Casual or competetitive?

For all my years playing games it's become apparent to me that there are two broad categories of gamer.

1. Casual players are kind of in it for the explosions, the cinematic experience or maybe just want to get out of the house for a few hours.
2. Competitive players want to win, burn and/or crush all opposition and hear the lamentations of their women significant other halves.

I should point out that these two categories are very broad with a lot of crossover and hybrids of the two.

I don't care, I was enjoying it!

Over the years I've seen many heated discussions about the two incarnations and their awkward match-up in game, I've been involved in a couple myself. I believe one of the problems is (for example) that casual players prefer thematic lists or builds, which can often be suboptimal and although whilst they definitely follow the 'rule of cool' will sometimes find themselves to be less equal than others.

On the other side of the coin are the competitive players, these are the ones who'll not necessarily follow a theme or historical formation, but they'll investigate the meta of the game in question and learn to (was going to say "exploit") maximise the use of effective options or units within the available parameters.

So, who's right and who's wrong?

I don't believe either side (or any hybrid) is wrong, both are very valid approaches to the vast majority of games and both can be very rewarding to those who seek the experience they offer. They can however quite often be wrong for each other!


When competitive meets casual it can often end in tears/rage but why?

This is generally because in most game systems a competitive and well structured force will beat a poorly structured force 9 times out of 10, regardless of the skill of the commanders involved. For example (in Bolt action) a force of inexperienced partisans whilst they may be very thematic and poorly equipped with pistols, shotguns and a handful of rifles are going to find it very difficult to fight off a force of well trained and equipped German FallschirmJager veterans with their wide array of weapons including the devastating assault rifle. The partisans might be a more realistic representation of some hapless chaps during WW2 and the FallschirmJager would represent a less realistic force, but optimised within the rules. So even though both sides are supposedly equal - one is more equal than the other and quite likely to win (barring atrocious luck.)

• This peculiar system of unbalanced fairness is present in a great many game systems, in fact any system where you might be able to choose what your deck or army is going built from.
• For the casual player - they're going to be faced with min/maxing, rules lawyers, cheese mongers who are no fun and only here to "Win At All Costs".
• Whereas the competitive player is facing a historical buff or reckless fool who doesn't seem to know what they're doing (and possibly just wasting your time!)

So both are right AND both are wrong in varying degrees.

I like to think that a good example of an antithesis of these phenomena is the age old game of chess, both players will have exactly the same starting lineup and limited movement options. This will show if one player has a better tactical brain than the other. Also there's no luck via dice or cards in the game so there can be no "rubbish dice rolling."

I should add now that I am a casual player in any and all games I play, I often choose a force or get a "really cool idea" and run with it, regardless of its success or lack thereof. I choose to play things and lists that I like, sometimes this can work out for me, but I must admit - it generally doesn't :)

Have you seen my mojo?

We all do it, lose our will or motivation, lose momentum or simply get distracted by something else.

Aylsham show 2015

So what can you do when you've lost your "mojo" and have that absurd combination of wanting painted models but not having the determination to actually paint them? For some this might be the painting, for others the building or it could be the daunting overwhelming of it all! Here's a few ideas . . .

1. Try something completely different!

• Are you getting fed up of brown World War II infantry? Paint something sci-fi or brightly coloured.
• Sick of all those eyes or similarly difficult piece? Try painting a vehicle or a building.
• Reduced to tears gluing together hundreds of tiny arms, legs and guns? Why not something with a (single piece) fully cast miniature.

2. Google it! (Other search engines are available.)

• As obvious as it sounds, go to whichever browser you like and do a search on the item(s) you want to work on, it just might throw up some inspirational results.

3. Lights, camera, action!

• Go turn on the TV and see if you can find (preferably) a film, documentary or program relating to your subject matter. 

4. Just a little?

• This often works for me, I just decide that I'm going to build/paint one thing or even half of it. Maybe do some basing or repair a broken item. Just go for something that's going to take five or ten minutes, for me this is easy and -often- triggers an enthusiastic surge.

5. Speak to your friends.

• This is another one I find very effective. I can talk to others about their works in progress and see what they are doing (or have done) and often this will spur me into action, particularly with mass infantry.
• Often friends will provide positive motivation if they think/realise you're struggling with getting anything done.

6. Get out!

• This can be easier said than done, but go and visit a place of inspiration.
• Historical gamers can find these in many forms, museums or military collections being prime examples.
• Sci-fi inspiration can be a little trickier to find out in the real world, maybe try locating a technology or eco centre that allows visitors.
• Fantasy players and painters might look to old local architecture for inspiration or s visit into the wild countryside (if you have any nearby.)

My Ultra Pro Gravity Dice

I'm just doing a post to try direct video upload and I'd thought I'd show off my Ultra Pro "Gravity dice" in the process.

I've always had a bit of a thing for dice and I have quite an extensive collection of them in all shapes, sizes and colours. One of my prized sets is a matching collection of Chessex poly dice and D6's (they're very nice.)

But a while back Athena ordered in a couple of sets of some rather special dice, with a rather special price tag of £20 for the pair in a very nice magnetic storage box. These are the most expensive dice I've ever bought, but they are particularly cool!

The two dice in their open storage box (with packaging)

Here's the 'blurb' from the back of the box:
"Gravity Dice are premium precision gaming dice made from high quality, aircraft-grade aluminum. Each die has a perfect center of gravity and chamfered edges for extended rolls. Both dice are hard anodized, laser etched and designed to enhance your gaming experience."

The dice are surprisingly light, being made from aircraft aluminum (whatever that is) and have a nice feel about them, very cold and smooth. Rather peculiarly one has solid dots whilst the other has small circles denoting the "number" rolled. The case is extremely sturdy and has a very strong magnetic clasp which is very satisfying to those that like that sort of thing (me!)