From time to time I ponder where I’m going with my favorite hobby. What’s my next undertaking? Can I afford the energy to start up a new period or project? The good thing, I guess, is that each solo gamer isn’t particularly tied to outside sources to answer these questions. That is to say, while it is great to have a source of inspiration (a movie, book, Lone Warrior etc.) it isn’t absolutely necessary. We already possess miniatures and computer games and have drawn up some rules. Most of all, we have our intellect. But what about us soloists as a collective? [Odd thought isn’t it. Individualists considered as a group.] So, what is in the future for solo wargamers? If there is a “problem” with being a solo wargamer, it is boredom that afflicts us all from time to time. We get stuck in a rut. An idea or campaign or rule set that was once truly exciting eventually becomes stale. Even my favorite unit of miniatures eventually loses its elite status and becomes just another unit. I find that I can sustain the excitement for a given concept for no longer than a year. Then I need to move on. Perhaps to a different period, war, scale, or rule set. Well, you say, how is this a “problem”? In our short lives we get to dabble in many eras and many ideas. I think it is only a problem if we discover that what we are doing is no longer fun and we can’t seem to draw inspiration for some new area for exploration. The good news is that inspiration is all around us. And sources of inspiration continue to grow. Movies are important sources of inspiration because they let you see clearly a new idea. How many of you readers saw any of the Lord of the Rings movies and seriously considered buying the supporting miniatures? I know I did. I also turned my thoughts to siege warfare and dabbled for a short while in deriving workable rules to govern a siege. And while I resist magic, I am less hard over on avoiding non-human opponents. [In this regard, I borrow my sons’ fantasy armies when necessary.] Saving Private Ryan had me working out stratagems for automating locations and timings of landing craft approaching Omaha Beach. Gods and Generals was superb. I had done a lot of work with First Bull Run but now I was fired up to delve into Fredericksburg. [I had also made a recent trip to the battlefield and picked up some terrific maps.] Other movies are on the way. The Alamo and the Texas Revolution is an all-time favorite theme of mine and this timeless epic is the subject of yet another upcoming film. And as we soloists grow older, I think we can rest assured that wartime subjects will never be absent from cinema screens. Books are also a major source of inspiration. That is why I will, from time to time, publish a book review in these pages. Want to investigate a new period? Read a book on the subject. My readers know the vast inspiration I derived from the “Lost Regiment” series of historical science fiction. I played scenarios pitting American Civil War soldiers against orcs. The books also describe how medieval Russians and Imperial Romans fit into the conflict as well. Since the enemy non-humans are 8 to 10 feet tall, I use 28mm orcs with 22-25mm humans. Others who wargame this series of campaigns use Huns to represent the non-humans. By the end of the series, the continuous warfare has evolved to using 1914 (and later) technologies. Great possibilities, and great entertainment. Of course, and true history or historical fiction or science fiction will do. When you need inspiration, go the local bookstore and scan the stacks. And finally, I can’t pass up an obvious opportunity to plug Lone Warrior. We are the single repository for 90% (or more) of the world’s solo wargaming material. But this is not a plug to get you to read Lone Warrior; you are already doing that. It is an invitation to share your wild ideas and fun projects with others like you who appreciate learning what you’re doing. So, get those letters and articles coming in so that they reach a much wider audience! Back Issues Back issues ( # 112 and up) are available for $4 each, which includes postage and handling. Send request and check to: Solo Wargamers Assn 1707 Ridge Rd. Leavenworth, KS 66048 Back to Table of Contents -- Lone Warrior # 145 Back to Lone Warrior List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2004 by Solo Wargamers Association. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com