Many of us have fond memories of beginning this hobby as young kids. Back then our imaginations were fuelled by the excitement of controlling armies of small figures... these same armies that were themselves fuelled by loving parents and allowances. I'm sure some parents might look on these type of games with concern, since they can be harder to relate to, which is what I'd like to address in this post.Overall, the hobby is a very positive one. The negative things discussed here isn't meant as a critique of what it is wargames are about, even though people close to the hobby may think that's what I'm doing. Keep in mind, people outside less popular hobbies tend to have no idea what they're about and parents have every right to raise their children different ways. They deserve to know what it is their kids could be subjected to and probably have a bunch of concerns.
The introduction to wargaming usually happens through a friend or while browsing a hobby store, comic shop, etc. The figures themselves are eye-catching and either line walls in unopened boxes or sit finely painted within a glass display cabinet. They'd be small, usually no taller than a few inches, surrounded by larger things like tanks or beasts. (However, models come UNpainted - painting is part of the hobby) As a kid, I was quickly attracted to how they looked and wanted to know more - something the people working at the shop were more than happy to demonstrate.
There are many genres of miniature wargaming, science fiction or fantasy being the most common, but there's also companies creating other games with steam punk, horror, victorian or historical (Civil or World War times) themes. These are all produced by different companies, with different rule systems.
Essentially, wargaming is:
- a larger scale board game
- you battle opponents to complete a mission
- with a small army of miniature figures
- using tape measures and dice
- on a field about the size of a dining room table
Each army tends to look and work a little differently than the other, some are easier to learn than others, and all tend to have enough options that people playing the same army will have different forces.
No doubt, parents will have some questions and concerns about whether a game is age-appropriate for their children. I'm going to answer some questions, but ultimately it's up to you if you think this is an appropriate hobby.
- All things in moderation
- What age is a reasonable time to start the hobby?
- How does the complexity compare to games I'm used to?
- Can girls play?
- Are many kids wargaming? Will this affect them socially?
- How much is this going to cost?
- How big are these models and armies?
- Do the rules change and do I have to buy the updates?
- Can we buy used models?
- What if they lose interest in the game?
- How much time and/or effort will I have to spend?
- How long do games take?
- How much space will this take up?
- How many people can play at once?
- Do they have to buy all the models or paint them?
- Are there cooperative wargames?
- Are there easier wargames available?
- What skills can be learned from this hobby?
- What kind of language and imagery are there in these games?
- Are there any other negative themes within wargames?
- Are there any games with child-friendly themes?
- Am I being too sensitive to these issues?
- How competitive are these games?
- How will my kids handle losing?
- Where are hobby stores located?
- Should I leave my kids at these stores?
- Who are the people that play at these stores?
- How are disagreements over rules resolved?
- Are there places for me to learn more about these games?
- Can the hobby side be dangerous or messy? What are their alternatives?
While looking into some of these topics, I asked around to get feedback from different gaming communities. My "thank yous" are at the end of the article, but I was glad to see that for the most part people from multiple groups had similar opinions about these questions.
Once I get feedback, I'm going to write a "revised" version to this, incorporating what a larger portion of the community thinks, so please share.
All things in moderation
Please keep in mind that as with all things, too much can always be bad. If they're spending too much wargaming or painting and it's impacting their homework, it's not wargamings fault. Any hobby like watching TV, playing video games, card games, board games and even too much sports can distract kids from their responsibilities
What age is a reasonable time to start the hobby?
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A lot of people tend to start in their mid-teens... At this age, they shouldn't have a problem understanding the rules, should be able to handle assembling their armies themselves and will have an easier time finding people to play against. If your child is in high school, most of the following questions may not be applicable since they're at the age where they're starting to find their independence.
I was about 11 or 12 when I started playing, my brother being two years younger. He didn't really get into it, but I recall him having a rough grasp of the rules.
How does the complexity compare to games I'm used to?
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Most hobby stores will show people how the games are played, and this is a good way to see if your kids can understand the system before spending money.
Can girls play?
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There are plenty of girls and women getting involved these days and they're not limited to playing "girly" armies. There are game systems like the ones from Privateer Press (Hordes / Warmachine) that make more of a point to include heroines and female troops mixed in as well.
However, like many "geek" hobbies, wargaming used to be considered a "boy" hobby, and the player base is still primarily male. The chances of finding a girl at the local gaming store are slim and many players are guys in their 20's and older. Some parents may not be comfortable with their girl in that situation. That said, kids don't have to play at the store - you can set them up on a table at home and let them game with friends.
Are many kids wargaming?
Will this affect them socially?
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Odds are that they're not going to find players their age at the hobby store either, and instead it'll be late teens to adults. Kids may be better off building friends their own age, as they're not going to make the same connection to these older people. They might get along well enough at the store, but they probably won't be inviting kids along to other social events outside of the wargaming.
But, for many kids who are into "geek" hobbies, this is an excellent one that requires a bunch of social interaction. Whether playing kids their own age, or people at a store, this can be the game that encourages your child to put down the video games and make friends who are into similar things as they are.
How much is this going to cost?
To start off, this is no more expensive than buying a game console or computer and a bunch of video games. Or equipment for a kid who plays sports, especially if that sport involves travelling and over nighters. Or buying them an instrument and music lessons. Or just about any other hobby these days.
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There's a little more setup beyond just the models.. You might be looking at $50 - $100 in hobby expenses like glue, snips, paint and brushes. These are necessary to assemble and paint the figures, but it's also an extremely positive part of the hobby.
After playing the basic game, your kids will probably want to increase the size of their army, something that IS affordable on an allowance or a part-time job. Adding models and units can be picked up in the area of $10-20 or they can save up for larger items like tanks, machines and beasts at around $50 each. They can also buy more paint and replace brushes as required. This is trickier as a gift, because you might not know exactly what models they want - gift cards are a good option here.
(Yes, larger armies can end up costing $300-500 plus all the time and paint, but for kids who really only need smaller armies, this is spread out over years.)
How big are these models and armies?
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Depending on the game system, an army might have anywhere from 5-20 models (small) to 20-40 models (medium) or even up to 100 models or more. Some armies are designed to as a small group of very powerful soldiers, while others are large swarms of weaker troops.
Can we buy used models?
That you can! eBay is a great place to start or local sites like Kijiji or Craigs List. Hobby shops may even sell used miniatures, or the players there might have some. Miniatures tend to sell used MUCH cheaper than you originally bought them for. The down side of buying used is that they're usually already glued together and painted. This means that for your kids to paint them, they'll have to be stripped first. (If they were painted well, you won't find them cheaper than new models) Disassembling miniatures already glued together may need parental involvement.
Do the rules change and do I have to buy the updates?
Yes, game devs are constantly revising the rules to try and improve the game system and sell more models. Every 3 years or so, you can expect a new rulebook to be released, as well as new rule books for each of the armies. Sometimes there will be expansion packs released before that time.
None of these extras need to be bought, but if your kids are really into the hobby or playing with people at the local gaming shop, then they'll probably want to.
Note that there are usually free updates available for download when rules need to be clarified.
What if they lose interest in the game?
Kids do that. Considering the long-term cost of this hobby, ask yourself how many interests have your kids picked up and then chosen something else? If you hold off on buying it right away and they keep asking about it instead of forgetting, then maybe it's something they are interested in.
My suggestion is if they're interested, get them the basic set and let them play for a while before investing much more. If they lose interest, then it's as if you bought an expensive board game. Or let them spend their own money on it, and if they change their minds, that's part of growing up and learning to spend money.
Try to find out why it is their want to quit. Perhaps it's a moral support issue because they're losing a lot.
If they get out of the game, you won't get anywhere near what you spent on them.. figures might sell used for 10% of what you spent on them.
How much time and/or effort will I have to put in?
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Sometimes you might have to read rules to help in cases where there's a rule that doesn't make sense. You might also find yourself killing hours at hobby stores while they play a game or two, if you're not comfortable leaving them alone or don't have somewhere for them to play at home.
How long do games take?
Depending on the game system, small battles can take a few hours, while larger ones could take a portion of the day. Comparable certainly to a sports game.
If they're using your dining room table, this can get in the way or cause some teary eyes when it's time to finish the game and clean up for dinner. Begging to leave a battle setup overnight and finish it off another day isn't unheard of.
How much space will this take up?
A dining room table can be used to play on, or folding tables can be bought from office supply stores. A four foot square table is a good size to play on, or twice as long for larger games. If they start building terrain like forests and buildings, a couple medium sized boxes might be needed so there's somewhere to put everything. Books, pots, lego, old computer parts and anything else from around the house (that isn't breakable) can be used instead of terrain.
The benefit to giving them somewhere to hobby, is the activities are at least somewhat supervised even if you're not actually playing the game with them. If you or their friends don't have somewhere to play, hobby stores often make tables available for customers to use.
How many people can play at once?
Usually these are games for 1 vs 1. We usually played games of 2 vs 2 and that always worked out fine. Larger games could mean a larger table and mean more room for everyone playing though. A large table can also be split in half to allow multiple games at once.
Do they have to buy all the models or paint them?
Some people will use stand-in models like army men or Lego while they figure out which ones they want to buy. This is acceptable for short periods of time, but can be confusing and in the long run the real models should be bought. (Though I've heard of people printing off pictures to scale and using paper men) Sometimes developers make rules for models that aren't being sold yet - in this case, it's acceptable to represent models or create your own using parts from multiple ones.
Painting is optional, but models really look better with. Aside from some tournaments which might require a minimum amount (usually 3 colours), there's nothing saying they have to be painted to be played with.
Are there cooperative wargames?
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Yes and No.
Yes, people can play in teams. They can plan their strategies together, use armies that compensate for the weaknesses of each others armies and possibly even find doubles tournaments. However, they've still got to have human opponents to play against. There really aren't any totally co-op wargames out there.
Are there easier wargames available?
Yes, there are.
A few games bridge the gap between what you're used to in a "board game" and what might excite your kids in a "wargame." The rules are typically MUCH easier to learn and some still include hobby options like painting figures. These also might be something you can relate to easier.
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If you talk to employees of a hobby store, they'll be able to point you in the direction of current options. In the past there was Warhammer Quest or Space Hulk, while today there are games like Super Dungeon Explore or "Clix". These tend to have tiles that fit together with a grid to play on - just like a board game. Warhammer Quest and Super Dungeon Explore are basically a group of players controlling adventurers through a dungeon, with 1 player controlling the monsters. Space Hulk is about two very small armies fighting in tight quarters on a ship drifting through space. The Clix games are usually based on super heroes or video games and don't require painting.
They're usually still competitive games, so you might have to go easy on your kids if you're playing them too. What's neat about some of these is that you could take over the role of the monsters, and the kids could play the adventurers.
If you're familiar with the rules, you could even remove some of the more complicated rules and perhaps create a "diet" version.
What skills can be learned from this hobby?
There's plenty of positive things that kids can learn from wargaming. Painting, critical thinking, socializing and even budgeting only touch on the intricacies that players learn.
Painting leads to creativity, fine motor skills, concentration, etc. Most stores don't have classes, but there are instructional books / DVDs and plenty of online resources.
Minds can become more analytical as they figure out what minis they want to use in the game and how to use them to complete each mission's objective. During games, they'll begin to get good at estimating distances, math, chance and odds.
If they're buying figures with their own money, prioritizing miniatures vs their cost and saving up for the larger models becomes important. Maybe it'll even be a reason for them to get a part-time job.
For the record, my parents had this to say:
"In all the 20-odd years of your war gaming hobby we were never concerned...just curious as to the intricacy of the game. It allowed you to develop fine motor skills, patience, an ability to interact with people of various ages ( those store employees who were helpful and who welcomed newbies) The hobby was put on the backburner during a few of those years, but as you've proved, can be picked up again. Like any hobby the skill level can increase to the time spent."
What kind of language and imagery are there in these games?
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Language is usually safe, avoiding cursing, slurs and other offensive words. That doesn't mean that other players won't cross those lines - playing at a hobby store will quite probably mean at least a little foul language even when gamers recognize kids are around and tone back. Searching the internet can also turn up articles or fan art with stronger language or graphic images.
Are there any other negative themes within wargames?
War, and war-heroes are often celebrated topics, as can be the glorification of long campaigns against the enemy in order to solve conflicts. But there is a mix, as all the systems also tend to portray the devastation war brings to people or locations involved. There are rarely stories about diplomatic missions going well in these games. Some people think any games about war trivialize what real people are living every day, while others defend them, saying that it makes kids aware of impact war has of civilization.
Some armies have been stylized as extreme parodies or parallels taken from our history - brutal Mongolian ogres, heavily armoured communists, righteous orders of paladins, rebellious troll Scotsmen, and even fascist and/or xenophobic regimes. Other armies have been created in the image of "evil" monsters such as ghosts, goblins, orcs, dragons and other beasts and yes, cultists or demons. Obviously the game doesn't involve devil worship, but some parents might not be comfortable if their child came home eager to command an army of demons. The same goes for the depiction of religion-based armies, who are often portrayed as crazed zealots, instead of a positive light.
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Miniatures do tend to be lacking in gender and racial diversity in their sculpting and painting. Women aren't too common, though some developers are beginning to include more mixed in beyond "women only" armies. Even then, women are usually still portrayed as both busty and scantily clad, which could include artwork within the books. Human figures also don't tend to get painted with skin tones other than white or tan, except for stereotypical theme armys such as african jungle fighters or middle-eastern desert fighters - which some find quite offensive. Of course, nothing stops you from modifying or painting your troops however you'd like.
Children can often misinterpret some of these topics. It's always a good idea to sit down and talk to your kids about any issues that you're concerned about or that they seem to not understand. Some kids are sensitive to these issues - If they watch an action movie and lose some control, these same games might not be appropriate for them.
It's also worth noting that some of the game systems have grown large enough that they have publishing houses for large series of novels based on their games. These novels tend to be more descriptive and detailed than the fluff contained in rule books. The above questionable themes could therefor be glorified and exaggerated to higher levels, and kids could become even more engrossed and influenced by the setting as they read.
Are there any game systems with child-friendly themes?
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There are systems that approach the topic from different angles though. Super Dungeon Explore, mentioned earlier, has a very cartoonish (japanese animation) style... rather cute actually. Wyrd Miniatures has a series of Puppet Wars, where possessed puppets battle each other, which means practically no blood and more disconnected from reality. There are also games like Battletech, where miniatures are giant robots driven by human pilots.
The two most common brands today are Hordes or Warmachine from Privateer Press and Warhammer Fantasy or Warhammer 40,000 from Games Workshop. GW's one of the longest running miniature companies with possibly the biggest player group - they're also the darkest. (Known as "grim-dark") Their settings are intensely violent and dark and often based off the worst parts of our real life history. Privateer Press' lines are still about war-torn lands and include some dark armies too, but their fiction doesn't go out of it's way to be so violent, and they do include a fair amount of strong female characters and infantry.
Am I being too sensitive to these issues?
This is a pretty subjective topic and depends on how mature and/or sheltered your kids are. It's a parents right to control what their kids are subjected to, which is why it's important they're aware of the hobbies they're interested in. Recognizing the difference between fantasy and reality is important. This is a game after all, and if your kids recognize it, then what's the harm of pretending?
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In reality, the stereotypes that these game developers play on are often quite similar to what we see in the mainstream media. Lets be fair - between news, movies, tv, video games, comics and even schools, our own countries do a pretty good job of suggesting that war is a necessary and patriotic duty. Some of the topics mentioned are questionable though, especially for younger kids who have trouble understanding the difference between real and make belief, which is why you're asking these questions. But your kids will probably be better off learning about these topics and having you around to help them understand, rather than ending up sheltered from an unforgiving world.
If you want some more information, pick up the rulebooks and read the "fluff" areas - the sections (usually at the beginning of the books) that tell stories about the background of the armies and worlds, instead of rules. That, or talk to the employees at the hobby shop.
How competitive are these games?
In most situations, these are games about fun. It's a way for friends to spend a few hours, gaming, joking, snacking, and enjoying themselves. They can do the same thing while painting their figures, as a group, sharing ideas and tips.
Gaming stores do have contests though. Usually between armies, but sometimes painting contests. Tournaments are settings more for people who have a firm grasp of the rules, not necessarily kids. Also, while many gamers at local shops are primarily interested in fun, others can get very competitive, even getting overbearing or cheating. (even if it's not a tournament)
Will my kids get discouraged?
Moral support may be required. Whether they start playing at the same time as their friends or not, kids tend to have a weaker grasp on the idea that losing and trying again is part of the learning process. If they're playing against seasoned players at hobby stores, this could be compounded by particularly brutal losses.
The same goes with their painting ability
When kids lose a bunch, their first reaction can be to quit. They may need help looking at what went wrong in a game, or creating tactics and lists or figuring out other aspects of the game. There's also no reason you can't get involved and play the game too.
You're the one who'll know best how your kids will react.
Where are hobby stores located?
Sometimes you'll find them in malls, but typically niche hobby stores can be found in lower rent areas or downtown. Not to say the "bad parts of town" but also usually not the nicest places either. While they're usually not a far drive for you to take them their, it could factor in to your decision of whether you're comfortable leaving them there by themselves.
Should I leave my kids at these stores?
This is completely up to you, the age of your kids, their maturity, and the store in question. Some are perfectly willing to show kids how to play the games and let them play their armies on decorated tabletops full of beautiful scenery. The idea is you'll start spending money at their store, and your kids will end up bringing their own models.
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DON'T use a gaming store as a baby-sitter. If you're going to leave kids there for an afternoon or evening, they should be old enough to get involved in the games and well enough behaved to not cause any disturbances. You can't expect people working at a store to keep an eye on your kids the whole time, so they should be mature enough to turn down offers of rides home and to stay at the store until you come to pick them up. You should talk to whoever is working at the store and see if they're comfortable with you leaving your kids there and leave contact information - also be understanding if they're not ok with you leaving your children unsupervised.
If your kids have any special care needs, it might not be reasonable to leave them alone with a bunch of strangers. The employees aren't going to be trained how to deal with medical emergencies or even non-emergency medical conditions that can be scary to people unfamiliar with them.
If you're not comfortable leaving them alone, then stay. Either get involved with their games or bring a book or other distraction and see if the store has a chair available to you. They're a business like any other, and if giving you a space where you can keep yourself busy for a few hours means you'll bring your kids and their friends back to spend money, then they'll try and help you.
Who are the people that play at these stores?
This REALLY varies from place to place. They don't tend to be jocks or cheerleader types, and yes are often "geeks" or "nerds". But these are generally good people just like you'd find in any other social circle. You really do find a wide range of people who play these games - most of them have jobs, (often in respectable careers) many have families and friends of their own and are perfectly fine for your kids to be around. They're generally friendly people, who are quite accepting of people from any background.
However, like any social circle, there may be people who aren't the greatest of role models. If you feel like leaving your kids at these stores, you might want to spend some time with them there first.
How are disagreements over rules resolved?
Even adults get into arguments over a rule that's unclear. Kids can have trouble with these sorts of disagreements even more, both believing the rules clearly state something.
A game store can help to mediate rule issues, so a phone call can be a quick solution. Most game systems suggest that if you have a disagreement about the rules during a game, roll a dice, and for the rest of the game, use it that way. Game devs are often releasing "Frequency Asked Questions" updates and "Errata" documents on their websites, which clear up many of the questions they receive - but you can also email them, and they usually get around to answering.
Other times it might become your responsibility as an adult to read the rules and help interpret them.
Are there places for me to learn more about these games?
You can find a lot of resources online to learn about these games, their backgrounds and the people who play them. There are videos on YouTube, websites full of news, and plenty of bloggers discussion different aspects like list building, tactics and painting.
Can the hobby side be dangerous or messy?
What are their alternatives?
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A hobby knife is required to clean the mould lines from miniatures - not very safe for a lot of kids. This is a purely aesthetic step, and can be skipped. Or, a small hobby file is an excellent alternative. It won't be as smooth, or get in to all the nooks and crannies, but a hobby knife can cut reallll deep.
Two types of glue are required for models - plastic and super. Plastic glue, while a chemical, won't hurt or stick skin together. Super glue CAN stick fingers together, or models to fingers. As long as your kid doesn't panic and do something like try to use a knife or pry it off, they'll be fine and it'll come apart. Clean it, rub it, gently pull the fingers apart.. maybe gently file it... or take them to a doctor. Obviously, sniffing or drinking glue would be bad.
Hobby paint for these systems are usually acrylic, meaning water based, and in small containers. You don't need paint thinner, water is fine, and spills won't make too large a mess. Some warm water and soap will be needed if it gets on the carpet, but you can buy one of those plastic office mats to go on the floor where they'll be painting. Laying down paper towels or newspaper on the table they're painting at isn't a terrible idea either.
Spray paint is recommended to prime the figures, so paint will stick to them. You might need to help them do this. It should be done outside to avoid fumes and over-spraying the floor. Newspaper or garbage bags should be put down to protect the driveway / lawn / patio. Primer isn't water based, but will wash off with soap and water - a little right away, the rest in a day or two.
If you need to strip paint from miniatures, paint thinner isn't the only option. (And remember that paint thinner will destroy plastic models) There are environmentally friendly options like Simple Green that strip paint excellently.
I also want to thank the people who helped me compile this list:
TheWife, my parents and friends Jim and Dan.
Loquacious from the blogosphere.
Moe, SirKently, Rockwater, Agent Purple from The Chosen Realms and Windsor Gaming Resource, my local gaming buddies.
Khornate, Kris Knives, Ashran, Korsarro-Khan, IGFanatic, Fneuch, BunkhouseBuster, stickmaster97 at the always awesome MiniWarGaming Forum.
Ganesha's A Song of Blades and Heroes and its spinoffs should be quite good for kids. Also, Brikwars.
ReplyDeleteGames like Warmachine and Malifaux are simply too complicated.
One could look into Brushfire and Warheads for games that have cutesy figures. Using 28mm prepainted figures is also an option.
One could argue that learning languages is too difficult, or learning to play an instrument: When I first started Wargaming, I felt totally swamped by the rules and background but the vast majority of Wargamers are helpful folks who want new players to join in so are more than willing to help. Yes, some of the rules are complex but with a bit of practice, it gets easier.
DeleteI'll look in to the two you mention, but I'd still argue it depends on the maturity of the kid whether or not something's too complicated.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff. I do think 'female heroine' is somewhat redundant though. :p
ReplyDeleteLol, thanks Von, corrected ;)
ReplyDeleteI will get back to this later. I have LOTS to say about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to hearing from an expert! :)
ReplyDeleteAn outstanding article! Well done!
ReplyDelete