I had passed them many times in the store. I looked, I longed for them, but passed them by and went to the board games. Each time that I went I looked longer but questions came up. How? Can I ever do that? Just how many do I need? I passed it off as nostalgia, reliving my G.I. Joe days and the Christmas long ago when I got a huge Civil War army. Until last Christmas when I opened up two packs of 15mm Old Glory ACW figures and a Johnny Reb game, compliments of my wife. What a wife! Now panic set in. HELP!
If you have never been in this situation, count your blessings. If you have, you know what I'm talking about.
The reason for this article is simple: to remind the veterans of what it is like to be starting out and how you can help the rookies like me to get started and keep us going. The first thing I'd like to say is to see if you can advertise your name right near the miniatures so that if someone has a question they can call you. And if they do call please give them the time.
The hobby store where I shop doesn't have a person who is into ACW, so, I groped my way into what I thought I needed. And was I wrong! I had no idea how to paint them, what kind was the best to use, or anything like that.
Another thing to do would be to invite the person or persons over to give them some tips on painting. This would be very beneficial to us. I had the good fortune to see an ad for a convention coming up and one of the seminars was on painting. Of course I found a better method than what I was doing and one that was going to take a lot less time. But where would I have been without that weekend? I probably would not be writing this article because it would have gotten to be too much for me.
Another way to help would be to advertise your next game and invite all those interested in the period. This would give people a chance to meet others in the hobby and develop those gaming relationships that are so important if this hobby is going to remain strong and vibrant. I like to look at the figures that other people paint and pick up ideas that way. I am probably my own worst critic when it comes to this aspect. I also get ideas for terrain and then incorporate those when I get home.
Patience
I would say that the most important thing that you can do for us is to be patient. You may get asked some dumb questions but please remember that you can be a great help to us.
The gentleman who has been the greatest help to me is Steve Jamieson. He has answered many, many questions about the hobby and never has he been rude or made me feel that I was wasting his time. He has been a fountain of information and his patience with me is very much appreciated. I now enjoy gaming regularly with the group that he belongs to. Without his invitation, I would be gaming solitaire. Steve's legacy to me is simple: Pass the love of the game on to others and be of help when you are asked. So, if asked about the hobby I wil1 be glad to pass what I know on to a fellow rookie.
If you happen to run a game at a convention, please make everyone feel right at home. I have been involved in games where the gamemaster was great and got me involved and made me feel comfortable. On the other hand, I have beep in games whe re the gamemaster and the other players were rude and unfriendly. What kind of impression does that make on the rookie? They'll wonder if it was worth all the time and effort to make the game. I have now been to five conventions and enjoy observing and listening because that is the way to learn
There are many rules on the market today. I would like to know their strengths and weaknesses. Which do gamers play? Why? You "vets" could really be of help because you have played them and you're the best judge.
I'm sure that each of you could come up with some other ideas than I have and that's okay. What I want to do with this article is stir some thoughts up so that you will make yourself available and help the rookies out there to pass the game on to a new generation of players. The health of the hobby depends on YOU.
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© Copyright 1993 The American Civil War Society
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