What happened to wargaming?

Replies are closed for this discussion.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joseph Miranda on July 18, 2008 at 9:33pm

You probably have as many total game sales as in the 1980s. It is just that there are that many more titles. So each game sells less, creates less of a buzz.

Permalink Reply by Dav Vandenbroucke on July 19, 2008 at 9:18am

Did you see that statistical analysis that "Herr Doktor" did concerning the top wargames as listed in the Boardgame Geek database? He posted a PDF on CSW somewhere. To me, it looked like mostly continuity in terms of volume, mix of eras, and even complexity. The main difference between "then" and "now" is the popularity of games using cards, blocks, and figures. If anything, there has been a secular rise in ratings, which one might cautiously interpret as games getting better.

Permalink Reply by Bill Lawson on July 19, 2008 at 10:19am

I was away from wargaming for 15 years .I returned in Jan. of this year.The hobby is still alive and well!I have bought some excellent new games.The companies have changed but I have been having a great time exploring what I missed!

Permalink Reply by Chuang Shyue Chou on July 19, 2008 at 10:51am

I can only speak for Singapore. From my observation, roleplaying games essentially killed wargaming here. There was no new blood to speak of despite the a local army reservist group running annual tournaments of Panzer Leader in schools for about fifteen years.

Then, came computer games. And finally collectible card games.

Today, the youngest player here that I know of here is thirty years old and there is only one of him.

Permalink Reply by John Kantor on August 21, 2008 at 7:56am

Miniatures gaming - everything from Clix games to traditional military simulation - is doing incredibly well. This is the best of all possible times for miniatures gamers.

And non-historical boardgames are doing well too.

The problem with military simulation boardgaming is that the market is aging and shrinking. If you don't reach out for newer, younger audiences, it will die out. So go after those RPG, Clix, Magic, and constructable card game players. They are the future. But you have to have introductory games that will appeal to them. Unfortunately, history is a dead subject for most people. The best way to get people introduced to boardgames is through fantasy and science fiction.

Permalink Reply by Timothy Burke on August 22, 2008 at 1:30am

Believe it or not but I think today, this recent period is the new golden age of war gaming. Just to mention a few but MMP, GMT, Lock 'n Load and tons of other publishers have given us many great and exciting mechanics in game play. The days and publishers you mentioned (I was playing then too) were mostly designing IGOUGO hex and counter games and just beginning to explore area games. The variety of simulation systems available to designers is fantastically diverse now and expanding each year. Ask on here what period you like to play in and I'm sure you could find 3-4 different systems published.

Tim

Permalink Reply by Herr Dr. on August 22, 2008 at 9:08am

http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX?13@949.5FcVe84Zjax.36@.1dd309ee/224

check that out - the analysis is in the header. Wargame industry is fine shape, turning out a ton of great games; big diversity in topics and mechanics.

Permalink Reply by Eric Walters on August 24, 2008 at 2:09am

While the numbers of players are down from the so-called "golden age of wargaming," I'd say we've got the best games ever. Even the old games make a comeback if they're any good. I just got SOLOMONS CAMPAIGN in the second issue of WORLD AT WAR magazine--a great job at face-lifting a good but very old title. Wow. Decision Games has been bringing back older SPI titles that simply needed a little fixing up...and we've seen recent re-releases of older games such as HANNIBAL, etc. With ATS and ASL STARTER KIT, I no longer miss the old SQUAD LEADER games I played incessantly. PANZERBLITZ? Heck no--PANZER GRENADIER!

And we've got games on periods, wars, campaigns, and battles that never saw the light of day way back when. WARRIORS OF GOD, anyone?

Permalink Reply by John Bobek on September 1, 2008 at 8:31pm

Sadly, I got into gaming in the late 60's (Yup, I'm old!). Though I have board games, computer games, CDG's, and RPG's, I have always preferred miniatures wargames. There are social, visual, and tactile elements that you just can't get from the other gaming avenues. Alas, time to play games is like water in the Sahara, a scarce commodity. Ah, for my college days when I gamed every week and went to 4 or 5 games conventions a year, the old IFW!!!

Permalink Reply by Bill Speer on September 2, 2008 at 3:56pm

JOHN! Long time no hear. I understand what you mean by the Sahara. I now have the means and space, as opposed to the IFW days, but now time is an issue. IFW came back to my mind when Gary passed a few months ago. Scott Duncan and both live in Georgia but on opposite sides (you can't get there efficiently from here).

Check out the attached. Gary gave me the painting in 1968; the others are of the program from our first con. Somewhere I have pictures of that as well (Polaroid, of course!)

Take Care

Bill Speer

Attachments:

• GYGAX.JPG, 393 KB
• IFW 001.jpg, 217 KB
• IFW2.jpg, 158 KB

Permalink Reply by John Bobek on September 2, 2008 at 10:17pm

OMG! This IS a blast from the past! I still wargame with Bob Mijonovich when work and wife allow him. I see Bill Hoyer at the Lake Geneva Games Convention in June (we're 'honored guests" which just means we're so old we were among the first members of the Castle and Crusade Society). Ernie Gygax was there two years ago, but not last year. Obviously, Gary, may he rest in peace, was not in attendance physically, but certainly in spirit.

Attachments:

• scan0071 Gary Gygax.jpg, 286 KB
• scan0075.jpg, 280 KB
• scan0186.jpg, 164 KB

Permalink Reply by Lewis Goldberg on September 2, 2008 at 11:01pm

So Mr. Gygax was your subordinate! Cool souvenir.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• …
• 15
• Next ›
• Page