Why isn’t Carnevale more popular? This is a question I have been thinking about in this case towards Carnevale but also for other games.
The current version of Carnevale was released in 2018 as far as I can tell but it hasn’t got the presence I would have expected for such a unique and interesting game. I have only heard the game mentioned once by the various clubs near me and then a second time at RE-Play.
Maybe it’s just unpopular in the area I play in, but I feel it’s a shame its not discussed or played more. Even online the sub-Reddit for the game is uncommonly used, the Facebook page is somewhat more popular however it is still slow. Although I do find most Facebook groups to be slow.
In my opinion the reason Carnevale is not more popular beside advertising is the setting. It’s possible Carnevale’s semi-historical / semi-fantasy is to conservative for some players. It’s too fantasy for someone looking for a historical game and too historical for many people wanting a fantasy game.
I think this medium ground for number of historical elements and amount of fantasy often doesn’t appeal to people who want something on one end of one genre.
For me one of the main reasons I like Carnevale is that it is set in an unusual historical setting. The Republic of Venice is a place and history that I haven’t looked at much, but I have found it fascinating to research since rediscovering this game. I also find the more mystical/eldritch elements interesting, I like that its there but not overwhelmingly so. If you want to you can completely ignore it all.
Why do you think Carnevale isn’t more popular or at least talked about more? What is it that brought you to Carnevale?