I for one like the new generation of gaming, i.e pre painted minis, with nice rules.

Time is pretty valuable for me. No, I don't hold down a nine to five job. However, I hold down a 7-4 school work day, then another three hours a day homework.

When I take 5 hrs + per mini, you end up playing with a lot of primed figures, which isn't too fun.

The games i'm looking forward to A LOT are:

AT-43: Got boxed set coming, but looking forward to the newer releases

Battlefield evolution: Cool nicely painted figs.

What are your opinions on this? I know some hate the idea, but i'm all up for embracing it and getting some FUN gaming in.

Chuck

The hobby aspect- the painting and converting- has kept my interest in spite of several rules changes over the years, rules changes that have, in the past, turned large portions of one army or another into useless dust-collectors.  How many toy railroad sets do you see at Sears or Wal-Mart?  Maybe one or two.  Yet how many hobby shops are devoted to model railroad supplies almost exclusively?  Sears may spark the interest, but they don't support its' growth.  Compare the garish plastic Barbie Condo to the handmade dollhouse with working lights and running water.  Which was more fun to make?  Which is nicer to play with?  Intro sets like Battle for Maccragge or Battle for Skull Pass are not just games, they introduce you to another aspect, the hobby aspect, they get you off the couch and away from the Wii and doing something with your hands and your imagination.  The AT-43 set doesn't offer that.  And I think, without that intangible expectation that YOU will build this miniature, YOU will paint this miniature, YOU will show everyone what you can do- without that expectation that you will invest your time and creativity in this game- I think that the games will get played a while and then shut in the closet. 

Its not the matter of it looking bright. Its a matter of what game company is going to be left to have a game to put out that lasts for more then a year or two.

I don't see the difference between the so called " New Idea" of prepaints and playing my game with a bag of plastic marx army men. If anything the plastic Marx army men had alot better selection of different sets.( I could at least pick cowboys or WW2.)
How do you figure that by the look of one game and a bunch of talk from mongoose that this is the supposed future of gaming? I see table top gaming as we know it dying on the vine.

The prepaint phase is just another nail in its coffin along side the computer game, and the lack of desire to see a new and improved product. When once there were in the realm of fifty plus gaming companies, how many have fell by the wayside, and how many others have been vicitims of thier own bad management, just because they thought that they were the future of gaming?

We are now reduced to around five to seven companies, and all of them suck. Of course you get a one off here and there, but really, is that really as much of a choice as there once was? Where is the freedom to experiment with something new? where are the fun ones at? You can pick between generic painted army number one, that looks exactly like everyone elses, you can choose to buy seven or nine figures and an overpriced box, or you can pay fifty dollers for five plastic termamator suits or a beast that metal only cost 25.00 not a year ago.

Computer games, prepaints, and lack of imagination are killing gaming as a hobby, and putting it more into the toy store market. When once there was a variety, now there is medeocrity, and bottom line will determine what I have as a choice to game with.

Call me a cynic, but what choice do we really have? Play with what were told to, or not at all.

The point behind painting the figures was a hobby. It was a way to pass time that was an outlet to expand your skill, your creativity, and your imagination. Not to mention we have a little competition with painting, modeling,and playing your favorite game.Now we are told what to buy, as almost as stale as GW's silly ass "You will fight to the death in close combat with this fifty doller squad of no nothing hacks... because we said so."

I still paint, but with the supposed new ideas of prepaints, slowly there will be no need for the paint, and after that, no need for a local gaming shop, because I'll be able to buy my prepainted miniatures from Toy's R US. Right next to the Heroscape, or probibly by ,or from Hasbro, who will snatch up a well known workshop that has to do with games. because, who wants to buy a box of unpainted, unassembeled guys when I can pay double, for half as many that are painted, and all ready to play... for five minutes.

This isn't a " New Generation",Its the death of one.