The Loose Association of Wargamers

In desperation for a bit of action I went to York Wargames Society the other day. This is the club thats been around since the 70's. I went once when I first moved back to Yorkshire, they were friendly enough but the games were not really my thing and I got made to play a pointless game of DbR until I lost the will to live over a number of hours. The games back then were all pretty old school and the players mostly of the WRG ilk. Not really the most fun Ive had in an evening. Went back last night and couldnt believe how much it has changed. Almost no historical, virtually all Sci-Fi with some Oldhammer and various other GW type offshoots from Mantic and the like. Much younger players too. Atmos not that welcoming or friendly, I tagged on to watch and chat to a couple of Bolt Action players who were more of the competition type, taking a fun skirmish game extremely seriously and taking some hours to get it to a halfway point. Saying that, I'd give it another chance, there may well be the odd like mind kicking about. They were open to other games/rules, unlike last time when I almost got bounced out for suggesting Rapid Fire "We have our OWN house rules for WWII!"

It did if nothing else spark my interst in Bolt Action again, not that it went away but I'm itching for a game now.

I had a very similar experience when I tried Sheffield Wargames society, at least say hi to the new face guys!

tim.w wrote: ↑Tue Oct 02, 2018 10:55 pm Much younger players too. Atmos not that welcoming or friendly......

New demographic probably a direct result of Norman using the club for practice, in his trainee days.

Odd, isn't it? Older players - much more welcoming, but boring games; younger players - more exciting games, but too much of the "fuck off, mate, can't you see we're busy?" Us lot on here seem to have hit a happy medium (her name's Doris, btw, and she's thinking of going to the police if we don't stop).

I don’t know. I’ve had many Loose Ass Games since I moved here, and every one had many, many, many old farts participating. Some I suspect even used to wargame during the Pliocene period. However none of the games were boring. I do think though that we lose the desire for competitive gaming as we get older and our eyesight dims

Not to mention declining testosterone levels.

you speak for yourself you furry table cover!

I have to say, I look back at the combination of alcohol, dope, teenage testosterone levels and I can live with not being able to fuck 28 times a week. But I am not sorry I did silly things as a youth, they make middle age worth living.

Despite the snarkiness that 40K players sometimes incur, the best club I ever went to was a 40K specific club. They had a policy of "if you turn up you get a game". Regulars stopped their game that was already underway and rejigged it so that me and GM Jr could play with our forces. A really great bunch of lads.

As the great Groucho Marx said.

'I dont want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member'

Last time I went to a club was the Staines Club in 1989. There were into Historical gaming so not to bad.

Staines are a great bunch of guys and put on some spiffing participation games at shows in and around London (Taranto, Pickett's charge, and the Light Brigade - complete with appropriate Tennyson quotes - all stick in the mind).