A thank you to Martin.

[Sean Clark]

I have just had the most enjoyable time playtesting Peter Pigs new Mexican Revolution rules with Martin and others at Peter Pig HQ.

Its quite a trip for me, probably around 400 miles in all ( nothing to my American cousins, I know!) but I cherish my visits down TO Dorset. Over many years now I have made good friends and I hope to visit many more times in the future.

I stay with Martin, who welcomes me into his home, and provides board and lodging making the trip all the more enjoyable.

During this trip, I was able to catch up with Mike and Nigel in the workshop. Martin updated me on all of the developments on the technical side of the business.

We had several good chats putting the world to rights and having not seen each other for 18 months there was a lot of catching up to do!

The point of this post is to publicly thank Martin for his friendship and support, allowing me to be a part of the Peter Pig team. But also to publicly recognise the work he puts into the hobby.

There's no finer example than the work he is doing on the Mexican Revolution. There have been several requests over the years for him to do this period. It can never be said to be a period popular with gamers, outside of maybe small Hollywood skirmish style games with Mexicans with big moustaches and even bigger sombreros.

But the depth of research Martin has carried out for this range and set of rules is incredible.  The work he has put into making a model of a Dodge automobile alone  is outstanding.

The conflict was really unknown to me prior to Martin starting the figure range and beginning the rules writing process. It is a fascinating period, full of big and small battles, colourful characters and political intrigue.

The rules are shaping up to be a great set that reflect many of the aspects of conflict during the war.

I do feel that Martins rules go a little under the radar. He doesn't appear on podcasts, or write articles in magazines to promote them.

Because he uses grids (and has done for probably 25 years or so) many dismiss the rules as not serious or like a boardgame without even trying the rules out.

Yet there are many innovative mechanics within every set he writes, aimed at modelling the unique aspects of whatever the subject matter is. The current trend is to look at the concept of friction within a set of rules. Martin has friction by the bucket load, though I doubt he would call it that. And for this he recieves little credit and few accolades.

Now, if you ask Martin, I'm fairly sure he will say he doesn't do what he does for medals or pats on the back. I think he does it out of pure enjoyment for the hobby and interest in the historical period. Clearly there is a business to be run, but his rules writing is only a part if that and he is rarely swayed towards the populist line of thinking, ploughing his own path. And long may that continue, because it is a path I will follow for as long as Martin produces the games he does.

This rather longer than intended post is to thank Martin. Firstly as a friend. But secondly as someone who has done as much as anyone for the hobby over several decades, consistently producing excellent 15mm figures but also innovative, thought provoking rules that challenge the gamer and produce bloody good games.

Well done, Martin, and thank you. I hear by promote you to Brigadier General with responsibility for the team biscuits.

[Colonel Kilgore]

That's a great post, Sean, and one I'm sure one that many will agree with. Thanks for everything you do for the hobby in general, Martin, and for those of us here specifically.

One thing I do take serious issue with, though, is the biscuits. Particularly if chocolate is involved. Putting Martin in charge would be a little like asking Nero to keep a careful eye on the firewood 

Simon

[pbeccas (Paul)]

Great post Sean.

[John in York]

Yes great post.
Having thought about it the thing I appreciate about Martin and PP the most is the longevity of the games.
When I was packing my things for Hammerin Iron on Monday I noticed the post mark on the box the mat came in. I'd got it 10 years ago. A lot of people still talk very fondly about the game at the York club. Similarly I got a box of scenery in 2007 for an earlier incarnation of Bayonet & Ideology. Finally I've got a game of PITS coming up. I got together the gear for that years ago. Most other games I can think of just come and go.
In summary then thanks for producing all those great games and the lovely figures and associated support.
Oh and thanks to PP for trekking to the York show for all those years. It was appreciated.

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

As primarily a model collector rather than a gamer, I have far less experience of the gaming systems Martin has introduced over the years, having very little opportunity to try them out.
However, the breadth of PP ranges and the quality of Martin's sculpts attracted me not only back into 15mm after a very long hiatus, but also into C20 conflicts I would otherwise not have considered. I have long lurked at shows over the years and always made a beeline for the familiar pink banner to see the latest offerings...
As a consequence I can now field White Russian, Soviet, Mongolian and Warlord Chinese as well as the Malleson Mission and Turkmen forces covering the 1920s across the breadth of Central Asia, Transcaspia all the way over to China. In the last 18 months I can now also add the Mexican Revolution to the list.
His friendly assistance with my more esoteric requests for conversions and the consistently fast, efficient service of the PP team are a credit to the hobby. "Viva Pedro Cerdo!"

[Big Mike]

I have Martin to thank for my personal wargaming Renaissance. Although I have been a gamer since the late 70s, it was when I moved back to my native county in 2012 that I rediscovered "the joy of 6", thanks to Martins enthusiastic commitment to the hobby.
Mike

[martin goddard]

Thank you all.
"It is good to be amongst friends" I think we all agree.
Mutual support always has a good positive effect.

I will return a little of the praise (keeping most of it for myself) by thanking all the play testers past and present.

Thanks

martin


PS more support always appreciated.

[Sean Clark]

Of course it's all a cunning plan to keep you producing rules and figures well in to your dotage. Whatever that means!

[Leslie BT]

Yes agree whole heartedly with your comments and sentiments Sean.  Good for you for putting your head over the parapet to say so.

And it would seem you have had a good few days renewing your war gaming vows!!


So when will we have the Martin v Sean podcast!!

[Lluis of Minairons]

I've just read it at TMP. Congratulations Martin, you deserve these compliments for sure!

Lluís

[Sean Clark]

Nope. It is a cathedral for wargaming.

[Smiley Miley 66]

Peter pig as a whole has helped propelled my pursuit and interest of this hobby right up there. So as a whole I thank the PP/RFCM to help me Keep the faith and try and promote it as far as I can.
A very nice piece there Sean, well said.
As I ve said before Martin and the PP team have created a community, and especially with these pages (RFCM community) helped a lot of us to keep that community spirit going through these very dark times, hopefully soon we can start to share our fruits of this hobby again. So as a whole I thank Martin and everyone else involved.
Miles

[Sean Clark]

That's aa very good point Miles. Although I have been more lurking than actively posting on here, reading the posts throughout lockdown has been a way to feel enagaged with the hobby depsite lockdown.

[Leman (Andy)]

Very well put Sean.