The Gamestore Blues

I'm sure you are all aware of the changes in our favorite hobby stores. Some have been bought out, others have sold out and many have closed their doors due to decreased sales.

Can we blame the Internet for taking away those big troop sales? Sure, but that's not the only reason local gamestores are hurting. Just go to any area where kids hang out and you will see another cause -- lack of interest in anything that requires more than 90 seconds of thought. I know, it takes hours of work to get good at blasting the bad guys in Halo 2 or any of the other video games on the market today. The "X-Box"" generation is into electronic devices, not old-time historical miniatures.

So, does that mean we might have to turn the light off when we're done? Our hobby is expensive and time-consuming. It requires a level of involvement that can be difficult to maintain. Between work and home life, most of us have only a small amount of spare time to use for our needs. We may be the dinosaurs of our hobby, quietly watching as our numbers drop off and life goes on around us.

Future of Game Stores? Convention purchases only?

Well, now that I've depressed everyone, let me add some hope for the future. Almost everything in life adheres to a basic principle: Change is good and most things follow a cycle. Nature is big on recycling events, so is Hollywood and the auto industry, too. Years ago, when video recorders promised to change television, I thought "Great, now I can watch any movie any time I want!" Today, I have 100+ DVDs and can watch them anytime, but the "Wow" factor is gone.

I believe this same thing will happen to the kids pushing buttons instead of lead. There is something special about miniatures. They allow you to become a part of the game. When you pick up the figures and move them to a new location, you are in control. It's a feeling you don't get from games on a screen. Yes, there is a future for historical miniatures gaming. We will be ready when the next generation starts asking questions.

Local Gaming Convention Schedule

Battlefields 2005 - March 19, Bailey Recreation Center, Westland MI. This is a great event for miniatures, both historical and Sci-Fi. The Colbys and some of the best GMs from Drums will be there. Event list at www.proorcon.com.

Seven Years War Association Conference - March 18-19, Holiday Inn Downtown, South Bend, IN. Two days of miniatures gaming with a banquet Saturday night. A must for fans of "Old Fritz." No website or game list -- just go, have fun, enjoy. I know...same weekend as Battlefields, bad luck!

Bashcon 2005 - February 25-27, University of Toledo Student Union, Toledo, OH. Local gaming convention for all types of minis, cards, even vampires! Web: http://utbash.utoledo.edu/.