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Hey guys, I actually had a really good question/topic of discussion for everyone.
How do you feel whenever you hear anything wargaming in the media? I remember while I was waiting for a movie to start I saw an advertisement for Games Workshop's LOTR line in a magazine. I lost my mind. When Steve Carrell famously said, "... I'm going to paint your silver pants blue!" and his appearance on SNL's Deal or No Deal "... IT'S A WARHAMMER CLUB". How do you guys feel about this? Over- or under-commercialized? Is this a gem that we lucky (or cursed!) few have discovered?
I finally leave you with this, probably the best explanation of what a Wargamer is.
*note: MODS, if this has been posted before, apologies. Couldn't find anything when I searched for it.
I think its something that you have to take in your stride. Whether its a gem or a curse is really immaterial, I think the movie clip is (as usual) a tongue in cheek look at an otherwise serious hobby. Nothing more or less.
Is it offensive? to a point....yeah? As usual it paints gamers in a very geeky light, and attempts to put the players into a fringe group of saddos who generally have no life. You'll notice that the interviewer generally picked the stereo-typical "geek" to interview, and went on a hunt for "women".....hmm, thats not biased now is it! theres lots of "hobbies" out there that women don't, for various reason, chose to take part in.....is that really something to judge the hobby by, or does it say more about women? How many articles in media go to, what are generally accepted as women only activities, and search for men? netball practice anyone? ohh look not a guy in sight, must be a geek activity!!!
Second point, I had to struggle to come up with even netball as an example for a woman only activity, not bashing girls at this point, but in my experience, limited as it may be, girls don't seem to get into ANYTHING (except shopping for bags, shoes and clothes in general) and the few girls that do part-take in "fringe activities" were (generally speaking) introduced to it through a boyfriend or otherwise male partner!
I saw this type of thing when I was involved in airsoft, and believe it or not, I also saw this when I started out in Snowboarding.....that was around 14 years ago!
The media is an ass, always was, and always will be....indulge it and indugle in it at your own risk! They will always find something to sensationalise, yesterday it was the Credit Crunch, now its Swine Flu.....maybe tomorrow it will be the "GW ruling the world through WH40K.....are our children safe!"
I loved that video. Yeah it definitely shouldn't be taken too seriously, although I think anyone who takes their hobbies too seriously is in danger of becoming the very stereotypes they're trying to avoid.
I think there IS a weirdness factor in what we do. Is that so bad? I am very happy to admit that yes, pushing plastic toy soldiers around is a bit strange, but it's fun and I enjoy it so that's really all that matters.
I do agree that wargamers (and other like-minded types) do get pegged as being geeky, saddos, weirdbeards and other outcasts. But really, does the media vilify it? You might have noticed that geek is the new chic (wow that sounds a lot lamer when you say it out loud), and although I disagree with how the media is cashing in on this, really it's not that bad. I just think there's something oddly satisfying about having something you do or know being recognized, in any shape or form.
There was an episode of "new tricks" (brit cop show) that featured a group of older napoleonics players (many who do take their toy soldier games seriously) that wasn't too off the mark.
It's much like the fetish scene. You get occasional hits and mostly misses when they are depicted on various shows.
I'm OVER 50 (and so far over everyone's BS, too).
Old enough to know better, young enough to not give a ****.
That is not dead which can eternal lie ...
... and yet, with strange aeons, even death may die.
warpcrafter wrote:The only thing I object to in that video is the way that song was used. I hate the band Europe so much.
I also dislike Europe (the band) but for some strange, nostalgic reason, love The Final Countdown. I thought it was well used in this piece.
I thought the whole clip was a fun piece of fluff, but was disappointed that rather than find out more about wargaming, the guy went down the "Where are all the girls?" path. I wonder if he'd cover the local quilting convention in the same way, "So, needles and thread, blah, blah, blah...where are all the guys?" I think not.
warpcrafter wrote:The only thing I object to in that video is the way that song was used. I hate the band Europe so much.
I also dislike Europe (the band) but for some strange, nostalgic reason, love The Final Countdown. I thought it was well used in this piece.
Honestly? The 80's were probably the worst time period in music, and definitely the decade of one hit wonders. But man I love bad 80's music.
You guys are right, I do think that certain stereotypes are definitely reinforced whenever our hobby is talked about. The girls thing definitely gets brought up a lot, although the reality is it really is mostly a guy's thing.
I think if anyone actually did a full news article about the entire hobby (rather than just one small part) that would definitely be awesome.
My original intent for this thread was to hear what people thought of getting subtle shout outs in the media. For example, if you saw warhammer in a music video or in a movie, how would you guys react?
I have not really seen Warhammer in any thing mainstream. I keep hearing that there is a white dwarf in "Enemy of the State" but I didn't see that when I watched the movie (granted it was a while ago). When I saw "Silver pants blue" I thought that was hilarious.
From experience, the media does not do that much research for these "evergreen" stories. The see a fad or a group thats gaining popularity, they do a story on it, dont look at all the facts, and move on. Look at news reports on video games about 7 years ago. They where mostly negative, and any time people waited in line for a game or system that wasnt 12 or a parent standing in for their kid was a geek. Now that video games make as much, if not more than the movie industry, games have commanded a certain amount of respect in the media.
The media always makes fun of things it does not understand, so its best to just ignore it.
Also I dont recall the silver pants blue thing. What was that from?
40 Year Old Virgin. Mental Montage of his hobbies (solo-karaoke, tuba playing, etc...). Painting Silver Pants Blue is a new joke in our family. If my sister comes over she asks if im painting their pants blue or something like that. I could have swore there were some LotR minis in that clip, but it could have been historical minis.
I could care less if we get a good/bad rep from Hollywood or the media. Any industry willing to pay Julia Roberts a minimum of $20 Million a film, doesn't have their ducks in a rol imho.
"Just pull it out and play with it" -Big Nasty B @ Life After the Cover Save
40k: Orks Fantasy: Empire, Beastmen, Warriors of Chaos, and Ogre Kingdoms
2012- stopped caring
Nova Open 2011- Orks 8th Seed---(I see a trend)
Adepticon 2011- Mike H. Orks 8th Seed (This was the WTF list of the Final 16) Adepticon 2011- Combat Patrol Best General
The stereotypical image of the wargamer is in my experience, both completely removed from, and completely true to reality. Contradictory, I know.
Almost none of the people I have met have been weird, geeky single men, who are socialy awkward, live with their parents, and remain virgins until well into later life.
Then you meet the one guy who is all of these things, as if he sprang into existence as a result of hundreds of thousands of people believing he existed. That one guy couldn't be any more of a stereotype if he tried, and he makes all of the stereotypes justified just by being alive.
Bodichi wrote:I have not really seen Warhammer in any thing mainstream. I keep hearing that there is a white dwarf in "Enemy of the State" but I didn't see that when I watched the movie (granted it was a while ago). When I saw "Silver pants blue" I thought that was hilarious.
Look in the bottom right hand corner of this pic... (I took a screen cap)
Mannahnin wrote:A lot of folks online (and in emails in other parts of life) use pretty mangled English. The idea is that it takes extra effort and time to write properly, and they’d rather save the time. If you can still be understood, what’s the harm? While most of the time a sloppy post CAN be understood, the use of proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling is generally seen as respectable and desirable on most forums. It demonstrates an effort made to be understood, and to make your post an easy and pleasant read. By making this effort, you can often elicit more positive responses from the community, and instantly mark yourself as someone worth talking to.
insaniak wrote: Every time someone threatens violence over the internet as a result of someone's hypothetical actions at the gaming table, the earth shakes infinitisemally in its orbit as millions of eyeballs behind millions of monitors all roll simultaneously.
The TV, but his 'son' is looking at a copy of WD... you can see part of the Gamesday logo at the top of the page.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/06/18 07:13:40
Mannahnin wrote:A lot of folks online (and in emails in other parts of life) use pretty mangled English. The idea is that it takes extra effort and time to write properly, and they’d rather save the time. If you can still be understood, what’s the harm? While most of the time a sloppy post CAN be understood, the use of proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling is generally seen as respectable and desirable on most forums. It demonstrates an effort made to be understood, and to make your post an easy and pleasant read. By making this effort, you can often elicit more positive responses from the community, and instantly mark yourself as someone worth talking to.
insaniak wrote: Every time someone threatens violence over the internet as a result of someone's hypothetical actions at the gaming table, the earth shakes infinitisemally in its orbit as millions of eyeballs behind millions of monitors all roll simultaneously.
Thanks lordhat, I've actually been trying to find that scene for awhile now.
great find!
I've seen a couple of girls (mostly younger ones following their brothers) painting/collecting. I actually remember when I started there were a few girls who painted. I've actually never seen a girl playing.
Although at Games Day you tend to see a lot more, although most are the one's who I assume are paid to dress up and walk around. (Adding once again to the weirdness factor). Then again, some of the best Golden Demon painters are female!
There are women gamers. But, most women seem to gravitate a bit more towards the modeling and painting side.
In the dark future, there are skulls for everyone. But only the bad guys get spikes. And rivets for all, apparently welding was lost in the Dark Age of Technology. -from C.Borer
Thanks much! I am glad you captured that because I never would have seen that after watching the show 100 times (which I would not do).
Girls, or women as it may be, can paint but due to the irrefutable laws of nature and thermo dynamics are outlawed from playing any kind of strategy table top game.
The media is a reflection of mainstream society. Wargaming, any gaming other than video games, aren't mainstream and seen in a negative way like anything else. For example, would Wiccans or Deists get positive coverage in the media? What about Buddhists, scientists, SF fans, etc? No, they would not.
Mainstream society is a limiting thing. It makes life dull for many so we strike out onto other paths to keep ourselves entertained and busy. Hell, without gaming, we wouldn't meet as many interesting people as we do.
BTW, I have seen female gamers. My girlfriend is dropping RPGs for WFB. A couple girls were at the shop checking out 40k.
warpcrafter wrote:The only thing I object to in that video is the way that song was used. I hate the band Europe so much.
I also dislike Europe (the band) but for some strange, nostalgic reason, love The Final Countdown. I thought it was well used in this piece.
Honestly? The 80's were probably the worst time period in music, and definitely the decade of one hit wonders. But man I love bad 80's music.
I'd argue that 2000 on has been nothing but a giant crap sandwich as far as music goes, and to be honest none of the bands I listen to in heavy rotation have made a record since the late eighties/mid ninties. Take emo. Emo is for this decade what everyone complains about about eighties music: bad haircuts and no artistic vision. The decade may change, but popular music doesn't really when you boil it all down...
I also wish people outside wargaming could make up there minds: are we pathetic nerds with no life to be pitied or are we being trained by Satan himself to bring about the apocalypse and take over the world. Can nerds really be the most dangerous cult active int he world AND pathetic geeks with no reason to live( as this video implies) at the same time? Which is it?
And for the record that anchorwoman in the opening of the clip is gorgeous (and the acccent doesn't hurt either).
Automatically Appended Next Post:
OrkAmunGus wrote:
I have never seen a female war gamer
This message was edited 7 times. Last update was at 2009/06/18 20:22:08
The idea that a minority of females makes the hobby for sad wierdos is just plain stupid. How many interests in the world are females in the minority? well for one, the vast majority of sport on earth besides maybe tennis and a few others.
-to many points to bother to count.
