Guest Post by Rabscutle: Gaming Roots

Come back with me… to the days of yore… when every radio played Interstate Love Song… when Netscape drove a new thing called “The Web”… when MTV still played music videos… that’s right… the mid 90’s. That’s when I went to college and more importantly, found my first gaming home at Funny Papers in Austin, Texas.

I came there first as a comic book scavenger, and first tasted gaming with the gateway drug that is Magic. Then a little D&D, as the owner and the other store denizens pulled me into a game. Then, finally, I was told that if I worked there, I had to learn how to play Warhammer.

I took up my first army: Chaos Dwarves. I played and learned and played. I came to hate Wood Elves and be crushed over and over again by my best friend. The game was fun and the atmosphere in that shop was brilliant. Goatboy and I worked there together, and when 3rd Edition 40k came out, we both took it up. He was a brutal opponent, even then.

Eventually some kids started to hang out and play. Their parents would leave them at the store all Saturday to play. I started to get to know them and saw potential in their game. The store started to evolve into the most competitive environment I’ve ever known. I think we would have stabbed your mom for victory points. Two of those kids grew up to be Minusthe6 and IAMADDJ. I still call them friends and game with them when I can.

Eventually the competitive Austin community grew, but most of the same people remain and continue to play together. It grew even more with the infusion new blood like Darkwyn, AdamHarry, TheGirl, Spanky Harrison, JWolf and Bigred.

Still… the first seeds were planted at Funny Papers. I’ve gotten to watch this community grow and flourish for almost 20 years. It is a great thing to see, but I will always remember my friends as kids in high school and college spending their Saturday kicking back and getting as many games in as possible just for the fun of it.

So… where/what has your gaming community come from and where is it going? Anyone have a favorite memory of that first store where you saw Warhammer and had to get a game?


Note: The Girl is currently bogged down with getting a college education and will be back once her semester is over – until then, enjoy these great guest posts from her gaming friends.