Given the recent unpleasantness in the Levant, it might be interesting to game a battle between the IDF and Hezbo terrorists—err, militia. Andrew Thompson has a page on gaming battles in Lebanon, including a painting guide, some VERY nice photos and a simple set of rules for playing the conflict.
It would be interesting to know readers’ reaction to this page. While wargamers have no compunction about gaming wars, a good many seem to draw the line at the more modern stuff ... too close to home ... too recent. Others, however, think that this is the most interesting thing to do, precisely because it is so immediate.
On the one hand, it’s distasteful to make an amusement out of other people’s misery, but really, we do that all the time with historical wargaming. It’s just that most of the troops I deploy represent people dead for centuries or more, so I can disassociate myself a bit.
Also, the conflict seems a little one sided, at least as far as the ground forces are concerned. But that’s probably just a skewed perspective I have, given the so-called “coverage” we’re getting of the conflict here in the US.
The “simple rules” are a cute cut-down version of 40k, and would probably be fun.
Miniature Wargaming is part of the "adventure games" hobby, which includes r ole p laying and board games. Wargamers recreate battles on the tabletop with toy soldiers, like a more complicated game of chess. Models range in height from 6mm to 28mm tall, with 15mm and 25mm being the most popular. There also is a growing interest in toy soldiers and military models, such as the 1/32 and 1/35 scale plastic soldiers from Conte, and Marx.
The most popular miniature wargames are fantasy and science fiction based, such as Warhammer, Warhammer 40K, Warmachine and The Lord of the Rings. World War II games such as Flames of War and Axis and Allies are new favorites. Other favorite historical periods include Napoleonics, the American Civil War, and ancients, such as Romans or Greeks. Other gamers enjoy miniature naval wargames, recreating battles like Trafalgar, Jutland and the Coral Sea.
Hobbyists research historical periods and paint their tiny soldiers in accurate uniforms. Others develop "historically realistic" rules sets or build scale battlefield terrain using model railroad techniques.
For pictures, visit the gallery.
Some of the bigger hobby companies are Games Workshop, which produces Warhammer, Wargames Foundry and Old Glory Miniatures. Wizards of the Coast produces several lines of pre-painted miniatures games, such as the Star Wars and Dungeons and Dragons miniatures games, and a historical game with pre-painted miniatures: The new Axis and Allies game. Wizkids produces a fantasy collectable miniatures game, such as the Mage Knight and Heroclick fantasy games, the science fiction games MechWarrior and Rocketmen, as well as the quasi-historical Pirates of the Spanish Main.
I’m conflicted about this.
On the one hand, it’s distasteful to make an amusement out of other people’s misery, but really, we do that all the time with historical wargaming. It’s just that most of the troops I deploy represent people dead for centuries or more, so I can disassociate myself a bit.
Also, the conflict seems a little one sided, at least as far as the ground forces are concerned. But that’s probably just a skewed perspective I have, given the so-called “coverage” we’re getting of the conflict here in the US.
The “simple rules” are a cute cut-down version of 40k, and would probably be fun.
Posted by on 08/08 at 07:55 PM | #