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I still pick armies based on how much I like the look of the models and the army.

While the models were certainly a factor, think about one without the other. Would I collect models and paint them even if there was no game to play with them? For me, the answer is a resounding "No!". On the flip side, would I still play the game if there were no models. For me the answer is "maybe". I for one am not a huge fan of painting and modeling. I like the end results and enjoy showing off my work, but the process is painful. On the other hand, I like playing the game (although I would like it less without models).

Well, its all important, but if a set of rules is pants I'm just not going to get into it. Similarly if a miniature range is rubbish-looking or ridiculously overpriced I won't get into that either.

If GW fix things with 5th edition I'll likely start that Imperial Guard army that presses all my fluff buttons, but otherwise, I'm not going to waste a load of time painting up an army for a game that is broken and provides nothing but frustration and irritation.

People who play and paint spend the majority of time painting. think of it like this, how much time and effeort is put into painting and collecting that army compared to how much you actually play. 95% model/paint time vs 5%play time

beef wrote:People who play and paint spend the majority of time painting. think of it like this, how much time and effeort is put into painting and collecting that army compared to how much you actually play. 95% model/paint time vs 5%play time

Yeah, painting is definitely more emphasized in GW games than in PP
ones. I'd say people play more games of Warmachine just because
there's no paint to play culture going on in anything other than Hardcore
tournaments (which has its good things and bad things going for it)

Good: People play more games
Bad: People are less invested in their armies

(Sometimes Good: People are less invested in their armies)

The fluff originaly. Me and my buddy bought RT together in high school. We would take turns taking it home and talk about how much space marines rocked at lunch. We immediatly began making up fluff for our own chapters like good geeks.

Slowly the painting and modeling became fun and now even tho I'm older and busier I still manage to paint a few days a month at least.

I've still never won a game of 40k, so thats aspects not keeping me in it.

I got into wargaming primarily from the social aspect of it. I liked the people I knew who were doing it 20+ years ago, and I got into it to hang out with them.

Now, I really hate painting. I find it painfully tedious, and a waste of time that I could spend on much more rewarding enterprises. I still enjoy playing the game, because I still enjoy spending time with the people I play against. I like the mild competition and matching of wits against my friends.

I do have to agree with the person you quoted on one thing. Tightly written rules would drive sales just as much as cool miniatures. They could easily play both ends against the middle and increase their sales thereby. There is no justifiable reason to ignore writing good rules for the game just because GW identifies itself as a miniature making company. They are shooting themselves in the foot by alienating those who want tightly written rules. It is pure silliness to not produce both great miniatures and solid rules for the game.

The fluff got me hooked, without a decent background to play against I don't think I'd have bothered playing, just have stuck to heroquest or sumit

I do not like to paint.
If people would not have issues I would probably leave most models simple black.

I also do not like building a whole army and stopping before painting, nor having someone else do it for me.
I like the modeling in as much as it makes the game customizable, but really it is a rules extension for me.

RPG I have no time nor real urge for anymore. This for me, is a similar creative outlet but where I can spend most of the time in smaller chunks, and without needed to schedule with others. Especially as the flgs is loaded with folks regularly enough that I can just show up when motivated to play and find a fun game.


The fluff needs more Tyranids!


rarrr

To be honest I agree painting is time consuming and very tediaous, especially when painting squad after squad. I love painting HQ models and any army I have always has way to many HQs painted up. BUt I enjoy converting an army. I just wish my converting skill and painting skills were a match for my iseas.

Fluff, for me. I first came across GW via Dark Future, and assembled a few Matchbox car conversions. Never really bothered to play, but started buying White Dwarf. Mostly looking for pictures and conversion ideas for Dark Future, but also reading the 40K fluff. The whole Space Marine/sci-fi-future/haunted/superstitious/medeival vibe really seemed unique.
But for some reason I was never tempted to play or even start buying modeling 40K stuff. Probably because I didn't know anyone else who participated or had even heard of GW.
Then, about five years ago, an independent game store opened in a neighboring town, and I wandered in one evening. Found myself absolutely riveted by painted armies in the showcase, recalled reading about Space Marines years ago, and started to ask questions and meet regular players.
Haven't looked back.

You see, I almost escaped.

H.B.M.C. wrote:The models, but not painting, so I can't vote.

BYE

that doesn't fall under other? hmmm

Original Beaky Marines from 1980! Ya baby, I was 15, DOH! Man I'm old...

Anyone else sometimes feel like you are an old guy in a 15 years old's hobby? And maybe thats the source of most of the issues in the game....

Scary. Heh.

My story starts back when I was a kid and saw a time life book about the Roman Empire. Towards the center there was a diorama featuring a Roman siege of a Gallic fortress.
From that point I was hooked on the concept of miniature battles, but being way out in the willy whacks, had no access to any of that kind of thing.
Fast forward a few years and I was in Texas when I saw the old school RT marines. At that point I was in for the long haul.

I voted Other, as it was a combination of both that kept me in the game.

being a sci-fi nerd, risk player and a model builder already. 40k had all the elements of the perfect hobby for me at the age of 12. Granted most people don't want to play a 12 year old but that is when I started, over 8 years ago now. I've gone a couple of 6 month stints of not playing due to school work or sports. However I've always built and painted so that "next season" I'll have the GT army I wanted last year.

I selected the other option because it was equal parts fluff and games system that hooked me into 40K. Firstly the fluff, and secondly a system that, while not perfect, was good enough to play.

I started in '88 with WHFB. A friend then showed me the Relams of Chaos books. It was all over for me. I have played 40K ever since. Mind you, I have only recently purchased chaos miniatures. Rather, it was the FLUFF for me. I love the concept of the God Emperor. I love the Space Marines. I love the Eldar. The look and fluff of the game has only seemed to improve over the years. Now, we have role-play, the HH books, and Dawn of War. It's a good time to be in the game. I just wish we had more stuff like the old Realms of Chaos books. They would cost $1,000.00 today, but they sure were great back in the day. Good poll.

Another thing, other than what was mentioned in the poll, that I believe pushed me in this direction is what I believe influences many people's later lives, childhood experiences.

At Rock City gardens in Chattanooga TN they had some artists come in and create scenes from folk/fairy tales with miniatures and scenery. I remember going through there when I was four or so, and I suppose it sort of stuck with me. I was mixing in terrain pieces from railroads and such with my building blocks soon after, and then I guess it was a natural transition to this sort of hobby. I guess it was either this, model railroading, or ships. It really is wierd to think about, but sitting here I realize that if not for that short little family trip I may have never got into this hobby, or the role playing hobby which is what kind of led me into miniatures.

Incidentally, kind of in the same area there is a little tourist museum called the Battles for Chattanooga museum, aka the Confederama. It has a giant terrain board ( looks to be about 15' by 15') with painted minatures that is accompanied by lights and an audio presentation. The miniatures look to be 15mm, but unfortunately the people at the counter don't really know much about the miniatures themselves. Tickets for this alone are about 5 bucks if I remember right. Unfortunately it is the least popular of the attractions in the area ( which you can go to on one ticket) and consequently run down a bit, but still very cool. They have a one ticket pass to Rock city and the miniatures (awsome) and a cavern, Ruby Falls ( not so hot, IMHO).

Definitely worth a look if you're for some reason in that area, or even the Atlanta area.

I got in for the modeling, but these days I hate painting FTMP. I do it now b/c I have been doing t since 93. I like the game. Nt just crushing my opponent, but a good game. Works my head, and isn't boring like chess.

Augustus wrote:Original Beaky Marines from 1980! Ya baby, I was 15, DOH! Man I'm old...

Anyone else sometimes feel like you are an old guy in a 15 years old's hobby? And maybe thats the source of most of the issues in the game....

Scary. Heh.

Same here. Back in 1988 a friend of mine who owned a comic store showed me some cool figures that were just released for a new game. They were called space marine terminators and came in a box of 8 for $19 USD.

The rules were meh, but the models were amazing. That same day I picked up Lost and the Damned and was blown away by the fluff. Filled with creepy artwork, loads of rules and prose like “The gaping maw of the fortress portal would vomit forth entire armies”.

God I miss those rules. Oh, how the mighty have fallen…