Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:
No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.
If you are already a member then feel free to login now.
2025/11/05 02:55:44
Subject: Why so many military or engineers that play Tabletop and why don't we cater to them more?
I've noticed this pattern a lot where there's a lot of soldiers that play tabletop (at least at GW). Also maybe this is just a michigan thing but i've seen plenty of engineers also playing tabletop (perhaps the tactics, money and similar just come together for em). So has anybody else seen this pattern and if so why don't tabletop war games cater to these groups or try to advertise in their spaces?
flamingkillamajig wrote: I've noticed this pattern a lot where there's a lot of soldiers that play tabletop (at least at GW). Also maybe this is just a michigan thing but i've seen plenty of engineers also playing tabletop (perhaps the tactics, money and similar just come together for em). So has anybody else seen this pattern and if so why don't tabletop war games cater to these groups or try to advertise in their spaces?
There are some seriously in depth Wargames (read an issue of Strategy & Tactics), that exist for those that want to fight wars in near real time.
There is The Campaign for North Africa that has existed for nearly 40 years, and I'm not sure anyone has actually ever finished the campaign.
The longest and most complex board game ever is The Campaign for North Africa, which is about the war in North Africa during WWII. It is estimated to take 1,500 hours to play, which is approximately 20 years if played regularly. Its immense length is due to its incredibly detailed and complex rules for managing logistics, supplies, and combat.
Estimated playtime: Around 1,500 hours, or 62 continuous days.
Complexity: Known for its intricate rules, which require extensive paperwork and detail, such as calculating water needed for troops to cook pasta.
Scale: A full-sized game board is 9.5 feet long.
Team play: It was designed for up to ten players, split into two teams of five, with each player responsible for a specific role like Logistics, Air, or Front-line Command.
Unfinished games: Due to its extreme length, a complete game has never been finished by its designers or players.
But there are a lot of military folks that want a totally unrealistic diversion from reality when it comes to gaming.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/11/05 04:14:30
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
What specifically would they want that isn’t all ready being done?
Do they want more hardcore sim style games ? I actually do want to play more of those. But finding players is hard.
2025/11/07 16:58:28
Subject: Re:Why so many military or engineers that play Tabletop and why don't we cater to them more?
Apple fox wrote: What specifically would they want that isn’t all ready being done?
Do they want more hardcore sim style games ? I actually do want to play more of those. But finding players is hard.
I suppose i mean we could advertise more in their spaces for our war games. I know a lot of them enjoy it and a lot of them are probably bored when they have to be stationed in some places. I wouldn't know as i'm not a soldier myself. Playing war games could help them out with what they do somewhat and they basically do it anyway to a degree as shown by some of the first people to reply in this thread.
Apple fox wrote: What specifically would they want that isn’t all ready being done?
Do they want more hardcore sim style games ? I actually do want to play more of those. But finding players is hard.
I suppose i mean we could advertise more in their spaces for our war games. I know a lot of them enjoy it and a lot of them are probably bored when they have to be stationed in some places. I wouldn't know as i'm not a soldier myself. Playing war games could help them out with what they do somewhat and they basically do it anyway to a degree as shown by some of the first people to reply in this thread.
Except for the US Navy, they take their tabletop wargaming seriously.
Its like they are waiting for a giant hole in the space-time continuum to open up and pull their carrier back to the 1940s...
Wasn't an actual book made of that or is that you joking about said book?
It's a movie starring Martin Sheen called The Final Countdown... where the USS Nimitz gets sucked through a temporal vortex and is deposited right before the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941.
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
Apple fox wrote: What specifically would they want that isn’t all ready being done?
Do they want more hardcore sim style games ? I actually do want to play more of those. But finding players is hard.
I suppose i mean we could advertise more in their spaces for our war games. I know a lot of them enjoy it and a lot of them are probably bored when they have to be stationed in some places. I wouldn't know as i'm not a soldier myself. Playing war games could help them out with what they do somewhat and they basically do it anyway to a degree as shown by some of the first people to reply in this thread.
Except for the US Navy, they take their tabletop wargaming seriously.
Its like they are waiting for a giant hole in the space-time continuum to open up and pull their carrier back to the 1940s...
Wasn't an actual book made of that or is that you joking about said book?
Is it legal to advertise on military premises there? I have seen some video games in magazines for military bases like 2 decades ago. So I’m sure there are ways, but I’m not sure a lot of war game companies can afford big advertising campaigns.
Books get donated all the time for military as well, so that’s an option for people to do. Could easy send in some Battletech boxes, as they are self contained for the most part.
Really I think military personnel wanting to share there hobby’s would allready be doing a lot of that fairly naturally.