https://www.trianglesimsociety.org/SF_2022_PEL_Aug_14.pdf
Here is a set of details about a US show.
I have put it here so that we can see how US shows work.
Note the game durations, player numbers and table size.
The biggest observation I have is that all the gmaes are participation. No display games.
Your thoughts.
martin
I once got into a "debate" about " demonstration games " on an online forum. Some US members asked what these were, as they had no concept of the idea; after travelling several hundred miles, they want to play. They had heard of these games at UK shows and that some were "look but don't touch" the toys and were genuinely baffled.
Myself and a few others tried to outline the concept and how some were more static display. I then advanced the view that very few demonstrated an actual rules set, a few did but mostly, as far as I could see were "demonstrating" the skill of the persons putting it on in painting figures, making terrain etc. That some shows offered prizes, but a lot didn't . I speculated that the only reward was that people said nice things about your toys, so it was really something of an "ego trip" but that there was nothing wrong with that, meaning being appreciated for nice toys was a boost to your self-esteem, but that aside from skills, I couldn't see what most were actually demonstrating.
Well, boy did that get a reaction from keyboard warriors!
One bloke came out with the memorable "I don't travel around the country at considerable personal expense, putting on games that have cost me a significant amount of time and money just for my ego!"
So I replied quite reasonably, "so why do you do it?"
I'm still waiting for a reply.
A lot came out with vague "showcasing the hobby" stuff, but failed to answer "to whom?"
Nice to look at, possibility even inspiring for some, a way of getting free entry to shows / pictured in glossy mags, but not really demonstrating anything but skill.
A counter argument is that they have a detrimental effect on people joining the hobby who think that's what they have to achieve in terms of painting and making terrain.
I tried to be reasonable and genuinely was interested in someone providing a considered reply, but all I got was nonsense and angry voices.
From what I've seen at shows and in magazines, it's a parallel hobby within wargaming, that is a bit self-absorbed, incestuous and something of a "clique". Too many come close to sneering at what are sometimes called club games.
Not all are like this, but I've encountered a few who are - they only engage in conversation with the "glitterati" not normal "punters".
Again I stress, these are probably the minority, but I'm sure we've all encountered them.....
Well you did ask Martin!
I'm right with you Neil.
I am grateful they have put in the effort, but don't market it as altruism chaps.
Plus demo games often "steal/aquire" all the chairs so that participation games are short of seats.
The late John Tockey did point out to me that participation games are not proper games but that his diorama "move throughs" were. Quelle horreur :)
martin :)
I was once at a show where John Tuckey in a very loud voice was holding forth his opinion on Donald Featherstone's latest book which was something like "With Wellington through Spain with Donald Featherstone" .
His main objection / outrage was that he was "only a sergeant" !
I understand he is deceased but gave up wargaming for model railways.....go figure!
At least the "chuff-puff loonies" ( as I once heard them described ) put all that work into a display which actually moves!
Neil
He certainly was a pompous ass.
martin :)
What a plonker.
Personally, I seldom ever play at a show. I've helped Too Fat Lardies at a few shows in the past, meeting and greeting, providing liquid refreshment to Big Rich but playing, er no.
I hate competitions, or more correctly and importantly, competition minded folk. It's just not me. I'm not a fan of participation games either. Part of it is I just don't feel comfortable. I get almost over stimulated by the fun of the show, picking up orders and buying, chatting etc and can't concentrate nor think straight.
I'm in my comfort zone hosting or at friends or at the rare occasions at the club.
The whole US set up really, really doesn't do it for me.
Horses for courses.
The Hammerhead show in Newark is the only show I know of in the UK that is purely for participation games. It was packed this year with some wonderful offerings.
However, like Kev, I tend to spend most of the day purchasing, observing and chatting. The only participation games Ive played have all been Peter Pig ones!
Hotlead in Canada is all participation games. It's a great event and maybe next year I'll do a game...but last year they had an ADLG tourney which was fun.
Here is a link to this years post of mine showing some of the games. For a small show it had 50+ games over the weekend. One thing is that with less retailers North American shows often are less about spending money vs games. Don't fear I always seem to find stuff to buy but it is less of that than in the UK.
https://mellis1644.wordpress.com/2022/03/21/hotlead-2022/
Nice piece. These events are the way to recruit new gamers, more than trade stands will do I think.
Thanks for the info
martin :)
Total agreement with most of the above. For me, demonstration games at events are like sport in my mind. I love playing sport but can't stand watching it!
Just the same gaming. Love playing but hate watching it. Always feel I need to point out the obvious to them especially when they do stupid things or the rules are just plain daft.
Derek