RPG Blog Readers Survey Results Update

Below is another update of the RPG Blog Readers Survey results.  The survey has been up for almost three days now and there have been over 150 surveys completed!  And that’s with no special prizes offered, etc. To me it just means that many people want blog writers to know what the readers like and how they use blogs.

I’ll continue to post updates every couple of days.

The survey is still going! If you haven’t taken the survey yet, please do so before examining the results so that you aren’t biased by the prior answers.  The survey is at: http://www.kwiksurveys.com/online-survey.php?surveyID=NLJOJ_6cc605e2

These results are still early, so while they are interesting I wouldn’t try to draw any conclusions yet.  I plan to run the survey for another week and a half.

Allow me to mention a couple of other items (most were mentioned in the last update) about the survey to serve as a sort of spoiler space:

• If you have a blog or if you are a regular on a message board where the survey hasn’t been posted, please consider a post and link to the survey. This will make the survey better by increasing the sample size and lowering the bias than might have been caused by me posting about the survey on web sites I read regularly.
• There probably should have been a couple of other game systems listed for the questions about game systems.  Any system that gets a few write in votes will be added to the next version of the survey.  (Maybe that will come out in 6 months to one year.)  Already FUDGE, Call of Cthulu, Warhammer, and World of Darkness have been mentioned a few times. I think anyone who looks over the survey results needs to put more weight than the number of votes indicate for the write-in game systems because for everyone who took the time to write them in others might have checked a box that explicitly called out that game system if a checkbox for it existed.
• Another commenter mentioned that bad (web) design is a blog turnoff.  That actually relates to a question that I neglected, which was roughly “What design elements don’t you like on a blog?”  But we were trying to clarify that and develop the answer choices and it was left off the survey.
• A large number of non-gaming posts in an RPG blog was noted as another turnoff.
• Another turnoff that was mentioned in comments outside of the survey was “the amount of racism/sexism present.”  The commenter continued, “It’s pervasive in the geek community, and too many people accept it and encourage it without thinking about the effect it has on other readers.”
• If you have comments about the survey in general or the results so far, please post a comment!

With that out of the way, here are the responses to date:

Question 4
If other, please list the other game systems you like to read about:
Exalted, Cyberpunk, Cthulhutech, S7S,
Hollow Earth Expedition, L5R, Serenity/BSG, Call of Cthulhu
Cyberpunk 2020
Dragon Warriors, Starblazer Adventures, Flashing Blades, Rolemaster
Mekton, Cyberpunk
WFRP
Slasher Flick, Cartoon Action Hour Season 2
3:16, One Roll Engine, Reign
Call of Cthulhu (Chaosium/BRP)
Hackmaster
Earthdawn
World of Darkness
Fudge
New World of Darkness
Nobilis, Tribe 8, SilCore, Edge of Midnight, Everway, Talislanta
HarnMaster
Basic” D&D
BattleTech, Shadowrun, L5R, Deadlands, Storyteller
Fudge, Fate, Rogue Trader
Encounter Critical
TORG, Call of Cthulhu/BRP, Feng Shui
Fudge
Burning Wheel, Mouse Guard
Homebrew
Forgotten Futures, Diana Warrior Princess
Cartography, Mapmaking, 3d Modeling
BW/BE/MG (Luke Crane stuff)
Tunnels & Trolls, Mekton 2, FASERIP Marvel, Mayfair DC Heroes, Call of Cthuhu, New World of Darkness, Legend of the Five Rings
SFB
All Flesh Must Be Eaten, Burning Wheel, World of Darkness, Unknown Armies, anything Warhammer (Fantasy and 40K)
White Wolf, Call of Cthulhu
Apocalypse PRevention, Inc.; Alpha Omega
Warhammer (Fantasy and 40k), HackMaster, Judge Dredd, Unhallowed Metropolis
Warhammer / Dark Heresy
Unknown Armies
Dangerous Journeys
Anything I haven’t heard of that someone’s enjoying.
Homebrewed contraptions
Mutants & Masterminds
BRP, Warhammer FRP
Cortex RPG (Serenity, Battlestar), Spirit of the Century
FATE, Risus, Barbarians of Lemuria, Cartoon Action Hour Season 2, Legends of Steel, Two-Fisted Tales, all the small press games that don’t fall into the “indie” category
Cyberpunk and it’s kin
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Dark Heresy, Rogue Trader, Call of Cthulhu
Shadowrun
Mouseguard, Burning Wheel
Warhammer FRP
Earthdawn, Shadowrun, Eclipse Phase, Conspiracy X
Paranoia, ShadowRun
Call of Cthulhu, M&M, Serenity
Changeling
Fuzion, CP2020
Call of Cthulhu
World of Darkness, In Nomine
Fate
Living Campaign info
Alternity
World of Darkness Games
Exalted
WFRP, CoC
Non-D&D games using the OGL, Burning Wheel, microscope
Rolemaster, High Adventure Role Playing
Rolemaster HARP
Fate
Spirit of the Century/FATE, Burning Wheel, Fantasy Craft, Shadowrun, 7th Sea
Unknown Armies, Exalted, Reign
Amber Diceless, Ars Magica
You didn’t list White Wolf, which is a shame. WoD, Exalted. Paranoia. Dark Heresy.
Ars Magica, World of Darkness, Forgotten Futures, FATE, Paranoia, Agone, Blue Planet, Fading Suns, HeroQuest, Star Trek, pretty much anything non-D&D/non-GURPS
O.R.E. FATE
A song of ice and fire
Capes, With Great Power
Heroquest, Burning Wheel, Gumshoe

Question 6
If other, please list the other game systems you like to read about most:
Exalted, Swashbucklers of the 7 Skies
Cyberpunk 2020
Starblazer Adventures, Dragon Warriors
Mekton, Cyberpunk
WFRP
Slasher Flick, Cartoon Action Hour Season 2
3:16, One Roll Engine, Reign
Hackmaster
Earthdawn
Fudge
Nobilis, Tribe 8, SilCore, Edge of Midnight, Everway, Talislanta
HarnMaster
Basic” D&D
Fudge
Encounter Critical
Fudge
Burning Wheel
Hombrew
Forgotten Futures, Diana Warrior Princess
BW/BE/MG
Call of Cthulhu
SFB
Any sort of small-press
Homebrew
Warhammer (Fantasy & 40k), Hackmaster
Warhammer / Dark Heresy
Unknown Armies
Dangerous Journeys
Homebrewed contraptions
Mutants & Masterminds
same as above
Basic Dungeons & Dragons (I don’t know how you defined you D&D editions but it seems to skip the D&D games that were out concurrently with AD&D1e and 2e)
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Dark Heresy
Earthdawn
Changeling
High Adventure Role Playing
Rolemaster
Fate
Spirit of the Century/FATE, Burning Wheel
Unknown Armies, Exalted, Reign
Exalted, although there doesn’t seem to be much out there that I’ve found.
Ars Magica, World of Darkness are top two
A song of ice and fire
Capes
Heroquest, Burning Wheel, Gumshoe

Question 10

Why do you post comments on blogs?
If I have something significant to add. Also, I admit it, good opportunity to get a link back.
Offer input, engage in discussion, ask questions. Why does anyone comment on blogs outside of trolling and spamming?
To provide a different viewpoint.
I like being part of an intelligent discussion about gaming related topics. There are few gamers in my area and this leaves me few people with which to have these types of discussions.
I post if I think I can add something useful to the conversation.
To express an opinion
I have something to add.
To add my 2 cents if I think it’s constructive.
If I’d like clarification on some point or if I feel like providing same
To provide a counterarguement for a stalker douchbag. For example, WalkerP’s stalking of RPGpundit via his xanga blog.
To combat the dominance of the retards over the internet.
To comment on the article or on the comments.
Pour encourager les autres
To put my oar in the water.
if i have some info to pass on
To solve questions or to give feedback.
Because I have something useful to add.
I normally only do it if I feel that the blogger has either missed or misinterpreted a crucial point in their post, or if I feel that I have a particularly good point to add myself.
If I have something to say about the post in question.
I feel I have something to contribute to the discussion.
Usually to add my own thoughts on the topic. Occasionally as a “Thank you” for a really great idea.
To participate in the conversation
To define or clarify a point, or to provide an example or counter-example to a point. If I can add to the topic, I happily comment.
Because I have something to add to the conversation.
I just have to add my 2 cents. It’s a disease.
To share my own related experiences. To entertain. Perhaps to try and widen my own circle of readers that way.
When there is something I feel needs to be addressed, and I respect the blogger’s opinion on the topic.
To tell the writer i appreciate what he wrote.
To thank the writer for a good post, to agree, to disagree, to offer alternatives, to participate in the discussion.
To give my opinion
To let them know my thoughts on the subject, or just to let them know someone read and agreed with the post.
Because what I have to say is relevant.
Mostly when I have something to contribute to the discussion going on or to add onto the original post. Occasionally just to let the author know that I enjoyed what they had to say.
Adding to the content available, expressing my opinion, expressing gratitude/congratulations
In hopes that they will be useful. To correct factual errors.
Because the writers often have relevant viewpoints, In addition, they may not be aware of other game realted info sources, or resources.
When a post deeply affects me, or when I feel it initiates a discussion I’m interested in, I’ll comment. I seldom comment in relation to other comments UNLESS the source post deeply interests me.
For the discussion?
To inform
I post if the topic is of strong interest to me and I feel I have something useful to contribute.
Disagreement with author
It helps to exchange and critique games
The blog posting was insightful or mindbogglingly retarded.
Sometimes I comment because I have valid input to the conversation. Sometimes I comment because I know that when I write articles I like to see responses. I always comment knowing that it will propagate my own blog’s name.
To contribute to the discussion. I don’t comment unless I feel I can add to the dialogue and would not be repeating what others have said.
If I feel I have something to add to the article or if I feel something of significance was overlooked
To add my thoughts, opinions or share additional information.
I have something worthwhile to add to the conversation.
Because of something that might interest me. I might have a question or a link, etc.
When I feel like there might be value to a discussion, and I have something to contribute, and there are no barriers to commenting.
Because something about the article or another commenter struck my fancy.
For the interactivity of it all. If one doesn’t like feedback, why blog at all, you know?
To piss off grogtards!
I rarely post comments for I am pretty new to the gaming arena. I’m still trying to figure out what games I like and the rules in general.
When something needs to be said.
I want to encourage the authors and provide some extra info for their readers at the same time.
I have something to say.
In the hope that I have something to offer.
To offer a contrasting opinion. To provide information asked for.
Because I like to contribute.
To give my opinion are simply give kudos to the author
To preach how great Savage Worlds is.
When I feel I have something to share that others may benefit from I’ll post.
To generate discussion on the topic; in some cases to encourage the blogger in their work
To participate in the larger conversation about gaming and chat with folks who have similar interests.
Because I feel I have something to add, to support the blog writer, to share in the enthusiasm of the topic, sometimes just to be social!
I post when I feel I can add value.
To produce conversation. To show that I like an article. To provide another point of view.
If I have something useful to contribute.
The topic is interesting and I have something to add, correct or put a different spin on.
Add additional information.
To share information/perspective.
To share resources, ideas, and my own perspective. On a humorous note, because “someone on the Internet is wrong!” (XKCD reference)
To seek more information. To share information. To let the writer know that his or her work is appreciated.
To provide feedback
When I feel that I have something constructive to add, or I feel like playing the devil’s advocate, or the topic is too stupid to let pass.
To give feedback.
because I have an ego
To voice my own opinion about a particular topic i am interested in.
As an extension of an interesting topic and to give the blogger reason to continue writing about a particular topic.
I have an opinion or fact to contribute to the discussion that I feel worth the time to write.
aid discussion and further the community feeling
Who knows?
To answer a question posed in the blog post, to share my experience and knowledge that may help someone, and to ask questions of the blog other and other readers
interact with the community and provide feedback
To correct misinformation.
To discuss the topic and provide what insight I can.
Sometimes to discuss things, sometimes just to say “nice post, Mr. Blogger-guy”, depends.
If I think I can add to the conversation
To provide information, to respond to the blog or another comment.
When I feel I have something to add, or when I want to support the blog’s author.
to add to the discussion, or reply to another commenter’s questions
To let my opinions known.
To participate in a conversation and add my perspective. Sometimes that will be in response to the original post, but often it will be to answer an other’s comment.
I like the blogger to know someone read and thought about their post.
To show off my intellectual superiority, of course. Or to beg for cheese. Either way.
To give my own input if I feel it adds something that has not been said, or to laud the author for the usefulness or insight of the post.
When I have extra information, I like to pass it on. And sometimes just to provide some encouragement.
To start and/or participate in a discussion.
Usually to correct someone.
Only if I have something I think will contribute to the conversation that hasn’t already been said.
When a point that I think is inaccurate is made in the post. When an interesting, related idea strikes me. If there’s good discussion in the comments already that interests me.
I post whenever the subject of the post interests me or I have some pertinent/useful information regarding it.
Because the topic is of interest and I feel I can add to the conversation, not simply as a ditto-head or a “No, you are wrong” kind of situation.
To shed a different light or to express support
To answer questions, to let them know I’m reading.
Usually to thank the author for the post or to post some factual information. I don’t get into debates of opinion because I don’t have time for that sort of thing.
To encourage the blogger or to voice agreement with (rarely dissent to) their post
To let my opinion be known and share ideas.

Question 17
If other, please list where/how else you hear about blogs:
Sometimes from the signatures and/or posts’ content of people frequenting fora
Dragonsfoot.org
Tracking back hits to my own blog.
http://rpg.geekdo.com
RPGSeek.com
Livejournal
Tracking back on hits to my blog via StatCounter.
Usenet
Livejournal
The Minatures Page
Run across them by accident
From the blogger’s other net projects.
RPG.net and other RPG community sites
I hear about them in podcasts from time to time
ENNies
rpg.net forums
Through google’s rss reader. There are some features that introduce other rss feeds.
http://www.reddit.com/r/rpg
I use to take a look at the blogs belonging to people who read and comment on my own blog.
podcasts

Question 19
If other, how else do you frequently discover blogs?
podcasts
Rare
http://www.reddit.com/r/rpg
Googles RSS reader suggestion feature.
rpg.net forums
ENnies
by accident
Usenet
Tracking back on hits to my blog via StatCounter.
Livejournal
http://rpg.geekdo.com
Dragonsfoot.org