That's how long I've been playing 40k. 17 years. In the past 17 years I've lost my virginity, been to college, waited on probably 1000 tables in my service to the restaurant industry, worked for about a dozen different companies,owned 6 cars (mostly junkers), lived in about 6-7 apartments, dated maybe 10 different girls, married one of them, and bought 2 homes.
But through it all, I've played 40k. I got into it in high school and was hooked from the get go. I'm not sure what makes me a 'wargamer'. I have the same passion for this I see others display towards football or baseball, or that my wife displays for reality TV. It's just something in my blood. I can't help it, I can't fight it, and I don't really want to.
But I'm reminded just how long I have been playing when I show up a my FLGS and 90% of the players that show up for league night are still in college, or even high school. Most of them, like you might figure, are attracted to the hobby for the same reason young athletic types are attracted to playing sports . . . they are naturally good at it and can test their mettle vs. an opponent on 'even' ground. Geeks, just as much as athletes, thrive on competition. They are hungry for the W.
But I realized last night I was one of the oldest players in the room . . and I am 32. That is a weird feeling.
Like most of us that do anything for 17 years, we go through phases. Our interest in the hobby ebbs and flows. For my four years of college, I only played during breaks and over the summer. My college was just too intense for much wargaming, and there were no game stores (at the time) in my college town of Winston-Salem.
In the mid 90's 40k was in it's 2nd edition. I played all though 2nd and 3rd (which was a huge change). By the end of college, I had mostly become a casual gamer, getting in a pick up game once in a while, but that was about it. Then I took a break for a while. By the time I was ready to get back into it hardcore, I realized I didn't know anybody that played anymore, other than my friends back home, that were hours away. So I went to my FLGS and tried to scrounge up a game.
I was surprised to see a Warhammer Fantasy game in progress. Not the same as 40k, but close enough! I had hit paydirt! So I hung around for a few minutes and watched two players go at it. Both were older players, late 30's to early/mid 40's. Clearly the 40 year old was a veteran and the 30ish year old was fairly new to the hobby. The 40 year old was blasting through rules almost as quickly as he was blasting through his opponents infantry. At the time I didn't understand what being a 'bad teach' was. It was brutal to behold. Like a train wreck, I couldn't look away.
During a short pause, while the thirty-something player took a break to get a soda or something, the veteran milled around the table, waiting to continue his thrashing. This was my moment! The time to introduce myself!
I was dumbstruck. I mean, this short, balding, fat jackass was right, on the one hand. It was indeed 4th edition. I needed to learn 4th, not be refreshed on 3rd. But on the other hand, I felt like he had missed the forest for the trees. Here was a chance to increase the gaming community by +1, to gain a new player, to make a new friend, etc. Here was a chance to blast through stereotypes of gamers being anti-social or jerks who just like to win.
Devastated (as much as you can be when ridiculed by a short, fat, 40's balding wargamer) as I was, I decided to simply leave, and didn't even bother to introduce myself.
Now the story has a happy ending. I did get back into gaming and now consider myself pretty well versed in the newest edition. But at the time, when I needed help most, I was let down . . by a veteran.
Last night, at my FLGS store I got in a small 400 point game as part of a new 'combat patrol' league. I was approached by, wouldn't you know it . . a player that had been a serious player in 5th edition but hadn't played much in 6th, and needed a 'tune up' game. "Wanna play?" He asked me.
Now, kiddies, what do you think I did:
A. Laughed in the players face.
B. "What, are you stupid! It's 7th edition!"
C. Offered to teach him the ropes of 6th.
D. None of the above
If you answered C, give yourself a gold star! This was a chance to teach someone about the game!
What's even better is after the game my opponent and I talked shop and I think I may have met a new future client! He certainly had interest in what I was doing. I was sure to speak loud, so others at nearby tables could hear me too. Hopefully a few others are interested in doing business with us in the future as well.
So be careful when you make a casual joke at someones expense in the company of strangers. The person you piss off may have been a great player to get to join up. . . or they might shoot you when you leave the game store.
After all, some veterans really are veterans.
For those just tuning in, my name is Caleb and I am the owner of White Metal Games, a miniature conversion and painting service in Raleigh NC.
Caleb
Don't feel bad. I'm just shy of 50, playing with guys (kids) half my age, although their are some other old-timers in house.
ReplyDeleteStill, too may gamers lose sight of whats important; a meaningless monkey-stomp of a new player (comparable to a grown man hitting a 10 year old then bragging about how tough he is) who will never come back. Or taking an hour and givng someone new a pleasant lesson in how the game works, some rules guidance, even a few tricksy tips for his army. Making a new freind who will return and keep the Hobby alive. Who will drop his cash at "his FLGS" and keep your place of fun and interaction solvent and open.
I almost dont feel bad to know that I have played 40k since 1985...lol
ReplyDeleteI work part time at a gaming store, and having been playing for quite some time. A man said he had a dark angels army he had built and painted. However, he rarely played and really wanted to play with his army. So we agreed on a small 500 point game to learn the ropes and play. However, I found out I couldn't really get anything into 500 points of dark angels (This was before the new book was released). However, by upping it to 700 points I was able to get a tactical squad in, a small ravenwing squad in, and a small deathwing squad in. That way he got a taste of the different toys he had. I took a similar space wolf army, and he had a blast. This game is not only about teaching but making sure they have fun while they learn.
ReplyDeleteNice work man! I'm a total nerd and i love it, i'm also a Veteran combat soldier (10 years), which is a nice combination :D I think it's great that you are thinking of the community and not just a nice burn on someone. The way i see it, the more people there are playing the better the level of competition - the more fun that is had!
ReplyDeleteKeep rocking brother
Nice story. I can relate. I'm a 37 year old wargamer, and a veteran at 40k now. I've been playing for about 14 years. When I first started in the hobby, I went through a phase for about 2 years of only meeting people that seemed to think the best way of helping/teaching me to play was to hand me solid thrashings without really explaining how they were winning. Luckily I had gotten into the hobby with some friends, and as we were all new to it, we got to learn together. It still took a long time. It's only by becoming good friends with my local GW manager, and joining this weekly gaming group in a light social situation did I start to learn more about the game, and about the different strategies. If I ever introduce anybody to the hobby now, I take the time to explain each move and strategy I am making, and also take the time to give them different options for what they can do (without playing the game for them, I let them make the decisions). I think this is extremely important to keep players in the hobby, and to show them that it is a game, and that winning is not really an important part of the equation. It's about enjoying the game. Yes, everybody likes to win, but it should not come at the expense of preying on new hobbyists that don't fully understand everything that is going on.
ReplyDeleteI started playing 40k during third edition. I was in middle school and I would save what little money I had to MAYBE purchase a tactical squad a month. I was devastated because I eventually moved from the DFW area (Hobbytown USA was 1 mile away from me) to the beach of Florida. Now I was in high school with no car and the closest 40k store was 20+ miles away. After learning this I sold the bulk of my army prior to leaving DFW. I picked up the hobby again while I was in the Marine Corps. I had dislocated my shoulder and gone through surgery. I had ample recovery time and decided to pick up some models. Other then a 18 month gig in Afghanistan I haven't put it down the codexes, rulebooks,or models since. In fact I think my addiction has grown, ha!
ReplyDeleteWould that be the combat patrol league being run by Gamers Armory? My buddy and I shall be joining it next week. Didnt have a chance to get up there this week.
ReplyDeleteMan, I know the feeling. My teacher was so rapid-fire with rules that he already had memorized, I could barely keep up. I've had to go back and un-learn the rules he taught just so I could learn from the ground up and understand the base concepts, like the To Hit and To Wound tables, just to get a better grip on the game.
ReplyDeleteAwesome article, Caleb.
ReplyDeleteEvery word as true as it gets, too. I hate elitism in any field.
I started in 3rd ed and was playing by those rules for YEARS... i've only just recently decided to swap over now... lol
Sooooo much to memorise.. :|
I admit at certain times when I was younger, I was that jerk who berated and judged other players. When I was treated nicely and welcomed into another hobby I was interested in, I started to think differently.
ReplyDeleteI read the comments on this article and it has given me some more confidence, I am turning 55 in 2 weeks and just started playing 40K. I play at my FLGS in a league that just started 3 weeks ago - and it's a slow build league. We started at 500 points and add 250 points every 2 weeks. I am enjoying it very much. I have a large collection of Warhammer and 40K models, but haven't played much at all. The guys there have been great, I have played someone new every week and all have taught me as we go. Another plus is that I have won all 3 weeks with my growing Ork collection. I wish I had started when I was younger, but it is never too late.
ReplyDeleteI'm a veteran player of 12 years now (half of my life!), and man did I got stomped my first game. I wasn't even really taught anything. I was ripped apart by a 500 point army consisting of genestealers and a Hive Tyrant. Consequentially, I have an irrational, burning hatred of anything and everything Tyranids, and any bio-titans that show up on a board that I'm playing on rarely live through one of my turns. Anyway, now that I'm in a position to teach, I try to give new players the tools to teach themselves how the game works (humans can get it wrong or downright lie, but the big rulebook gives you the right answer the first time every time!) and show them a few tricks, but most of all, make them feel welcome and show them that not all players at the store are the show-no-mercy types. When a newbie comes up against a well known "bad teacher" in a game, they've usually got myself or another of the good guys at the shop nearby to cheer them on, act a little goofy to lighten things up, and give them a bit of mentoring as they play so they can make a real game of it and finish the game smiling, victory or no. And for those reading who just aren't nice people who naturally want to meet new players and bring them into the fold, think about it: new players buy product and further ensure the store stays open so you've got a place to hobby and game. You're doing yourself a favor!
ReplyDeleteCaleb,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this as I've been trying to work through my own frustration at my FLGS. I'd been not out of but on the outskirts of the hobby for three years or so after playing since1988-89 (played maybe 3 games under 5th edition, but thankfully didn't get rid of any of my stuff).
I used to be part of a tight-knit group of veterans that continuously welcomed new players and hobbyists to the fold because we loved the hobby for the models, the games, the friendships, etc.; however, the gaming "community" at this FLGS is anything but that. They routinely comment openly about the models I put on the table. They tell me my units suck. They ridicule me for not fielding my Guard they way they field theirs, etc. These "know-it-alls" even go as far as calling me a "scrub" because I play themed armies and play with models that I either like or fit with the style of my army. They, on the other hand, borrow models to create OP lists that are full of meta and spam and gloat about how badly their lists spank others. There is no dequorum or respect, no attempt at conversation or friendship. Just belittlement and condescention.
I've always believed that although I am a gamer and a hobbyist, I am also an ambassador to the hobby. After all, if I don't attract new players to the hobby, who am I going to play against over the next 20+ years. I fully intend to be painting and converting models and getting in games even after I've been committed to a nursing home.
It's funny, I found myself playing outside of the shop yesterday on a make-shift table as the gaming area inside of the shop was packed. I had several customers who weren't familiar with the table-top aspect of gaming ask what I was playing as they weren't familiar with anything so elaborate. I gladly showed them and expalined the hobby as if I was talking about my own children. The most gratifying part, though, was when two kids, around the age of ten, came over while their mother was next door getting pizza. They were curious and whispering to each other about the coolness of the tanks and guys, so I simply intiated a conversation with a, "Hey fellas! How are you guys?" That broke the ice and I ended up explaining not only the game and showing off the models, but also explaining all about 8-foot Space Marines, 1000-lbs suits of armor, and rifles that shoot explosives the size of soda cans. These kids were HOOKED! They ran up to their mother as she was exiting the pizza place and asked, "Mom, can we have a million dollars so we can get some Space Marines?" Hahaa!
That reaction is as awesome as the feeling I get from painting cool models or seeing other people's incredible armies.
From one Hobbyist to another, thank you.
Randy
"Turpin"
Great story. I can relate... I just started Warhammer about a year and half ago, so the whole game is new to me, and I was playing this guy that's been doing it for years. I told him that I'm just learning, so he decided to teach me, by whooping my but over and over and over, because I did not know al the rulles. Karma has its way, poor bastard has really hard time winning against m army now. lol
ReplyDeleteWith Fantasy/40k there are a lot of cocky players as well. I went to my local bunker to see an old friend that taught me how to play many many years ago (when chaos warriors came out in 6th edition, and I've been playing 40k for about a year and a half before) . I was about 13 or 14 (25 now 26 in June). There is this kid who is about 16 and really cocky. Many of the players are the same simple trick death stars. He saw me and my friend play a game. While he was watching he called my army horrible and I didn't know how to play blah blah blah blah blah blah. So my friend said you should play him I said sure. So I asked how many points and see if you can back up your claims. He said this is going to be so easy, i said great so 2k? I tabled him in 3 turns.. His 30 chosen went buh bye on a gate (TP and then by an 11). There is just something when I play the cocky gamers that I just slaughter them. It is like a switch I turn on and put them in their place. Just because they don't play like you or you think they are new doesn't mean they are. Just because you read what all the internet lists run and everything else doesn't make you know tactics or how to fight other armies. My 10-12 years of playing chaos made me know that. He has been playing for 3-5 maybe. The kid still talks crap al lthe time but he won't play me anymore cause he did start crying when I stomped him. Oh there is this other guy I call him Adepitcon Guy. But he is older and is more sad than anything really. The stereotypical gamer. But there are still a few good ones out there. SO not all hope is lost.
ReplyDeleteAt my FLGS I'm starting a 40k escalation league to help bring in the 40k players. Many of them have 40k just that a lot of them are playing Warmahordes. I used to play that as well but don't (leaving my reasons out if you want ot know send a pm).
I think 40k/fantasy has a much better comradeship than any Warmahordes. I just don't think that many of these players could be as good friends as I remember fantasy/40k. I remember the huge games we would all play at the FLGS. 8-12k a side. 3-6 people a side. I just think that it really helps if you have a group that can laugh together and not beat the crap out of each other. I haven't seen that with Warmahordes. I've seen so many arguements and just downright jackwagons in that game. No don't get me wrong there are people that do that in 40k/fantasy but from my presepective there are more in Warmahordes, at least in my area.
I've been playing for 23yrs now and I love introducing people to the game. It's a community of equals, everybody started out the same. No idea how to play, a bit intimidated by the veteran players. More of the hardcore players should remember that if you treat the newbies ( or returning players ) with respect and help them along, they'll be more willing to play against them later on.
ReplyDeleteI love this article, I always offer to buy someones first troop choice of an army of their choice when they are just starting off when I can get them interested enough. It's one of my favorite things to do.
ReplyDeleteI think this is an amazing, uncharitable idea. Really forward thinking!
ReplyDelete