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Ian Finn's Groups

Your introduction to consim gaming:: My first game was AH's Afrika Korps, which my Uncle gave to me as a Christmas present around 1963. I've been collecting and playing games ever since. My closets groan under the weight of cardboard.

Your favorite game(s):: Advanced Squad Leader and Up Front are my two favorites, and all of the AH classics; the old SPI games were great and I have many of those. I also like newer games, but I don't buy as many any longer - I already have more than enough games to last me the rest of my life. My favorite game subject is the Eastern Front of WWII (isn't it everyone's?), and I also like operational and strategic-scaled games on the subject. L2's Russia Beseiged is one of my favorites, and I even have the version with the 4' x 6' vinyl mapboard!

What game(s) are you currently playing (solitaire, FTF, PBEM, etc.) or wish to play next?: Lots of solitaire, like most of us, and my wife will indulge me by playing a simpler game occasionally. I'd like to find a FTF wargaming buddy in my area, though.

What game(s) have you played recently?: Right now I've been playing ancient AH games like Bismarck '61 and U-Boat, just for the nostalgia of it; plus, their easy enough that I can get my wife to play. I'm also playing old SPI games, like Grunt and Soldiers. I'll probably give Winter War or The East is Red a go next.

In general, how much time do you spend gaming?: It's my primary hobby, so I spend hours at it; I also like video games and role playing games, as well.

About Me: I'm a Systems Engineer working for a large defense-industry organization. I'm 53 years old, married, no kids, and I like it that way. I live on the west coast of California with a view of the ocean and a purpose-built game room for all my gamees. Now all I need is a wargaming buddy with similar interests.

Personal Interests (favorite activities, movies, shows, books, music, etc.): I also play chess on www.gameknot.com; look for me under the name 'finachetto'. My favorite movie is Zulu, followed closely by Cross of Iron; I expect a lot of old-school board wargamers share my sentiment there. I have a ton of books on WW2 history, and I actually read them.

At 9:33am on October 22, 2010, Eric Walters said…: Welcome Ian. Ah, I know Encinitas well, used to work down the road at MCAS Miramar and lived in Poway. Sounds like you have the perfect setup. Got some game clubs you like? I was one of the founding members of the Camp Pendleton Conflict Simulations Club back in 1984 and it's still going strong up there, from what I understand. You shouldn't have any problem finding FTF gamers where you live; I had more opponents than I knew what to do with, particularly for ASL.

Your situation sounds a lot like mine, married no kids, hundreds of games, and lot of books (although mine stretch all of history). I'm an Eastern Front fanatic as well. Been divesting of those old AH and SPI games, though--just don't have the room for them and the nostalgia isn't enough to make me keep them. Sold off my used and mint STALINGRAD, AFRIKA KORPS, FORTRESS EUROPA, AIR ASSAULT ON CRETE, and other games. Even parted with a mint copy of THE LONGEST DAY still in the shrinkwrap; I am still keeping my worn punched copy though!