I need advice.

What I mean is, our comic has been going for like 3 months and it's all going well and whatnot, but it seems like some comics people don't understand fully unless they are into gaming... say like us (here at TNL).

I notice frequently at school people are like I didn't get it and when I point something out (usually something they miss in the comic, like a subtle reference) they will get it and laugh.

My point is, ... is it sometimes better to make things less nerdy? I mean I know the comic point and I'm sure a lot of the references people here would get, but casual gamers just don't seem to be getting it.
Which isn't bad, I do it for me but sometimes you gotta wonder.

Is the references too subtle? What would you do?

(Let's keep this mature please, if you don't like our comic.. here have a donut. Move on. :D)

(SIG for reference)

It all depends on who your target audience is. If your going for the hardcore gamers/net nerds like penny arcade does, then don't change the format.

But if your wanting a wider audience like casual gamers, then maybe tone it down a bit.

Even Penny Arcade toned it down a bit. They seem to be trying to pick it up again but at first they were way more hardcore game oriented.

I like being a gaming comic, but I mean maybe be more obvious (I guess that is less smart?)...

Unsure.

Do what you know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pixelassassin

I like being a gaming comic, but I mean maybe be more obvious (I guess that is less smart?)...

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It wouldn't have to be "less smart," just in how you focus it. Think about things like how many people would get a joke about, say, Rez versus how many people would get a joke about Soul Calibur II. Even then, deciding if you want to design it to target just those who know a crapload about SC2, those who only know it in passing, or a joke designed to encompass all is your main decision. For me personally, I don't care how many people get it so long as I find it funny.

Also, it's spelled "subtle." [/nitpick]

That's what I mean. If we do a joke about Rez, how many people get it?

I like it , yes but at the same time I want to be sure other people are enjoying it too.

I have sigs turned off... could you put a link. :-)

it's like that with anything. the jokes they make in non gaming comics people still don't get....not 'cause they're smart or stupid or anything....people just don't get shit sometimes. i think you should just listen to the guys above and stick with what you know. so long as you're happy with the end results. you can't please everybody.

You need to look at it like this:

Are you doing the comic soley for the reason of getting the most people to like it, and to have the largest audeince possible?

Or:

Do you want to make a comic that you enjoy making, even though it may have a smaller audience?

Food for thought atleast.

Make a nerd and non-nerd version. Be sure they're pretty much the same, except on the non-nerd version have little info bubbles telling them what's going on. That way they feel twice as ashamed that they have to be told what's going on. :chick: