closed their doors.

Anyway, I LOVE this job      

Resurrecting a very old thread just for research purposes.

Here's a LONG interview with Gary Gygax that some may want to reference later.  I placed it here because other links to this information found in this thread don't appear to work anymore.

The Ultimate Interview With Gary Gygax

This thread resurrection had me shuffling through the Internet looking for other fun interviews.  I came across this interview of Tim Kask on YouTube (posted by Dorks of Yore).

Tim Kask On TSR #11: Two-Hour Un-cut Q&A - YouTube

Wonderful Q&A.

SimperingToad wrote in Let's make an interview with Tim Kask!!!:

benjoshua wrote in Let's make an interview with Tim Kask!!!:Resurrecting a very old thread just for research purposes.

Here's a LONG interview with Gary Gygax that some may want to reference later.  I placed it here because other links to this information found in this thread don't appear to work anymore.

The Ultimate Interview With Gary Gygax

Well, that didn't last long. I'm getting a 502 Bad Gateway error.

Hmmm... still works fine for me.  I suspect a smarter mind than mine can suggest a solution.  

Working okay now. I didn't change a thing.

Temporary hiccup, I suppose.

Steve Marsh wrote in Let's make an interview with Tim Kask!!!:Amazing to see this as Tim gets out of chemo.

Ick. Sorry to hear that.