Ambassador Report - April 2003
Region: Ronara - West Texas
Ambassador: Matt Clouser

1.Retail/Player Information from your area:

Retailer Scene: Another dry month on the edge of the Great American Desert.  There are NO stores in my area that support STCCG products and activities.  As I reported in January, Hastings is no longer reserving space for me for my monthly demos - mainly because I haven't had any attendees at a public demo since October.  They still allow me to show up and do small demos, but on a space available basis.    

CCG Scene:  CCG Scene:  CCG activity remains low in the area - Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic are played in small pickup games - primarily at Specialties, our local toy store.   Magic players have started open play Saturdays at Hastings - so far the response has been fairly decent, and they are looking towards reviving the tournaments in town.


2. What have you done "For Love Of The Game" in the past month?:

Again, another disappointing month for STCCG.  I made an announcement (through my email list) for a demo on April 13th, but no one showed - again.

Several of my former 1E players remarked last month that they missed 1E tournaments - specifically the sealed decks.  I later checked through my remaining Ambassador stock of 1E packs and donated common/uncommon stock and had enough to hand out for a simulated sealed deck using modifed 1E Warp Speed rules. 

I set up the tournament for May 3rd and was hoping to get 5-6 players - and I also brought my 2E demo decks along for some after game demos.  Only 3 players showed - see section 4 below for futher discussion,.

Tournaments: Small 1E simulated sealed deck using a standardized "sealed deck" using NAL commons & uncommons, plus my last remaning Ambassador packs - AU and Motion Pictures.

Demos: None (see comments above)


3. What new target (store, gaming clubs, special event) are you planning to establish contact with in the next month to promote Decipher games. What plans are you making to help current stores become more self-sufficient?

Same story, different month.  My 1E players have showed NO interest in 2E, and I have not been able to attract new blood to the game.  A dedicated venue or retailer is what's needed and I do not have one.  I'm still holding out fot the possibility that a new game store may open locally.  However, I was supposed to have heard from one of the gamers behind this effort last month.  His email address is no longer functioning, and he hasn't returned my calls. 


4. Feedback on Special Promotional events held that month…successes, shortcomings, suggestions for improvement, player/retailer comments

POSITIVE

Not much ....

NEGATIVE

During my simulated 1E sealed deck tournament - I mentioned that I had several 2E demo decks that I'd like to demo after the last game.  BIG MISTAKE!

I got a brutal reminder of how many of my 1E players still felt betrayed (that's a quote) by Decipher's abandonment of 1E.  One player even stated he would start playing 2E once Decipher compensated him for the loss in value of his 1E collection - and he also said he had entertained the idea of starting a "Burn Your STCCG Rares Day" on the anniversary of 2E's launching. 

I'd go into more detail, but you probably get the idea.  Suffice it to say I got no takers on 2E demos ...


5. Retailer Store(s) or venues you have run your demos/tournaments:

None ...


Until next month....

Matt Clouser
STCCG Ambassador, Ronara Region
SanAngelo, Texas USA