robert piepenbrink  | 09 Nov 2025 4:25 p.m. PST |
Time to thank a lot of people who put in a lot of labor on this one. There were systemic problems and choices I disagreed with, but everyone I met in a position of authority was friendly, helpful and doing his or her best to make it a good convention. I'm not expecting to be back. A longer trip as I get older, and there is declining interest in my beloved horse & musket period. But it is no no way a reflection on the people who worked hard to make it the best convention they could. |
| JohnBSnead | 09 Nov 2025 6:41 p.m. PST |
Agree! Thanks to all involved! |
| 14Bore | 10 Nov 2025 1:59 a.m. PST |
Lucky for me live close enough to make the drive to Lancaster. Everyone did a great job; staff, game masters and venue.
Went 1 win, 3 losses and a tie but even losing its fun and try to learn what not to do. |
| jefritrout | 10 Nov 2025 6:21 a.m. PST |
Bob,
It was nice to see you again especially if it was the last time. I am still hoping to run a large-scale Napoleonic game probably in 2027. All the best. Jeff |
| OSCS74 | 10 Nov 2025 6:43 a.m. PST |
Unfortunately, I had to leave early because one of the attendees/friend had a medical problem and needed someone to drive him home. Other then that I had a great time meeting old friends and seeing some of the games. |
 KimRYoung | 10 Nov 2025 6:50 a.m. PST |
Robert, I was an awards judge for several sessions and saw many games and noticed at least 2 very nice horse and musket games (F&I war and ACW) that were set up but not run due to lack of player sign ups. Was this your point about declining interest in the period? There seemed to be enough games available, especially in John's area with the Carnage and Glory group. There was a Napoleonics game that was run by a 15 year old that had players younger then him playing that gave me hope for the future! I hope you will return, its a long trip for me too coming from western Ohio. Kim |
greenknight4  | 10 Nov 2025 10:02 a.m. PST |
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| DeRuyter | 10 Nov 2025 10:11 a.m. PST |
A well-run show, all the volunteers are much appreciated! As to the Horse and Musket – I played in one, a Napoleonic game. Part of Waterloo. The Carnage and Glory guys always have full games usually either Napoleonic or ACW. Plenty of AWI games these days including a nicely done Bunker Hill game. I do think some of H&M games have gone to skirmish level as well. |
| TSD101 | 10 Nov 2025 11:21 a.m. PST |
Too many games for a con with 1000-1200 people. Way too many nice looking games didn't go off. Two of our games only went off because friends and family stepped in to make sure we had enough players to at least run half the board. |
| 14Bore | 10 Nov 2025 11:39 a.m. PST |
I had 3 Napoleonic, 1 American Revolution, 2 Ozz but Napoleonic games are my first go for. Hope they don't go out of style. |
 McKinstry  | 10 Nov 2025 1:21 p.m. PST |
I had a great time. Thank you to everyone who made that possible. |
| McKinstry | 10 Nov 2025 1:21 p.m. PST |
I had a great time. Thank you to everyone who made that possible. |
| pzivh43 | 10 Nov 2025 2:03 p.m. PST |
Great con. Lousy Wally's Basement location. |
| robert piepenbrink | 10 Nov 2025 3:57 p.m. PST |
You're only saying that because my customers kept using smart phones for flashlights and telling me it was too dark to see the merchandise, pzivh43. Anyway, I'm assured that next convention they at least won't be shining lights into the eyes of the flea marketeers. Something about the Bill of Rights prohibiting 3rd degrees, I believe. Kim, I didn't say there were none this year, and I'm not casting blame. This was a rough convention for me for reasons having nothing to do with games available. I am saying that over time, we're very much a declining percentage and have steadily fewer games to choose from. This is not really the thread to discuss why. I will confess that Carnage and Glory, like roster games, doesn't get a lot of support from me. I was an OOB analyst, so keeping a written record of unit strengths still feels like something I should be paid for, not recreation. And "the computer says your plan didn't work" is WAY too much like taking part in a government-run "simulation"--for which, again, I expect to be paid. Rolling dice and removing castings is closer to my idea of fun. None of which has anything to do with the OP. People sweat blood to run this convention the best way they knew how, and were probably more polite and halpful to me personally than I deserved. I want to make the most public akcnowledgement of that I can. Well done, HMGS and Con staff!! |
| Shagnasty | 10 Nov 2025 6:56 p.m. PST |
Sad to hear that great H & M games couldn't get enough players. That is as depressing as the Warhammer games at Historicon. |
| KimRYoung | 10 Nov 2025 8:00 p.m. PST |
Shagnasty
If you think Warhammer is depressing at least it HAS miniatures fighting each other. This year at Fall In there was this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crokinole a 24 player tournament of a game I had never even herd of. A game that was neither historical or had miniatures. At least fantasy and sci-fi games have miniatures. Kim |
| Long Valley Gamer | 11 Nov 2025 6:43 a.m. PST |
Many thanks to Rusty and crew for managing a well run convention. |
