Wargaming is a compulsive hobby. It pulls interested people into it, filling up their spare time, using up their spare money.. and overflowing their back rooms with yet another game. Most gamers emerge briefly from the madness to go to work and carry out simple domestic responsibilities, but eventually the lure of the "little men" is too great and it's back to the gaming hells for you.
Fortunately though, wargaming is seldom like William Hogarth's "Rakes Progress." (Gamers are not spend thrift young inheritors of small fortunes that are quickly lost at cards - One only wishes that were so. Just think of the armies that would be created!) No wargaming is not an illness, but it is a compulsive way of life. "Just one more unit of French Infantry, one more Confederate brigade, one more set of rules, and a new board game and I'll be satisfied." Yea, sure he will! Once the fever hits, one 25mm Napoleonic French line infantry Is too much and one hundred are not enough.
So it is accepted that wargaming is a compulsive hobby. It is only one of many such pass times. Model railroading, game making, working on cars, watching TV sports, reading science fiction books, and Civil War reenacting also spring to my mind as equally compulsive activities. There is nothing inherently wrong with these activities as long as one lives by the old greek motto "Moderation in everything."
Moderation often goes out with the garbage though amongst our co- hobbyists. Before one even knows it, the gamer is going to 10 conventions a year, has over a thousand unpainted miniatures, is writing for 4 amateur magazines, puts out his own newsletter, and is self publishing his own wargame rules! Does this remind you of anyone you know? If so, then you know someone who Is heading towards burnout.
AN ALLEGORY OF BURNOUT
Once upon a time, when history was very young, and no one realized that animals could not talk, a tortoise and a hare had an argument.
"I'm the fastest I tell you! I am certain that I can make it to Athens before you." Pronounced the hare to the terrapin.
"I do not contest you well known record for speed, that is another story. But I do contend that in a race from Marathon to Athens, that I would be the winner despite my slow pace," countered the tortoise.
"Then we will put it to the test!"
"Agreed."
Where on the shook hands and appointed a near by seagull to be their referee.
Before the sea gull consented to run this game for them, he asked the origin of their dispute and why they believed they were right and the other creature was wrong. The tortoise began.
As everyone knows, terrapins live very long lives, so I have been able to learn much philosophy about life. One story that all young tortoises learn is Aesop's fable about the race of the tortoise and the hare. Slow and steady wins the race. I believe that in the long run, slow is better. Since the hare plans to run the whole way like that crazy human did after the battle last week, I think I will win."
"That shows what too much philosophy has done to your reasoning," retorted the hare. "As everyone knows, hares can run at a speed of up to 20 miles per hour, while even racing tortoises only move a 1 mile per hour. By my calculations, I should be at the acropolis in less than 2 hours. In time for afternoon tea."
The gull was much impressed by their power of reason. Both had well thought out positions that fit all the rules of logic that he knew, but he sensed a flavor of sophistry afoot. Since he knew no other way to come up with a resolution (both parties having resolutely refused to settle the question by the roll of a die) he agreed to abjudicate their dispute.
The rules were simple. They were to race to the market place of Athens by any route they chose. The first one there would be the winner.
The race started immediately. The hare took the lead by racing away like a jack rabbit. Meanwhile the tortoise set out at a slow but steady pace. The gull observed what happened from the air.
After the first 1/4 mile the hare's speed had decreased markedly. The gull thought the hare would stop to rest, since the tortoise had only gone 100 feet from the starting mark. But the hare did not stop. Mindful of the story of the race of the tortoise and the hare (which is grilled into all young hares so that this shame is not repeated) he pushed on at his fastest pace.
By the time the hare had gone 10 miles (and the tortoise had gone 1), the hare was barely able to drag himself along. Fast running had exhausted all his strength. His muscles ached for rest but he did not stop. So that at the 11 mile mark he could go no further. He lay there in complete exhaustion for hours. While he was laying there, the tortoise slowly walked by on his way to town.
The hare was beside himself with shame over the present state of affairs, when a hunter came along and spotted the exhausted rabbit. In a second he snatched up the helpless animal and continued his way towards Athens. Along the way, the hunter passed over the tortoise who was off the road at the time munching on a snack of grass.
Many hours later the tortoise made it to Athens and met the sea gull In the market place. No hare was in sight.
"So I guess I won the race." Tortoise said.
"No." Said the gull. "The hare won. He's been here for hours."
"Where is he?" Demanded the tortoise, who could not believe that the exhausted rabbit he passed on the road could have beat him here. The gull motioned for the terrapin to look into a nearby kitchen. There, over the fire was a well cooked hare resting over an open fire.
"Okay, I concede defeat, but at least I'm not as burnt out as he is."
DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA
Diagnosis is always a tricky proposition. Fortunately wargamer burnout is not a life threatening disorder, so getting it right is not really critical. (Imagine two doctors discussing brain surgery in the same manner. Scary huh?) Burnout is generally easy to spot in other people because it affects many areas of ones life. Consequently, the criteria is broken down along observable behavior one can see from the outside.
GENERAL HEALTH
Wargame burnout clearly has a drastic effect on the physical health of the sufferer. Too many late night games take their toll even on the strongest constitutions. A true burnout will have at least two of the following symptoms.
1. Poor sleep, marked by getting fewer hours of sleep; broken interrupted sleep; nervous dreams; or difficulty rising the morning after a gaming "binge".
2. A change in appetite. Marked by a tendency to eat more or less than ones previous established pattern. An increase in preference for "Junk" food (such as chips, and beer) while avoiding more nutritious foods (especially green vegetables).
3. A change in weight causing one to either become over or under weight. Obesity in wargamer burnouts is not at all uncommon.
4. A tendency to have headaches and other muscle tension complaints.
5. An Increase in the frequency of colds and other minor illnesses. Often accompanied by a generally feeling of being unhealthy.
6. Constant fatigue, consisting of a draggy feeling which generally decreases a persons willingness to do actions other than gaming.
GAME PREPARATION
Adequate preparation is the hallmark of a good game. Without it, games often fall flat. Preparation is also one of the first places where the potential burnout goes too far. The burnout will have at least two of the following symptoms.
1. Over preparation for games. For example anyone spending 90% of one's time and resources preparing for games rather than playing is over preparing.
2. A mental obsession with making all the preparations perfect.
3. A mental preoccupation with preparing for future games which intrudes into other activities (like the playing of meticulously planned games).
4. Over commitment to games that are never played. For example if 50% of one's game materials are unopened or which are never used to play a game with.
5. Intolerance of gamers who do not spend as much time in game preparation as one's self.
6. A strong desire/need to gain approval from other people due to the quality of the game materials presented.
GAME PLAY
Wargaming, like cards or watching TV sports is a pleasant diversion that can create mild amusement. It is an activity that pulls people together Into a spirit of fellowship and good humor. Potential burnouts have a very different experience In playing games. A burnout will have at least three of the following.
1. Unrealistic expectations about how much fun a game will produce. Expectations tend to be very high, which result in a feeling of being let down by the game.
2. Rigidity in game choice. Characterized by the desire to play only one or two different games, since these games have been found to produce the most fun. When this condition has gone on for at least three months.
3. Highly competitive. Characterized by an overwhelming desire to beat the other guy. Also the tendency to believe that a game can not be fun unless it is played to win.
4. High frequency gaming. For example playing wargames more than two days a week.
5. Periodic gaming binges; consisting of playing games to all hours of the night for days on end several times a year.
6. Will play a game even when one does not feel like playing, should the opportunity arise.
7. Will chose to play a wargame even when it interferes with other areas of like.
8. A tendency to argue over rules interpretations even when to do so greatly Interrupts the game being played.
9. A marked preference to be the referee of a game rather than actually playing a game.
10. A tendency to be highly critical of other people's quality of play.
11. A tendency towards nostalgia about how good the games where in the old days.
FAMILY LIFE
As gaming is a part of a healthy well rounded life so to is a family and social life. Such relationships require much time and energy in their maintenance. Wargame burnout threatens these relationships. The burnout will display at least two of the following symptoms.
1. A tendency to view all relationships in game terms.
2. A greater commitment to game playing and preparation than to significant relationships (such as with one's spouse, children or significant other).
3. A past history of leaving relationships when they came into contact with gaming.
4. A general neglect of adult daily living skills. For example washing, basic preventive health care, and house cleaning.
5. A tendency to have arguments or strong no talk rules about gaming with significant others.
6. Membership in other non mainstream activities such as science fiction fandom, historical reenactment groups, and higher education.
MENTAL STATUS
Wargaming is a consuming hobby, which inevitably begins to affect one's manner of thinking. Burnouts have consistent patterns of altered thinking. The burnout will have three of the following.
1. Easily boxed by all activities.
2. Irritable, especially when interrupted from gaming.
3. Easily startled, especially when concentrating on game related activities.
4. Thoughts obsessed by gaming.
5. A defeatist attitude generally manifesting itself as an "I don't care" message.
6. A tendency towards a negative self image and low self esteem.
7. A tendency to avoid problems by compulsive game playing activity.
8. A tendency towards depression and alcohol abuse.
9. Racing thoughts, especially when planning future games.
10. A general lack of awareness of social and emotional cues regarding living.
DISCUSSION
If you fit the above pattern then you have probably been burnt out by wargaming at some point. If so you are not alone. I count myself as one of the ever growing number of wargame burnouts. But there is hope! What follows is a prescription for recovery and health, and also a way back to gaming that is fun.
RX FOR RECOVERY
"Hi, my name Is Bill W. and I'm a burnt out wargamer. I've accepted that at times I've used wargames in ways that were not healthy for me. Now I'm working on changing that. I have found that while I can not control the world of my emotions, I can control how I react to them. Today I have a choice about what I will do today. Here Is what I do today..."
1. Sleep at least 8 hours a day.
2. Eat three moderate meals a day.
3. Take care of ones health; taking days off work and visiting the doctor as needed.
4. Take five minutes each morning to clear ones mind and focus on the day ahead.
5. Reevaluate one's priorities to see if gaming really is more important than other relationships and activities.
6. Chose to not wargame at times and use that time to do some completely different pleasurable activity.
7. Get involved with other people, especially one's family.
8. Limit wargaming to one or two days a week.
9. Reduce game prep time so that at least 30% to 40% of one's time is spent playing games.
10. Try playing games without winning in mind.
11. Try out a wide variety of games, diversity is the spice of life.
12. Cultivate a live and let live attitude.
Yuk! Another 12 step program! But who knows, maybe It will work. What could it hurt?
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© Copyright 1991 by Chris Engle
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