New 40k Players Are a Problem?
Pimpcron wonders how the 40k players will treat the “new wave” of players.
Well, I suspect it’s that time again isn’t it? The time that all of the readers gather around the Pimpcron in hopes of hearing some little nugget of entertaining thought that I might vomit up. Well here it is: Flamingos don’t like to cuddle. You’ve been warned.
My friend brought up a good point the other day. He said now that 40k will be in big-box retail stores, he is afraid that it will go mainstream and we will see an influx of new, possibly younger gamers. He said that he likes being part of a little-known community that has kind of an “underground” feeling to it. With a flood of new players we will have to deal with a bunch of n00bs.
At first, I balked at the notion. But then he explained that he used to play one of the First-Person Shooters (I’ll say Call of Duty but I don’t remember which one) and it would be released like a month before Christmas. The community of people playing it online would be pretty serious and experienced players and they would have a great time. But then when all of the little kiddies got the game for Christmas, the lobbies were flooded with the typical online gaming nonsense we all know about. You know,
“Hey you [deleted]-ing [deleted]! I’m going to [deleted] your [deleted] mom if you steal my [deleted] kill again you [deleted] n00b, idiot, [deleted]. I can 360 no scope!”
He said it took months for the tidal wave of ignorant little kids to wash out and in the meantime it was no fun to play. He’s afraid that will happen to 40k too.
Why The New Players Won’t Be An Issue
First off, this type of game isn’t for everyone. You could expose it to every person on Earth and there is only a certain percentage that would want to invest enough money and time in it to play. So I don’t think we can expect Warhammer 40k surpassing the NFL any time soon. Sitting and staring at a screen while other people are active is way, way easier than all the steps involved with our game.
Secondly, children (under 16 or so) traditionally don’t have the patience or money for this game. The ones who do are the exception and might be fine to play with. Or they do have the patience and money, but not the attention span in the long run and the next big video game release will have them leaving the hobby. Or whatever it is that kids are into these days, like stickers, jelly beans, and … Morgan Freeman. Just think of them as spastic hamsters; they shouldn’t be a concern for long.
Now this is a scary hamster.
Thirdly, we are talking about a generation that was raised on instant gratification and sugar. They are on smart phones so much that they literally forgot how to see farther than 6 inches from their face. Our hobby is way too slow for most of them. I mean, I know at least four adult people in my personal life that love everything about this game and fluff, except the pace and therefore won’t play it.
Here’s Why New Players (of Any Type) Are Great
This is a social game, and you *generally* need other people to play. I mean, we all can’t be basement-dwelling, anti-social trolls like myself that enjoy solo-gaming. So when you get new players, it expands your options and is good for the company that makes your game. With an influx of new money for the company, they have more money for making new miniatures, new codices, and EVIL PROFITS! Muahahahahaha!
“Did someone say profits?”
Anyway, it is a good thing. Trust me. You make new friends, your group expands, and the hobby is much healthier. Of course you might run into some rubes, but that could happen when you have any new person join a group so don’t sweat it. And if one of the new people is especially irritating, just bully them really hard until they quit. Pants them, knock stuff out of their hands, and … whatever. You know I’m joking. Don’t bully people. If they are ignorant, life will punish them. Let karma do your heavy lifting.
So What Good Could Come Of It?
Hopefully, (best case scenario) having Warhammer in big retail stores drums up exposure to some awesome new people that previously didn’t know about it and everyone wins. We might pull new players or enthusiasts from model car communities, diorama communities, and general art fans.
So my advice to you guys, (besides the whole flamingo thing, but seriously take it from someone who knows; no cuddling with them) would be not to fear these new changes. It’s already a really exciting time in our hobby with all of the new games and competition, and this will hopefully bring in even more people.
HEY GUESS WHAT? Chicken Butt. “The Pimpcron” has created a Warhammer 40k/Wargaming Convention in December 2016. If you live in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. you might want to come have fun with this crazy and adorable robot . . . Like us on Facebook for Updates HERE.
Want to witness my slow descent into madness, first-hand? Check out my blog at
www.diceforthedicegod.com
