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Based on what my local store posted on Facebook it really does sound like this is open to new members only, and is also up to the discretion of staff members at stores. People outright asked if existing players can get involved and they just said it's for those brand new to the hobby.

Really don't like the sound of that considering the exclusive merchandise.

Just extending a plea that popped up on my FB feed.

The mother of an autistic child is looking for AoS opponents for him, with the games to be played at Element Games. She’s confirmed she’ll be in attendance as well, and the kid is 15.

She’s offered to pay, but I’m gonna stick my flabby neck out and wager the community is strong enough not to require such reward.

If Element is local to you, and you can spare a game a month, probably worth checking out.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Just extending a plea that popped up on my FB feed.

The mother of an autistic child is looking for AoS opponents for him, with the games to be played at Element Games. She’s confirmed she’ll be in attendance as well, and the kid is 15.

She’s offered to pay, but I’m gonna stick my flabby neck out and wager the community is strong enough not to require such reward.

If Element is local to you, and you can spare a game a month, probably worth checking out.

I've seen that pop up in perhaps two or three FB game groups with quite a lot of offers - some the "I'd play but I can't make it/am in the wrong country" type replies, but a good few that also offered to play as well as few more suggesting other local groups worth attending and such. It certainly sounds like the community is doing a bit of a local rallying and that games will indeed get played

Genuinely makes me proud to be part of such a supportive community


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The kiddo is indeed inundated with offers.

I’ve got one issue left of Mortal Realms #5 with the exclusive model, which I’ve offered to send up if he plays Stormcast.

Our community at its absolute best.

Come on, people. I sure hope the existing gamers can be decent and leave this program for the new people just starting out in the hobby who it was intended for.

 Albino Squirrel wrote:
Come on, people. I sure hope the existing gamers can be decent and leave this program for the new people just starting out in the hobby who it was intended for.

Someone can both support there being a program to help support new people into the hobby and be unhappy with the idea of it excluding existing players and offering no alternative way to get the exclusive merchandise, though.

 Albino Squirrel wrote:
Come on, people. I sure hope the existing gamers can be decent and leave this program for the new people just starting out in the hobby who it was intended for.

I'm just getting into AOS (been playing 40k for awhile) tempted to ask for the cards and stuff to do AOS to gimme some goals, but pass on the goodies unless we've a surplus

We did this in all my stores back in the '90s. A new gamer would start with a £5 pack of 10 monopose models for their army. Sit at the paint table, be shown how to clip, clean and hand undercoat. They'd get a sticker for doing that.

Then we'd show them how to paint block colours, paint the bases Goblin Green - another sticker.

Play an introductory game - get a sticker.

Learn how to make an army list - you get the idea.

Get 10 stickers and get something free like a small paint set, or brush set. A free White Dwarf.

It encouraged hobby activity and gently guided a new gamer from a box of minis to a whole 2000 point army over several months.

 Gregor Samsa wrote:
Very excited that I will be able to earn good boy stickers from GW if I follow all the rules and buy the merchandise they instruct me to.

This isn’t aimed at kids. Kids cannot afford warhammer miniatures. Games Workshop knows this.

Kids have these things called "parents". Maybe you have heard of them? Kids can't afford ice hockey either. Or soccer. Or basically any hobby out there.

Tim the 12yo's whom GW sells one army and done is GW's life&blood.