...Yeah, for all collectible hobbies, this one will always be true. By all means play Magic, Warhammer or whatever, but you've got to accept you're going to end up spending a lot just to remain competitive. Those companies have their players by the balls, and they know it.
Speaking as a card-carrying* wargaming nerd, Warhammer's like the Apple, or the manufactured, autotuned pop music of our little world. It's got the most hype and biggest visible presence, but wargaming's been around long before it and can offer a lot more variety, value, character, longevity, and less soul-sucking than Gee-Dubya. But yeah, your last line's pretty accurate. Kids can get excited about, spends loads on, and get bored of 'the GW hobby' without ever realising it's not the only fish in the sea. Even GW fans aware of other wargames pay through the nose for the umpteenth price-hiked Warhammer 40,000 update and more space marines and $30 character models to go with it, rather than check out something less sore on their wallet. It's an obsessive kind of hobby anyway, but some 40K fans make most of the rest of *us* double-take.
* Not a collectable card though. Eurgh. Those things are for *dorks*.
A hobby always seems worth it until you pass a certain point. I remember they the day i stopped playing CCGs and sold everything i had and used the money for a spring break trip :)
To those raggin on Games Workshop, it is one of the cheapest hobbies you can do. For $500, I can get the core rules, a codex, and most any army I want. The rules change every 5 or so years, ditto for the Codex. I have stuff that is 20 years old that still sees the tabletop. And while I may only spend 50 or so hours a year playing, I spend 2-3 times that much painting.
@Chuck: It's a simple matter of economics. Basically, if it's worth it to you, it's worth it to you. A lot of us started hobbies like that and eventually decided it was no longer worth it. It's not a value judgement on the hobby itself. It's a statement of our own personal decisions. In other words, don't be so defensive.
I bought the Gutshot rulebook and a handful of cowboy models for less than £30. The amount of money I spent wasn't proportionate to the amount of time and fun two gaming groups had playing it, but in a good way.
Is it just me, or is this entry darker than all the others? No, seriously--instead of white, it's all gray. Did Mr. Tim draw it on a different background or something? I only say this because no one's brought it up in these comments yet.
Reminds me of when I used to shop at Games Workshop.
ReplyDeleteNEVER. AGAIN.
replace the word "magic" with "women" and this philosophy is still applicable.
ReplyDeleteYou need to add a new category to the left: The Truth!
ReplyDeleteThere may be hope for this one, yet.
ReplyDelete...Yeah, for all collectible hobbies, this one will always be true. By all means play Magic, Warhammer or whatever, but you've got to accept you're going to end up spending a lot just to remain competitive. Those companies have their players by the balls, and they know it.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as a card-carrying* wargaming nerd, Warhammer's like the Apple, or the manufactured, autotuned pop music of our little world. It's got the most hype and biggest visible presence, but wargaming's been around long before it and can offer a lot more variety, value, character, longevity, and less soul-sucking than Gee-Dubya.
DeleteBut yeah, your last line's pretty accurate. Kids can get excited about, spends loads on, and get bored of 'the GW hobby' without ever realising it's not the only fish in the sea. Even GW fans aware of other wargames pay through the nose for the umpteenth price-hiked Warhammer 40,000 update and more space marines and $30 character models to go with it, rather than check out something less sore on their wallet. It's an obsessive kind of hobby anyway, but some 40K fans make most of the rest of *us* double-take.
* Not a collectable card though. Eurgh. Those things are for *dorks*.
"Warhammer's like the Apple, or the manufactured, autotuned pop music of our little world."
DeleteOr, should I say, like the Marvel and DC of our little world...
A hobby always seems worth it until you pass a certain point. I remember they the day i stopped playing CCGs and sold everything i had and used the money for a spring break trip :)
ReplyDeleteUh oh, I hope you stomped on that before it became a cemented epiphany!
ReplyDeleteTo those raggin on Games Workshop, it is one of the cheapest hobbies you can do. For $500, I can get the core rules, a codex, and most any army I want. The rules change every 5 or so years, ditto for the Codex. I have stuff that is 20 years old that still sees the tabletop. And while I may only spend 50 or so hours a year playing, I spend 2-3 times that much painting.
ReplyDeleteOnly 500 bucks for some unpainted miniatures that will be obsolete in a few years? Where do I sign up!?!?
Delete@Chuck: It's a simple matter of economics. Basically, if it's worth it to you, it's worth it to you. A lot of us started hobbies like that and eventually decided it was no longer worth it. It's not a value judgement on the hobby itself. It's a statement of our own personal decisions. In other words, don't be so defensive.
DeleteI bought the Gutshot rulebook and a handful of cowboy models for less than £30. The amount of money I spent wasn't proportionate to the amount of time and fun two gaming groups had playing it, but in a good way.
DeleteIs this guy a regular? His head has made it to the site banner up top.
ReplyDeleteThis guy has an earring, the guy up top does not.
DeleteBetter his head than his hand (god, that finger, arrgh!)
DeleteI think you need a "Mind Blown" category.
ReplyDeleteIs it just me, or is this entry darker than all the others?
ReplyDeleteNo, seriously--instead of white, it's all gray.
Did Mr. Tim draw it on a different background or something?
I only say this because no one's brought it up in these comments yet.
Sadly.. I think this is where my comic collecting is at versus my comic reading. And I have been cutting back too.. but still.
ReplyDeleteActually.. my dark secret is.... I can't read!
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