nnascati | 13 Jan 2016 5:36 a.m. PST |
I've been gaming for over 45 years. In that time, I have gamed with a pair of live opponents off and on, and with one son in law every couple weeks for the past 4 years. Most of the time though, I am painting, building terrain or gaming solo. Back in the day, I filled journals with reports of solo games, quite elaborate records in fact. Lately though, I am finding little joy in gamin solo. I do mostly small scale skirmish games, Pulp, Post-Apocalyptic and Ancient (SOBH). I tend to set up a game, and then end up doing nothing with it. What do you all do when that happens? |
David Manley | 13 Jan 2016 5:39 a.m. PST |
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MajorB | 13 Jan 2016 5:41 a.m. PST |
What do you all do when that happens? I don't think that has ever happend to me. |
abelp01 | 13 Jan 2016 5:53 a.m. PST |
I put all my gaming stuff away and just live life. Inevitability I'll see a movie or read a book I hadn't been able to read and something clicks and I jump back into gaming with the enthusiasm I've had for most of my gaming life. Sometimes the dry spell can last a couple of years, but for me it's been well worth it. |
Texas Jack | 13 Jan 2016 5:56 a.m. PST |
Davidīs suggestion is good, perhaps you need a sexy hobby on the side. If not, then how about breaking out of your skirmish gaming and going into something larger. A change is as good as a rest you know. Or you could always see if there are any clubs in your area. You wouldnīt have to go to every game, but only when you want. This is what I did, and I can say I have never been happier. Gaming solo when I want, and when I feel the need for an opponent I go to the club. |
nnascati | 13 Jan 2016 6:04 a.m. PST |
At my age (65), I am less and less inclined to drive at night. The larger game is a good idea. I do have some colonials to go with the Pulp, and some AWI. Both could be expanded. I think if I can get into the writing AAR habit again, that would help. |
79thPA | 13 Jan 2016 7:05 a.m. PST |
It sounds like you are almost forcing yourself to game. Perhaps it is time for a little break or, as noted, a change of pace. |
LaserGrenadier | 13 Jan 2016 7:38 a.m. PST |
I have set up the wargame table for a big game and then let it sit for several months. Sometimes life intrudes, other times I am just not in the mood. Solo wargaming is, after all, time spent alone. But when I am not inclined or inspired to play a game I try to put the time into one of the background aspects of the hobby: painting figures; sorting through all the bins of figures to select, clean and prime a "new" unit; taking inventory to figure out what I actually have; working on buildings and terrain pieces; completing the various paperwork items that support wargaming: TOEs, unit data sheets, campaign logs, etc. I wargame several periods and rotate them on my wargame table. There is just enough variety and it allows for books and movies to keep a spark alive in the low-energy periods. |
Col Durnford | 13 Jan 2016 8:55 a.m. PST |
Take a break. Set up a display using all your figures. Recently, I did some research on an element of the Spanish American War that could only be called a sideshow (Escario's march). I set up the table as three linked battles with the results carrying over to the next battle. Over three months I played the campaign out twice. |
Choctaw | 13 Jan 2016 11:09 a.m. PST |
My hobby interests follow the seasons of the year. From July through December I'm very hunting oriented. Lots of work to do out at the place. However, once the hunting season is nothing more than a memory, I happily jump into research, gaming and modeling. In this way my favorite hobbies always seem fresh and fun. As others have said, if gaming is becoming a chore then perhaps push away from the table for a while. |
tshryock | 13 Jan 2016 11:45 a.m. PST |
If you still enjoy building scenery and terrain but not the gaming aspect, focus on building a super-realistic set up and just taking photos of your troops in it. You might also try running your own battle/campaign as the umpire with two (or more) other players issuing orders. This let's you watch the action like a slowly unfolding movie, wondering what will happen next. |
nevinsrip | 13 Jan 2016 1:24 p.m. PST |
Hey Nick, Start a fight with yourself. That will liven things up. |
D A THB | 13 Jan 2016 1:34 p.m. PST |
Start a campaign with a small collection, then the constant pressure to get new units on the table should be enough to inspire you. Thats whats happened with my Vietnam Collection as I am always trying to keep up with the escalating events. |
20thmaine | 13 Jan 2016 2:18 p.m. PST |
Do you ever look at the Solo Wargamers Association blog – there's a free sample article from Lone Warrior posted every month – with 4 always available. There's lots of ideas and one or more of them might be applicable/helpful with your own gaming. link The current available ones are : Constructing 6mm Units. Steve Turner explains how to build 6mm units for Horse and Musket gaming. From Lone Warrior magazine No. 166 (April-June 2009). Added January 2016.Bugles Boots n Saddles. Graham Empson discusses some solo rules for Plains Indians vs. U.S. cavalry. From Lone Warrior magazine No. 180 (October-December 2012). Added December 2015. Thoughts on a Dalek Army. Rob Morgan provides some ideas for building Daleks, those robotic villains from Dr. Who. From Lone Warrior magazine No. 187 (July-September 2014). Added November 2015. DBV Adventures in Ancient Skirmishing. Jonathan Aird reviews "De Bellis Velitum," a rules set for ancient skirmishing. From Lone Warrior magazine No. 184 (October-December 2013). Added October 2015. Just a thought! |
Kropotkin303 | 13 Jan 2016 4:00 p.m. PST |
I have been a solo gamer for a long time. My impetus into wargaming in general has been through the stories I like. When I game with myself it is to do a scenario from a story I want to play out. I play scenarios from the Lord of the Rings as skirmish . I play nation against nation with Conan. I am reading Lovecraft and would like to do a game there. I am developing my own sci-fi fleet rules and casting my own ships. I'm fighting a hypothetical WW3 with microtanks. Thing is I find a story I want to re-create on the table-top. That keeps me involved. So I guess I'm asking what stories will engage you. Go with them. |
huron725 | 13 Jan 2016 5:40 p.m. PST |
I just took the necessary time off as abelp01 stated. Its not going anywhere. Just don't force yourself to game. You end of totally burning out. I also alternate between wargaming and sports board gaming. And I am seasonal with either gaming. |
nnascati | 13 Jan 2016 5:58 p.m. PST |
All, thanks for the mostly great input. Outside of incoming commission work, I do plan to step away from the table for a bit, except for making terrain. |
Mako11 | 13 Jan 2016 7:38 p.m. PST |
Accuse your opponent of cheating, and watch his reaction. It just might hit the fan, which could prove to be entertaining…….. |
Mike Mayes | 13 Jan 2016 8:01 p.m. PST |
Sell off your minis cheap to friends north of the border? Mike |
Joe Legan | 14 Jan 2016 3:32 p.m. PST |
nnascati, I have debated responding but feel I have to put on my doctor hat. First burn out is real and hopefully that is what is going on. Depression is real too and a sign of depression is lack of pleasure in activites that use to bring pleasure. ( ahedonia) Ask your self if you are sleeping the way you always have? Do you find yourself ready to cry for no particular reason? If you need to see your doctor. Depression is physiologic and can be treated. Thanks and Good Luck!! Joe Legan |
Alan Lauder | 21 Jan 2016 6:11 a.m. PST |
I feel for you, mate. I am a long time solo gamer as well with just the occasional live opponent and annual gaming day to attend. I agree with all the above I tend to cycle through different scales and periods to liven thing up a bit. I find anniversary commemorations helpful to drive a new interest (e.g.. like WW1 centenary). I have some commemorative scenarios I run each year (to a packed house of 1!). If I just can't build the enthusiasm, I pack it all away for a few months and try board gaming, reading and movies for a while or get out in the shed and make something. Good luck with regaining your gaming mojo. Let us know how you go. Cheers A |
Dobber | 21 Jan 2016 10:21 p.m. PST |
If it is no longer fun, then it is a chore. I also recommend taking a break. (caveat, I'm in the USA so this is where this is from) In the meantime, get a gym membership. planet fitness is cheap. work on yourself with your solo gaming time. you could also take up cooking with that time. eating healthy is #1 for any form of fitness. I promise you will feel better! Also, a good un hobby that is pretty cheap (compared to wargaming) and is great for (almost) all ages are the Shotgun sports. Skeet, Trap, and Sporting Clays are great. If you haven't shot much, start with Trap. Sporting Clays is the most fun though. Don't buy a brand new Shotgun unless you can get it on a sale. go to a pawn shop and get a used Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. They can be had for $200 USD-250, sometimes less. the Mossberg is a must if you are a lefty like me. This may be fighting words to some, but if you do get a brand new one, get a Mossberg as the new Remington can be sketchy at times. Get a 12 gauge, no bones about it. Most versatile Firearm in existence and depending on where you live it is all you will ever need to hunt just about anything too, should you go that route. You can sometimes get a combo set with a "game barrel" that takes different chokes and a 18.5" cylinder bore barrel with no choke that is great for home defense. (the latter is all I use for clays anyways.) Or you can be cool and get a side by side double barrel. the Chinese make one that sells at dun hams and dicks for about 200 when they have their sales. Archery is also fun, but can be frustrating… You will be back to gaming sooner or later… |
Bowman | 26 Jan 2016 6:50 a.m. PST |
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