Personally I think that because a lot of the wargamers out there are of the greying variety there comes a time when we look back with rose tinted glasses at not only their hobbies,but probably their lives as well.
Henry Hyde's Battlegames magazine helped and became a catalyst for the hankering for Spencer Smiths, Mollwitz and imaginary nations.
I know they were probably already out there but more wargamers wanted to be a part of the movement,if that is the correct term, and flocked to be a part of the movement.
Where's all this going one may ask?
Well I personally think that OSW, has now rejoined the list of passing fads and wargamers are probably looking for the next big thing.
If one is honest, most wargamers are magpies,hopping from one fad to the next, collecting the next big thing then moving on.
There's nothing wrong with that,and god knows the traders need that mentality to survive.
I think we are all creatures of today's consumerism.
This is not,by the way an announcement that I am ditching my SYW project and buying red indians or some other such new project,this is merely an observation of trends that I have witnessed.
Firstly I am a member of the OSW Yahoo group,although it still is getting the odd new member,the posts are definitely drying up.
Secondly,I think Battlegames the magazine is starting to struggle in its content and readership,I may be wrong but there is definitely a dearth of articles and the like. I will however continue to support it.
Thirdly I watch the sales on E Bay a lot [ I think I need a life] and its depressing that OSW books and magazines are going for a song.This is not a quibble but I sold a copy of Feathersone's Solo Wargaming this week,for £3.00! Similarly bids on the Wargames Newsletters were hardly inspiring either.
I didnt expect to make a killing,but one bid later, I think shows that gamers are looking elsewhere for their kicks.
I know its hardly proof but I think its an indication of a change.
Anyway if anyone who actually reads this blog is thinking of chucking in their beautifully painted Willie, Hinchliffe,Hinton Hunt etc armies I am willing to pay nostalgic 1970 prices for them.
Moving on I picked up some new castings on e bay from a range called ALTE ZEIT MINIATURES .
They are described as Stadden like,generic Prussian mounted officer.
I can definately state they are Stadden like and the horse certainly has that style.The officer comes with a loose saddle,and would fit perfectly into a Stadden unit.
Nah... Old School is a way of life not a fad... :o)
ReplyDeleteNot a member of the Yahoo Group any more - left about a year ago as I got irritated by the actions of Patrick the moderator... :o)
Thanks for the reply Steve,maybe fad was to strong a word. Perhaps phenomena is closer to the mark,in that the OS movement appeared without any real warning or indication of what was taking place.
DeleteNo, not even close to dead, I agree with Steve. Those are just false conclusions from relatively superficial evidences that don't really mean what you're concluding.
ReplyDeleteIt may even be as much as 100 times more popular right now than it was in the OS days themselves. I say this because I was there and part of it, at the time, and if anything each piece of actual OS this or that, (versus modern day marketer's OS Products), was treated the same then as though we had been already magpies.
But we didn't see it that way, we had open, fertile minds and were rapidly progressing with ever new approaches, it really felt like a brilliant Renaissance in our minds. That is we were into the thoughts, and expansion of our possibilities, with our imaginations, not at all into all this marketing and money talk. Some were into that kind of talk, but we did not care.
The guy who made up a marketing label for OS did not start the fad, what he did was call attention to something that was already there with or without his help, and put a label on it, it is actually already hardwired permanently into 100,000 brains. If they are greying, and some pass on, then the better question is have they successfully got heaven to allow games with casualties, or is that only for denizens of hell?
Evening Mekelnborg,
DeleteAn interesting point of view.I assume you must be of similar age to myself. What I distinctly remember of my early wargaming days was the feeling of isolation,I didnt live near Southampton and didnt have the funds to buy metal figures. I was frustrated by the lack of knowledge and discovered Wargames Newsletter after it had folded.But I kept going and was lucky enough to find a wargamer more keen that me.We still game now.
As regards the superficial evidence,perhaps you are correct,but if there are 100,00 brains out there, where are they communicating because I really would like to swop a few ideas with them. As for Battle games, perhaps Henry Hyde saw an opportunity to jump on a bandwagon,but I personally think he's now jumped off,so to speak.
Anyay thanks for the reply.
One of the aspects that is a factor is that many OS games use HUGE units . . . and it takes time to paint such . . . and even more to paint an army.
ReplyDeleteI think that a lot of OS purchasers are still stuck in the painting stage.
-- Jeff
Evening Jeff,
DeleteThats probably why I stuck to 36 figure units a la Peter Gilder.
I was always put off by Charles Grants 54 figure units,no matter how good they look.
Painting that many figures is a chore.
Thanks Robbie.
I think OS games and gamers are still out there but don't need the urge to have it shouted from the roof-tops.
ReplyDeleteI recently had to laugh at someone selling an "Army" of 54 figures !
Mr Grant's large units were all to much for me (even with Spencer Smith minis) and I eventually plumpted fo battalions of 18 figures - I've see many wargamers now using this size nowadays too.
OS isn't dead Rob.
Afternoon,
DeleteThanks for the reply.Maybe Im trying to convince a few gullible people to get rid of their collections cheap.
Thanks Robbie.
I don't think OSW is dead just not at a high profile at the moment.
ReplyDeleteIt is also my pleasure to nominate you for the Liebster blog award.
[http://tidders-kingdomofwittenberg.blogspot.co.uk/]
-- Allan
Good lord sir! When I read you had sold a copy of Featherstone's Solo Wargaming for a song I near fell off my chair.
ReplyDeleteI'm collecting OSW books and have been looking for a decent copy of that for some time but they always seem overpriced. If you are thinking of disposing of other works please let me know! I will give you a much better price than three quid!
PS. Lovely blog BTW, I shall be following your efforts henceforth with interest.
Cheers,
Millsy
Evening,
DeleteUnfortunately thats the way it goes sometimes. I am currently chasing copies of Wargamers Newsletters,and luckily got my hands on 60 copies from the mid 1960's, I am hoping to collect a couple more this week,and expect to have some swops. If youre interested let me know.
Thanks Robbie.
Re the Stadden sized Alte Zeit Figures.AS the sculptor and proprietor (ha),Stadden always made his figures 30 mm to the eyeballs .Same for his 54 mm .They were really 60 mm hence so many 60 mm toy soldiers .Willie AKA Edward Suren ,were more like true 30;s .A bit smaller and more delicate .I painted lots of willie figures in the 70's for them .
ReplyDeleteI am going to rework the horses for the next batch and make a much thinner base to lower them slightly .
Thanks for the good words and an interesting and informative site .
cheers
Martin