Note: The 1999 survey only asked a Yes or No question: Do you buy the following products on a regular basis (Yes or No)? For the 2002 survey, we decided to delve a little deeper into buying habits. The results are interesting.
5: Buying Habits: Per Month
Military History Books
| A: Military History Books | |
|---|---|
| One or Two | 63.41% |
| Three to Five | 22.44% |
| None | 7.80% |
| Six to Ten | 4.88% |
| 11 or More | 1.46% |
MagWeb.com Analysis
It looks like the average MagWeb.com member polishes off more than a book a month -- nice to see that almost a quarter of you do a book a week.
The 1999 survey number was 98.2%, so this number is pretty consistent.
Whether for research/information or for enjoyment, I'm not sure, but obviously, you're a very literate member of society!
Military History Videos/DVDs
| B. Military History Videos/DVDs | |
|---|---|
| None | 66.83% |
| One or Two | 29.27% |
| Three to Five | 2.44% |
| 11 or More | 0.98% |
| Six to Ten | 0.49% |
MagWeb.com Analysis
Since most of you don't buy videos and DVDs, I'm guessing that this is more a holiday/special occasion purchase. Still almost 30% buy one or two a month. I guess most movies are not as re-playable as most books are re-readable.
The 1999 number is 33.6%, so we've stayed consistant even though the number of videos available has exploded.
Military History Computer/Console Games
| C. Military History Computer/Console Games | |
|---|---|
| None | 61.46% |
| One or Two | 33.17% |
| Three to Five | 2.44% |
| 11 or More | 0.98% |
| Six to Ten | 1.95% |
MagWeb.com Analysis
Wow. This one I would have expected to be stronger. Again, I have a feeling this is more a holiday/special event purchase, or perhaps received as a gift. Still, about a third buy one or two a month, which is the answer I expected to dominate the results.
This tells me that despite the prettier graphics and flashier sounds, the games themselves haven't been able to draw most folks in. Perhaps too complicated to learn, therefore you tend to stick with one? Or perhaps games have become so vast, i.e. many scenarios, or downloadable scenarios from the web, that you don't need more. Or maybe it's just too few hours to juggle too many things.
In 1999, our survey indicated 58.4% bought computer games, so this number has changed over the past three years.
Military History Miniatures packs/Rules
| D. Military History Miniatures packs/Rules | |
|---|---|
| One or Two | 42.93% |
| Three to Five | 22.44% |
| None | 20.49% |
| Six to Ten | 9.76% |
| 11 or More | 4.39% |
MagWeb.com Analysis Obviously, a very strong category among our MagWeb.com members. When you're looking to learn about battles, or just spend some time socializing, a miniatures battle across a tabletop is just this thing--visual and cerebral.
The 1999 number was 75.2%, so we're probably drawing more non-miniature folks than before.
Military History Toy Soldiers
| E. Military History Toy Soldiers | |
|---|---|
| None | 59.51% |
| One or Two | 21.46% |
| Three to Five | 8.29% |
| 11 or More | 7.32% |
| Six to Ten | 3.41% |
MagWeb.com Analysis
There's some crossover here between the miniaturists and the Toy Soldier collectors...perhaps not a lot, but 40% is quite well represented.
I note that in 1999, the percentage of toy soldier purchasers was only 12.4%, so there's either we've been drawing a number of toy soldier enthusiasts to MagWeb.com, or we've introduced history minded folks to Toy Soldier collecting...or maybe a little of both.
Military History Board Wargames
| F. Military History Board Wargames | |
|---|---|
| None | 59.02% |
| One or Two | 33.17% |
| Three to Five | 2.93% |
| Six to Ten | 2.93% |
| 11 or More | 1.95% |
MagWeb.com Analysis
I first became interested in military history via books, then moved into board wargames to further explore various topics. I fall into the one per month category, although I ramp up when I'm researching a particular topic--great place to get maps and orders of battle. I have a soft spot in my heart for board wargames, so a 40% interest is pleasantly higher than I would have expected.
I should note that in 1999, the number was 45.1%, so there has been some slippage.
In any case, I see that the numbers for board wargames and computer wargames are similar. If computer games were supposedly the dagger in the heart of board wargames, MagWeb.com members don't necessarily follow that trend. Or, perhaps we are more well rounded than the average consumer.
Re-enactor Gear
| G. Re-enactor Gear | |
|---|---|
| None | 84.88% |
| One or Two | 10.24% |
| Three to Five | 2.44% |
| Six to Ten | 1.95% |
| 11 or More | 0.49% |
MagWeb.com Analysis
Well, 15% interest is not a lot, much as everyone enjoys watching re-enactors march, fire weapons, and so on. Note that the 1999 number was only 9.7%, so I guess we're picking up a number of re-enactors or some folks have joined re-enactment societies.
Card Games
| H. Card Games (any type) | |
|---|---|
| None | 59.02% |
| One or Two | 29.76% |
| Three to Five | 5.85% |
| Six to Ten | 3.90% |
| 11 or More | 1.46% |
MagWeb.com Analysis
These are mostly sci-fi and fantasy: Lord of the Rings, Magic, Pokemon, 5 Rings, etc, although some military history-related games have been published: Nuts!, Last Crusade, etc. We didn't ask this question in 1999.
Again, most leave these alone, but the numbers are similar to computer games and board games. The more I see of these poll results, the more I find MagWeb.com members to be interested in multiple topics and types of things. I guess it's the natural curiosity coming out and a willingness to delve into subjects from multiple angles. Or maybe you just like a quick, portable pack of fun for an evening.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books
| I. Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books | |
|---|---|
| None | 74.15% |
| One or Two | 21.46% |
| Three to Five | 1.95% |
| 11 or More | 1.46% |
| Six to Ten | 0.98% |
MagWeb.com Analysis
OK, I admit it. I grew up on Star Trek, Star Wars, and so on, and the possibility of future wars in space, either against ourselves or versus aliens, I find a certainty. And Lord of the Rings, well, the movie certainly did well enough.
Survey says: most folks don't agree. The 1999 survey found almost half read sci-fi/fantasy books (47.8%). For 2002, only a quarter read such.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Videos/DVDs
| J. Sci-Fi/Fantasy Videos/DVDs | |
|---|---|
| None | 80.98% |
| One or Two | 16.10% |
| Three to Five | 1.46% |
| 11 or More | 1.46% |
| Six to Ten | 0.00% |
MagWeb.com Analysis
This is a pretty strong correlation with Sci-fi/fantasy books, and also tracks with the 1999 survey.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Miniature packs/Rules
| L. Sci-Fi/Fantasy Miniature packs/Rules | |
|---|---|
| None | 73.17% |
| One or Two | 18.54% |
| Three to Five | 3.41% |
| 11 or More | 3.41% |
| Six to Ten | 1.46% |
MagWeb.com Analysis
Again, the numbers follow the trend. In 1999, the buy rate was 15.0%, so there's been some increase, but not much.
Background Music CDs for Gaming
| M. Background Music CDs for Gaming | |
|---|---|
| None | 78.54% |
| One or Two | 16.10% |
| Three to Five | 1.95% |
| 11 or More | 1.95% |
| Six to Ten | 1.46% |
MagWeb.com Analysis
Of interest to MagWeb.com, as we've produced the music CD: Emperor Triumphant. Guess we should have gone to the poll before we decided to do something different as only a little over 20% buy such music. And not surprisingly, that's about our sell through rate...
War, Warfare, and MagWeb.com
- Introduction: Survey Says...
Members Background
- Favorite Periods of Military History
Connecting to MagWeb.com
Demographics: Gender, Age and Computer Type
Member Buying Habits (per month)
MagWeb.com Specific Feedback: Service Likes and Dislikes
Military History Opinions
Current Military Situation Opinions
- How Do You View the World?
Hot Spots: Declaration of War?
Coming Religious War?
Is the US at War?
The Draft in the US?
Torture Captured Terrorists?
The Future of MagWeb.com
Written Comments About MagWeb.com (And Our Responses)
Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List
© Copyright 2002 by Coalition Web, Inc.
This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com