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Just a simple, extremely open ended question. I'd love to get responses from as many people as possible (I'm still very much thinking of getting back into the game myself, and I want to see what sticks).

Why do you spend your time painting, modelling, converting & whatevering Warhammer 40k when you could be spending your time doing other things (like video games, pen and paper games, or other forms of entertainment)?

To have fun, the modeling and to blow the out of each other.

I play and paint because they are both very fun and stop me from getting headaches by playing video games for too long! its also far more social than playing games on a big screen - it gives you a chance to have a great time with your friends

GA

I like to spend an evening with my friends playing with models or stuff like that.
My friends play WH40K and Fantasy didn't really do it for me, I also like the WH-Universe.

Cause I'm rubbish at sport.

Because I don't have a girlfriend!

I like building models and 40k offers a nice break from my complex projects as the kits are much more basic.

Sure I could build other things from different companies, but it is nice knowing that there is a plenty of fluff and an actual game system to jump into when I need a break from modelling/painting.

 Jihadnik wrote:
Because I don't have a girlfriend!

It is far more open ended than any video game out there and has a huge amount of fluff to it which I like. It also happens to be a fun game which allows players to added their own touch to the game.

Warhammer is calming, Whether Im painting or playing its my time. I Relax a lot more when i can sit, paint, listen to music. its my own little world. Out of many hobbies ive tried over the years this one is one ive stuck with and spent the most time on. having PTSD among other things doesnt make things easier. But when im painting or gaming with friends its everything, and i feel normal.

First it was spending time with friends. Then it was creating unique converted armies. Now it's because I've spent all this time and money into the armies I have, and it would be bad for my models to just sit around collecting dust.

Now with 6th and allies, I've started the unique converted armies all over again.

I pretty much enjoy all aspects of it. I like doing conversions, I like the fluff, I like painting up an army, I like making fluff for my army and I like playing it. And, of course, I enjoy talking about it. As hobbies go, there's plenty of depth to it.

I love the fluff and that was what got me playing originally, but I made the wonderful discovery that I truly love to paint little plastic men and women. That's my main motivation.

Because my best friends all play it together and I enjoy spending time with them. It's pretty much an excuse to spend time with my friends.

I also really like painting and modeling (even though I'm bad at it) but I could be doing that with any game.

I like 40k because of the large scope it has. really thought I would hate painting and would hate assembling everything, But I saw all the 'eavy metal figures and got in to the story behind 40k so much that I just needed to get an army. I also very much enjoy strategy games. So the idea of building a list with the models I wanted and with that story behind really got me enthralled.

Well that was why I started playing. I guess what got me to keep playing is the immense amount of possibilities available. Each game is very different depending on opponents and terrain and the random rolling for deployment and mission. It is fun to see what my army is capable of. Also after spending the time to paint the army the way you want it and assemble it, it becomes a unique sense of pride. Nobody else has the same army you have with the same paint job with the same assembly. It's totally unique and custom.

I got into it as a means of finding a relaxing hobby that was very different from work. Because work is mostly spent with a computer, I found that my old hobbies of making computer games weren't nearly as enjoyable after spending so much time programming during the day.

For painting: it's easy to pick up without much prior experience, it can be done late night after work, it's very relaxing, and you make visible physical progress each time which is very satisfying.

I also like the setting of the universe, both for what it provides, and also for the variability it allows within it due to the scale of the galaxy. So I essentially have a canvas to paint my story ideas for my Imperial Guard regiment.

gossipmeng wrote:I like building models and 40k offers a nice break from my complex projects as the kits are much more basic.

Sure I could build other things from different companies, but it is nice knowing that there is a plenty of fluff and an actual game system to jump into when I need a break from modelling/painting.

What are your more complex projects? /curious

madric wrote:I got into it as a means of finding a relaxing hobby that was very different from work. Because work is mostly spent with a computer, I found that my old hobbies of making computer games weren't nearly as enjoyable after spending so much time programming during the day.

For painting: it's easy to pick up without much prior experience, it can be done late night after work, it's very relaxing, and you make visible physical progress each time which is very satisfying.

I also like the setting of the universe, both for what it provides, and also for the variability it allows within it due to the scale of the galaxy. So I essentially have a canvas to paint my story ideas for my Imperial Guard regiment.

Jeez, a hobby of making computer games...how the hell can such an insanely difficult thing be a hobby? Lol. Uber respect.

I don't play 40k.

I got into 40k for the chicks.

I stayed for the Cougars.

Why do you play Warhammer 40k

Because I have money to waste

I hate modelling and I loathe painting, but God do I love a good intellectual exercise.

40k, it's like chess for men.

I like to paint and model. The game? Meh. It's a good excuse to hang with my buddies.

I started playing on a whim with a buddy. We were looking for something to do that wasnt a game we had both just quit. I stuck with it because I enjoyed the game play, my brain versus yours. Are my units better? Can I use them to beat yours?

Now, I have the added enjoyment of playing with my son a lot. He and I play maybe once or twice a month. Hopefully more once I get mt army painted and help him with his. Its a relaxing time with family. The games I play with others, I am there for the fun, win or lose doesnt really matter. Its time spent using my grey matter to enact a battle plan.

For the bitches

The two Realm of Chaos books pulled me in... after reading the story of Horus and the Emperor I was hooked forever. Since then it has mostly been about the great model range...

Because I want to. Period.

Because I am a GEEK!!

I paint and build because it's a good, relaxing hobby.

I play the game ebcause it's a great thing to do while shooting the gak with friends.

Because Rogue Trader was awesome, and then a mix of habit and obsession.

Plus I like orks....a lot

GW told me to.

I enjoy 40K for a variety of reasons.

First and foremost is community. Sure the models can get expensive to build and field but it's pretty awesome that by doing so anybody can walk into their local GW or hobby shop and strike up a game with a complete stranger and instantly have something in common. Even if it just brings you online to a certain forum to discuss the hobby it's still cool how this hobby brings people together.

Painting, modelling, converting, kit bashing, creating army lists, and reading/creating fluff, are all equally important and awesome byproducts.