Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Obstacles to Attracting New Players

So it's been a few weeks since I've made a blog entry. It's the holidays, what can you do? Since this blog is ostensibly about our efforts in trying to build a local WM/H community, this entry is going to mostly be my thoughts on where we are and maybe some reasons why. No strategies and painting in this entry.

Anubys and I have been unable to get another demo/game day scheduled due to the seasonal business on both our parts. I did, however play a game with my cousin who had not yet tried Warmachine or Hordes. He's interested enough to start buying his own models once he settles on a faction. He and I have gamed together alot over the years. I wasn't sure if he was interested in the modeling aspect of the game, turns out that's not an issue for him. It seems to be for most people, though.

For those who find modeling to be a major obstruction for them to play I think I'm going to start suggesting that they play WM. The inorganic, manufactured design of jacks is far easier to glue together than are the living, organic bodies of beasts. At least that has been my experience. Ultimately, though, I've found several people who are turned off by the price. I know (and I can assume if you are reading this that you do too) that relative to the "other" major wargame that uses similar materials that WM/H is a more cost-friendly game than is GW. Maybe not always on a model to model comparison, but factoring in what is considered as "standard" pointed army you don't *have* to spend nearly as much as GW will lead you to believe (but c'mon, new models are so much fun).

When you compare a minis wargame to any board game, even a top-dollar board game like Fantasy Flight's "Starcraft", which retails for $90, it's not always an easy sell. Ninety bucks gets you a complete game for up to six people (for the record my wife knows not how much I spent on Starcraft OR WM/H). Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining about how much WM costs, at least not any more than I will the cost of anything else these days. But it's a reality I'm facing the more I approach people I thought were "gamers", but am beginning to realize that they are now people who sometimes game. I don't and will never blame them. Sometimes life just does that to people.

Hopefully we will have another game day in January. MkII will hopefully be out officially by then. I'd really like to be able to tout a shiny new edition at that time. Right now my objective is still to attract the disparate occasional players and get out there and play like we all have a pair. When the 40K guys see us claiming victory by chucking our opponents casters/locks over cliffs they'll know we aren't screwing around.

3 comments:

  1. I have thought about this a little bit but haven't really had to put too much into practice as our community is pretty strong up here in Toronto.

    The best thing to do might be to have a dedicated Warmachine night and 40k night if you can swing that at your LGS - it'll give warmachine players priority one night a week which is pro.

    Secondly, start a facebook group. I may sound cliche but it allows you to instantly contact all other members of the gaming community where you live. Having a tournment? Haven't seen Bob for awhile? He'll still get an email about it.

    Thirdly, don't be afraid to play 40k with the GW guys. The best way to get them to listen to all the great things you have to say about WM is to consider you a peer.

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  2. That's some pretty solid advice. I've gotten a few email addresses and made an email list, but I think more immediate forms of networking will probably be better.

    There are already two 40K leagues at the FLGS and tons of 40K casual play. I may hop on the FLGS forums and see about just hanging out with them and learning the game. That would just be the ostensible reason of course, the real reason would be to get to know them. I have nothing bad to say about 40K as a game. I've played it a few times and enjoyed myself. I just like WM tons better.

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