"Is the argument over miniature figure scales finally over?" Topic

For a long time, miniature gamers were arguing over what was the true size (scale) for figures in 15mm, 25mm, etc. and criticizing those manufacturers that were not honoring these established standards. Has this argument finally been settled?

(a) No, the argument is still raging in the hobby.
(b) Yes, and I am happy with the outcome.
(c) Yes, and I am not happy with the outcome.
(d) Unsure.
(e) No answer. I am not the argumentative type.
(f) ____________________

F.Not all that bothered, to each his/her own.

Manufacturers are making things even whackier by making up weirdass scale titles like 15/18 >.<

As long as there's an idiot out there claiming his figures are so and so mm scale or measure so and so foot to eye, the argument will continue.

No, and it never will be.

I think that the size of what are now termed 28mm will probably be fixed now. With the recent(ish) arrival of cheap(ish) plastic models- all of which seem to be retty consistent in size than new ranges will tend to be made that are compatible with these.

Or I may be wrong of course.

B: at 1:72

Otherwise, other scales A.

Cheap 28mm plastic figures are just as likely to result in more new scales. Original wargames figures were designed to be compitble with (or directly based on) cheap Airfix figures; scale creep soon developed as manufacturers tried to sidetrack Airfix and gain their own brand identities.

f. as long as "scales" are the notional height of a man, which is variable, particularly as there is no agreement about how it is to be measured, the discussions will never end.

A

The discerning collector will always be fussy about the size of his or her figures (and all the other aspects of depiction) … others will (and always have) accept pretty much anything (especially given price and availability).

Neither of the above (and all the mixings in between) is necessarily 'wrong' – it entirely depends on what you are intending to achieve.

And so we can expect the argument to go on. It isn't necessarily a unhealthy debate but occasional outbursts of honesty would be appreciated .

Phil

A., and it will always be so, at least until the government's central planners step in to regulate the issue.

I have noticed a lot of new ranges are spoken of (but not advertised as) as being "Perry compatible".
Perhaps this started with the Age of Reason 300 Club figures from Eureka.
When I requested the Highlanders , Glover's and Raggeds, that is what I asked for. No "from the bottom nostril to the navel" nonsense or 1/69.7 stuff. I just wanted them to be compatible with what I thought at the time were the size and heft I wanted.
As Justice Stewart said, "I may not be able to describe it, but I sure know it when I see it."

AS they say a picture is worth a thousand words This one clearly shows that different manufacturers have different ideas on what constitutes scale As long as this goes on we have a problem

Thanks to the WAB Forum for the picture

Did not know there was one.

+1 GlenGarry5

A

F) Each scale has it's pros and cons. Got the money and the room, go for 25/28mm. Tight quarters, maybe 10mm is the way to got.

I have 10mm Nappy, 15mm WWII and all else 28mm. But, I have to lazy to start over.

F.Not all that bothered, to each his/her own.

I think on the whole 'the hobby' has become more tolerant (i.e. F).

This doesn't just apply to scale.

Remember the arguments we used to have on simulation vs. fun?

Whether unpainted figures should be allowed on the table?

Or whether 'the dip' was real painting?

Your average wargamer just gets on with it and has fun with his hobby. A few mouthy idiots will argue about anything and everything, especially on the Internet where they can publicly massage their egos and shout their mouths off without the risk of a punch in the mouth.

The one true size…..33 1/3 !

Depends – was it the five-minute argument, or the full half-hour?

(c) Yes, and I am not happy with the outcome.

(c) Yes but they killed true 15's, the new 15/18's are more like 20's.

Manufacturers just make it up as they go along. Always have, always will, and the general trend remains one of bloat.

For the unfortunate consumer, caveat emptor.

I have 3mm, 6mm, 10mm, 15mm, 1/72 plastics and a couple of
'heroic' 28mm (which is more like 35)

I wonder if in 20 years, the 6mm figures will be compatible with present day 28mm.

A.

Getting upset about figure scale (It's not a scale! It's a size!) is truly a First World problem.

Having pointless arguments about nothing is a sign of the maturity of the hobby. All hobbies have to go through this at some point.

Getting upset about figure scale (It's not a scale! It's a size!) is truly a First World problem.

Having pointless arguments about nothing is a sign of the maturity of the hobby. All hobbies have to go through this at some point in their growth. It's a good thing it has not lead to bloodshed.

I've never quite understood the problem with 15 vs 18 or 25 vs 28 and so on. I can line up about a half dozen people I know, and if you scanned us all and printed us at perfect 1:100 scale, people would complain that some of us were small 15s and some were 18s.

Face the facts. People are different sizes. It's how we are made. Minis should follow suit. Now if you are going for the "toy soldier" look of uniformity, then I get it. If you think it looks unrealistic, I would have to disagree.

People are different sizes, but rifles / muskets aren't as is other kit (packs, web gear)

As long as we stop measuring to the eyes.

Is any hobby argument ever over?