Editor in Chief Bill | 25 Apr 2016 1:07 p.m. PST |
Has the importance of wargaming conventions or shows changed for you in the last few years? * more important * the same * less important |
Timmo uk | 25 Apr 2016 1:16 p.m. PST |
The same. I go to meet up with friends, to be inspired and I still like to see models first hand to plan future purchases. My actual buying is split about 50:50 between shows and on-line. |
Fat Wally | 25 Apr 2016 1:22 p.m. PST |
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Extra Crispy | 25 Apr 2016 1:29 p.m. PST |
Less important. I game 3-4 times a month now, and the distant shows are too much driving for too little "bang." I will be at Little Wars though… |
kallman | 25 Apr 2016 1:31 p.m. PST |
Not sure how to answer this one. Since I moved to Texas I need an option for can't afford to go to conventions as they are too far away for me at this time. So I suppose they are more important to me because of the above. |
Doms Decals | 25 Apr 2016 1:34 p.m. PST |
Definitely dwindling for me – free time, enthusiasm, and hobby budget have all taken hits over the last couple of years, and the frequency of my show attendance has definitely been one of the casualties. Hoping that will pass, but at the moment shows just aren't the draw that they used to be for me. |
Doug MSC | 25 Apr 2016 1:39 p.m. PST |
I wish I could attend but the shows I used to go to Historicon, Little Wars, etc. are too far for me to go to now. |
GildasFacit | 25 Apr 2016 1:43 p.m. PST |
Last year I went to more shows than ever before but I think it is likely to be the peak. I enjoy the day out, usually with a few mates, and a chat with people I only see at shows. What's not to like. I'm probably spending a good deal less this next year or two as I need to catch up on all the projects I've been buying for the last few years. Shows will be just as important to me in the future – even if I don't attend as many as before. |
Wackmole9 | 25 Apr 2016 1:58 p.m. PST |
More important because it gets my GM mojo recharge, So I will run more games. |
John Treadaway | 25 Apr 2016 2:09 p.m. PST |
I love going to shows. Always have. So 2 I guess. John T |
Flashman14 | 25 Apr 2016 2:27 p.m. PST |
Less important. My friends don't go anymore. And I've given up on the vendors and will order from their web stores from now on as they seem to prefer. |
Florida Tory | 25 Apr 2016 2:34 p.m. PST |
More important, as free weekends to game outside of conventions have dwindled. It's particularly nice since conventions provide opportunities for my sons and me to fame on the same side. Rick |
Dynaman8789 | 25 Apr 2016 2:47 p.m. PST |
My first instinct is to say they stay the same – as in they were never important to begin with. For me that is certainly true. More generally the ability to get plenty of info and supplies online has reduced the need for conventions. |
John Armatys | 25 Apr 2016 2:54 p.m. PST |
Less important. I used to go to about six shows a year, now it is about three. I'm fortunate in having a wargames club that meets weekly, in living in a city with a number of shops that can provide basic needs like paint and in having a lead mountain that needs finishing. I enjoy the shows that I get to, but wouldn't want to go to more, although there are plenty around. |
Joes Shop | 25 Apr 2016 2:55 p.m. PST |
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vagamer63 | 25 Apr 2016 3:17 p.m. PST |
Since our group's Patriarch, (the guy who owned the garage where most of us got together a couple to four times a week) passed away last April we no longer meet on anything akin to a regular basis. So as the Director for the two shows we run annually I would say that those two shows have become far more important to the majority of us, as it's the only time many of us see each other! Some of us attend other shows, but on a more irregular time frame then we used to attend. |
capncarp | 25 Apr 2016 3:34 p.m. PST |
More important, as Mrs Carp is now getting settled into the hobby after a long hiatus. We still like to bring interested family members along, in hopes the bug will bite them. And aswe get to know more gamers and gamemasters, the social aspect is gaining momentum, too. |
Bowman | 25 Apr 2016 3:39 p.m. PST |
The same.I go to meet up with friends, to be inspired and I still like to see models first hand to plan future purchases. I can't say it any more succinctly. |
Doctor X | 25 Apr 2016 3:53 p.m. PST |
Less important. My main purpose to go to shows is to see product in person. With the rise of the Internet, fewer vendors going to shows, and a recent trend in poorly run flea market activities there is little need for me to attend other than to socialize. But again, the internet has closed that gap as well. I do enjoy looking at nice games but it's not enough of a draw to get me to go unless the show is in the area and has a day rate for someone like me who just wants to spend money and look around. |
gamershs | 25 Apr 2016 4:19 p.m. PST |
The shows are important in showing me the "NEW". That is, new rules to play under, new areas of gaming (still remember Caveman game) and new people to game with. It also lets me contact old friends that I have game with in the past but have lost contact with. |
Mute Bystander | 25 Apr 2016 4:41 p.m. PST |
Inside the Saint Louis Metro, slightly less important. Outside the Saint Louis Metro, next to nil. Yes, I want to make Historicon once. Once, just to say I saw the elephant as it were. But the scale (not just miniatures but also ground scale,) the Rules, the D6 Uber fascination, they just are not doing it for me currently. There are "con only" faces that it pleases me to see but says something by itself, doesn't it? A recent death of an enthusiastic war gamer in his 40s and the poor health of some of the grognards locally is changing my priorities. More time playing games we all like or can at least accept (TS&TF I am looking at you) and playing more solo and coop games against the THW system. Less time with eras or genres that pall rather than peak my interest. More painting of stuff I want to see on the table. Less miniatures that will never be on the table staying on the shelves. Less days at cons that are not war games oriented (Friday afternoon/ evening – in the summer; Saturday morning/afternoon; no more Sunday gaming with games that are there only to fill out time slots.) |
Yesthatphil | 25 Apr 2016 5:30 p.m. PST |
If anything, more … I love events of all sorts. Phil |
20thmaine | 25 Apr 2016 5:41 p.m. PST |
I used to go to 3 or 4 a year – now if I make more than Salute then I've done well. This actually makes that one show more important. |
Ed Mohrmann | 25 Apr 2016 6:01 p.m. PST |
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Sysiphus | 25 Apr 2016 6:25 p.m. PST |
Less important; not spending $400 USD plus on travel and accomodations…priceless! |
redbanner4145 | 25 Apr 2016 7:02 p.m. PST |
the same I try to go to at least parts of 3 cons per year. I can afford it because I live within commuting distance of Lancaster,Pa |
Cosmic Reset | 25 Apr 2016 7:13 p.m. PST |
I'm sad to say much less. |
cleo liebl | 25 Apr 2016 8:08 p.m. PST |
We love going because: Friends Touching new figures….Bob loves walking around the Dealer area to 'discover' new figs, new/improved rules, just talking with the guys ….AND…buying me new earrings… thanks you Monica. C |
Oberlindes Sol LIC | 25 Apr 2016 9:34 p.m. PST |
No change. I still go to all the local conventions, and have been for several years. |
wrgmr1 | 25 Apr 2016 10:49 p.m. PST |
The same, friends, laughs, good games. |
Volleyfire | 25 Apr 2016 11:42 p.m. PST |
1. 2014 was the first year since 2000 I didn't have to work 7 days a week and I went to every show I could within about an hour and half drivetime which was 7 shows.Now I'm back to a 7 day week and it's a challenge to fit in 4 or maybe at the max. It keeps me interested and I do some shopping and if I can get a game in whilst I'm there that's a bonus. Also I've acquired an 8yo stepson who I've taken to a few shows as he is very interested in the hobby and it's a great way of getting him involved, and hopefully he gets to play a game at some shows as well which gives him a tremendous boost. |
John Treadaway | 26 Apr 2016 1:53 a.m. PST |
So the conclusion is…. Some more, some less and some the same (in about equal measure). John T |
avidgamer | 26 Apr 2016 3:55 a.m. PST |
Same. I meet friends there, play games, shop and get away from family and work. |
Badgers | 26 Apr 2016 4:32 a.m. PST |
More important, for me. But as conventions have different focuses in different places, I think you'd have to ask that question nation by nation. |
Garryowen | 26 Apr 2016 5:13 a.m. PST |
The same. VERY important. I have a game at my house almost every two weeks, plus another maybe once a month. But I love the conventions, particularly the larger ones I go to like Cold Wars, Little Wars, Historicon and Fall In. I have lots of friends I see no where else as we come from various parts of the country. I enjoy seeing the games, the dealers and the flea markets. Actually playing games is less important than the reasons mentioned above. Tom |
Timmo uk | 26 Apr 2016 6:32 a.m. PST |
@ John T I read somewhere on a blog that Salute had 8,000 visitors this year. Is that figure correct and if so does that represent and very significant increase on last year? |
Ottoathome | 26 Apr 2016 6:56 a.m. PST |
War game shows and conventions are far more important than the mere personal pleasure they afford to us individually. They are events which give strength and presence to the hobby and are communal events that showcase the achievements of the gamers in their small private way each and every day, but do so in a grand setting where people can see the cumulative total sum of their efforts and be proud of it, and be inspired to continue. Shows and conventions are in every sense of the word our own "showing off!" Be that in a big flashy splashy game, or a small but clever one. British shows and American shows have a different character and nature, which is as it should be as each grows up and is the more than the sum of their parts. But these parts are particular and peculiar to the environment and the compendia of the expectations and assumptions of the culture that sees each and every small scale effort. Specific shows and conventions may have ups and downs and may mutate and go out of existence. The importance is that THEY HAPPEN. At one time there were no shows. Now there are many. That is a good thing. Otto |
Moe the Great | 26 Apr 2016 7:02 a.m. PST |
I look forward to them more, since I don't got to as many of them as I used to. I run less games and get less time to prepare for the cons, but look forward to them much more. |
ViscountEric | 26 Apr 2016 7:32 a.m. PST |
Ten years ago, it was a couple's weekend. I gamed, the wife shopped, we had one night of couple-stuff, and I got one late night of gaming shenanigans. Five years ago, cons were my bi-annual escape from fatherhood, with only a hint of guilt forcing me to go home Saturday night. Now, I've got a seven year old daughter with three real cons under her belt. Now cons are family events, rewards for good behavior. We'll game at The Weekend while my wife and youngest daughter shop, then do all the touristy Lancaster stuff later. Our only problem is that Fall-In and Cold Wars are a week earlier than the local convention this year. Sacrifices must be made. |
WarWizard | 26 Apr 2016 8:32 a.m. PST |
More important – Provides great inspiration for finishing my many project. Also I like seeing new "toys" in person. And I get a lot of ideas for other GM's. Unfortunately I cannot make Historicon. But try to get to as many other shows as possible. |
Wonkothesane | 26 Apr 2016 10:51 a.m. PST |
Less important for me. Mainly because I can see and buy things online so much easier. And I can do so without the pressure to buy on one day, then regret having amassed yet another pile of unpainted lead (which is probably the darker side of all that lovely visual 'inspiration'.) Two things put me off shows. They've been going on for years and I'd have hoped there might be some improvement, but in 35 years of gaming I can say as much has changed: 1. There always seems to be a small number of visitors whose personal hygiene leaves a lot to be desired. Call me a snob, but I don't pay my admission fee to have some scruff's halitosis-enhanced nose-picking habit inflicted on me; especially someone who can't remember the last time they saw a bath/shower. I do wish organisers would send these smelly individuals away and told not to return until they learned what soap is for. 2. Whilst most traders are fine, I get absolutely hacked off at the time I spend waiting to try and buy stuff at trade stands. Not because they are busy, but because the seller is chatting with some chub-gut he hasn't seen since….. ooooh, it must be that show in Anytown LAST WEEK. He then eventually gets round to begrudgingly taking my money with a grunt, then returns to bemoaning to his mate how "it's been a bad show" and expounding on how he has no idea why he hasn't sold any more: after all, he's bothered to turn up and so it must be the wargaming public's duty to buy his stuff and enjoy his version of 'service with a snarl'. |
TodCreasey | 26 Apr 2016 12:19 p.m. PST |
Same for me – I am down to 2 per year but that will likely go back up when the kids are big enough to not need me (likely about 5 more years) so I am in a holding pattern until then. Certainly Cold Wars is more precious now given the busier life I have – I would say this year was the best I went to in years as I have the mix of gaming and relaxing pretty much down now. Dealers improved this year too. |
KSmyth | 26 Apr 2016 5:11 p.m. PST |
I only attend Enfilade. My job has put a real crimp in the amount of miniature gaming I'm able to do. I'm probably down to 6-8 games per year. The convention is super important to me. I get to see my friends. It spurs my painting and progress on projects. It's more important than ever for different reasons than it used to be. |
49mountain | 27 Apr 2016 2:05 p.m. PST |
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