tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post6501293057949011150..comments2024-03-29T06:34:33.655-07:00Comments on Palouse Wargaming Journal: Remote Gaming in a Changed WorldJonathan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-49772911939772871372021-09-14T21:57:12.533-07:002021-09-14T21:57:12.533-07:00Ha true sorry Ross, hope you are out again soon en...Ha true sorry Ross, hope you are out again soon enough! <br /><br />And yes you may be right that it is an opportunity missed Jonathan, I can certainly see some good things about the remote gaming :)Chasseurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919997382932080898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-91828884304545269692021-09-14T21:11:51.439-07:002021-09-14T21:11:51.439-07:00Exactly right, James! While we bloggers have a sh...Exactly right, James! While we bloggers have a shared interest and camaraderie, playing a game with another brings forth another level of bonding. Always a pleasure finding another with similar shared hobbies and interests. In a vast world, we are small in number.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-91003202483553657852021-09-14T21:05:53.582-07:002021-09-14T21:05:53.582-07:00James, TAHGC’s War & Peace was one the games I...James, TAHGC’s War & Peace was one the games I played by mail A LOT in the ‘80’s. Small world! Great game too!<br /><br />Being a remote telecommuter for a number of years, video conferencing was not new to me but Zoom was. Remote gaming via Zoom opened up a Pandora’s box of wonderful opportunities. Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-19002619527841778122021-09-14T21:00:52.047-07:002021-09-14T21:00:52.047-07:00Like you Jonathan, I did play by mail boardgames. ...Like you Jonathan, I did play by mail boardgames. Principally 'War and Peace' (the Avalon Hill game) with my Dad, for years after I moved away to go to uni (early 80s). It was great fun and a really beaut way to keep in touch; send and receive a letter with moves and a bit of news too. Strangely we did not think of trying the same with a tabletop game, but I guess it would have been difficult to show the positions; either requiring a good description/map or expensive, actual print photos!! :)<br />I found it interesting that video conferencing almost seemed to be referred to as a new thing in 2020. What was 'new', I guess, was the ease of setting up meetings with multiple sites and fairly stable network connection compared with early net meeting or Skype systems.James Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17897755636246185173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-60101401687637370802021-09-14T20:52:06.644-07:002021-09-14T20:52:06.644-07:00"I have made many new friends and gamed with ..."I have made many new friends and gamed with wargamers across the globe."<br />After I posted my comment I was thinking of asking about this. I feel a pretty good connection to fellow bloggers, such as your good-self, whom I have never met but with whom have a pen-friend type of relationship. I presume that 'meeting' others remotely, sharing a game and speaking with them only serves to develop this further. You have clearly stated that it does!<br />Great to broaden one's wargaming horizons isn't it?<br />Regards, JamesJames Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17897755636246185173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-89739434374661550392021-09-14T18:07:31.777-07:002021-09-14T18:07:31.777-07:00You are welcome, James! Very good to see that you...You are welcome, James! Very good to see that you enjoy these survey analyses. 2021 marks Year #3 in my performing this work on the the GWS survey and I have learned a lot about trends and preferences. Fascinating stuff. I typically send the post off to WSS when I publish my work so it can be published on their blog too. <br /><br />While I really enjoy solo gaming too, remote gaming has added an extra dimension to my hobby experience and is most welcome. I have made many new friends and gamed with wargamers across the globe. Without remote gaming, this opportunity would not have been possible. Well, very unlikely, anyway.<br /><br />There will be more to come, for sure. If you have a survey topic of interest, let me know.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-9071419863002865452021-09-14T17:46:03.788-07:002021-09-14T17:46:03.788-07:00Thanks for presenting these results Jonathan (and ...Thanks for presenting these results Jonathan (and in anticipation of those to come). I see you are also posting on the Wargames Soldiers and Strategy webpage, so that's great.<br />I have followed the remote games on numerous blogs with interest over the past year or so. People put on some rippers. I was a 'no' and 'no' to those questions being one who's happy to do things solo, with occasional in-person games (also being fortunate in being more like Mark in the lockdown stakes; to date at least).<br />I'll be interested to see how the increased response plays out in terms of age, categories of games and the like.<br />Regards, JamesJames Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17897755636246185173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-51823983269150698122021-09-14T03:56:06.454-07:002021-09-14T03:56:06.454-07:00Hi Mark - talk for yourself mate - up here in Auck...Hi Mark - talk for yourself mate - up here in Auckland, a third of New Zealand's entire population is still in full Level 4 lock down! :) So I hope you arent complaining if you have to wear a mask at your FtF games in Level 2!rrosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07316317334203888350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-4178066414088976862021-09-14T03:44:07.066-07:002021-09-14T03:44:07.066-07:00Glad you found this interesting, Mark. You were f...Glad you found this interesting, Mark. You were fortunate to be able to contain the virus better than most. Your size and relative isolation likely contributed to that success. <br /><br />I wonder if your ability to continue F2F gaming will represent an opportunity missed for trying intercontinental gaming?Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-79641506405790529622021-09-14T02:59:31.733-07:002021-09-14T02:59:31.733-07:00Interesting analysis and particularly seeing the b...Interesting analysis and particularly seeing the breakdown by age. Over here In NZ we've just had a brief lockdown where I did a couple of solo games, but prior to that it was 170 days of freedom so no great need for remote gaming. I can definitely see the appeal though if the FTF stuff remained absent! As you say too the tech is at the level where it is fairly cheap and easy to get something going to a workable level.Chasseurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919997382932080898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-24582249179151782722021-09-13T16:19:09.673-07:002021-09-13T16:19:09.673-07:00Stew, I am surprised ACW was not at the top of you...Stew, I am surprised ACW was not at the top of your list of games to try.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-60286118649274198432021-09-13T16:15:42.998-07:002021-09-13T16:15:42.998-07:00Stew, no your came off funny...
While I have not ...Stew, no your came off funny...<br /><br />While I have not had Impetvs2 (well, BI2.0 actually) on the table in years, a learning (and relearning for me) would be great fun.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-43337000200472215492021-09-13T15:46:09.187-07:002021-09-13T15:46:09.187-07:00@Jen; sounds true. Though there is probably a lea...@Jen; sounds true. Though there is probably a learning curve on how to best present the table. <br /><br />@Jon; rereading my comment I come off more whining than funny. Oops. Sorry. <br />But I have been thinking that you would be my best source for getting in a game of impetus 2 with someone who knows the rules. We’ll be in touch. 😀Stewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00340930167419307092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-27937427758640871392021-09-13T04:53:11.494-07:002021-09-13T04:53:11.494-07:00Thanks for offering up your experiences and though...Thanks for offering up your experiences and thoughts on remote gaming, Aaron. Like you, I have utilized PBM (in the old days), PBEM, and VASSAL for board Wargaming. The Rivoli game that I ran back in February, although played out with miniatures on a table, had nine players issuing orders and communiques via email. Since this exercise was asynchronous, I classify the experience as PBEM rather than a remote game.<br /><br />I look forward to your reading a response post from you.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-23640213330194342892021-09-13T02:17:55.596-07:002021-09-13T02:17:55.596-07:00Thanks Jonathan, an interesting analysis. I haven&...Thanks Jonathan, an interesting analysis. I haven't done any remote figure gaming, but have participated in a lot of PBEM and VASSAL (both live and PBEM) games.<br /><br />I like the 'cleanness' of boardgames for remote play. It's easy to see where units are, both (or all) players know the rules, and in the case of PBEM there is time to really prepare strategies and find optimal approaches to in-game problems. In that respect I find PBEM gaming can be quite exhausting - it's more intense that rolling up to a friend's place, chewing the fat, and ambling through a game or two.<br /><br />Live play with audio enabled has brought more of a relaxed atmosphere though than the old live play with message function. Cavead mentioned chess - funnily enough some of the live VASSAL games were more like an online chess game - impersonal and focused entirely on winning.<br /><br />Cheers again. This post has caused me to think more deeply about my relationship with remote play. Might have to do a response post to this on my own blog at some point!<br /><br />Thanks, and happy remote gaming!<br /><br />Aaron<br /><br /> Prufrockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17659918463589870423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-2852794212183319072021-09-12T16:11:08.642-07:002021-09-12T16:11:08.642-07:00Iain, before lockdowns, I was a painter first and ...Iain, before lockdowns, I was a painter first and gamer second. I enjoyed gaming but never could quite fit it into everyone's schedules. Remote gaming has opened a whole new world. Playing Chess over Skype with you each having a board seems like remote gaming to me. You were a trend setter!Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-12629000668734107142021-09-12T16:07:44.718-07:002021-09-12T16:07:44.718-07:00Jennifer, in the 'old days' I played many,...Jennifer, in the 'old days' I played many, many board wargames as PBM and later PBeM. Great fun but nothing compared to the visual, immediate, and interactive feedback of remote gaming today. Perhaps wargaming is catching up? Necessity is the mother of invention, they say. Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-38704838000041026172021-09-12T16:03:51.374-07:002021-09-12T16:03:51.374-07:00Stew-with-no-Friends, the discussions are frequent...Stew-with-no-Friends, the discussions are frequently the most interesting part of my posts...<br /><br />Good to see another that thinks remote gaming is here to stay. I am sure it may wane with local groups but for distance gaming, it cannot be beat. When you have time to give remote gaming a try, let me know. We can work something up.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-34538629894418935112021-09-12T15:53:22.320-07:002021-09-12T15:53:22.320-07:00Interesting points ,both in your post and the comm...Interesting points ,both in your post and the comments. I didn't try remote gaming during lockdown, I guess I'm a painter who plays occasionally and the occasionally had a bit of a bigger gap! I do remember years ago when I was working away in Iceland I would have a game of chess over Skype with both of us with a chess set, I guess that was a remote game,it was fun anyway. I definitely see that it has legs connecting gamers on different continents, I'm just glad I'm not organising it!<br />Best Iain caveadsum1471https://www.blogger.com/profile/02174163740406928172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-62320616018108228302021-09-12T13:58:50.917-07:002021-09-12T13:58:50.917-07:00Roleplaying games have been run remotely since the...Roleplaying games have been run remotely since the earliest days of the Internet, and both play-by-post and live multiplayer games are quite popular. Wargaming is just catching up - and judging from the ads in old magazines play-by-mail was a thing back in the day. I agree that it will remain a supplement, but a healthy one! Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11669958718617450721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-72552470118575491142021-09-12T12:57:39.400-07:002021-09-12T12:57:39.400-07:00Nice discussion going on here.
I did not try rem...Nice discussion going on here. <br />I did not try remote gaming but only because I wasn’t invited to one (they call me Stew no friends). 😀<br />While I do think remote gaming is here to stay, I think this is probably the peak and when/if things go back to normal it will drop again. Right now I think some folks are playing a lot or only remote games but when FtF is back I imagine that remote games will be more of a supplement to F2F. Stewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00340930167419307092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-82802208353698909852021-09-12T09:35:23.472-07:002021-09-12T09:35:23.472-07:00Looking forward to it and my Shoemakers Bridge rem...Looking forward to it and my Shoemakers Bridge rematch!Disgruntled Fusilierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995610821904415726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-59322091104463223782021-09-12T07:41:45.183-07:002021-09-12T07:41:45.183-07:00Jennifer, you touch on a remote gaming attribute i...Jennifer, you touch on a remote gaming attribute in which this media really shines. That attribute is scheduling. Many of us have busy lives and commitments that may reduce or even prevent gaming. Remote gaming allows participation with no travel and little expense. Remote gaming offers an efficiency when faced with time or resource constraints.<br /><br />As you and Steve note, the ability to connect with like-minded gamers from across the world is another big benefit to this gaming approach. As for gaining motivation from gaming, blogging, and commentary, I agree! Commentary is a vital and insightful part of my posts. <br /><br />Once I get the current house restoration process completed, we will return to gaming.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-6766659487103796052021-09-12T07:10:04.553-07:002021-09-12T07:10:04.553-07:00I'm trying remote gaming mostly because it'...I'm trying remote gaming mostly because it's the only practical way to play. Even pre-pandemic, I struggled to schedule and travel for live games. I've only been in a couple remote games so far, but am eager to try more - both roleplaying and wargaming.<br /><br />I agree with Steve above in that I've been able to connect with people and places I never thought possible. Even just talking about games as I've done over Zoom has been a wonder. And it's the discussion and feedback, I think, that really keeps players coming back. But while the banter and cameraderie isn't in person, that doesn't mean it isn't there, or that it isn't valuable.<br /><br />Heck, just writing a blog is now making me want to get up and play, in part so I have something to write about but also because the comments I receive and other blogs I read stimulate my thinking.<br /><br />I'm still looking forward to playing in one of your games!Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11669958718617450721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-24107757868171157912021-09-12T06:41:44.267-07:002021-09-12T06:41:44.267-07:00Well said, Steve. Well said.
We will join around...Well said, Steve. Well said.<br /><br />We will join around the remote gaming table again. Count on it!Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.com