I've enclosed two things that I would like to ramble on about in a philosophical nature. I throw this out to the readership just to see what kind of reaction come up. It may be I'm just overreacting to something innocuous. Nonetheless, this type of development is new in the hobby.

I'm referring to the 'Ancients War' tournament held in Columbus, in late June. The ad for this that I've enclosed comes out of the Colorado Military Historians Newsletter. There was some commentary on this event by the organiser in the previous month's issue. I will give you my thoughts on this from a variety of perspectives.

THE GREED PERSPECTIVE

First prize is $1000. I had heart tremors when I saw that. That buys a lot of lead. Second place will pay for your plane fare and hotel costs (I would stay with friends). No one can argue with this kind of cash on the barrelhead kind of approach. We always provide prizes (merchandise only graciously donated by a variety of dealers) at our bigger tournaments. True, the NCT winner gets about $200-$300 of stuff, but that's peanuts.

THE RICE BOWL PERSPECTIVE

As a member and (I like to think) an influential person in NASAMW, this kind of thing worries me. In the commentary, the organizer talks about making 'Ancients Wars' the premier ancient tourney in the U. Well, I like to think that the NCT fulfills that function. Say what you will about our pretty laid back approach to qualifying to play in the NCT, but once the field gets slimmed down during the adults tournament, the cream of the crop tends to rise. I have no doubt that the last two winners of the NCT are awfully good ancient players. So I am leery of yet another attempt to compete in terms of which tournament is bigger, best, or whatever. We could turn this into boxing where each group has its champion. Maybe that's good. I don't know.

THB UNCERTAINTY PERSPECTIVE

Who is providing this huge chunk of cash? Notice the $20 enjoy fee. You need 88 players to fund the prize without outside help. After years of dealing with the business support of our tournaments, I just don't see anyone out there with deep pockets. At our biggest tournaments over the last two years, we have never had more than 60 players participating in one scale at one time. True, we pull in about 100 players at Cold Wars and Historicon, but than can be attributed to the population on the East coast. I know that at the "World" championships at Derby, they get about 160 or so players in 15mm so I guess it can be done. I'm afraid that what one might get is truly 12 of to players show up. Not bad if you go for a quick win and a four digit prize (see the Greed Perspective).

THE APPREHENSION PERSPECTIVE

What pour soul has to umpire this thing? As the Chief Grief Receiver (read umpire) at conventions. I would not want the added pressure of deciding things that have a monetary value. That's what professional umpires, referees, and such get paid to do. Since umpiring is a voluntary chore, maybe we need to hire 'professionals.' Am I missing something here or is wargaming turning into aprofessional sport? Maybe that is the case. However, I think this is still a game. Even though we play a 'game' in a 'competitive" format, they do for a variety of reasons ranging from the chance to meet and play different opponents to winning at all costs. Everyone likes to blast the late category, in some cases with justification. Winning and being challenged can still be done with a modicum of class. people who value tournament play and their results are in it for the ego I suppose. I don't mean that in a negative sense, either. Everyone strives to be the best in something, ancient tournament play is just another 'something.'. Prize is our events are really just icing on the cake. Most players who win like the feeling of just that: prizes are often an afterthought. Putting so much money on winning an event might possibly distort and already distorted aspect of ancient miniature gaming. So I'm feeling apprehensive about this. I think there is a threshhold as how far to take competitive gaming and awarding $1000 goes over the threshhold.

I just don't know, hence why I'm throwing out perspectives on the issue. I'm sure there are other ways to look at this event. Or maybe I'm just making too much out of a non-issue. If that is the case, I can certainly drop this. All of the above perspectives have been running through my mind in one degree or another. I'm very curious to hear how others think on the matter.

Some of you probably think, so what? Ancients gaming is bogus, attracts only assholes, and is run by self-serving jerks who are better offer taking up curling or something. If you think that way, then the big prize just reinforces your opinion. It's tournament gamers I'd like to hear from.

Okay. Time to come down off the soapbox. I hope this generates response. Hmmm, all that money would buy a lot of garbage plates. Maybe I better rethink this....