"Out with a Bang - Hammerhead 2020" Topic

Yesterday was Hammerhead 2020, possibly the last UK show for a while as the UK Government is shutting big events down it would appear. However at least it was a good show. Many UK shows seem to be waning a bit, being,dominated by the older generation more concerned about Miniatures than the game. Hammerhead had a younger and young at heart crowd interested in the gaming as much as the painting, with a vibrant outlook on the hobby. It had a more upbeat vibe than some. You may want to add it in for next year, lets face it there may be a dearth of shows for the next few months in the UK.

Hammerhead, as usual, was a good show. More shows should take note on how a modern show should be run.

Can someone tell us how a "modern show should be run. "

Most "Modern Games" I've seen have been
40figs on 2ft square tables .
Rather bland , uninspiring , mediocre to poor with the rare exception.
Usually "the gaming "overrides any spectacular aura.
They couldn't get near the works of the great masters such as Bill Gaskin and the late Peter gilder.

Although I didn't make Hammerhead this year, I agree it is one of the best UK shows. It's big plus points for me are:-

* large light and airy venue with everything under one roof – ok there is a second building but no having to visit a warren of rooms or traders in corridors.
* plenty of free parking right outside the venue
* all games are participation which for the UK means they can be completed in an hour or suitable for "dropping in" for 20-30 minutes to learn the rules and then dropping out. No need to pre-book participation.
* The quality and spectacle of the games is fantastic – no 2'x2' 40 figure games here!
* great variety of traders with plenty of space between the stands and around the stands – no rugby scrum here.
* I imagine the traders like the easy access to the hall, dedicated parking assistance provided.
* lots of public seating areas for us older gamers to sit down and review our purchases or chat to others.
* onsite bar/cafeteria with reasonably priced food and drink.
* very friendly and helpful staff running the event and door.
* nice freebie show figure
* fair entry price

I'm sure others will add a few more benefits but for me the above is pretty comprehensive and why it is one of my go to shows.

Don

Terry Naylor,
Clearly you are an advocate for the older waneing UK shows where minatures overide games.

Better a good game with poor figures than a poor game with good figures.

Fortunately Hammerhead had both good models and good gameing.

UsH CHA

Better a great game with great terrian,
great figs .

I think most shows are poor as many demonstration games are mediocre.

I didn't go this year due to concerns about my extended family and me possibly passing anything nasty on to them afterwards, and I think some others stayed away due to similar concerns.It really was a very difficult decision to take as Hammerhead is far and away our favourite show of the year. As said above the atmosphere is always great and the choice of games is huge. It was unfortunate we had to stay away because it looks like the standard of the games gets higher every year. Dan Hodgson's Isandlwhana in 6mm looked epic. I think having the tabletop sale in the middle of the main hall also adds an extra dimension. It's always very well supported and there is a constant stream of punters looking to see what is on offer. As you say other shows should take note, in fact Partizan already have because their ratio of participation to demo games has risen to reach parity in recent times, which is great. Some of the games I've seen at this year's Hammerhead would have been a joy to participate in.

Terry, while I have some sympathy for your POV, with a minority of games at Hammerhead certainly no better looking (and sometimes worse) than the average club night game, I trust you've done your bit to improve standards by putting on a demo/participation game. If not, why not?

Basha,
Since since you asked and really not wishing to brag I've been involved in 2 best of show games at salute and arguably maybe the best game ever. These are not my games but my very good friends, that have gone the extra mile with complete dedication to produce something very special that entertains and is inspirational.

FWIW – I simply ignore poor looking games. They may be great fun but I will never know as I've never had any problems finding games that both look good and play great.

Life is too short to tolerate mediocrity in either look or play.

Hammerhead was excellent!

B

This thread is interesting in a philosophical sence. It highlights that wargamers can't even agree on the very basics, the game vs the minatures, which rates a higher weighting when evaluating the standard of games.

To me minatures are 30%, game 70%. Seems to me that folk arre judgeing shows on a similar basis hence the dissagreement on what is a good show.

UsH
We have totally different mindsets.
We most probably gravitate to people that share our own views. My companions could not regard any game good if it didn't look great, it would take any joy way. It is not just the miniatures but the whole terrain setup .
The visual impact and level of detail is what makes a game .

terry,
Like you said we have no common ground. I see wargames essentially as an ultra sophisticated board game with 3D representation to better cover the subject matter. Like board games there is a minimum acceptable level of art work to help the game along, more is simply a waste of time.

Like excessive color pictures in wargames rules that do not add to the operation of the game, they are waste of resources (my money) and I would prefer most strenuously not to pay for them.

Indeed I am very suspicious of games with excessive pictures in my experience the rules are poor, being more aimed at show than content.

Funnily enough Wargames shows aren't aimed at any one individual and their personal requirements for what constitutes a "good" game. they have to cater for everyone who might attend, and they do.