Community rant... Stop pointing fingers.

Who "ruined/ is ruining the hobby"? Obviously it is the WAAC players with all their hard core lists and extreme rules knowledge abuse.  Or wait, maybe it is the Fluffy bunny who can't remember the stats of their army that they have been playing since 2nd ed... Seriously guys, STOP IT!




While I was doing some blog reading the other day I was disgusted to see players pointing fingers at each other and claiming that "You ruined the hobby."  It was a vicious circle of "Nuh uh, your stole the cookie from the cookie jar."  I just couldn't hold it in so I am coming here to talk about my thoughts on the whole topic... Please forgive me for the incoming rant.



Point 1: The hobby isn't "ruined,"

There are more events, player aides, home brew codices, campaign models, blogs, podcasts/ radio shows, Tournaments, opinions and discussion now than there has ever been in the history of our fine hobby.  Sure, sometimes it seems that a lot of the opinions and info out there is from the more tournament minded players in our community.  However, I remember a time when there wasn't even the possibility of going online and finding a library of enthusiastic hobbyists creating interesting campaigns and new rules like this.  Now remember that this vast knowledge base of fluff stuff was created by one of the most 'tournament minded,' groups of players in the country: The Fly Lords of Terra.  So, are they running the hobby by being tournament minded or by creating rules outside the big book, I don't think anyone could make that argument.

There is nothing stopping you and your friends from creating home rules to make games more fun at home and in your FLGS.  For example a few years back my friend and I decided Dreadnaughts are too slow so we allowed them to have fleet.  It was great fun, but we recognized that if we went to the game store it would have to be played by the book. I remember the first time I went to a game store for pick up games, I sucked and couldn't understand how a Bolter couldn't shoot and then assault...I must have ruined the hobby, right? NO,  I still had fun in both circumstances and so did my oppoenent.



Point 2: Tournaments are often talked about like a cancer.

Yes, the direct end goal (for the majority of players) at a tournament is to place as high in the standings as possible, which includes winning.  However, not all players are like that, some just come for the sense of community and to show off their hard work/ see others hard work.  But does that mean you have to either like to win or to not care to play in a tournament? NO!  I go to events to see friends and to get in some good games, I like to win cause it's more fun than losing (thats the athlete in me) but on the other hand as you have seen I love building/converting/ painting a beautiful army and getting kudos from other players... Oh my gosh I am somehow in both camps!

When I go to events I see a lot of things that interest me, every time I go to WargamesCon I am seriously tempted to drop out of the tournament and play with titans in the Narrative because it looks like a raging good time.  But then I remember that my last game in the tourney was also really enjoyable and I continue on my old path.  At Feast of Blades we try to make events for every style of individual to enjoy, it makes me sad to hear people say "Im not coming because I don't like tournaments." What do you like? Blowing up titans? Play in the Narrative, do you want to be rewarded for an amazing paint job and have 'laid back,' games in a tournament? Play in the Open GT. The simple fact is that every single TO I know tries very hard to encourage and support THE hobby, not just THEIR hobby.



Point 3: Why are 'hobbyist,' players talked about like children?

So you like to paint and only play the game on an irregular basis, you use a converted Wraithlord painted and converted like a striking scorpion with a scatter laser and sword.  You must be an idiot! apparently we need to all jump down your throat and convince you that (insert unit here) is better than the Striking scorpion Wraithlord.  This person is obviously a child and needs to be given a stern talking to... Oh wait, that person is me and you know what? I LOVE my Wraithlord so suck it!  On the other hand I am also the same person who runs a National Convention/Tournament and plays a 10 Paladin list, Im not a child (usually)... I enjoy certain aspects of the hobby at different times,  I don't have to always be fluffy or always be competitive.


In conclusion, the hobby ISN'T ruined, it is the best I have seen it in a long time (ever?) I think that we are heading into a golden age of the hobby if we can just stop pointing fingers at the other camp (which nobody is wholly in) and saying that they are the cancer eating at our collective body.  We are all gamers, we are all fluff bunnies and we all are competitive, we all are everything and nothing. Individuals with a passion for the game have furthered this hobby more than we can imagine thought sometimes those same individuals are competitive and sometimes they are fluffy.


Individuals are the future and the destruction of this hobby, please stop trying to lump people into one group or the other and then saying that they are "ruining," things.

rant over-

Duke