tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post7022710219398735482..comments2024-03-29T00:41:14.635-07:00Comments on Palouse Wargaming Journal: GWS Hobby Spending: Age and InterestJonathan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-64734292830863121552019-12-17T09:11:54.793-08:002019-12-17T09:11:54.793-08:00We might find a few nuggets in the process, for su...We might find a few nuggets in the process, for sure.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-74457328308956583072019-12-17T07:16:11.987-08:002019-12-17T07:16:11.987-08:00That 40-50 transition period might be interesting ...That 40-50 transition period might be interesting to dig into.fireymonkeyboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05833974263127787678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-61708571863236562492019-12-16T18:41:47.771-08:002019-12-16T18:41:47.771-08:00Stew, I am impressed you went back and read this a...Stew, I am impressed you went back and read this a second time. Well done! Did it help?<br /><br />If you look at the colored quadrant chart, notice that your age group (41-50) lays on the origin. What this suggests is that the 41-50 age group diverse in both spending and gaming genre such that it is difficult to differentiate any attributes particular to this age group. That is, your age group enjoys all gaming genres and spends across all spend categories.<br /><br />Your last question would be an interesting one, for sure. Unfortunately, this question was not asked on the survey. Perhaps we should add this question to next year's survey? <br /><br />Thanks for making the effort to wade through all of this analysis. This type of analysis is beyond a level taught in a first stats course.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-31191021494736492242019-12-16T17:17:32.421-08:002019-12-16T17:17:32.421-08:00I SWEAR that I once took a course in statistics an...I SWEAR that I once took a course in statistics and even passed it; so I shouldn’t have to read the post twice to understand it....<br />I seem to be missing from a major group being in my early 40s but I’m probably just an older member of the wanderers who’s transitioning into a campaigner. Hopefully slowly bc I’m in no rush to be a decade older. <br />I’m less interested in how much people spend or what they play, but I’m intensely curious about how often people play. That would be fascinating to see a breakdown of how much hobby and playtime we actually have (though probably hard to track accurately). <br />Though I’d be scared I’m at the lower end...😀Stewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00340930167419307092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-5767407925806834652019-12-16T06:08:37.157-08:002019-12-16T06:08:37.157-08:00Thanks for your feedback, George! I am not sure &q...Thanks for your feedback, George! I am not sure "wants" are less costly than "needs!"Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-55623610321553967112019-12-16T05:59:54.583-08:002019-12-16T05:59:54.583-08:00Iain, thanks for your feedback and relaying your p...Iain, thanks for your feedback and relaying your personal situation. <br /><br />If you and a number of family all came to the ranks of historical wargamers through fantasy/sci-fi then that offers encouragement for the continuation of historical wargaming.<br /><br />You provide valuable insights into the hobby.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-12309002207589546382019-12-16T05:39:09.315-08:002019-12-16T05:39:09.315-08:00It all makes sense to me, I have spent quite a lot...It all makes sense to me, I have spent quite a lot over the past six years or so but I feel I am reaching the point where I have to stop as I have nearly everything I need for my main periods and do not want to spend just for the sake of it. Is that a consequence of just hitting 67? My spending now will be on the basis of want rather than need, which hopefully is cheaper.George Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622222875110390888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-58854460765042441972019-12-16T03:11:49.468-08:002019-12-16T03:11:49.468-08:00Interesting post,being part of the "hard camp...Interesting post,being part of the "hard campaigners " group I don't seem to be spending enough! Maybe because I have more of a plastic pile rather than a lead one? As I am a somewhat less mature member than Robbie I find myself disagreeing with him as I started out firmly in the fantasy/ scifi as D&D was my gateway drug into the hobby and for some decades all I really painted was 40k,GW stuff and then moved over to historical in my 40s( my nephew's have also done, in their30s/40s and also my niece's husband who is a similar age) What I have noticed with at least some of the former 40k players is their desire to have a "game in a box" which would explain why warlords started boxes aren't showing up in the younger demographic but are probably more in the 30/40 group who have grown up with regular boxed sets of warhammer and 40k,bolt action feels very 40k ish as well . Thanks for the number crunching!<br />Best Iain caveadsum1471https://www.blogger.com/profile/02174163740406928172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-8731812026304582582019-12-15T19:05:51.967-08:002019-12-15T19:05:51.967-08:00This sounds like a challenge!This sounds like a challenge!Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-57847526668208946542019-12-15T19:04:41.557-08:002019-12-15T19:04:41.557-08:00I played a little D&D back in the 70's but...I played a little D&D back in the 70's but that was the extent of my fantasy gaming.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-58834755696494073332019-12-15T18:01:42.562-08:002019-12-15T18:01:42.562-08:00We should form a mutual support group for that Jon...We should form a mutual support group for that Jonathan. I might start by documenting how much I actually have ahead of me, to try to shame myself into some measure of restraint for 2020.Lawrence Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11626386564817082992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-38909074751047631412019-12-15T17:19:11.141-08:002019-12-15T17:19:11.141-08:00I did quite a bit of fantasy gaming (D&D, some...I did quite a bit of fantasy gaming (D&D, some massed battles), and limited SF Naval gaming when I was younger... but that was an outgrowth of my historical gaming, rather than a gateway to it. Of course, D&D was new after I'd been doing historical gaming for about 5 years already. Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-32905097605955382072019-12-15T16:39:30.321-08:002019-12-15T16:39:30.321-08:00Thanks, Matt! The analysis is a bit math heavy un...Thanks, Matt! The analysis is a bit math heavy under the covers so I tried to keep that facet to a minimum.<br /><br />One problem with assigning spending is that memory may be deceiving. I most likely spend more than I remember or claim. Many others may be in the same situation.<br /><br />For life cycle or developmental curve on spending, see the MEAN SPEND BY AGE GROUP AND PRIMARY INTEREST table in my WSS blog post referenced at the beginning of this post. <br /><br />Your comments and insights much appreciated!Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-19944244462036555502019-12-15T16:34:53.098-08:002019-12-15T16:34:53.098-08:00Glad you find this sort of work interesting! This...Glad you find this sort of work interesting! This analysis mirrors my life cycle spending patterns too. I had no exposure to the fantasy/sci-fi side so this has been eye-opening for me.<br /><br />I expect to decrease purchases too but I always find a new project that catches my interest. I tend to spend more than I plan. I justify it as stockpiling for retirement!Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-66495068026400380552019-12-15T16:32:05.182-08:002019-12-15T16:32:05.182-08:00Darren, army size by age group could play a role b...Darren, army size by age group could play a role but if you look at the mean spend by age group, the 31-40 group still spends about $1,000 per year. This is the third highest total among all age groups. The reason this group ends up in the yellow quadrant, alone, is that this group tends to spend across all spend categories equally. They show no discriminating tendency to spend more frequently in one category than another. This group has a balanced spending profile. Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-15184648204491477262019-12-15T14:57:34.692-08:002019-12-15T14:57:34.692-08:00Fascinating stuff Jonathan, not sure I completely ...Fascinating stuff Jonathan, not sure I completely understand the analysis. But I am definately in the red quadrant, 55 reasonable disposable income and a broad spending profile. The only challenge is those gamers who don’t really want to admit what they spend ! I guess the most interesting thing might be whether there is a fixed developmental curve and spend for all average gamers ?Matt Crumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06841790422716738842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-80237593395919989532019-12-15T14:50:43.398-08:002019-12-15T14:50:43.398-08:00Interesting analysis, Jon, as well as the fact tha...Interesting analysis, Jon, as well as the fact that it largely confirms our subjective impressions. As I head towards 65 in a few months (but hardly retirement), I do expect to decrease purchases of figures. After all, what more do I really need? How much lead is actually in the Lead pile, anyway? <br />Hasn't happened yet, though, and I still anticipate a hefty budget for 2020! :-)Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-46360752019505459032019-12-15T14:40:12.169-08:002019-12-15T14:40:12.169-08:00I wonder is the mid range (30-41) reduced spending...I wonder is the mid range (30-41) reduced spending due to the fact that so few games now require 'large' expensive armies, whilst the Grognards still want to do that and expand their collections.Duc de Gobinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10668407600014604176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-51180617948007909062019-12-15T06:37:11.388-08:002019-12-15T06:37:11.388-08:00Norm, thank you for your well-crafted comments and...Norm, thank you for your well-crafted comments and valuable insights.<br /><br />The seemingly clear delineation between Fantasy/Sci-fi and Historicals by both age and spending is a key take-away in this analysis. Will younger generations, today entrenched in fantasy/sci-fi, follow the tendencies of the older generations as they march through their life cycle? Will these younger gamers cross-over to historicals as time marches on or will they stick with fantasy/sci-fi and build large armies as their purchasing power increases. This a very important question for both manufacturers and marketers. <br /><br />The older generations may be the 'big armies' buyers simply due to purchasing power. When the 'Mean Spend by Age Group and Primary Interest' table in my 09DEC2019 WSS blog post is examined, the 41-60 age groups spend more on both Fantasy/Sci-Fi and Historicals.<br /><br />It may be that wargaming is changing and not dying.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-29265649568745393692019-12-14T15:17:45.490-08:002019-12-14T15:17:45.490-08:00Interesting, especially the figures showing a clea...Interesting, especially the figures showing a clear Fantasy / Sci-Fi towards the younger and end historicals towards the older end, which of course is no surprise, but it is the identification of the cross-over that is of prime interest, clearly being in middle age point AT THE MOMENT! I wonder if that sort of pattern has been a fairly long term thing or is it the case that the younger sci-fi based element will simply get bigger (i.e. older) and so the cross-over will creep up to later middle age and that historicals will become a shrinking part of the bigger picture. So in effect, the historicals are greying and the Sci-fi are booming and that wargaming is not ‘dying’ but simply changing.<br /><br />The spend thing is interesting, as I think older people are the ‘big armies’ buyers and the young are into skirmishing systems ....... but, I had the real world impression that a lot of different skirmishing and box sets were being bought and so I would have expected that the younger end of spend might have been a bit higher. Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-48592498501816910242019-12-14T14:19:08.934-08:002019-12-14T14:19:08.934-08:00The results make sense to me too.
At the rate y...The results make sense to me too. <br /><br />At the rate you tackle and complete big projects, I am surprised you have any unfinished projects. Perhaps like me, you rarely meet a period or figure you do not like. I have too many interests and feel compelled to game them all.<br /><br />2020 will be the year in which I cut back spending. Yeah, that's it!Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-46107046870099770122019-12-14T13:04:22.215-08:002019-12-14T13:04:22.215-08:00The figures make sense to me. As the children have...The figures make sense to me. As the children have become independent I found I have had more time for the hobby, although I have made a conscious effort to try to curb my spending over the past two years due to all the unfinished projects that I now have in the queue.Lawrence Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11626386564817082992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-47956889772606441432019-12-14T11:29:59.868-08:002019-12-14T11:29:59.868-08:00Good insights, Dmitry! I like your analogy with W...Good insights, Dmitry! I like your analogy with Warhammer and McDonalds. Maybe Flames of War is as close to Warhammer as historical miniatures can get?Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-49040041268177541382019-12-14T10:03:49.885-08:002019-12-14T10:03:49.885-08:00Looks interesting, Jonathan.
Apart from income the...Looks interesting, Jonathan.<br />Apart from income the local wargame community has a huge impact. If it’s little and everybody play in WH40K you probably have no choice.<br />And one more thing to add, correct me if I’m wrong. Warhummer seems to be the most recognized brand in fantasy sci-fi genre. Do we have a comparable brand in historical wargame? I personally don’t know.<br />So if you’re in unknown place and looking for restaurant and then you see Macdonald’s, you’ll probably go there because you know what it is. In wargame War Hummer takes Big Mac role, IMHO.Dmitry Svidlohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04244016690458756346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-60534155176444863682019-12-14T08:10:07.867-08:002019-12-14T08:10:07.867-08:00It is comforting when scientific results align wit...It is comforting when scientific results align with one's first hand knowledge and perceptions. Always good to have theory on your side of an argument.<br /><br />I came into the hobby before fantasy/sci-fi genre took hold so this is a facet of the hobby to which I am quite ignorant. These exercises in data analysis have opened my eyes to another piece of the hobby.<br /><br />Time, money, and inspiration are big drivers in these decisions. You do sound like Mr. Thomas!<br /><br />Thanks for your comments! They are much appreciated.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.com