""It's Still Fun to Me!"" Topic

Link: link

Dirty Jon writes:
"I was reflecting on the last year or so in Flames of War gaming, and more and more talk feels like it is sliding toward the negative. This is a shame, as we are generally trying to keep it positive here in WWPD Land. Recognizing this, I thought it would be a good idea to reflect back on all the cool things that I still like about my involvement in this hobby."

For me, I enjoy the social interaction the most. If it wasn't for that I doubt I'd wargame.

At the same time I enjoy the mental exercise of the game. What is the author trying to accomplish explicitly and sometimes implicitly due to the way he writes the rules.

And I enjoy the historical research associated with the period, army, tactics, etc.

There's a lot to enjoy.

I love posts like this that deliberately look to the positive side, even when things are getting negative. The "big-dogs" in the wargaming world are often the target of much vitrol (sometimes deserved) but it's nice to remember what they and their fans do right.

Years after abandoning GW, I sat down and wrote down a little treatise on the good things that particular corner of the hobby still has to offer. link

I find that I really enjoy getting together with the guys and all the table talk and "woofing" during the games. Over the years what started as just a bunch of guys getting together to play with toy soldiers has become a group of friends beyond just the gaming. In many cases our wives even enjoy commiserating with each other about their odd husbands.

I also really enjoy seeing new ideas folks come up with for terrain and rules mechanics at conventions.

I enjoy painting figures.

I really enjoy the challenge of researching and designing rules for a new historical period.

For me, after over thirty years in the hobby I can reflect back on FoW in particular. About 14 years back I got out of the hobby entirely (personnel reasons). However, a few years back I started getting back into the hobby again in general. At first I was toying around with Warhammer once again (in its 8th. edition at that time). Was fun for a bit, but I quickly started thinking about my real love: historical gaming. Well, a few web searches and what not and I stumbled on this Flames of War thing everyone seemed to be talking about.

After reading all about it – and watching Battlefront's Boot-Camp videos) I was hooked! I couldn't imagine that WW II (let alone "historical" gaming could have gotten so popular!

Well, here I am three years later having experienced quite a few really good rules – such as Battlegroup, DBA v3, Black Powder, BFE II, PG Deluxe, IABSM, etc., etc. I am happy I did so.

However, Flames of War in particular stands out for me quite a bit – more so than any other really. It got me through not only some hard times, but got me BACK into the hobby I have loved so much over the years. So yes, I still play it, love it, and promote it as best I can.

It's all good as far as I am concerned :)

Kurtus

Ironically I avoided FOW until last year when I decided to give it another go. A few House rules to deal with the "unrealistic" elements of the game and a mission to play historical re-enactments (sorry, no captured Italian tank companies) and I have been surprisingly happy with FOW.

Haters are gonna hate and a lot of them are probably jaded by the dominant tournament scene. I find a lot of gamers who played the tournament circuit for too long have trouble crossing over to historical games.

That's all that matters.

I love this hobby. I've met some great guys and attend three great cons (Cold Wars, The Weekend and Fall In) annually. I've painted my heart out and played in some amazing games. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Most of the reasons expressed here are the reasons we created "The Weekend" a small convention of 60+ here in Lancaster PA. I and a bunch of friends realized that we went to the big HMGS shows primarily to see friends, but never found them or the schedule was so hectic we could never get together. So we started our own convention and invited our friends, and now we get to socialize with them for days over the game table. Anyone can come. This years "The Weekend" is on June 18 to 21 at the Continental Inn, in Lancaster PA. June 18th is the kick-off dinner. Lots of games, lots of friends, free beer. and munchies donated by everyone.

You can always find your friends, talk to them, gas on in the Munchie pit… and game.

@OSchmidt:
That's not far from me. I am in Lakawanna PA actually.

Wargaming is still fun, especially at con time. Its an opportunity to enjoy the company of friends who don't live near. Its one thing to email or call people, another to game, discuss, smoke cigars and have liquid libation with them.

Good thread, Steve. I think one of the greatest, possibly the greatest, contribution FoW made to this hobby is it gave us a WW2 rules set that was enjoyable, has just enough meat to it to satisfy a lot of gamers, and could be played to a conclusion in a short afternoon, or an evening. Second to that, IMHO, is that it spurred a manufacturing binge of WW2 stuff that we only dreamed about two decades ago. The availability and variety of stuff on the market now is light-years ahead of what it was even 25 years ago, let alone 40 years ago when I first started pushing Roco Minitanks around.

Best wishes, Steve, and good thoughts, Jon!

The issue I have with FOW is the same issue I had with Warhammer, and that is giving tanks a save roll. I don't believe in save rolls period. If you hit the target is out of commission some how. If a German 88 hits a Sherman, there isn't a save, just a loud boom and a pile of junk. Ask surviving WW II tankers.

F.o.W. allows all players to move and play with all the toys put on the board. For my gaming group it's a happy middle ground between the hardcore historical guys and the beer and pretzels guys.

Enjoyed FOW but it went out of kilter when they pushed Tanks. Tank armies dominated the tourney circuit. I also enjoy historical units and got tired of every book being Para/SS/elite units with lots of armor support. Wont even go into the GW trick of dropping a new set of rules just to reprint the books and get your money again.

The plus is it brought WWII mainstream for the younger crowd. This is a huge plus as our older player base is starting to fade out. Been getting into Bolt Action Lately and enjoying it more than FOW..at least till the tankers make the switch and demand more armored platoons.