It has been estimated that there are roughly 50,000 historical miniatures gamers in the U.S., out of a total population closing in on three hundred million. That is such an infinitesimal number as to be completely ignored in any statistical data sample. Of these 50,000, perhaps 10% subscribe to any hobby related magazines (based upon Thc Courier and MWAN subscriptions as well as SAGA, SLINGSHOT and SPEARP01NT estimates). Each year, over 3,000 historical miniatures gamers attend the HMGS HISTORICON convention. the largest number of attendees in the states. Putting all of this information together provides us with the fact that over 40,000 historical wargamers are "out there" beyond the vocal ubiquitous 5-10,000 who attend conventions and purchase wargaming periodicals. How do we reach them and let them know that there are manv more of us?
MAGWEB is one way. Russ Lockwood's endeavor has put wargaming not only on the internet, but also in the national magazines (such as Military Hislory with 175,000 plus circulation).
Although it may seem like fishing for trout in the Pacific Ocean sometimes, venues such as these large circulation, historically based magazines at least put the word out to numbers of people that any organized hobby does exist. probably with a club of sorts in their own home town.
Okay, so what? Remember when you frst tried to interest someone in gaming? I was in high school in 1963. sitting there after school. listening to the Beach boys, Leslie Gore, and the Ventures while painting up 30mm Scruby Napoleonics and looking at twenty boxes of Aloys Ochel painted World War One flats which had j ust arrived from West Germany. At the age of 16, it was not the time in life to proclaim yourself a miniature wargamer. So I went to the neighborhood kids who I played baseball with and, like Tom Sawyer. told them how neat these figures were and how these cool guys in California played games with them. It worked, and a small club (four of us) was born.
Have things changed much since then'? Not really. Sure. I'll readily discuss the hobby when asked about it, I even wear my historical miniatures t-shirts around town, but I do not expound to all within earshot of the virtues of my hobby. Every time Bruce or Dave come in the store to drop off figures, rules or books, I get those strange looks from my co-workers. Instead, I'm sure most of us work within the parameters of our local Clubs and perhaps discuss our conventions and show pictures at work sometimes. but that's about it.
So. how do we make ourselves individually more responsive and available to those 40,000 closet wargamers out there'? Just talking about it often gains a positive response. For instance, my older daughter's new boyfriend heard that I had "thousands Of figures in the basement" and told me that when he attended RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology), he had gone to the Rudicon conventions and seen some of the miniatures games. So, for starters, continue attending the local conventions and keep putting on games. Be friendly and helpful to the passersby and individuals who show even a modicum of interest. Offer to get them into a game, or better yet, have them sign up for the local club newsletter so they can get together with the rest of the community gamers.
Though it costs a bit of money. ad\ ertise. Put a small ad in the local Pennysaver or Community News announcing, that the local Club is looking for new members and when as well as where the next meeting is. Puttim, ads in the hobby magazines is preaching to the saved we are looking for closet gamers here. people Avalon Hill be surprised that there are others playing with miniatures. Seeing a well done, attractive ad in the local paper might just get a few potentially interested wargamers in touch.
This might be a bit more difficult to accomplish. Television coverage. As a "human interest" piece, many stations may be receptive to sending a filin crew to do a piece on your local club, or even a game in your basement. Be sure to give the crew details on how interested parties may get in touch with current gamers. Also: no arguments and a clean environment are prerequisites of a successful interview. Tell the rules lawyers that the meeting's been canceled for that week, and spruce up the walls with pictures and related materials.
Finally, you might throw all caution to the wind and offer to put on a "battle" for a military history class at your local college. This Would work for a course on the Civil War, American Revolution, the High Medieval Period, or any other interesting class. The professor may be more than willing to accept such a valuable visual aid to his lecture. Once you have the go ahead, you have to go to work on designing the scenario. This is fairly easy to do, but make sure that you practice your historical simulation before walking into the class with your figures and terrain. Try to have at least one other club member there with you to help move the figures and facilitate set-up and teardown. Remember, this will not be a game per se. but an historical re-enactment (I did Adrianople and Crecy for two classes). You will have to be able to move the figures quickly (use movement trays), in order to demonstrate the details of the battle. Make sure to have notes and drawings handy to illustrate Your moves and plan on at least an hour to run through the battle, demonstrating tactics, armor, weaponry, use of terrain, etc. You may be pleasantly surprised by the response. In one scenario, Mitch Abrams and I ended up fielding quite a few interesting questions as well as being surrounded by a number of co-eds who loved the horses' Hopefully, some of these suggestions will help local clubs and gamers recruit new members to their ranks. In the very least, you will appreciate your own hard work and the fun you'll have more than makes up for the labor.
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© Copyright 1997 Hal Thinglum
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