Wednesday, February 15

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

18 comments:

  1. I think what's "ruining" the hobby is all the elitist bloggers who write articles like they're some sort of expert and know everything.

    Just kidding.

    I'm with you about this being the golden age of the game. I feel more connected now with other players, not just locally, but globally. I enjoy the ability to pop on the net and discuss painting, tactics, etc. And all that without having to head down to the LGS and hang out with the owner's son...

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    1. and for some reason it changed my name to Unknown. (how mysterious)

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  2. I couldn't agree more with your comments. There is way too much trolling when it comes to the hobby. And it appears that much of the trolling is actually people using the anonymity of the internet to be a55ho1e5. There are a lot of sad, mean people out there that are willing to jump down someone's throat if they disagree with their point. We all have different ways to enjoy the hobby. I like to construct unique models to create one-of-a-kind forces. I play infrequently, so sometimes I struggle with remembering the rules even though I have been playing since the release of third edition. Am I ruining the hobby? No. I have different priorities and commitments, so I am not painting and/or playing multiple times a week. I used to go to GTs to get my geek on for a weekend of uninterupted gaming. They have started to be ruined by too many overtly intense players. I want to win also, but it is toy soldiers. The fate of the free world does not hang in the balance. Toys only. Treat it that way. It is only a game. I believe that many people are unable to put it into perspective. Go out and experience life and see how important it is if someone's toy soldiers win (or lose) against your toy soldiers. There are many aspects to the hobby and we all are drawn to different aspect and different levels of intensity. Let people have their own opinion and it is perfectly acceptable to disagree. There is no wrong answer, just different ones. That is my opinion.
    Oh, and if anyone wants to complain that I pick out the anonymous troll, but still post anonymously..... I first visited this site 15 minutes ago, so I haven't joined yet. The name is Doug. I stand by my opinion.

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    1. You say you agree with him on the subject of people needing to stop pointing fingers, but you just pointed at competitive players and said they were ruining your tournament experience. So your one of the people hes talking about. I'll be blunt the people who point and say these sorts of things are 80% of the time the non-competitive fluff bunnies. Competitive players aren't bothered by fluff players, its the other way around.

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    2. Two points: Firstly, I said overtly intense players... I said nothing about competitive player. I saw players fretting over everything from rule descriptions to seeing someone at a table next to me snap at an observer because they touched a model. I saw what you call a "fluff bunny" getting irate because players were using net lists and not creating a story as to why the forces exist...... Too many people forcing their own agendas. I was saying that too many players have a single minded view of the hobby and are not willing to accept another persons' reason for joining the hobby (that goes for "fluff bunnies" who think WAAC players need to get a life and WAAC players who think the fluff bunnies aren't taking the competition serious enough). Players need to let people have their own part of the hobby and (I reiterate)it is acceptable to disagree; there is no wrong answer.
      Secondly, did you fail to see the irony of your comment? You miss the point of my post and point fingers by calling me a finger pointing non-competitive fluff bunny. Am I competitive when I play? Hell yes. Do I throw a fit and become a miserable person to be around if I lose a round? Hell no.

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    3. Well my apologies sir, you would seem to be on the right side of the fence with these issues. Forgive me but the phrase "intense players" and other similar ones are usually used to refer to competitive players. I however reiterate that most of the people doing the complaining in this hobby are what you would commonly call "fluff bunnies."

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  3. I blame Duke, he is ruining our hobby! Hehehehehheeh (just kidding) it is an interesting point.

    The funny thing is is at my LGS Fantasy is being revised for tournametns with a rules packet with some guides for players, yes there is a comp...but the majority WANTED it. We got a few gripes, yet so far we are going to have one of the LARGEST turnouts at this next event supporting it. Things can be done to fix things, your not going to make everyone happy either.

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  4. You're right... I am the problem. I'm going to the corner now to cry.

    Here is an additional point:
    I heard first hand about a game played at a games day not too long ago, it was a girl DE player losing to a guy empire player the girl walked over to the guy and totally pulle her shirt down to show a lot of cleavage and then whispered in his ear "if you don't move I'm going to charge those outriders," he was so flustered that he actually didn't move his outriders. He ended up losing the game because of this charge.

    Was the girl WAAC at this moment? Yes, did she tying the hobby? NO WAY!

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    1. I think it's pathetic how easily distracted people are by boobs. Yes, most of us guys like them... quite a bit, in fact, but I know I can still remember what I'm doing if I happen to see a portion of them. The girl in that example is sleazy, but the guy is just pathetic.

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    2. Edit: "tying =ruin," don't type on a smart phone, auto spell is a bitch

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    3. My primary outlet, Complex.com, did this a while ago: http://www.complex.com/tech/2011/12/the-50-funniest-auto-correct-fails

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    4. That was actually Goatboy who showed the cleavage, nearly killing his poor opponent in a fit of wretching. True story.

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    5. Lmfao! His opponent was nick, if I recall correctly.

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    6. Ye, I must say, getting flustered by a little cleavage and a whisper in the ear is pretty sad. I mean, there's enough online porn that you should be able to at least maintain some composure irl.

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    7. The effect of real vs online is Obviously a multiplier of 1000:1, obviously though based on your personal experiences with them this could eventually be lowered to 10:1. Lol

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  5. You know, at least for me, I hear a lot more "ruining the hobby" online than in person, and I think that it because the most vocal people on any side of the subject are going to be the people on the fringe. Look at how many laws have been passed because of a vocal minority. ultimately, if someones view is completely on one side or the other of an issue, chance are I am going to ignore you unless you have some pretty good evidence to support your view.

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  6. @tylermenz: so right! As much as the Internet has moved our hobby forward, it isn't without bumps in the road. I suppose we should all jus accept it (myself included)

    Duke

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