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The Uninitiated Part Deux
By Mike | January 29, 2008
I cannot understand the mentality of those people, “the uninitiated”, who can’t see past the perception that we wargamers are a bunch of nerdy no mates who are called Norman and still live with their mother. I mean what is the issue here? Why can’t they please accept that we are just ordinary people who have normal everyday lives with wives and kids, work and financial commitments just like everyone else. We do not belong to some dark and sinister sect and there is also no truth in the rumour that we are all obsessed with our hobby and turn our underwear inside out to save changing. There may well be some of us out there who fit this perception but I believe they are in the minority.
Why should they perceive that our hobby or pastime has any less value than theirs and be seen to be infantile because we play “soldiers”. A game is a game by any standard whether it is simulating a historic battle, playing pool or poker or hitting a little white ball around a field trying to get it in a hole. They are still by definition “games”.
My hobby has not only brought me a great deal of pleasure but also friends and a huge desire to learn more about the history around the battle or campaign I happen to be playing at that time. I have also designed my own scenarios for Avalon Hill Squad Leader games and I am currently writing a short story based on one of the scenarios with characters from both sides being thrown into the conflict and how it affects them. I am also getting on in years and find that the complexity and intensity of playing a game does keep my mind active and that can’t be a bad thing surely.
So those people who fall into the category that I call “the uninitiated” should at the very least understand why we are wargamers and accept that we are not nerds or loners or anoraks but normal people who have a genuine interest in history and re-enact the battles from the past. In reality wargames are not games per se as they are very complex and not designed for young children but more for those from about 12 years to adult. Perhaps they should leave their perceptions behind and try it themselves who knows they might get well and truly hooked.
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