Does Location Influence How We Game?

Does a gamer's country or region have an influence on how a gamer games?  What are some of the attributes that may drive gaming style or tendencies?  Whether considering table size, game venue, group size or a handful of similar attributes, do differences exist between historical miniatures gamers spanning the globe?

Luckily, Wargames, Soldiers, and Strategy's Great Wargaming Survey offers some clues to this question.

In today's installment, I examine a half dozen of these gaming attributes with respect to country/region from the eyes of the primarily, historical wargamer.

Focus on Primarily Historical Gamers

While most previous analyses examine tendencies across all primary interests (Historical, Mixed, Fantasy/Sci-Fi), the following analyses look at wargamers having a primary interest in Historical wargaming only.

Figure 1

Figure 1 shows survey respondent counts by primary interest.  The scale spans from '0' (Entirely historical) to '6' (Entirely Sci-Fi/Fantasy).  Based upon earlier study, wargamers having a primary interest in Historical were demonstrated to fall into the '0' and '1' categories (Figure 2).   

Figure 2

With historical wargamers defined, what do any gaming tendencies suggest for this group of gamers if their country or region is known?

Now, in rapid fire sequence, let's look at some of these attributes. 

Entirely Historical Wargamers

If historical wargamers are bifurcated between their commitment to historicals as illustrated in Figure 3, then survey results suggest that UK/Ireland historical wargamers are more committed to preferring purely historical wargaming than other regions.  While UK/Ireland respondents see themselves as purely historical gamers about 50% of total, the Rest of the World (RoW) sees a make-up of about 40% of total.  Why do UK historical gamers tend toward purely historical wargaming more than the RoW?     

Figure 3

Note that "Region-Other" has lower total counts than the other regions so will not be included in these relative comparisons.  It is included only for completeness in the data.

Group Size

On gaming group size, UK/Ireland wargamers again stand out (see Figure 4).  UK gamers are more likely to prefer solo gaming over the RoW.  When up to four players are included in the group setting, the RoW catches up to the UK.  About 60% of all gamers participate in games having four or fewer participants.  Note here that Australia/New Zealand and UK/Ireland stand out as having 16+ participants about 10% of the responses.  Why the increase in group size for these two groups?    

Figure 4

Game Venue

When stratified by preferred gaming venue (see Figure 5), one result is remarkable.  Almost 30% of UK/Ireland gamers game at a club.  Few game at a game store.  All but North America follows a similar tendency.  North Americans chose a club as a preferred venue in less than 8% of the responses.  Gaming at a game store jumps to almost 17%.  For North Americans, is gaming at a game store similar to gaming at a club for the RoW?  Looking at the sum of private game settings (At Home, At Friend's Home), nearly 70% of North American respondents prefer these private settings.  Is this due to population dispersion and distances to travel, sociability or the availability of private, dedicated game spaces?    

Figure 5

Game Frequency

Gaming frequency offers interesting results as well.  When stratifying by how often one games, Australia/New Zealand and UK/Ireland (see Figure 6), on average, game more than the RoW.  These two groups tend to game at least bi-weekly in more than 50% of the responses.  This result likely reflects the tendency of these groups to attend club games.  Fewer than 40% of North American respondents game more than bi-weekly.  

Figure 6

Game Duration

What if game length is considered?  Do any tendencies emerge?  From Figure 7, survey results show similar results across all locations with some variation.  Across all groups, about 20% prefer games of 1-2 hours, about half prefer games of 2-3 hours, and roughly 30% prefer games exceeding three hours.  

Figure 7

Game Table size

What Figure 8 illustrates is that preferred table size varies but that a 4'x6' table is by far the most popular configuration.  Continental Europe/Scandinavia prefer the smaller table sizes with nearly 70% preferring a 4'x6' or smaller gaming table.  For the RoW, more than half prefer a table larger than 4'x6'.  Australia/New Zealand and North America top the regions for percentage of respondents preferring the largest tables.

Figure 8

Game Period

What if preferred wargaming period is examined?  Do any regions tend toward a particular period or are all periods universally favored?  Figure 9 illustrates the breakout of wargaming period by region.

Figure 9

What do the results suggest?  As might be expected, among historical wargamers, WWII and Napoleonics are one and two across all regions.  Besides these two major wargaming periods, do any periods see focus regionally?  Yes.  While Ancients sees similar global acceptance outside of North America, Pike & Shotte is played more in UK/Ireland.  Medievals are more popular in Continental Europe/Scandinavia and ACW is more popular in North America.  Surprising results?  I think not.

In Summary

The survey results show that location can play a role in how we game.  Region also affects what we play.  While hints of relationships between attributes have been suggested, perhaps a holistic approach to combining these attributes to show correlations between attributes (or groups of attributes) by Region would offer insight?  Previous analyses have shown that age is a driving factor in preference and choice.  Although past analysis demonstrates that older gamers gravitate toward historical gaming, perhaps extending this analysis to examine Age Group over these six gaming attributes would provide insight as well?  

How do these survey results compare with your own gaming tendencies based upon your location?  Similar?  Different?  In what way(s)?  Do you recognize other notable tendencies in these data?

Always enjoy reading your comments.

Almost Back to Normal

After a lingering illness and the last game played way back on 14 DEC, gaming life may be returning to normal.  Still, there has been some action at the painting desk.  Finally, I have a game on the schedule for next week as we see a return to the WAS and the Battle of Madonna dell'Olmo. 

The game table remains as it was back in December.  The only difference is that the two armies have been reset back to their starting positions.

The War Room

Armies arrayed for battle.

Not only have I seen illness conspire against my plans but now the weather has placed its thumb onto the scale.  With an arctic blast covering the northern parts of the US, the thermometer showed -10F this morning.  With wind chill, temps drop to -25F.  Brrr. 

What this extremely cold weather does is that priming figures outdoors is not possible and even applying a coat of Minwax stain is not possible in the frigid garage.  Forecasts suggest a general warm-up by the end of next week as daytime temperatures finally climb above freezing.  

This Big Chill is putting a chill on painting output as painted figures begin to stack-up waiting for staining, matte varnish, and basing.  Before the Deep Freeze descended, I did manage to complete two more Piedmontese regiments of cavalry.  

Off the workbench today are Piedmont dragoon regiments Piedmont (white facings) and Sardinia (yellow facings).  Figures are Eureka Miniatures.  Another two dozen cavalrymen to add into the rosters.

Hopefully, operations return to normal soon.

Until they do, I have a game to look forward to on Tuesday.

The Road Ahead in 2024

While I have not put down a formal prospectus for my New Year's goals for several years, I figured this year I would make an exception and return to an old tradition.  Having thrived on vague objectives in the past, I offer a little more clarity on what 2024 might hold on the wargaming front.

Battles to Fight
On the miniatures' gaming front, 2023 saw an unprecedented number of games played.  The final count reached 103.  Certainly, the most gaming in a single year for me but not too far ahead of 2022's 89 games or 2021's 97 games.

Playing more than one hundred games in any year is a big undertaking.  With this volume, other hobby areas suffer.  For 2024, I ought to dial back the number of games played.  What is a more sustainable number?  Since gaming emphasis has seen a shift to more hosting and game preparation takes extra time and effort, I put down 70 games played as a target for the year.  That works out to a little less than three games every two weeks.  I am already off to a poor start since no games have seen the table thus far in 2024.

2023 saw the fighting of large, historical battles multiple times with a variety of different teams of players.  2024 will continue this trend.  The 1744 WAS Battle of Madonna dell'Olmo remains out on the table for more replays once I have returned to full strength.  With one playing in the books, I can see this battle being refought a few more times before packing it away.  After that wraps up, there will be more battles to plan and field.  Thoughts of fighting an operational campaign with remote players has been a recurring thought.  The campaign would feature PBeM for the operational aspects with major battles resolved on the gaming table in miniature.  Top of the list is the notion of refighting the 1796-1797 Napoleonic campaigns in Northern Italy.  We will see if I make any headway or find interest in this venture.   
   
What other periods to consider?  Having many collections, sifting through all of the available options is difficult.  Narrowing choices down to a few periods and rules is a challenge.  While a number of my collections saw action in 2023, still, several did not.  Perhaps an attempt at working some of these overlooked collections into the gaming rotation would be good?  With SYW/WAS painting still going strong, expect more battles in these periods to hit the table.  Napoleonics were neglected in 2023.  Having three distinct Napoleonic collections, perhaps, at least one of them can get to the table.  I have been looking forward to getting my FRW collection out on the table, perhaps, this is the year?  The notion of a campaign game as mentioned above would tie in nicely and kill two birds with one stone. The Great Italian Wars collection has not hit the table in more years than I recall.  I need to rectify this situation in 2024.  Getting my untested WotR project out on table for its first battle would be fun too but whaich rules?

Despite making an effort to bring some of these neglected collections to the table, expect to see Ancients coming to the table in regular rotation whether that is in the form of Sumerians, Biblicals, or Punic Wars.  The Basic Impetvs games in 2023 were a blast.  I want that fun to continue.  The BI games are quickly brought to the table without a lot of preparation and research.  Maybe another ACW battle will be singled out for study?  I really am spoiled for choice.  Looking at the boxes of figures, I do not even remember the last time my French & Indian Wars collection saw action.  Same goes for the WWII collections.   

Figures to Paint
2023 saw an expansion of the SYW/WAS projects.  The French were begun in 2022 with Spanish, Hanoverians, and Piedmontese mustering out in 2023.  Plenty of work remains on building up these armies.  Expect more 18mm SYW/WAS units to march out in the New Year to continue filling in the ranks.  In addition to the armies mentioned above, perhaps British or Jacobites could slip into the production queue?

Biblicals (and Sumerians) will continue to see action at the painting desk.  If I could make a sizable dent in The Lead Pile on these fronts, maybe I can reach the Trojan stratum in 2024?  Maybe.  Still plenty of Assyrians, Babylonians, Hittites, and Sumerians remain to be painted.  The planned expansion of the Franco-Austrian War project to include the Franco-Prussian War has remained stalled for several years.  In anticipation of launching a Prussian project in 2023, more figures came in house.  With an ample supply of figures, I really ought to get serious and get on with painting Prussians.

Now, not all of these plans can be fulfilled in 2024 especially since other units tend to slip into the painting queue to help break up any monotony.  Making a start on at least some of these would be a good step forward.  One goal I would like to tackle is shifting to a more equal mix of 15/18mm and 25/28mm figures.  2023 was decidedly geared towards fielding 18mm units.  I would like to see that mix shift to include more of the larger figures.  

For number of painted figures to target, I had trouble reaching 1,000 figures in 2023.  Given that, I may dial that goal back a bit.  Reaching 750 painted figures especially with a redirection toward 25/28mm seems doable.  I can reassess at midyear and see where the counts stand.  That goal may move back up.

One goal never made before is to actively attempt to shrink The Lead Pile.  While placing a moratorium on figure purchases is unlikely (especially if Newline Designs offers the regular January sale), let me see if I can manage to paint more than I buy.     

Rules to Design, Develop, Test
Having been playing Fields of Honor for a number of years with frequent outings on the table, 2024 may be the year that I work to move the rules from my revisions contained on QRS to a codified body of rules.  A coherent body of text with detailed design notes may help players (and me!) understand the design philosophy underlying the rules.  2024 saw the rules used in several settings including SYW/WAS, ACW, AWI, and FAW.  While all share a common game engine, each maintains its own feel.

Boardgames to Explore
Each year I hope to rekindle my enjoyment of regular boardgaming sessions.  Like prior years, it did not happen.  For 2024, I want to focus some of the slack gained from reducing painting and gaming output toward hex-and-counter wargaming.

One of my favorite types of board wargaming is refighting historical operational campaigns.  WWII operations top this list.  Games under consideration include some oldies along with current offerings.  Topping this list for further study include a return to MMP's Operation Combat Series, a first look at Clash of Arms' Winter Storm Series, and a return Jack Radey's Eastern Front Series but in a new setting.  Each of these games require a lot of study.  I would also enjoy giving MMP's Battalion Combat Series a try.  

Blogging
Like clockwork, 2023 saw 120 posts yet again.  Updates posted ever three or four days remains a comfortable pace.  Still, I never want for material to ramble on about and I have yet to run out of material to publish.  I may reduce the frequency a bit in 2024.  We will see.  2023 saw a continuation of monthly analyses featuring the data crunching of the Great Wargaming Survey.  Expect more of the same in 2024.  Thoughts for January's topic are rolling around in my head.  I plan to examine gaming metadata.  Hopefully some of the findings will be of interest.

Enough rambling on vague objectives.  All of this is likely plenty to keep me busy in 2024.  Planning is an iterative process; expect change!

Bavarian Törring Cuirassiers

While I continue to fight through my Christmas illness and the gaming table has seen no action in three weeks, activity at the painting desk is beginning to slowly return.

Recent painting emphasis continues with mustering-out SYW/WAS cavalry as the Spanish, Piedmontese, and Hanoverian cavalry contingents come up to match the relative strengths of their foot brethren.  By my rough count, progress in painting through the massive August Eureka cavalry order has nearly reached the halfway point.  From arrival of the order at the end of August, 147 cavalry/mounted officers have gone under the brush.  Eyeballing the size of the pile remaining, looks like about another 150 horsemen remain.

Given that I use Austrian cavalry figures as a proxy for Piedmontese horsemen, the pom-pom and oak leaf on the hat are clipped off to make the unadorned Piedmontese tricorn.  During this procedure, I clipped off the hat accoutrements on a dozen Austrian cuirassiers before realizing the Piedmontese fielded no such cavalry with breastplates.  What to do became the next question.  Well, I decided to give my small Bavarian force a regiment of cuirassiers.

Out from the painting desk today is Bavarian Cuirassier Regiment Törring.  These twelve figures are Eureka Miniatures.

Following these fellows will be a small handful of Piedmontese cavalry regiments.  After those muster out, I shift gears to work some Biblicals into the painting mix.   A few Chaldeans/Babylonians are working their way through the production line.  A second unit of mounted infantry in cart will make and appearance as well.

One of my early 2024 thoughts is to paint my way down through the Biblical strata until I reach the Trojans. Will I be able to maintain a methodical approach as I work my way through multiple layers of figures or will I cut straight to the paydirt as Schliemann at ancient Troy?

Year in Review: Figures Painted

When I look back to the beginning of 2023 (see 2022 Year in Review: Figures Painted), my main painting goals were,

• Continue expansion of the 18mm SYW/WAS project to include more armies. In addition to Spanish and Piedmontese, field a British/Hanoverian army.
• Build a 15mm Prussian Army to allow expansion of the Franco-Austrian War collection to the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian Wars.
• Continue work to expand the 25mm Biblical armies including Sumerians, Hittites, Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians.

I did not specify a particular target figure count to attain but my goal is often to shoot for 1,000 in a year.  It is a nice round number and a good goal.

As you will see, the expansion of the SYW/WAS project sped ahead on track.  Unfortunately, the 15mm FPW Prussian Army never left the starting blocks and Biblicals only saw a few additions.  I mentioned the possibility of beginning a Trojan War project in 2023.  That, likewise, never made it out of the starting gate.

So, what did I manage to accomplish on the painting front in 2023?

Well, I managed (but just barely!) to cross the 1,000 figure threshold in 2023.  As they say, it was a near-run thing.  Final tally showed 1,015 figures painted.

Monthly Totals

As the chart below shows, 2023 started off with a bang with more than 100 figures painted in three of the first four months.  After that, productivity plunged.  I never regained the 100 figures/month mark again.  As seen from the red bars, the 15/18mm SYW project saw most of the action at the painting desk.

Figures painted by month

Totals by Era and Scale

Switching from the monthly bar chart to a pie chart, the total effort given to the SYW project is clear. Nearly 76% of all figures painted (767) were in this period.  Few other periods saw much attention besides the 136 ACW figures mustered out. 

Total figures painted by era - actual

When the number of figures is translated into painting points (where larger figures and different troop types are assigned more weight), the picture does not change much.  The exception is that the 25mm Biblicals show up as their own category from the "Other" grouping.  Still, even with this translation, SYW comprises about 75% of all painting effort.

Total figures painted by era - painting points

When the counts are broken out by figures size (scale), it is no surprise that the emphasis on painting 15/18mm SYW figures tips the scale to that figure size.  The chart below illustrates that 82% of all figures painted fall into this classification.

Total figures painted by scale- actual

As noted, one of the 2023 goals was to focus on fielding more armies for the SYW project.  The plan was to field armies for Piedmont, Spain, and Hanover.  

Did I stick to that plan?  Yes!

The graphic below shows that all three of the nations saw action at the painting desk.  Piedmont fielded 261 figures, Spain saw 204 figures added, and Hanover saw 262 figures march out.  A handful of figures for other nationalities marched out too. 

Total SYW figures painted by nation

So, on the first count of bringing more SYW/WAS figures to the table, I call this a success.  For the other goals, I missed the mark but there is always another year to make up lost ground.

Looking Ahead

What do I foresee for the painting desk in 2024?

While 2023 focused on mustering out troops for the SYW/WAS project, 2024 will likely see more of the same.  With a large stock of lead for this project remaining, I could easily carry on as in 2023 especially fielding more French, Hanoverians, Piedmontese, and Spanish.  Perhaps, British and Jacobite contingents will work their way into the painting queue in 2024?  I could foresee expanding this project to include yet another theater of operations.

2023 was clearly the year of painting SYW in 15/18mm.  2024 ought to show a little more diversification by returning to some work in 25/28mm.  There are lots of Biblicals to field including a possible start to a Trojan War project.  Besides, Trojans could give my Hittites someone else to fight.  What about the long delayed FPW Prussians?  Perhaps this is the year for them?  

The path forward requires some more thought.

Dialing back the painting effort seems reasonable for 2024.  I set the target at 750 painted figures.

Lastly, the graphic below shows that 2024 marks the 30th year that I have been tracking my painting production.  While I began tracking in 1994, 1995 was the first full year of results.  I have been at this for a very long time!        

What are your painting plans for 2024?

Year in Review: Games Played

Gaming in 2023 continued at a pace that defies prediction.  In last year's annual review, I figured the number of games played would need to be trimmed back a bit.  From a total of 97 games played in 2021 to 89 games played in 2022, I speculated that the number of games played would be cut back to more manageable levels.

Were the number of games played reduced in 2023?  No!  I actually increased the number of games played topping out at 103.  103 games!  Unbelievable, really.  The last three years demonstrate what is possible, for me, on the gaming front.  Many of these games I hosted also required time for scenario development and design.  For those following along for any length of time, readers recognize this level of gaming activity would not be possible without the introduction of remote gaming via either Zoom or Google Meet.  Yet, none of these totals include solo gaming.  Again, beyond a few playtest sessions and scenario calibrations, solo gaming was once again near nil.  There is simply no time.

Back to the review.  In a gaming retrospective, were these 103 games spread over a wide swath of periods, figures sizes, and rulesets or concentrated in only a few, well-exercised corners? 

Rules

In 2022, 89 games were played over 24 rulesets.  Does 2023 follow a similar trend or present a contrasting perspective in the number of different ruleset played?    This year, the 103 games were played using 23 different rules.  Results show a consistent number of rules to the 2022 counts.  See Table 1, Counts of Games Played in 2023 for details.

Table 1

Like last year, two of the Top 3 rules used were my versions of Basic Impetvs (BI) and Fields of Honor (FoH).  Rounding out the Top 3 was Commands & Colors Ancients (CCA).  Unlike in 2022, CCA battles were mostly fought in 28mm with Scott's armies rather than my own 6mm armies.  These Top 3 rules made up about 62% of all games played.  Is this such a surprise?  Not based upon 2022 numbers where the Top 3 remained as in 2023.  

What did the Top 3 rules have in common?  They are all played on a hex grid and all can be played from a two-sided, 5"x7" QRS.  Even the QRS is only a crutch since the modifiers can be kept in mind once an activation or two is under the belt.  Add to these attributes my ability to play and umpire any of these three with little hesitation or doubt makes it obvious why these rules are favored when I host a game.          

Graphically, Figure 1 illustrates the distribution of games played by ruleset.  Clearly, Basic Impetvs was my favorite but CCA and FoH were not far behind in popularity.  Do I see this trend continuing into 2024?  I suspect so.  Games of FoH are already on the New Year calendar.  

Figure 1

Like the listing in 2022 demonstrated, the 2023 listing contains a preponderance of self-published or homegrown rules.  Very few rules seeing action are commercially available with widespread audiences.  Even Basic Impetvs has been migrated onto a hex grid system and heavily modified to suit my own needs and playing style.  We continue forging ahead as rules' tinkerers.  

Figure Size

What about figure size or scale? Was there breadth in that respect too? Yes, breadth was present in the 2023 slate of games but 25/28mm gaming dominated.  See Figure 2.

Figure 2

While 25/28mm may have dominated games played, the other scales saw action too.  Most of the 25/28mm gaming is attributed to BI and CCA games.   10mm saw a healthy boost from a series of ACW battles fought repeatedly across two historical battlefields.  2023 even saw a naval action in 1/1200.  Hopefully, age of sail games will see a return in the New Year.

Wargaming Period

What if these total games played are broken out by wargaming period?  Were there popular periods in 2023 or did we see a shotgun approach to gaming across all periods as in 2022?

Figure 3

Looking at Figure 3, 20 different wargaming periods saw action on the various hosts' gaming tables in 2023.  Quite a lot of variety in anyone's book.  Unlike in 2022 which saw many periods wrestling for top rung in games played, 2023 saw two clear winners in Ancients and ACW.  The total number of unique periods played remains very similar to the number of rulesets played.  That is diversity.  No one ever complains about either the period or rules played.  That is tolerance.

Which of my collections saw action on the gaming table in 2023?  The list includes:

• American Civil War
• American war of Independence
• Ancient Sumeria
• Ancients (Punic Wars)
• Biblicals
• English Civil War
• Feudal Japan
• Franco-Austrian War
• Reconquista
• Spanish-American War
• War of Austrian Succession (SYW)

Eleven of my collections reached the table in 2023.  Superb!  Still, there were a few collections that did not make it to the gaming table.  One notable absence is Napoleonics.  With my Napoleonic collections covering three periods in two scales, I can do better to make sure at least one collection sees the table in a year.  Perhaps I can focus on getting some of those collections left out of 2023 rotation into the 2024 gaming rotation?

Memorable Moments

As in any year, games stand out for any number of reasons.  A few of my favorites from the year just past include:

Sumerian Water Wars

Sumerian Wars in which I lost four straight games to Steve, Matt, Peter, and Mark in rapid succession.

First Manassas

First Manassas fought a total of five times with an assortment of players.  Every game was great fun and most were hotly contested.

Hammerin' Sickles

Hammerin' Sickles reproduced Hood's attack at Gettysburg.  This battle was fought a total of six times with honors just about even.  All of these battles were great fun but one stands out in particular.  In one game, defeat fell on the last die roll of the last activation of the last turn.  Tension was high as that last die roll was made.

Chariot Wars

For pure excitement, few games can match the freewheeling chariot battles that were a regular fixture on the gaming table in 2023.

Ilipa

Finally, few games can see a turn around like the Ilipa game in which DB sent his legion forward and proceeded to cut through and then destroy the Carthaginian Right and Center.  Epic stuff! 

Of course, there were memorable moments in every game.  2023 was a very good year at the gaming table.

What was yours?

The next time I return to the yearly review, I dig into the Painting Log and see what 2023 held.  Did I make my goal of 1,000 painted figures?

Happy New Year!

Year-ending Hanoverian Infantry

While I had plans for a game or two and some serious time at the painting table before year-end, life blew a fastball right passed me and left me swinging into a void and gasping for breath.  With family descending upon us for the holidays, Nancy and I both were stricken by COVID just as guests were arriving.  Since Nancy showed symptoms before I did, my isolation period spanned Christmas Day, itself.  That situation prompted a change of lodging arrangements, a move of dinner location and new cooks.  That also left me Home Alone.  Although not present for this year's festivities, my dear sister sent along her best wishes with the hashtag #IntrovertsDream.  She is very funny.  Today, she tells me that she has tested positive for COVID as well. #Karma. 

Anyway, games were cancelled and plans to reach 1,000 painted figures in 2023 dashed.  I will be close but not close enough.  Finally feeling well enough today to pound out a short blog post and maybe even put a slap of paint on a few figures before nap time.

Up for show today are the latest units to muster out from the painting table.  Sticking with a SYW/WAS theme, two, 23-figure Hanoverian infantry regiments march off.  Regiments are Hodenberg and Stolenberg with foot from Old Glory and mounted officers from Eureka Miniatures.

Stolenberg IR

Hodenberg IR

Adding to the holiday excitement, Nancy attempted to drive through the closed garage door last night with her SUV.  This morning was spent getting a service tech to come out and make a few "adjustments" to the door to get it into an operable state using a BIG hammer and power tools.  Details of this episode are better served cold another time...

Happy holidays!