Monday, April 02, 2007

Lonely vigil ~ or opportunity to 'catch-up'?

My last game sunday, which I had planned for about a month, was to be a SHAKO meeting engagement and discuss plans for a 'north poland' 1807 campaign plan.


sigh


no players came.


I busied myself with final cleanup of the 'snow' from Eylau (while a real snowsquall kicked up outside the window!) and then I decided to get the force mix prepared for an 'on the road' game I have planned in May. Once that was done I re-designed the tricorne blue coated Prussians I have as the forces of Mieczyslaw (see the Duchy of Mieczyslaw page for details).

It was a useful exercise and prepared the way for a faster start to future games.

I am still doing the repairs to the damaged units (pinning needs drill work time and focus, not going to do that when tired as I will only end up hurting myself).

Later I got a note from one of the possible players saying that he did not come to the game as setup takes so long and the 'rules' are complicated and that game play is slow and since the rules are not well known he thinks that he is being 'hosed' (tricked for those readers not familiar with Great White North slang). Nuts I say, I have fully painted minis and all the fixins for the same experience as one can get at the best of most game conventions. I admit that it is Napoleonics and that 25mm scale takes some time to get the minis on the table...this allows for players to make their own decisions, otherwise the complaints would be all about not having any choices!

I dunno, I feel that I shall have to bend with the prevailing winds for a while and play some 'fantasy' games...sigh.

I was hoping to find at least one other player that wanted the tabletop events to be more than just 'filling time'.

Any thoughts from others out there?

6 comments:

marinergrim said...

funny how people have different perceptions of rules. If the guy you are allegedly "hosing" plays Warhammer Fantasy then I consider those to be a complicated set of rules, what with all that magic stuff and all the different spells you have to rember, not to mention all the additional items, runes, abilities of the various characters, the effects of different standards and musicians. all leaves me feeling a little dizzy 9which is probably why I played Dwarves who don't use magic and wizards!).

We have similar problems within our club though. Getting players interested in a new period or rule set can be difficult if you are the sole sponsor. POR as my old scout master said (press on regardless).

MurdocK said...

P.O.R. = Press On Regardless

Excellent concept.

I am still drawn to the tabletop and still get 'energy' from the planning, plotting and painting. More still when I get to play = especially against a tough opponent (or situation as I have played at 2:1 against and lost, but had a really great time!).

The only caveat with POR is making sure I get to have someone with me every now and them 'pressing on'.

Cheers and thanks Grimsby Mariner

Snickering Corpses said...

I'm soldiering on solo, myself, after going through several years of mostly inactivity due to loss of my only playing partners. If the fun of the game is partly the planning and preparing for you, then that helps a great deal. That fact is why when I did have a wargaming friend, we spent more time planning and setting up then actually gaming most of the time.

Bluebear Jeff said...

Once we get moved into the new house and settled, then I should be able to make lots more games.

For now, we are trying to get a lot of stuff ready for the move . . . and, as you know, my wife has not been feeling well and has wanted me to stay home.

I'd like to make the Hordes game on the 22nd . . . but I don't know where we will be in the closing process at that time (or what Lani's condition will be).

I'm sorry that others couldn't make it.


-- Jeff

Bluebear Jeff said...

Murdock,

Further thoughts on "too complex". You do a wonderful job of putting on very large battles.

But, for learning purposes, I think it would be better to ease people in by hosting some small battles.

I remember years ago when some of us started "Johnny Reb". The first scenario we played was a small action that we actually replayed that afternoon (after learning from our mistakes).

I think getting people started with a simple action that can then be replayed so that they can try different tactics might be a better way to introduce people to the rules.

Your big games are wonderful . . . but they are also a bit overwhelming for those new to the rules. "Easing them in" might work better.


-- Jeff

MurdocK said...

Well, the meeting engagements that I usually put on at the table here tend to be one division per player.

That works out to One Army Command with staff (for one player) and then each player at the table (assuming 4 players) then gets to command a division of 5-8 stands (in two brigades) with each stand representing about 800 men. Then one player would also (possibly) get to command the cavalry ~ for the French or Russians or each command would also have a cavalry contingent of 3 stands in each 'division' ~ allied Prussian or Austrian.

Even if it is just a two player game you are looking at one player controlling 29 pieces :
3 Command & ADC's
2-3 Artillery Stands
2 Infantry Division Commands
12 Infantry Battalions
1 Cavalary Reserve Commander
3-8 Cavalry Stands
Not much more than a chess board at its lowest = 23!

When it comes to 'orders' and planning you only have the Command, each Division and Cavalry to accomodate. Making 4 things to decide about!

Far less than any chess match!

Sigh.

I guess I just POR.