Adverts in Wargame Magazines

Over the last year and a bit, I have found myself spending longer reading the adverts in my wargaming magazines. I'm even doing the same for adverts in back issues from 20 years ago. I have come to realise this is a symptom of really missing game/trade shows here in the UK. Nothing can quite compare to the visceral experience of handling new products and looking them over with the Mark 1 Eyeball. Today's video on my YouTube Channel Miniature Adventures explores this strange phenomenon and looks forward to getting back to in-person shows.

As always I hope you found that interesting and if you did please leave a comment here or on my channel. Until next time, keep safe, get in as many games as you can and keep rolling high!

The Problem with Magazines

Many Hobby Magazines have come and gone over the years and the universally accepted truth is that the sector has struggled to maintain circulation, especially in this internet age. And while I accept that each magazine will contain a proportion of articles and adverts that have no interest for the niche wargamer, the majority of us will find something in each issue to pique our interest. Magazines are by their very nature a broad church of articles designed to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. I rarely read an issue cover to cover - on average I'll read about 50% - but I'm OK with that because I'm connecting with my hobby in a way that even the internet can't compete with. 

As usual, if you enjoyed the video I'd ask that you share a link to it, hit the like button and consider subscribing to my channel. If there is any subject you'd like me to discuss, please let me know in the comments below and I'll do my best to make a video about it. Next week I'll be discussing why I think Museums are so important to the Wargamer and Miniatures Painter, but until then, stay safe, keep playing games and keep rolling high!

Falling back in love with Print Magazines

The sound of the letterbox flapping and that satisfying plop as the packet lands on your doormat evokes a strange emotional reaction in me. I get childishly excited because a parcel delivery usually means 'goodies' in the form of books, models or other hobby related items. But the sound of a magazine being delivered is somehow unique and I had forgotten how much I missed it. I switched to digital subscriptions a few years ago, mainly because it was the cheaper option, I tended to hoard old issues and didn't really have anywhere to store them. However I soon discovered that I spend so much time online - reading blogs, updating social media and all the other distractions the Internet offers - that reading my digital magazines often got overlooked. In short, I got distracted by clickbait and ended up missing the important stuff!

Digital information, especially when presented on a screen, tends to get skimmed across more quickly (it's not called 'surfing' for nothing). That's not necessarily a criticism of the Internet but a natural evolution of utility that lends itself to fast information presented in small parcels. I doubt if I'm alone when I say that I am more inclined to read something in-depth when it is in a printed format. Don't get me wrong, I still think digital magazines are a great way to access hobby content but I was increasingly aware that I felt wistfully nostalgic about 'the good old days' when I bought paper magazines. So earlier this year I changed my subscriptions back to physical copies and have been enjoying the arrival of my printed magazines ever since... along with that satisfying plop when they land on the doormat.

I have a confession to make - I rarely read a magazine cover to cover. Not every article tickles my interest and I usually spend as much time absorbed in the adverts of new products as I do reading the features. But going back to physical magazines has definitely increased the amount I am reading compared to when I had digital copies. I have found myself dipping into their pages more often, and having a physical copy lying around not only reminds me to read it but it also successfully guilt's me into engaging with something I have spent good money on. Put the tablet down Lee it's saying, stop scrolling and pick me up!

  

As for the storage of back issues, I still haven't got space to keep more than a few months worth of magazines. However, I can't bring myself to throw them in the bin (sacrilege!) so what to do with them? If I find a particular article or scenario interesting I'll scan it so I can keep a copy and then I send the magazine on to a second life. In the past, I have given them to fellow gamers but most of my circle of friends already have their own copies filling shelves and storage boxes. My favoured method of disposal now is to donate my magazines to people or places that wouldn't normally buy them. I'll deposit a few copies in the waiting room at the doctor's surgery, at the dentist or the hospital and in the staff lunchroom at work. You never know, some bored patient or college may pick up a copy which could spark a new interest in the hobby.  I have even occasionally left a copy on the train, with the nebulous hope that some weary commuter would find it more interesting than a copy of the Evening Standard or the Metro.

My inspiration for this method of disposal comes from an experience I had at the hospital many years ago when I faced a very long wait in the Accident and Emergency department with a sick child and nothing to read. I poked desperately through a pile of awful magazines (all about fashion and celebrities... ugh!) hoping to find something of interest, and to my delight came across a copy of a military history magazine called After the Battle. Not only was it very interesting, helping to relieve the boredom, but I enjoyed it so much I ended up subscribing. So maybe leaving your used wargaming magazines will not only help some desperate individual pass the time it may even bring someone into the hobby (or indeed, back into the hobby).  Stranger things have happened. 

Looking Back for Inspiration

I'm starting a new project (more on that in a later article) and am beginning the process of gathering information, buying books and tracking down old magazine articles. The Internet is a fantastic resource for this and of course, it also opens up the possibility of buying long out of print books and magazines. I recently picked up an old copy of Wargames Illustrated for a single article that links to my new project but I have found myself thoroughly enjoying the whole magazine, and not necessarily for the reasons you may imagine. 

I have pretty much stopped buying paper copies of magazines now. Those that I do subscribe too I receive as electronic copies and when I do buy a hardcopy I usually pass it on to friends or family, simply because I don't have storage space for more than a handful (it's surprising how quickly the pile grows when you get three or four magazines a month). I have also come to realise that if I need a particular issue the internet makes it fairly easy to track down to purchase. Not surprisingly eBay is filled with back issues of magazines for sale and there are plenty of digital copies available on publishing websites like Issuu. It was to eBay that I turned to for this copy of Wargames Illustrated from December 1990.

My magazine arrived in the post yesterday and considering its 29 years old it is in pretty good condition. The article I bought this issue for was very informative and I even found a second article relating to one of the other periods I collect, so the small price tag of just a few quid was money well spent in my opinion.

The surprise for me though was that I have also really enjoyed flicking through this magazine from 'another era' and especially remembering our wonderful hobby from before the advent of Internet shopping! The adverts are particularly interesting, many for companies that have long since ceased trading or have been absorbed by other companies. The whole Magazine (bar the cover) was black and white and none of the traders advertising had a website (the web was 'invented' in 1989 but the first publicly available browser wasn't available until 1991). Nearly every listing included a variation of "Send an s.e.a. for a catalogue". When was the last time you had to send a self-addressed envelope to anyone?

It's been a fascinating look back at another age, and boy do I feel old because I remember it vividly! Having said that I'm not one to look at the past through rose-tinted glasses and while I have a fond nostalgia for my early gaming years I am glad to be living and gaming in an internet-enabled golden age of wargaming.

Living Dangerously at Albion Books

Over the weekend I went to Hastings for a short break with the wife and my youngest daughter. We tend to turn these sort of trips into a bit of book hunting exercise and this was no exception. One place I always try to visit when I am in Hastings is Albion Books as they have a lot of military books and magazines for sale. But be warned; a visit to this store is not for the faint of heart! The inside of this knowledge emporium is a Heath and Safety nightmare. And as that happens to be my job at the charity I work for, it does take some mental preparation (and checking of my Will) before I venture through the doors. Death by book avalanche is a very real possibility inside this shop! To the brave go the rewards however and if you are prepared to spend a long time browsing there is probably something for every wargamer in its tumbled and disorganised interior.   

I was too timid to take a picture of the inside (I didn't want to offend the owner) but I found a great photo on Google Maps. Unfortunately I can't download it so go look the shop up and view some of the photo's. Piles of books fill most of the isles and if you can get across the scree slopes of paperbacks and around the hardcover hillocks without starting a chain reaction, you may well find some great purchases. And reasonably priced too. I always enjoy looking through the magazine piles and individual issues can usually be bought for just 50p. My best purchase of the day however was a hardback Zulu Conquered: The March of the Red Soldiers by Ron Lock. I've been looking for this for a while and I bought a new copy here for less than half the cover price. 

We almost didn't get to Hastings as my car ended up being towed home for the second time in a week. Unlike last weekends saga, which cost me a tire and ended my trip to SELWG, this time the repair bill is in the upper half a grand! Fortunately my eldest daughter loaned me her car for a couple of days and we eventually arrived in Hastings, late but in once piece, early on Saturday morning instead of Friday as planned. The first thing we did on arrival was head for the bookshops and we both found plenty to console ourselves after the unpromising start to our weekend away. Hopefully the car will be fixed in a couple of days and I can get back to the important business of planning our next book expedition. 

Miniature Wargames review of Broadside

Yesterday I picked up my copy of Miniature Wargames magazine (issue 412) and was very pleased to see several photos of my Operation Caravan game that the Rejects put on back in June at Broadside. Editor John Treadaway was very complimentary about our game and the team effort that went into our overall presentation. 

Two photos of our demo game feature in the magazine.

A very nice write up from the Editor.

Issue 412 of the magazine.

I think all the Rejects that took part on the day will be pleased with this write up on what was already a successful demo and a great day.

Playing the generation game

I have just been reading a brilliant article from a recent issue of Wargames Soldiers and Strategy called The Generation Game. It's all about getting the younger generation involved in our hobby, playing games, painting miniatures and participating in our wonderfully 'social' hobby. The often heard lament within our community is that our hobby risks dying out with the current generation of aging wargamers. In my own small way this is something I have been determined to rectify by involving both my children in my hobby as they grew up. 

My youngest daughter (otherwise known as the Young Padawan) is often featured on this blog when we play ancients games using the To the Strongest rules and WWII North African battles using my desert armies. She is also a developing painter although she is less keen on that side of gaming. Maybe that is a little bit too much of a step as her generation likes everything to be instant and maybe she hasn't got quite got the patience to spend hours painting. I can't expect her to enjoy every aspect of a hobby exactly the way I do. So long as she enjoys rolling dice and laughing over the games table with her old man then I can hardly complain.

Most of the article focused on the benefits of getting young people involved in local wargaming clubs. I think this is something that many gamers have tried to do and I have noticed lots more children at shows as part of clubs. This is great for the future of the Hobby and seems to be going in the right direction but for me the most important thing any of us wargamers can do to support the future of the Hobby is to get our children involved at home. I'm not advocating forcing them to join in but anytime away from the games consoles, the TV, the phone or handheld games system can only be a good thing. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a particular problem with any of these things in moderation, but variety is after all the spice of life.

I think its important for us oldies to remember how we got into the hobby, particularly if we did so while still at school. My introduction to gaming came through my friends at school, books that I found in the library, through Dungeons and Dragons as an early teenager and Warhammer Fantasy battle as an older teenager but it was always closely linked to my group of friends. I think that social aspect to the hobby is a vital ingredient that needs to be nurtured in young gamer's because it is the building blocks of a lifelong passion for tabletop gaming in all its many forms. Our kids may have different tools and access to technology that we didn't but so long as we keep friendships at the centre of the experience they will get as much out of the hobby as we do, and hopefully for many years to come.

Its vital that this my generation understand that their generation may want to do things differently. While I would like my children to follow in my footsteps how they do that is entirely up to them just so long as they still want to play games. Our hobby has evolved enormously over the decades and it will continue to do so long after we are gone and with a bit of encouragement it'll be our kids that shape the rule systems, models and technologies of the future. So long as my kids still want to play games with me when I'm in my dotage then I'll be quite content!

Miniature Wargames with Battlegames 396

I subscribe to Miniature Wargames with Battlegames (MWBG) and always look forward to receiving it in the post before it hits the shops. I subscribe to several magazines electronically but there is something quite enjoyable about getting a real life magazine in your hands to read and enjoy. In fact my copy is part of my holiday reading material, and means that internet connection or not I can keep up with the latest goings on in the hobby.

This month I opened my copy and was amazed and thrilled to see my Blog reviewed in the Blogs of the Month column. The write up was very complimentary and most unexpected. Fellow Reject Ray Rousell also had his blog Don't Throw a One reviewed so we are both 'tickled pink' by the recognition from the editor Henry Hyde. Henry is a very well respected luminary in our hobby and I consider it high praise indeed when he gives you the thumbs up! 

While still on a high from this surprise I turned to the Salute Show guide that is included in this issue. I have just bought my eTicket for Salute and am looking forward to the biggest event in my hobby calender. For those that don't know the whole centre section of the magazine is a pull out guide to this years event. Copies are also given out to all the visitors to the show so the circulation is not insignificant. So it was with great surprise (and, I admit, a childish squeal of delight) that I discovered an attributed copy of one of my pictures from last years event featuring in the introduction. 

To say that I am 'well chuffed' at getting two mentions in the hobbies premier wargaming magazine would be an understatement. Of course this means that when I get back from my holiday I'll have to redouble my efforts to keep up with the painting... especially now that BLMA is heading rapidly towards 2 million pageviews sometime over the summer!

Ending Demo Game Anonymity

Way back in 2009 I wrote a post for this Blog about demo tables at shows and in particular the lack of information for visitors and sometimes the lack of interaction between exhibitors and show attendees. Since then I have had the pleasure of contributing to three demo games in conjunction with Posties Rejects at the Broadside show (in 2012 and 2013 and again in 2014). Looking back at that article I'm glad to say that the quality of information and interaction at shows seems to have improved immensely over the last four years (I'm not claiming any credit, its just an observation!) but I thought my earlier article was worth revisiting and updating.

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Over the years I have attended a lot of conventions and shows and as any regular reader of BLMA will know I always go with my camera in hand. As a result I have developed a clear opinion of what I like and don't like about demo games at shows. My main gripe has usually revolved around those (thankfully few) tables where information and interaction are virtually non-existent and the spectator is left feeling awkward and unwanted. This situation has become noticeably less common over the years, but it's certainly not gone away altogether.

It would be nice to see some of the Demo tables with more information available to visitors. Some of the tables provided information sheets about their games but the majority didn't. This isn't in itself a problem, if you're the sort of person who feels comfortable sparking up a conversation with the guys on the table. But not all visitors are old Grognards eager for a chat, a large proportion are 'drop-in's' or newbies and its easy to see how they could feel intimidated by this clique of wargamers. Think back to your first ever show and how strange and new it all was. You probably didn't know anyone - apart from maybe one or two mates who came with you - and the place was full of strange sights and smells (oh yes, gamer funk....don't get me started on that subject!).

An example of an excellent display table (Southend Wargames at the recent SELWG Show) - Lots of Information, maps and books associated with the game. Plenty to engage the visitor and provide the opening of a conversation.

I guess I feel the problem a little more acutely because I like to come away from a show with lots of pictures. Trying to figure out who was on what table, what their game was etc. can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. Its a sad fact that I still attend shows and nearly always come across a demo game that lacks any kind of identifying label or sign. When signs are present I always try to take a picture that includes the label as an aide-memoir when identifying and captioning my photographs. This is especially true for larger shows like Salute where there may be several Napoleonic or ACW games being run and trying to remember which was which after the event can be a bit tricky. Of course I always try to spark up a conversation with those running the game but its still hard to remember every conversation and every game correctly. Getting a picture of the label cuts through all the confusion and ensures that those that run a good demo game get the credit they deserve. 

Another great display (A Very British Civil War at Salute 2013) with artwork and period artefact's to bring the game to life. This sort of detail really helps tell the story of the game.

For me the whole purpose of running a demo table is to demonstrate the hobby (the clue is in the name!) and that means more than just plonking the models on the table and walking away. In my experience a significant portion of visitors attend shows to see aspects of our wonderful hobby that are normally outside their normal experience. Some of these visitors are new to the hobby, others - such as the hoards of younglings attracted in by the likes of Games Workshop for instance - may only be involved in a niche and are maybe casting around, looking for other games and periods to play. Failure to engage them is a lost opportunity to broaden their horizons and retain them within the hobby. It seems to me that one of the main purposes of a wargame show is to act as a sort of 'outreach' programme to draw in new players. That does sound a bit high-faluting and grand, but new blood coming into the hobby is a genuine concern and a recurring theme of many magazine articles written by the great and good of our hobby.

An ideal and very practical display that any group running a demo could put together (in this case Rainham Wargames Club at Cavalier 2014). This modest collection of items clearly identifies the game, explains who is running it, showcases research material and there is even a small handout with more information for those that are interested. 

So having pontificated about a lack of communication with visitors I guess I ought to say what I would like to see associated with a Demo Game, either on a handout or nearby signs and labels. Here's my own personal list of 'stuff I'd like to know' about each demo I view:

• Name of the Club or Organisation running the demo table
• The name or title of the game being played
• Period or specific dates if applicable
• The rules system being used
• The scale of the miniatures being used
• A table number or reference that links to the show guide (if there is one)
• Contact details for the club and details of where they meet etc
• The demonstrators names
• A little background or historical context
• Who makes the miniatures on display
• Additional information on terrain features
• If the table is scratch built, who did it and how?

This is by no means an exhaustive list but does represent the sort of questions I find myself asking over and over again (and forgetting the answers over and over again!). It would be great if each demo table could provide some sort of handout with basic details on it but simple displays that could be photographed would be just as useful. As I have said several times things are getting better and the unlabelled tables with uncommunicative players huddled around them are becoming fewer and fewer. I look forward to the day when this unfortunate phenomenon has come to an end... then we can set our sights on eliminating 'gamer funk' once and for all. 

Thump! v's Bing!

Its battle of the magazines time again as both my Wargames Illustrated and Miniature Wargames subscriptions arrive within days of each other. In the case of the former it came through the letter box and landed with a hefty "Thump" on the carpet, while the other announced itself available to read on my Tablet with a gentle "Bing!". Anyone that has been reading BLMA for some time will know I enjoy both these publications for different reasons. Between these two and Wargames Soldiers and Strategy I get all the gaming news and updates I need as well as plenty of ideas and inspiration for a myriad of battles and campaigns that I'll probably never get round to playing. So what differentiates these two magazines from each other this month, aside from the sound they make when they arrive? 

It has to be said that this months Wargames Illustrated really is a vehicle for Battlefronts latest release,  the Rising Sun Handbook. Having said that I really enjoyed it because its a theatre of WWII that doesn't seem to get much attention. This handbook introduces the Japanese to FOW but focuses on the pre war conflicts between Soviet Russia and Imperial Japan. Later releases will focus on Japan's involvement in the Pacific and Southeast Asia and I suspect this will prove a very popular Theatre for FOW players who have been asking for this for years.

As usual the Theme is carried throughout the magazine with several related articles including two articles that appealed to the Treadhead in me. The first article looks at the development of Japanese tanks between 1919 and 1939 and the other reviews the Red Army tank force, which in 1939 was arguably the most powerful in the world materially, if not in leadership and employment.

Aside from the Themed articles there are also several others that look beyond Battlefront's games (one thing that clearly differentiates this magazine from GW's White Dwarf which it is constantly and unfairly being compared to). San Tarzgarotto is about a fictional Carlist Wars battle created by Chris Thompson. By Fire and Sword looks at a new pike & shot-era game set in and around the Polish Commonwealth in the late 17th Century. The Battle of Snowshoes looks at the research and construction of a French and Indian Wars Battle set in 1758. Elope to Archangel reviews the British involvement in the Russian Civil War against the Bolsheviks. And there is a stunning photo essay about recreating Rorke's Drift 1879 by Pat Smith, a follow on from his iSandlwana article last month.

Miniature Wargames is a completely different kind of beast to Wargames Illustrated and panders to a different set of needs and desires. While I would describe WI as wargaming porn, Miniature Wargames is definitely the thinking persons wargaming magazine. I can honestly say, without a hint of irony, that I buy Miniature Wargames for the articles. I devour the regular columns by the likes of Neil Shuck and Mike Siggins and now MW had added the great John Treadaway to its stable of regular contributors.

Henry Hyde begins the magazine with his usual editorial and its clear his move from a 50 page bi-monthly publication to an 80 page monthly magazine has been quite a shock to the system and a very steep learning curve for him. But as a reader I have to say  I think he's doing a grand job and if he's encountered any difficulty with the move, it doesn't show in the quality of the magazine he is captaining.

This months issue includes several articles that have caught my attention and were very enjoyable to read. John Treadaway's inaugural piece in particular was great to see as it is a welcome return of his old column Fantasy Facts from the days of Battle for Wargames. This month he's looking at a range of Sci Fi APC's that bear an uncanny resemblance to a certain James Cameron film back in the 80's. Next No Messiens About caught my attention because it features a rather nice first world war British tank (a Mk IV I think) and a German A7V. The pictures accompanying the article are excellent and are reminiscent of the game the Rejects put on at Broadside last year. Conrad Kinch's column Send three and Fourpence offers some advise for those considering blogging about their activities.

One of the things I like about Miniature Wargames is that it is very much Game focused. That's not to say that the history and setting isn't given some attention but in every article the game is central. One of my favourite articles from this months issue Whispering Death is all about the game as it is an entirely self contained fast-play set of rules for recreating a convoy bombing mission. I'm not sure I'd have the patience to draw my own hex mat like he has but the miniatures and the rules are very intriguing.

There's plenty more inside the covers of both magazines but if you want to find out more you'll just have to go out and buy them! I'm know there are plenty of detractors - for both magazines - but despite their vast and obvious differences in style and content I have enjoyed them very much this month.

WSS 66 - The New Golden Age

My copy of Wargames Soldiers and Strategy arrived in the post yesterday and I've had a quick scan through its pages. I'm kicking myself now for not going digital when I resubscribed a couple of months ago. Its great to get the magazine in the post but I have definitely 'seen the light' as far as digital is concerned. Next time I resubscribe I'll opt for an electronic version. 

This months theme is the Battle of Gettysburg, and its a cracker. The American Civil War is my favourite period after WWII and I always enjoy it when The Rejects dust off the Fire and Fury Rules for a game. The Themed articles are a series of Scenarios for playing the opening stages of the battle. They could all be played as stand alone games but equally they could form the basis of a campaign-like series of games that enable players to really get under the skin of this pivotal battle.

Presenting the scenarios like this is a really good idea because it gives players a chance to pick and choose the level of engagement they want to go for and has the flexibility to be easily converted for different scales and rule sets. As always each of the 8 scenarios is accompanied by excellent colour photo's and usual high quality maps readers have come to expect from WSS. 

This issue isn't all about the Civil War though and there are some notable articles details of which can be found on the WSS website. But as usual its the regular columns that have caught my attention and got the old grey matter working.

Rick Priestley's This Gaming Life has got to be one of my favourite columns in any gaming magazine. This month he's discussing the phenomenon of brand loyalty and how us gamers have a tendency to be a tribal bunch. I'm not sure I agree with the suggestion that this is the predominant situation within the gaming community but certainly there are some gamers who are 'loyal' to certain games to the exception of all others. These are probably also the same people that vent their often 'colourful' opinions about alternative rules systems across various forums, or maybe I'm falling into the same trap of stereotyping my fellow gamers. I certainly don't recognise myself in this article but maybe that's because I have the benefit of being part of The Rejects who's interests are diverse and wide ranging.

Richard Clarke's column Up Front suggests that the supposed The Golden Age of Wargaming back in the 70's is in fact something of a myth. Instead he suggests that now is the Golden Age with such a wide variety of periods being covered by stable and long lasting and mature companies that are increasingly sophisticated and professional. Gone are the bad old days of 'here today, gone tomorrow' game companies where ranges were short lived and sometimes poor quality.

Alexander Kawczynski (of Anatoli's Game Room) has written a good article about the The blessings of the World Wide Web. Like me he started gaming back in the dark ages, before the Web and before most ordinary people ever thought a home computer was for anything other than playing games. As a newbie entering the hobby Alexander, like me, had little or no access to painting guides and finding a local club was pretty much down to luck. But since we first discovered miniatures and wargames the Internet has exploded on the scene and changed our world quite radically. For wargamers that has meant forums, advice websites, on-line retail, video tutorials and of course more Blog's than you can shake a stick at.

In some ways this article links to Richards because for all its pitfalls (and there are many) the Internet has in my view created a new golden age for the hobby. Support and information for the newbie is better than it has ever been and the breadth of games, periods and rules available mean there are multiple routes into the hobby. Maybe (looking back to Rick's article) this is why us gamers tend to be tribal; there are so many good choices out there the only way to avoid an overload of shinybloodyitus is to focus on a particular game or a particular brand. We are in fact spoilt for choice and we should count ourselves lucky to be so blessed.

Miniature Wargames with Battlegames

While I was at Salute on Saturday I made sure I picked up a copy of the new and improved Miniature Wargames magazine. As you probably already know this months issue is a relaunch (of sorts) as the magazine now incorporates that other stalwart gaming magazine Battlegames. In addition to absorbing Battlegames the new magazine has also acquired the editor, the redoubtable Henry Hyde. I was lucky enough to bump into Henry towards the end of the show and quickly wished him luck with the new venture. Now that I have seen the first combined issue I'm reassured that the new magazine is in very safe hands. 

The 'new' magazine retains a lot of the features regular readers already enjoy but very much in the simple and elegant style of Battlegames. Wargaming is very much at the heart of every article and is no longer relegated to a footnote at the end. That's not to criticise the old format, I enjoyed it a lot, but sometimes change can bring with it new vitality and reinvigorate an old warhorse, or in this case two old warhorses. 

So, the verdict. I like the look of this revamped magazine, I enjoyed the articles and the features and there was plenty of eye candy as well. The layout is simple and clean so it looks, paradoxically, both rather modern and slightly retro. I also liked the fact that on the whole the advertising was isolated away from the articles, not mixed in with them as in some magazines. I actually enjoy the adverts (its a way of getting a feel for the hobby and the latest developments) but its not something I like to see in the middle of an article.

The quality of the writing is also an important part of any magazine (obviously) and the articles in this issue grabbed my attention from the editorial through to the closing pages. I really felt at the end that I was better informed about the current state of our hobby as well as being inspired and energised by the games featured.

It was a thought provoking and inspirational issue and has convinced me I needed to subscribe after years of buying as-and-when I found a copy in a newsagents. And this time I have opted for my first digital subscription so I can read it on my Android Tablet. I recently gave away a huge collection of magazines and couldn't believe how much space was taken up with paper copies that frankly would never see the light of day again. I kept them more out of sentimentality than anything else and they were starting to fill the shelves. So opting for a digital subscription may prove to be the way forward for me, although I'm clearly years behind the trend.

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Update: I forgot to add that with the digital subscription from Exact Editions you also get access to a load of back issues of both Miniature Wargames and Battlegames. I've already found a couple of cracking articles from previous issues, including a great one by Henry about the war in the Western Desert. 

WI 306 and Hidden Movement

I received my issue of Wargames Illustrated yesterday and have just about had time to peruse its contents. The Theme this month is Vietnam which - not entirely unsurprisingly - coincides with Battlefronts release of its new Vietnam Rulebook, Tour of Duty. If this is your period then you'll love this issue with articles on the development and contents of the new book and sneak previews of new models. However if you aren't into this period you may find this issue a bit 'Nam heavy. 

Having said that there are articles on a variety of other periods, as always. Deus Vult looks at Fireforges new game set in the time of the Crusades. This is a really interesting looking period with still have relevance and resonance in modern times. The Battle of Jersey is another interesting article as it deals with Frances attempt to invade Jersey in 1781 to remove the threat the island posed to French and American shipping in the American War of Independence. Air Combat Wargaming by Rob Wubbenhorst fills a niche that is often overlooked in wargaming magazines and writes about fighting in the skies.

However one article in particular caught my attention as it is a subject I have been thinking a lot about in relation to my North Africa Project. Hidden Movement by Pete Brown of the Worcester Wargames Club reviews several methods for introducing the fog of war into a game. This is a well researched article with interesting photo's illustrating the seven methods described and I think will be of interest to most wargamers, no matter what period they play.

Some of the methods listed, such as 'Duplicate tables' or the 'Three Room' method strike me as the sort of thing that can only be achieved by a wargaming club or the richer sort of wargamer (no Ray, not me). These require either lots of room, or lots of terrain and miniatures, or both. Other methods such as the Shield or Blanket method are much more practical. I used this method regularly when I played Warhammer Fantasy Battle several decades ago, but most recently I have seen it used by Postie in a Crimean game where the Fog of War was literally fog that obscured movement of friend and foe alike.

The curtain goes up...and Ray's laughter could be heard across town. 

The 'Token' or 'Blind' method is another technique that has been around for a long time. The likes of Donald Featherstone were using this technique thirty or forty years ago and is employed in modern games like I ain't been shot mum! to simulate uncertainty. Its also the method I favour for my desert games, although I have yet to figure out how to fit it into the Flames of War rules. One of the things I have read a lot about was the effect of dust, heat haze and the glare of the sun to reduce visibility and confuse the senses for all the combatants in the desert. Utilising a larger table, smaller 6mm models and 'dust/hidden markers' will give me a chance to simulate this effect on the table and hopefully will introduce some much needed confusion and uncertainty into the game!

I'd be interested to hear what method other gamers have used and how they got on with them. In particular any advise or ideas with regards using markers would be appreciated as there seems to be a dearth of information on the 'interweb' regarding this (maybe I was Googling it wrong, as the Vicar said to the Nun). 

Photography & Wargaming

A couple of days ago my copy of Wargames Soldiers and Strategy arrived in the post and as usual I set aside some quality time to read it undisturbed (a rare commodity in my house). There's a great article this month by the Blogosphere's very own BigRedBat that is definitely worth checking out. There are many things about this magazine that I love but one of the highlights are the regular columns by the likes of Richard Clarke, Steven MacLauchlan and of course the great Rick Priestly. This months "This Gaming Life" by Rick got me thinking (as it always does) about miniatures painting and how it has changed since I got started in the hobby nearly 30 years ago. 

Ricks article highlighted one simple and universal truth about wargaming that we are all aware of even if we haven't dwelt upon; namely the standard of painted miniatures and terrain has improved relentlessly over the years. Within our hobby we are bombarded on a daily basis by photographs of painted mini's that are so good it makes you cry with frustration because for the majority of us mere mortals such perfection is just a distant dream. But is this a good or a bad thing, and has Photography changed our hobby for better or worse? 

"Some people have the gift of painting to an excellent standard. For them, playing with excellently painted miniatures is a simple matter. The rest of us can only dream of playing with such gorgeous miniatures, after we've cried ourselves to sleep at night, that is...."   (Rick Priestly, WSS 65)

Grainy pictures like this still have the power to inspire.

The advent of full colour wargaming magazines and the growth of the World Wide Web (and of course Blogs) made the photography of our miniatures in increasing detail inevitable. Thirty years ago I would have been lucky to see a grainy black and white photo of a wargames table in a magazine. The quality of the painted miniatures contained therein was less important than the overall impression of the game table and the ranks of troops featured. Most of the photographs I came across back then generally gave what we would probably now call an arms length or 'tabletop' view of miniatures. For me that didn't matter because a large part of my enjoyment of wargaming has always been the grand spectacle of a game and less about the quality or even the accuracy of the individually painted figures.

Now I know I have just committed and act of heresy saying that accuracy isn't important and I guess I need to clarify that statement. Broadly accuracy is important, its the link between our 'toys' and the real history we are trying to represent on the table. So painting British redcoats in blue is just not on, but is it really that important to get the collar cuff the right colour? In the grand scheme of things, and looking at that arms length tabletop view, of course it isn't. But as I recently observed this is the sort of hobby that attracts the OCD type (me included) and even if we can't see the colour of the cuffs from four feet away on a 15mm mini we can while we are painting the damn thing from six inches away, and that counts! 

It looks like an Impressionist painting, but its still impressive.

And this brings me back to photography, because when we look at all those gorgeous pictures in our magazines or on manufacturers websites what we are really looking at is the painters eye view of the miniature, not the wargamers eye view. As a Painter I aspire to the same level of skill and artistry, but as a wargamer I know I'll never achieve it... and frankly I stop caring when I see my whole army lined up on the games table.

Ricks article seemed to suggest that for some gamers having the best examples of their work described as reaching a "good wargaming standard" could be taken as an insult. Me, I recognise the split personality in all of us gamers, but especially myself. I'm an aspiring but ultimately mediocre painter and I'm a wargamer that enjoys the spectacle and grandeur of an army on the table. These two aspects of my gaming character are not mutually exclusive and I'm fortunate that I'm a big chap and there's plenty of room inside for two personalities.

My 15mm WWII US Paratroopers

So, back to my original question. Has high definition, digital photography changed our hobby for better or worse? Personally I think it is definitely a good thing. Rick made the point that wargaming magazines filled with colour pictures meant that miniatures were suddenly focused on in greater detail than ever before and were usually photographed unvarnished to reduce shine. This in turn contributed to the changing demands within our hobby for larger colour palettes, new techniques and products and,  significantly, flat varnish. There are now a vast array of specialist products available that have enhanced and advanced painting and improved the quality of painted miniatures across the board regardless of the painters 'skill level'.

Gone are the days of enamel paints, block painting and gloss varnish and consequently today's "wargaming standard" is light years ahead of where it was just a few decades ago. I may never field an army painted to the same incredible standard seen in my magazines, but the fact that I am inspired by their work has improved the quality of my own figures and maybe narrowed the gap... a little. 

Second (third, fourth and fifth) Bites

On Thursday last week I received the latest edition of Wargames Soldiers and Strategy in the post. I really look forward to this magazines delivery and in particular the regular columns by the likes of Rick Priestly and Dan Johnson. Ricks article this month is all about second chances and in particular new editions of well loved games. This Gaming Life - A second bite was of course talking about the news that Warhammer 40,000 has been re-launched for the sixth time - but his article struck a cord with me because I immediately thought of the imminent 5th Edition re-boot of the Dungeons and Dragons Roleplaying game rules. 

The central premise of the article is that while it is almost inevitable that games designers and publishers might want to update, revise and improve on successful rules systems this process nearly always fractures and divides the existing community of players. Warhammer 40,000 appears to have bucked this trend but I suspect this is more to do with the business model of GW and its relentless supply of teen and pre-teen players feeding into the hobby and moving on as they get older (yes, I know this is a stereotype and probably inaccurate, but its my perception of the business). But for games like D&D, which have always had a broader audience of players the result of each subsequent re-boot has been the inevitable and painful division of its core player base. Old farts like me hanker for the game they knew in their youth while newer players are brought into the fold by the latest glossy edition of the rules.

There are still players out there that have resolutely stuck with the Basic Rules, or AD&D or 3rd Edition etc. With the possible exception of 3rd Edition (which introduce the popular d20 system) every other reincarnation of these rules has had a painful birth that has left some players behind. Ever since the acquisition of D&D by Wizard of the Coast many players have been suspicions of the over commercialisation of the brand. WoTC are essentially a publishing house and they make money by selling books, so it was no surprise when supplement after supplement began to be churned out for admittedly eager players and GM's. As a player during that period it sometimes felt as if there was a storm of reference works being published, many by companies other than WoTC. So while the D20 system arguably revitalised the brand it also sowed the seeds of its own demise at the same time. 

The problem with supplements - especially the 'unofficial' ones, is that with each new set of the rules the flaws in the core rules became more and more obvious. A common complaint during that period (and still today) was "the maths are broken". Thus the pressure for a new edition (beyond the need of a publishing house to publish another book) became inevitable, resulting in yet another splinter group undermining the core fan base of the game. This cycle is being repeated once again with 5th edition. I've read a lot of pro-5th edition rhetoric about how this version is inspired and developed by the fans and will usher in a new golden age for the game. I've been around long enough to have heard it all before. Sooner or later a new set of supplements will start to be published and the whole downward spiral will start again. And in the meantime a few more players give up, move on or abandon the 'new' version for the one they prefer the most.

I should state that I don't subscribe to the rather pessimistic view that 'real' D&D is dead. Although I have my preferences regarding which edition of the rules are best (duh! Basic of course!!) I don't see the splintering of the games player base as a necessarily bad thing. We are all essentially playing the same core game, with the same principles of co-operative storytelling that Gygax and Arneson forged way back in 1974. Ok so the rules systems have diverged with each edition but when you put the rules to one side its clear that the respective systems have more in common than they have in conflict. If you put two D&D players together its not the rules they tell anecdotes about its the 'adventures' they had with their characters.

So will I be buying 5th Edition D&D? Probably, but only out of curiosity and not because I expect to play the game. And if my group decides to return to the best RPG in the world I expect it may be using an earlier edition... with a healthy dose of house rules thrown in. At the end of the day the rules are unimportant; the adventure's the thing that really matters. 

Wargames Illustrated 300th Issue

There was a very loud thump on the hall carpet last Friday that confused the wife. She called me and said "What have you been buying now?" in that oh-so-patient way wives have of gently reprimanding squandering husbands. I was non-plussed, "I haven't bought anything" was my reply. So what was this hefty package that had been posted through my door? When I got home I ripped open the large white envelope and discovered a double sized copy of Wargames Illustrated inside. I'd known that WI was approaching its 300th issue but hadn't realised us lucky readers were going to be treated to a 300 page issue of the magazine. 

Apparently the WI team have been working towards this issue for some time and inside there are a lot of great articles covering a very wide range of games, periods and rules systems. As a subscriber my copy had a 'retro' cover in the style of the first ever issue of the magazine from way back in 1987. Back then I was a still a spotty teenager studying for my A-Levels (well maybe not studying because my future wife and I had just got engaged and revision was not on our minds!). I was playing Warhamer 40k Epic at the time and historical wargaming was a pleasure I had yet to discover. 

A lot has happened in 25 years not least the fact that I've grown older and my taste in games had changed. WI has also undergone some major changes, including ownership with its controversial (in some quarters at least) takeover by battlefront. Personally I don't think its been a bad move for the magazine but there will always be some who cannot reconcile with the change and will always think of WI as FOW Illustrated. I think this special issue should forever banish this unfair label, but not everyone will agree.

So what is inside this mammoth issue? Understandably I haven't had a chance to read it all yet but I have scanned through its pages and seen a lot of articles I am looking forward to reading. 

Open Fire! is the only Flames of War themed article in this issue and looks at the soon to be released boxed 'starter' set. It certainly looks impressive and includes two small starter armies (completely compatible with the rest of the range), a starter rulebook, card terrain and markers, indeed everything the beginner needs to get playing within minutes. It also comes with a very cool looking V1 and launcher ramp which I'm hoping they will release separately at some later date. This is also the first time I have been able to look at the new range of 15mm plastic infantry figures by Battlefront and they look very nice.

The Theme for this issue is Last Stands and there are several articles from a variety of periods for this theme. As this is the 300th issue of WI they could hardly ignore one of the most famous last stands of the ancient world featuring the 300 Spartans under King Leonidas at the Battle of Thermopylae. Crimson & Bronze discusses the myths that surround this battle and then goes on to present an in depth look at a spectacular set of figure conversions of the plastic range from Warlord Games.

Other Last Stands featured in WI300 include; The Last Stand of Spartacus tells the tale of the “gladiator-turned-general” Spartacus ans shows how this great warrior really met his end; The Battle of Karbala 680AD/61AH using the SAGA rules to create a scenario for the most famous ‘Last Stand’ in Islamic history; Alfreds Last Battle written by Prof. Ryan Lavelle introduces readers to Dark Age naval warfare; Also Custer Died revisits the iconic Battle of Little Bighorn; The Legion May Die, But Never Surrenders presents the tale behind the ‘Last Stand’ of 49 men of the French Foreign Legion in the Battle of Camerone, 1863; I Can't Understand It guides the reader through the massacre at Isandlwana in 1879; and Black Hawk Down looks at the action in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993 which was later made into a film by Ridley Scott.

There is lots lots more in this issue (I've only touched on a handful of the articles), including several excellent looking modelling workshops and of course some retrospective views back at the hobby over the last 25 years. Unless you are dedicated to a really niche wargaming period then I think nearly every wargamer will find something of interest in the pages of this issue. If nothing else Wargames Illustrated 300 lives up to its name with every page bursting with colour photographs of our wonderful and inspiring hobby.

Ye Godz I'm busy

Ok, its time for the inevitable 'excuse making post'. I'm incredibly busy at work at the moment and my recent holiday has only made things worse. Even finding time to write this poor excuse for a Blog post has been difficult (I'm being audited today...lucky me!!). But I felt I needed to say sorry for the very erratic and sparse posting of late. Things are probably going to continue like this for a couple of weeks and in the meantime I'm ticking along reading the various magazines I buy on a regular basis. I'm hoping to get to grips with the workload soon and get back to the really important task of painting and gaming! 

WSS Issue 61

No sooner had I finished reading my copy of Wargames Illustrated last week when my other subscription arrived on the doormat. WSS 61 has a colonial theme this month and features on its cover a dramatic diorama of  'The last eleven at Maiwand' by Andy Hawes. 

Colonial games do have an appeal for me, probably because I grew up watching great films like King Solomon's Mines, The Four Feathers, Zulu, Lawrence of Arabia and The African Queen. And in recent years there have been some amazing miniatures on the market that have made playing this 'period' do-able for the average wargamer.

This issue has several great articles to tempt the weak willed wargamer such as myself. Mike Evans article A beginner's guide to Colonial wargaming - four feathers and a bucket of dice is a great introduction. Following on Andy Miles Terribly Earnest Work looks at how to re-fight the Zulu War battle of the Nyezane River in 1879. And Mark Backhouse, writes about Adapting SAGA for the great plains of Africa - Colonial SAGA.

Outside the theme there are also several other articles that I found not only interesting to read but add real weight and authority to this publication. Rick Priestley's ingoing column This Gaming Life discusses what he calls The Great Wargame Schism; the divide between Historical and Fantasy wargaming. His argument that essentially its all the same will shock and horrify some and reassure others.

Another article I particularly enjoyed was Joe Legan's In Defence of 15mm. Personally I didn't realise this scale needed defending but he does make a good point that 15mm is more economical to play and provides for larger battles. Maybe its not everyone's 'cup-of-tea' but since I have been with Posties Rejects I have rarely played a game outside this scale and I'm a very happy convert. 

There is plenty more in this issue including the usual miniature and product reviews which make this an all round read and an essential part of my hobby experience.

Wargames Illustrated 297

When I got home from work on Friday my copy of Wargames Illustrated was waiting for me on my desk. It doesn't matter how bad my day has been, coming home to the latest issue of my subscription magazines always make me feel better.

This months Theme is tied in with Battlefronts release of Devils Charge, their Battle of the Bulge supplement but as always most of the magazine content covers periods and games from outside the Flames of War stable. Having said that I particularly enjoyed the two themed articles and although I'm not likely to rush out and abandon Normandy for the Ardennes I am tempted to buy this book based on what I have seen here.

Peipers Charge gives a good overview of the campaign with plenty of useful information about the headlong dash of Jochen Peiper and his Konigstigers towards their objectives on the Meuse. As always the article is lavishly illustrated and enjoyable to read even if you do not plan on playing the campaign.

As always (and contrary to the anti-battlefront propaganda) there are many more articles within this issue dedicated to other game systems and periods. Charlie's Last Dance ties in with last months Theme and looks at the Battle of Falkirk in 1746. Bolt Action! looks at a new set of WWII rules from Warlord Games and Osprey. Wolves Guarding the Flock is about the Illyrian Revolt of 6-9 AD. The Boshin War analyses this conflict that took place in 1868 - 1869 and is the second of three articles focused on the rise of Imperial Japan. And Wabash-ing looks at a Native American victory over the US Army at the Battle of Wabash in 1791. 

There is also a very interesting article by John Michael Priest about Wargaming in the Classroom and how he used wargaming to teach students about the American Civil War. When I had finished reading his story I couldn't help wishing I'd had him as my History teacher when I was at school. My passion for history developed much later through my interest in wargaming but I now look back and think of all the wasted years! Who knows my choice of University Degree might have been very different had I been inspired like this at an early age. 

Another excellent article is Paul Davies' guide to photographing miniatures. This article looks at the art of achieving in-focus photo of miniatures at play. The article is technical but not in a boring or mind numbing way which make it useful and interesting to read. My normal solution is to shoot hundreds of pictures and pick the best but maybe its time I tried a slightly more technical approach! 

Once again I have to single out Matt Parkes ongoing series of articles on painting as a highlight. This issue focuses on Faces and Skin which was perfect timing for me as I struggled with a model I'll be revealing in a day or two. There's also an eye-candy rich photo-review of Adepticon 2012. I love these show reports, especially those that review US events because I can't (and probably never will be able to) visit them in person. 

So another great issue that I have read almost cover to cover in just a few days. Now I have just another month to wait for issue 298!