Last night I went with my wife to listen to an author by the name of Donald Miller ( http://www.donaldmillerwords.com/ )whose book I'm currently reading called Painted Deserts. I won't go into details about the book, but I would like to talk about something he mentions in his book, Why & How questions.
First off, in a nutshell there are really two kinds of questions that we all ask, and these could be broken done into a Primary Question (Why) and a Secondary Question (How). So how (or why) does this have anything to do with gaming? Well let me explain.
I happen to frequent a few game forums and I see allot of people asking How do I do this? how do I win?, How do I build this? How do I paint this? Etc, the list could go on and on. Heck there are a ton of books and websites as well as a ton of folks willing to give advice out there to on How to do these things people are asking about. It seems that allot of people want the answers given to them without having to figure it out for themselves. Now I'm not saying that this is bad, Heck I have even asked "How to" questions and I have read and listened to advice given. What I'm trying to say is the How is not as important to the Why.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is Why do we game? Why do we build? Why do we paint? the question must first be answered before we ask How. Am I getting to deep here?? Maybe, but lets think about this for a minute and take a look at the3 Why questions I just asked.
Why do we game? Or better yet Why do I game? Well I game for the enjoyment and the adventure of creating a story. I enjoy spending time with friends that have the same interests as me. I like to recreate glorious tales on the table top and it speaks to the adventurer inside of me. I want to be like the characters on the table top, struggling for some greater good that only the Lead & Plastic minds can comprehend. But really I can't put my finger on Why I game, my brain can't wrap itself around Why I do this. Best perhaps to move onto the next question.
Why do we build tiny armies or put together figures or terrain. I suppose some folks like to feel like God, creating things (if you believe in that, which I do!). I guess we all like to create things, it gives us a sense of accomplishment and in some way we feel good about that. I suppose that we are created in Gods image than, since He liked what he created and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree (unless it's the Tree of Knowledge!). So in a nutshell, we like to build armies & terrain features because it feels good.
Why do we paint? Well I guess this is just like the above question in a way, but I really do not like seeing naked lead or plastic on the table! lets be honest, painted figures always die last on the game table, unless your not painted very well, than someone whose better looking than you dies last. A friend & I did an experiment of sorts a few years ago now, we watched gamers at shops & at cons and watched how they pulled off there casualties. The unpainted or poorly painted figures were always the first to go! So I guess we all like to paint just so are stuff stays on the table longer. But really I think it's more to do with the creation theme though.
So I guess after we ask Why we do these things, than we should ask How to do these. Maybe I'm over thinking this and it really doesn't have anything to do with gaming. But just take a moment to ask Why first instead of How...
TK
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Lord of the Rings
Okay,
I have been wondering about the Games Workshop game Lord of the Rings. What I have been wondering is why it hasn't really taken off here in the states. I have spent some time snooping around some other forums and came across a post that stated GW has moved 30 slots in their LotR tournament at Grand tournaments, to 40k. Now I understand 40k is a popular game but why dosn't LotR catch on?
So here is what I came up with,
1. LotR is not pushed in many shops. In my local shop, LotR was never given a chance because of the store employees. I had one employee tell me that he didn't like the gmae because of the one dice roll to see who won combat, he dismissed it as a childs game because it wasn't like Warhammer or 40K. Also the store owner dumped all his stock because it wasn't moving. Now I wonder if he knew his employee was the one telling everyone just how bad the game "sucked" to all potental people interested in buying the game. (Said employee no longer works there thank goodness). But the damage is done & the locals in the shop all feel the same way now.
2. The movies are not playing in theaters anymore. I think since the movies are now out, the Lord of the Rings fever has now subsided. While the movies were comming out, there was a huge marketing blitz that kept JRR Tolkens work in the news just about every day. Now that it's not, most people have forgotten about the movies. I only hope Peter jackson decides to do the Hobbit as a movie, this may re-awaken people to the game.
3. Cost. I think that the cost of the minis seems hard to believe for most folks. Lotr stuff is by far the cheapest figures out there by GW. Most gamers can't believe you get 20 plastic figures for $25.00 bucks were a WHFB unit of 16 figures cost $30.00!
4. GW's organazation of the line. GW has a huge line of figures for LotR, but the way the Website is organized is terriable. It's hard to navigate and find what your looking for, you can find it, but it takes time. It looks like they are starting to get things inline, so this shouldn't be a problem in the future. Also the rules are scattered over a few different books. You have the big "One" rulebook, but then you have supplements all over the place. but like I said, they are taking steps to bring this in line. The Legions of Middle earth book, Ruins of Arnor & the new Dwarf book seem to be headed in the right direction.
These are just a few things that are causing LotR not to be played here in the states, but this is just my two cents, I could be wrong. All I have to say is that this is by far the best game that GW has put out in a long time and we see off shoots of it coming out already like Legends of the Old West & other legends titles are sure to follow.
So basicly this is my attempt to try and get more folks to take another look at one of the best fantasy game out there...
TK
I have been wondering about the Games Workshop game Lord of the Rings. What I have been wondering is why it hasn't really taken off here in the states. I have spent some time snooping around some other forums and came across a post that stated GW has moved 30 slots in their LotR tournament at Grand tournaments, to 40k. Now I understand 40k is a popular game but why dosn't LotR catch on?
So here is what I came up with,
1. LotR is not pushed in many shops. In my local shop, LotR was never given a chance because of the store employees. I had one employee tell me that he didn't like the gmae because of the one dice roll to see who won combat, he dismissed it as a childs game because it wasn't like Warhammer or 40K. Also the store owner dumped all his stock because it wasn't moving. Now I wonder if he knew his employee was the one telling everyone just how bad the game "sucked" to all potental people interested in buying the game. (Said employee no longer works there thank goodness). But the damage is done & the locals in the shop all feel the same way now.
2. The movies are not playing in theaters anymore. I think since the movies are now out, the Lord of the Rings fever has now subsided. While the movies were comming out, there was a huge marketing blitz that kept JRR Tolkens work in the news just about every day. Now that it's not, most people have forgotten about the movies. I only hope Peter jackson decides to do the Hobbit as a movie, this may re-awaken people to the game.
3. Cost. I think that the cost of the minis seems hard to believe for most folks. Lotr stuff is by far the cheapest figures out there by GW. Most gamers can't believe you get 20 plastic figures for $25.00 bucks were a WHFB unit of 16 figures cost $30.00!
4. GW's organazation of the line. GW has a huge line of figures for LotR, but the way the Website is organized is terriable. It's hard to navigate and find what your looking for, you can find it, but it takes time. It looks like they are starting to get things inline, so this shouldn't be a problem in the future. Also the rules are scattered over a few different books. You have the big "One" rulebook, but then you have supplements all over the place. but like I said, they are taking steps to bring this in line. The Legions of Middle earth book, Ruins of Arnor & the new Dwarf book seem to be headed in the right direction.
These are just a few things that are causing LotR not to be played here in the states, but this is just my two cents, I could be wrong. All I have to say is that this is by far the best game that GW has put out in a long time and we see off shoots of it coming out already like Legends of the Old West & other legends titles are sure to follow.
So basicly this is my attempt to try and get more folks to take another look at one of the best fantasy game out there...
TK
Monday, April 16, 2007
The Local Gaming Scene
Well, it's been awhile since my last post, I was supposed to be covering & playing in a local team tournament for 40K. but my teamate had to cancel and all my back ups were busy, so I didn't get to play. But instead of feeling disappointed in not be able to play, I was a little relieved that I didn't play.
Let me state that it wasn't because of my teamate, I have played this type of game with him before & I had a blast. I think what was worring to me was the attitude of the players at this particular store. You see I have heard rumablings that this store has had some players that like to win at all cost, even to the point of bending some of the rules. I have seen this in person when I used to play WHFB many moons ago at this shop and I have seen this in 40K as well. This attitude also seems to be tolorated or overlooked by the shops employees. So I guess the question is this, does the store breed this type of power gamer or is it my imagination?
I have been thinking about this for a while now and I'm not sure. How much control does a shop have controll over it's patrons that frequent it? Can the store lay down some sort of moral conduct for games or is the shop overstepping it's bounds? I'm not sure what the correct answer is or if there is really a problem.
Perhaps it's me, maybe my attitude is changing and I just have a short tolorance for this sort of attitude. I do admit, that I am a very picky gamer now, I could even be considered a snob because the way I game. You see I only like to game with folks that have the same sort of ideas for games, thats to have fun. We don't get all hung up over who has the better army or who has the better win ratio, we just play to have a good time.
Now I know tournaments can bring out the worst in people, but I have played in a few Historical & LotR tourneis that have not had this attitude about them. Perhaps its just me, maybe I'm getting too old for this, who knows...
TK
Let me state that it wasn't because of my teamate, I have played this type of game with him before & I had a blast. I think what was worring to me was the attitude of the players at this particular store. You see I have heard rumablings that this store has had some players that like to win at all cost, even to the point of bending some of the rules. I have seen this in person when I used to play WHFB many moons ago at this shop and I have seen this in 40K as well. This attitude also seems to be tolorated or overlooked by the shops employees. So I guess the question is this, does the store breed this type of power gamer or is it my imagination?
I have been thinking about this for a while now and I'm not sure. How much control does a shop have controll over it's patrons that frequent it? Can the store lay down some sort of moral conduct for games or is the shop overstepping it's bounds? I'm not sure what the correct answer is or if there is really a problem.
Perhaps it's me, maybe my attitude is changing and I just have a short tolorance for this sort of attitude. I do admit, that I am a very picky gamer now, I could even be considered a snob because the way I game. You see I only like to game with folks that have the same sort of ideas for games, thats to have fun. We don't get all hung up over who has the better army or who has the better win ratio, we just play to have a good time.
Now I know tournaments can bring out the worst in people, but I have played in a few Historical & LotR tourneis that have not had this attitude about them. Perhaps its just me, maybe I'm getting too old for this, who knows...
TK
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Some Quick shots
Tonight I finished up my Sisters of Battle for this weekends tournament, here are a few pics I just took, First up the Saint
Followed by a little Exorcist action,
I also took a few pics of a Pulp Figure, someone rom the Mummy perhaps?
And one Pirate captain for my Pirate Project made from GW Militia parts,
So there you go, just a quick update...
TK
Monday, April 02, 2007
Been busy
Well, I have been really busy in the last few weeks, so much so I haven’t had time to bust out the camera and take pictures of anything.
So here is what’s been going on,
1 - Been working on getting my Sisters of battle ready for the team tournament this coming weekend at Imperial Out games here in Phoenix. I had to paint up 12 sisters, 1 Saint model & 2 exorcist tanks, got everything done but bases to paint.
2 - Pirates from Brandon. My good friend Brandon was painting up 15 pirates for me for the Pirate project I have been working on. But due to personal & work issues he was not able to finish all of them. So I have had to do some finishing on about 7 models out of 15, noting to hard, just doing all the small detail stuff, still have 4 models to go.
3 - Lizard men - Well a few posts ago I mentioned a trade I was doing for Mike with his New Plastic Empire figures that I was assembling for him. Well Mike now doesn’t want to paint them due to the over detailing the basic figures have on them, so He asked if I would assemble his Lizard men for him (which are the old Plastic). So I have been working on getting them together.
4 - Chaos marines - Well Lonnie finally called in my services to assemble his Chaos Army for him in trade for the SoB's I got from him last year. Just allot of Chaos marines to assemble.
5 - Toms FoW - Still working on Toms FoW Germans for him, God I hate 15mm stuff! The problem I'm having is that I want to paint all the really cool detail on them like I would for a 28mm fig, but the problem is that it takes forever to do! Tom just said to paint them quickly, but it's so hard to do that with all the cool detail, Oh Well.
6 - Got a new kitty! - I posted also a few weeks ago about having to put down my cat, well we got a new one just 3 weeks ago (Jasmine) and she has been a blast to play with. She is a very time hungry cat to boot, always wants to play, which leads me to not working on any projects!
7 - Friend in hospital! - A good friend of mine Jim went into the Hospital last Tuesday for Appendicitis. The surgery went well, but he is having issues with getting his insides to work again. It seems that his digestive system is basically asleep. We have been to the hospital to see him over the last week and it's hard to get back into the groove of doing anything. You see Jim is only a few years older than me & he was a really active person, and to see him like this hurts. I have had no real interest to do anything but pray for him & his family.
So there you have it, been really busy and I hope to get to adding some pictures soon...
TK
So here is what’s been going on,
1 - Been working on getting my Sisters of battle ready for the team tournament this coming weekend at Imperial Out games here in Phoenix. I had to paint up 12 sisters, 1 Saint model & 2 exorcist tanks, got everything done but bases to paint.
2 - Pirates from Brandon. My good friend Brandon was painting up 15 pirates for me for the Pirate project I have been working on. But due to personal & work issues he was not able to finish all of them. So I have had to do some finishing on about 7 models out of 15, noting to hard, just doing all the small detail stuff, still have 4 models to go.
3 - Lizard men - Well a few posts ago I mentioned a trade I was doing for Mike with his New Plastic Empire figures that I was assembling for him. Well Mike now doesn’t want to paint them due to the over detailing the basic figures have on them, so He asked if I would assemble his Lizard men for him (which are the old Plastic). So I have been working on getting them together.
4 - Chaos marines - Well Lonnie finally called in my services to assemble his Chaos Army for him in trade for the SoB's I got from him last year. Just allot of Chaos marines to assemble.
5 - Toms FoW - Still working on Toms FoW Germans for him, God I hate 15mm stuff! The problem I'm having is that I want to paint all the really cool detail on them like I would for a 28mm fig, but the problem is that it takes forever to do! Tom just said to paint them quickly, but it's so hard to do that with all the cool detail, Oh Well.
6 - Got a new kitty! - I posted also a few weeks ago about having to put down my cat, well we got a new one just 3 weeks ago (Jasmine) and she has been a blast to play with. She is a very time hungry cat to boot, always wants to play, which leads me to not working on any projects!
7 - Friend in hospital! - A good friend of mine Jim went into the Hospital last Tuesday for Appendicitis. The surgery went well, but he is having issues with getting his insides to work again. It seems that his digestive system is basically asleep. We have been to the hospital to see him over the last week and it's hard to get back into the groove of doing anything. You see Jim is only a few years older than me & he was a really active person, and to see him like this hurts. I have had no real interest to do anything but pray for him & his family.
So there you have it, been really busy and I hope to get to adding some pictures soon...
TK