Howdy folks,
TL;DR: Haters are gonna hate. EDIT: I had a bad encounter with a guy who didn't like the game (
40k) I was playing, and decided to be a jerk about it.
I offer a demo service to my
FLGS for
40k. It's a self-made volunteer thing, with hopes of increasing interest in
40k at the store; this'll hopefully attract new people to the store/game, which will increase sales, which will increase the support for
40k at the store, as well as build up a community of players.. That said, there's other games at the store, Warmachine/Hordes and Malifaux being far more popular. This is evident, as the
PP and Wyrd sections are fully stocked, whereas the
GW section is tucked into a sort of corner.
Unlike most gamers I've encountered, I love
40k, but I also understand why people play Warmahordes and Malifaux (abreviated to W/H/M). I have explained to every "demo-ee" that
40k is on the expensive side, and that it's understandable if they can't collect. I let them know that the other games are more affordable, and it might also interest them; either way, they can always borrow one of my armies to play
40k. I also always tell them that it's perfectly okay to collect more than one game system.
This is how I roll. As well as all this, I emphasize to my players, that if they are going to play
40k at the store, being competitive is a quick way to get ostracized. The store is for casual gaming only, whether its Malifaux,
PP, M:
TG, Board Games or Lan games. The exceptions are tournaments, of course.
Yesterday, I was eating lunch, and the store called me in; someone had found out about my demo service from a google search (exciting!). I went over and met the guy (we'll call him Mercutio), and had a small chat. We declared a 1000 point game, nids vs Vanilla Marines, and I took a few minutes to build my list.
And that's when the hating started...
Unsurprisingly, there were a few W/H/M players who raised brows in our setup; they hadn't ever seen a
40k game, or it had been very long; this always happens, because
40k isn't often played at the store (which is what I'm trying to change). Of course, what also happens every time are the comments; former
40k players will denounce
GW, and those who have never played will openly
complain about the prices; this happens without provocation. Every time.
Still, some W/H/M are people who like the game system (what a shock, I know /sarcasm) and wanted to play
40k, but couldn't for any reason (price, lack of opponents, etc). One particular guy we'll call him Maximus) was happy to announce he had quit collecting
40k, but later showed interest in our game, the models, the fluff, the tactics, etc. This is also normal, the whole "denounce because its cool, but can't help showing positive interest."
Now, so far, there's always been this negativity from non-
GW players at the store; however, hate as they might, they never attempt to convince players to quit
40k and play something else; their steam comes from explaining why THEY quit. That is, until yesterday.
While setting up, a regular Malifaux player (we'll call him Leonidas) walked into the gaming section, and found all three large tables had been taken up, and the two small tables had gear on it (one had W/H stuff, the other had Mercutio's and my stuff). Lately, the section has been empty every Thursday (minis night); Most W/H/M players were back in school/taking a break, and everything else was simply not played often. This upset Leonidas, and he noted aloud rather loudly "great, one warmachine, one
40k," in the sort of tone that says "who the
are these guys?" I ignored it. Later, as we were playing, Maximus commented on how he'd like to collect Malifaux. Leonidas' response was to sell any
40k crap he had; a sure way for Maximus to afford Malifaux. At that point, I realized, Leonidas had something against
40k. Again, I ignored him.
The worst came at the end. Mercutio and I had had a great game, which ended in a draw and some awesome moments with a Carnifex and his ASoB Termies. Mercutio had some questions about my idea of building a community; he wanted to help, because he wanted sizeable community to play with. Then, out of the blue, Leonidas flat out interrupts us. He tells Mercutio "hey, if you want a good community, forget about
40k and join Malifaux." Mercutio and I paused, stared at him... and ignored him. I could tell he wasn't happy, and it was obvious neither was I.
Thankfully, Mercutio left on great terms; he wanted to help, so I told him to merely advertise. He was concerned about the fact that he had to leave for 6 months, but I told him it'd be fine, and that the community would be here beyond that time, i.e. I was making it to last. We shook hands, and he left satisfed, but wanting more. Despite that, I couldn't shake what had just happened. I was upset, and even fed up; Since I've joined the store's community, the amount of negativity for
40k has been a bombardment. No one could simply accept that it was what I played, they all have to insert their stabbing comments.
Which brings me to Dakka, because it's the same thing here. I often times see people entering
40k discussions, purely to insert how much they hate the game, hate the prices, and hate
GW. I find most of these people are old veterans of the game, who remember playing 2nd ed. Naturally, when a game system changes radically, people are going to get upset. The mistake is assuming the new is bad. The new is different, but to a new player, it's still new.
Which brings me to my other point: I've grown used to ignoring this, but what about new players? They don't know your old system. They don't know about what it used to cost. They see the game, and like it for what it is now, and enjoy it. Why are you trying to get them to see it your way, what good does it serve? "They are wrong, and I must tell them they are wrong?" That's low. "I must inform them of all the horrible things they are about to embark." Why? Let them be, if it's what they like.
So ultimately, my point is haters are gonna hate, but nothing's worse than a hater trying to convince a lover to be a hater. Hate on your own.
EDIT:
It's been said a few times in the thread, so I'd like to let everyone know that I did indeed talk to the store owner. He, like me, was not happy to hear this.
I offered that he not talk to Leonidas just yet (benefit of the doubt, maybe he had a bad day?), but I let the owner understand that
40k does get quite a bit of flak from other store goers. He told me he'd discourage any such talk from then on.
Mind you, the number of
40k players now outnumbers any other miniature's group, due to my meetups. Still, I make it a point to remind my new players not to be negative towards other games, but instead be open minded and interested.
And if its not their cup of tea, to understand that those who do play it, do in fact enjoy it.
Organiser of 
).
