Any advice to push some new life into this game

[maxxev]

Warmachine started in my local club from one guy moving to the area and teaching me to play, it grew to a peak of 12 gamers and has been steadily shrinking ever since.

The issues revolve around some shift work, but mostly people are moving into other games, so although those gamers are still about, they have not been playing WM, pretty much since the middle of last year.

I got out of 40k because I was bored to death, the new Warhammer doesn't excite me, infinity is ... well is going to require more concentration than I can usually muster that late in the evening and as much as I like playing some of the odd board games that get bought up to the club, it's not why I go there, and I feel the desire to go to the club at all drifting.

I'm not the most motivated person unfortunately I would love to be a Press ganger but a lack of confidence and motivation (just generally) means I wouldn't be very good at it.

I have arranged a game next week (if the guy can find his shoebox of casters (has not played since March last year), but after that the odds are low that I will get a game in before next month, or the month after.

One game a month will see me drift away i'm sure.

The other issue is when people were bringing ther stuff we were ending up with a lot of odd numbers, which meant either lots of small point games or players missing out, which was also a factor in people not brining their WM to the club.

So I ask you press gangers and other motivated players, what would you do to get people back to the WM table?

I've seen the "Thunderdome", "Highlander" and King of the mountain formats which all look fairly interesting, that kind of game may garner some enthusiasm at least.

In the mean time I will continue to plod on with some modelling and do a bit of painting when I can force myself to do so and hope for the best.

Cheers

[megatron0]

have you tried any leagues? the thought of earning rewards etc might motivate people into starting up again in a competitive way.
I find having a complete painted army to really help inspire those around you into playing the game, so maybe a slow grow league where there are painting requirements?
Other then that i dont know anything else short of a cattle prod. Hope interest picks up again buddy!

[absent]

We go to a lot of tournaments even if we have to drive a few hours, and that seems to keep us excited to play. Also making sure to play scenario's so it's not always just caster kill can keep it more interesting.

[Murch]

When I started about 3 years ago our LGS had about 24 people that would sign up during a league. In tournaments we had to sign up really early or couldn't join, as there was a cap of about 16. For many reasons including a non-exceptance for MKII, by many, the PG having some problems and eventually tossing in the rag, an over competitive group not very welcoming to newer players, etc... this dwindled down to 4 that entered in the last leaque. This was including myself, my son, an employee of the LGS and his brother. Times were pathetic for WM/Hordes gaming.

Basically the 4 of us put our thinking caps on, I became the PG and we laid out a plan. You may not have (or want) what it takes to become PG, but that doesn't mean you can't be active. You've got to take the proactive approach if you want to see your scene flourish once more. If you don't have a PG, work with someone to become one. If you do have one, well....it seems he/she may need some help. I've been reading the forums for quite awhile and have read many of your posts. With the exception of some of your negativity (no offense, but it does stick in ones mind), I find your knowledge and many of your posts useful. That said you've certainly have what it takes if not to be a PG, to work with one to enhance your local gaming.

I like that we have 4 minds pooled together. I'm near 50, my son 15, we do see things differently. This is good, and if you look at things with an open mind you can put forth more ideas. I honestly feel that the planning would be stagnant after awhile if I didn't work with others.
Anyway we've ran one tournament a month (I think this month is number 6) and every tournament we keep getting more joining. Our goal was to add 1 player every tournament. We should be up to 16 this tourney. Last night, on a casual play night we had 8 guys pop in to play (and it was -12 degrees-Fahrenheit, which I think is about -24 Celesius). We've really been heading in the right direction.

If you'd like more ideas and details feel free to PM me, I don't want to ramble on too much and bore everyone.

[Mod_Gemini]

Swapping armies with your opponent can be a lot of fun.

[Sp0on]

@PG_Murch: that is not boring in the least, I found your tips very useful.
@maxxev: May I recommend getting on Facebook and starting a group for your region? It may help drum up interest as people who play a lot will join the group. Then their enthusiasm may spark more interest in your club. Well keep gaming, and I hope your group picks back up!

[maxxev]

Thank you for all the ideas guys.

Also I know I'm negative, I'm afraid it's learned from life experiences in general (other than the missus).

I did start a facebook group for the south east of England, I think about 8 people signed up to it in 6 or so months... :(

We have no pressganger for West Sussex (and as far as I know for East Sussex too) the closest one I believe is Hampshire / London, and I put out a request on these forums some weeks ago for some pressganger support and I didn't get any replies, can't blame them it's a long way to travel.

There is also no gaming store that stocks PP product for quite some distance, though I understand the boardgames shop in Horsham (Battlequest games) has started selling starter boxes.

The issue with Scenarios as I touched on above is that since the peak when a lot of players were just starting to get to grips with the game (e.g. not really enough experience to throw down scenarios), there have pretty much ALWAYS been odd numbers so we have been sticking to small point fast games to ensure everyone gets a game in, makes it hard to run scenarios.

To be a pressganger you need 2 painted starter sets, I only collect Searforge and Minions... lol.

I tried to run a ladder league thing using one of the old tour of duties back in MK2 and I only got 3 sign-ups including myself :(.

Next game I have I will play a scenario against someone with a fully-painted list and see if I can get some interest from other players.

Cheers.

[Stevo]

I had a lot of success with a "Step out of your comfort zone" tournament I ran recently. Everyone played a different battle box each round. It really got players thinking about their own armies and it helped energize the meta a bit. A slow grow league is also a good way to go.

[maxxev]

What is the advantage of a slow grow league other than getting in new players, I only ask because everyone who plays / played the game can put down a LOT of points (not all painted mind but a lot of them)?

Is the only real advantage in your eyes getting in new players without so much cash investment, other than that or for people learning the game and not having so many things to remember I don't really see it being a lot of use for me (unless I think there are people who might be interested in picking up the game, and TBH I don't there is anyone who would be that doesn't already have a LOT of warmachine).

[Tekanan]

Try running a casual tournament with some cool attractive prizes (i.e. a battlebox). It can be as easily as 15pts. Once you start getting interest, a monthly mini-event might pique further interest.

What I mean by mini-event is, for that day in particular, all WM games must be played according to a format. Try to make the format as simple as possible, i.e. Mangled metal, multiplayer, etc.

[Amarel]

The issue with Scenarios as I touched on above is that since the peak when a lot of players were just starting to get to grips with the game (e.g. not really enough experience to throw down scenarios), there have pretty much ALWAYS been odd numbers so we have been sticking to small point fast games to ensure everyone gets a game in, makes it hard to run scenarios.
If we have odd numbers and everyone definitely wants a game (which isn't that often really, as there's always at least one other game type going on at the club, or I'm happy to step back and 'marshal'), then the game with three people defaults to Mosh Pit with triangular set-up.

[Antigonus]

To be a pressganger you need 2 painted starter sets, I only collect Searforge and Minions... lol.

Well, when I last checked with PPS_Jen, the Gorten starter still counted, and as a Searforge player you've almost certainly got all the components for it. You would need a second WM starter, though.

[Pickles]

Is the only real advantage in your eyes getting in new players without so much cash investment, other than that or for people learning the game and not having so many things to remember I don't really see it being a lot of use for me (unless I think there are people who might be interested in picking up the game, and TBH I don't there is anyone who would be that doesn't already have a LOT of warmachine).

You obviously have a lot of lapsed players rather than an untapped well of potential players.

We assume that they have not stopped because they hate the game but because they are distracted by other shiny new toys & so could be encouraged back.

I think you need to organise some sort of regular WM/H once a month or whatever to get a large body of them to commit to this game that month. A (casual) tournament is better than random play as it feels like an event. If this gets their WM/H juices flowing then you can expect to get more casual play as well. You have to bite the bullet though & not play yourself though if there are odd numbers.

I started running tournaments about a year ago when MK2 hit, I bacame a PG about 6 months later. The player base had evaporated with moves & MK2 looming. I did this for the selfish motive that I wanted to be able to get a game. It took quite a long time before the player base grew to a level where I could in fact get many pick up games. It can sometimes be hard work too as running a tournament takes all day & is like a job, but it is ultimately rewarding, especially now where there is always a WM player in the shop & they ask after the next events rather than being chivvied.

[tensteam]

One option when odd number of players are there is to play 1 vs 2 games. I find 2x35 points vs 70 points (2 warcasters) to work pretty well. The most experienced player (usually the one with most models) is the one with double points.

[Oz_Gamer]

Try to meet people at the LGS and invite them to your place for a game. Build up a group of contacts and try to build up to some bigger multi player games or scenarios etc. I generally never make it to gaming clubs due to being a night shift worker, but I find/build a gaming group whenever I move city.

[maxxev]

I don't have an LGS, the horsham boardgame shop doesn't have a gaming table so you'd have to be very lucky to actually meet anyone there (it's a tiny shop), though I will ask the club operator if he's ok for me to put a poster up there.

We find multiplayer games with 3 players do NOT work, you simply end up with one guy fending off two opponents until they are confident enough that his remains can't damage them and then fight each other, or onw guy hangs backs and shoots everyone. Though the king of the mountain interests me (incentive to all be in a small space).

Yep lots of lapsed players and as far as I know, appart from one guy who feels like he never wins (though he did win... sometimes) there is no hatred towards the game.

I know one is doing a degree and is unlikely to return until afterwards and another 2 are on shift work that leaves them gaming rarely and they are both into multiple systems which means when they do turn up, they have usually arranged a game of something else anyway.

One of the issues is that I live in the back of beyond, if I lived much closer to the club I would be far more likely to pick up the mantle of PG, and also to stand aside when there are odd numbers, but I travel quite a way to get there and the cost in club fees plus fuel is not insignificant.... :( I hope to be moving closer to there again next year.

As far as driving to tournaments is concerened I coulden't even get the guys to drive down to Brighton when Wargames Heaven was open for thier 2 tournements before they closed down, I managed to get one of the shift guys and player who had never even played MK2 to go, but NONE of the regulars at the time (early last year).

I'm going to dig out the old Tour of duty rules I printed out and re-write everything that is MK1 and laminate up a couple of the more fun maps I think, then choose one at random for a game, see if those scenarios can mix it up a little.

As far as events go we only have 4 hours at the club, I could get 2 games in that time, but not really a proper tournament, and hte likelyhood of getting people playing WM for more than one week is limited,to hire the hall outside of the club times would be expensive and require a lot of notice unfortunately.

I am working on Son of Menoths "gangs of five fingers" Campaing system as a way to get NEW people learning the basic WM rules while not having to buy anything, thus hopefully peaking thier interest.

[MrChom]

The best way to get lapsed players is to give them new people to play. Mk1 I played in a battlebox tournament and had a grand total of about 25pts (in new money). It was only when another game collapsed (WoW TCG in the UK imploded for a while) that I said to my team "Why not try Warmachine?" as it was £30 to start playing and you could go from there. Now I'm back playing the game more often, the person I brought with me is one of the most active players I know, and Warmachine has spread further on their recommendations to others.