So it's been a week

[ashmie]

So it's been a week of taking some time away from the hobby and shooting the shit. I've had a chance to chat with some of you either by phone or by e mail regarding my quitting of wargames and the hobby as it's called. I've realised that although the forums and the gaming group has been causing me considerable stress I now realise that my problems do not purely stem from here and if anything it was the straw that broke the camels back.
After having time to reflect I have managed to pinpoint the things that were putting me off and the things I liked about the hobby. Please add your thoughts and comments if you agree or disagree. If this thread just winds you up please just ignore it. These observations are purely that and are not aimed in reference to any specific individuals, mainly at us all as gamers from my experience of the hobby.

The wargaming hobby, for and against.

Against: It takes a huge amount of time to learn all the rules for the different systems I play and they constantly get updated so that once you have one lot down a new set replaces it.

It takes a huge amount of time and money to collect, paint and prepare an army for battle. And when the battles are not enjoyable it leaves a sour taste.

Everyone has a different expectation and style of play of what a good game should be and it's difficult to keep everyone happy as well as yourself.

People are too forthcoming with advice on not only how to paint models but also how to collect and game with them. It can feel rather crowded and creativity is stifled at times.

When I game I want to relax and not feel like I have to refrain from enjoying the game when I'm winning for the sake of my opponents cracking mood or when I'm losing have to listen to "Here's what you should have done" and "I wouldn't go there if I were you" comments.

People shouldn't feel like they are going to get shouted down if they write something that someone disagrees with on the forums and made to feel 1/72 tall. Many nights I would leave the forums in a rage and it would eat away at me.

It takes a lot of time to prepare events and when people argue at them or don't thank you for putting them on it can make you think, why do I bother.

Fors:

Painting is fun!

Pushing plastic men along a battlemat is fun!

A good game can cancel out 11 bad ones! Especially Historical if Madmiral is doing the voices of the Brits.

The social aspect is as good at times or better than a night out or a beer at the pub. I'm thinking of Nagoyahammer 2010, RPG festival 2011 and Talisman, Spevna marathons that end in beer and chicken.

Thanks for allowing me to air this. I know everyone is not going to feel the same way or agree with me, but that's something I have learned to accept also. Cheers everyone. Happy gaming and keep rolling.

[Tenorikuma]

People are too forthcoming with advice on not only how to paint models but also how to collect and game with them. It can feel rather crowded and creativity is stifled at times.

On this item, I would only suggest that people like giving advice and trying to be helpful, especially with an interactive hobby like wargaming. Plus, not everyone has the social or cultural skills to realize when their advice is unwanted or too pushy. Best just to accept it in the spirit it was meant and then proceed with the collecting, painting and game strategy that you enjoy.

Learning the rules does take time — I wouldn't even be able to play a proper game without the help I've been given by other players — but you can read the rules during off-time like while you're commuting. You just have to make sure the time spent learning rules is amply compensated by time spent playing the game and reminiscing about it with your mates afterward at the pub/izakaya.

[Spevna]

For me, gaming is a social event only. It is a medium through which I can spend time socialising with people I like. Therefore I choose to game with people I like, an dont game with the people I dislike. Tolerating people I dont like for the good of the group is, for me, pointless as gaming is a social activity. I dont socialise with people I dislike in any other aspect of my life so why should gaming be any different? On the same note, I dont expect people who dislike me to have to put up with me either. To put it simply, game with those you like, dont game with those you dislike, and you will have a lot less worries and angst in regards to the hobby.

Gaming without beer is, for me, pointless. I want to play a game, eat fried chicken, have another game, go get drunk and shoot the shit with my mates. In perfect world, there would be drinking during the gaming as well as after it. Alcohol is the grease that lubricates the cogs and wheels of socialisation. Fried chicken further enriches the experience.

Beer + gaming + fried chicken + scotch + cigars = teh winz!!!!!!

And on that note, I shall prepare for the next Bourbon fueled Talisman-o-thon!

[The Other Dave]

Beer + gaming + fried chicken + scotch + cigars = teh winz!!!!!!

I was well-remarked-upon in my first Japanese gaming group for always buying a can or two of beer at lunch to bring back for the afternoon's gaming. I don't now, 'cause I think Joshin would frown upon it, but it does make for a relaxed afternoon.

[Spevna]

Beer + gaming + fried chicken + scotch + cigars = teh winz!!!!!!

I was well-remarked-upon in my first Japanese gaming group for always buying a can or two of beer at lunch to bring back for the afternoon's gaming. I don't now, 'cause I think Joshin would frown upon it, but it does make for a relaxed afternoon.

You need to drag yourself down to Fort Spevna for a day of Talisman and bourbon one of these days my good fellow!

[Admiral-Badruck]

I am not a drinker lucky for me I was born drunk , but if I was a drinker I would not let the rules of the location stop me just bring a whiskey flask and take long sips when ever the dice go bad.

[job]

Thanks for allowing me to air this. I know everyone is not going to feel the same way or agree with me, but that's something I have learned to accept also. Cheers everyone. Happy gaming and keep rolling.

Pearl of wisdom. Cheers, dude.

[jus]

With respect, the only time a gamer can not learn the rules for a game, is when he cant be bothered to. Editions may change, but even then every five years or so, so fantasy and 40k will be around for quite some time. learning the rules requires some patience and effort, but is by no means impossible.

It comes a time when a gamer must up his game.

One does not show up to a soccer match with jersey and boots and proceed to kick the ball with his hands. It is a courtesy, i think, for gamers to know the rules of the game they are playing ( unless of course they are complete beginners). A good game tests the skills of the players, and offers a chance for players to develop and improve as well as be fun for both players

Once you have about eighty percent of the do's and don'ts of that particular game, Things will seem alot less stressful.

E.g tree kin are very good vs infantry. Do not engage with infantry.
Spears fight in extra rank. Let opponent charge you.
terminators will go down to plasma fire, caution.
Lone characters make easy target practice. Always place in unit e.t.c

[ashmie]

Fair comments all round, thanks lads. Good advice.

Cheers

[ashmie]

I've just been having a look through the new 40k book and is all pretty inspiring stuff. I really want to quit wargaming but at the same time I can't help but wonder how it would feel just to pick one game, maybe two at best and only play those games for a year. That way I could learn the rules inside out, get to know my army better and other peoples. I think the biggest problem was I had something like 8 or 9 systems of games I was playing and wasn't sticking with one and focusing. More than my little brain can endure I'm afraid.
So with that in mind I'm thinking to focus on 40k as my main game and Black Powder as my second. I'll come back to fantasy and the other things next year perhaps. Giving me time to build my Empire for WH and Royalists for Pike ans Shotte.
If any of you have the time and patience to play a game of 40k or Black Powder with me between now and the next Nagoyahammer (which I hope to enter as a serious competitor this time) I would be more than happy to learn the rules and play. I don't expect anyone to jump at this after all the complaints but I'm just saying I'm willing to give this one last shot for the sake of all the money and time we put in to these things. That and I'm a hobby junky it seems. Yoroshiku,