A Wargame Club in Pittsburgh

Courier Dispatch

by Dick Bryant

THE COURIER encourages clubs to describe their activities so that other gamers can get new ideas on how to organize themselves or perhaps to join.

Our group consists of eleven members from truly divergent backgrounds. We have a warehouse foreman, an Army helicopter pilot, a hobby store manager, a tire store manager, an insurance agent, a film processor, a psychologist, a graphic illustrator, a parole officer, an Army tank commander, and an elementary school teacher.

We meet at my house every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. I have my own "war room" which is VERBOTEN to all except group members. Because of this we are able to continue games from week to week, with the figures remaining undisturbed. Most other groups that I've heard about meet on weekends, and must therefore finish their game then and there. Consequently, games are often ended without a conclusion or with the conclusion in doubt. We feel that our system of continuing games from week to week eliminates this.

Another advantage to Wednesday night is that it is easier, particularly for married men, to get a week night off, rather than any part of a weekend. This means, of course, that attendance is more consistent.

We do not specialize in any particular period. If a member wants to play a particular period he must persuade the rest of the group. if the group agrees, the persuader becomes responsible for organizing and overseeing the game.

Another thing that I believe is unique to our group is that we don't have an umpire or referee - we have "GOD". In other groups there is always discussion and disagreement. Having "God" eliminates this. One does not argue with "God". However, when we play certain periods, i.e., earlier, more religious, less technological periods, we allow a one-minute prayer of intercession per side per game night, to explain to "God" why a mistake has been made. "God" decides, and the decision stands.

In the three years of our existence we have played Napoleonics, Sword and Flame, Star Trek, Modern and World War 11 micro-armor, World War 11 naval games, Medieval skirmish, Ancient ships and American Civil War ironclads.

The accent in this group is on fun and good gaming, rather than competitive winning and losing. During the course of an evening, while the game is being played, we review books, recommend figures, persuade each other to play certain periods, and converse about support of the hobby. I have been in other groups where there was dissension, and competiveness was the rule. Not so in this group. We have become a group of friends who get together to enjoy a common interest and to have a good time. - "BUTCH" CUPP, 71 Ruth St., Pittsburgh, PA 15211

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