We were contacted by Wargames, Soldier, Strategy magazine recently, who asked us to let everyone know about their 'Great Wargaming Survey':
Apart from rolling dice, there seem to be few things wargamers like to do better than discuss the state of their hobby. Are we dying out? Are we all just loners in a dark basement? The purpose of this survey is to actually get a measure of some of these - and many more - questions. The outcome will be published in an upcoming issue of Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy as well as online.
The data gained from surveys like this is always of great use to the companies in the hobby, and gives us a valuable insight into what's popular and where the trends are going, so if you've got a spare 5 minutes, please head over and take part: https://surveymonkey.com/s/wargamingsurvey (https://surveymonkey.com/s/wargamingsurvey)
8)
Already did - via SOTCW.....
IanS
Just completed it. I'm not sure if they will share the results, but it could make for interesting reading on the state of the hobby.
I wonder what the prizes are....
Done !
They have had 4000 responses so far with 30 days of the survey left
Done my bit, the language is a bit... strange?
Are you new to this forum, Captain?
Spotted this on WD3 and already completed it.
Welcome back, Ben !
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: FierceKitty on 03 July 2014, 06:54:27 AM
I wonder what the prizes are....
Apparently Foreground buildings, money off subscriptions to WSS, and the like. I really enjoyed doing the survey and discovered that I'm quite old-school, very historical and pre C20th oriented and quite particular about the rules I use (don't like tightly controlled or over-fussy).
Quote from: Steve J on 03 July 2014, 06:53:03 AM
I'm not sure if they will share the results, but it could make for interesting reading on the state of the hobby.
I hope they do, as it's really useful info. I always kept an eye out for the one which MW used to do, just to check how 10mm was doing in the rankings against other scales. :D
What's the history of it, then, Leon? I've always been a bit on the perimeter.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 03 July 2014, 01:52:21 PM
What's the history of it, then, Leon? I've always been a bit on the perimeter.
Of which bit, the 10mm rankings? We did hit the heady heights of 7% of the wargaming population a few years back, but it had dropped back to 5% on the last one I saw. I'm hoping with the new companies we've seen appearing in the past 2-3 years that 10mm might get a bit more of a look-in this time around. ACW and WWI in particular seem to be bringing more people into this scale at the moment.
Compared to other scales, 28mm was always out in front with something like 58% of gamers, then 15mm in second with 30-odd%, then 20mm in third and finally 10mm & 6mm bringing up the rear with similar scores. 6mm may have been slightly in front in the last survey I saw. I don't think they gave percentages for scales outside those main 5.
Hi all,
We'll definitely publish the results in a future issue of WSS and probably parts, details or further exploration online. It's actually an enormous amount of information we're gathering here. We're very grateful for the enormous number of people who've taken the time to fill out the survey (so far well over 4000! :o).
Leon, so far 10-12mm ranks as follows
1st (favorite scale/size) for 3.3%
2nd for 5.2%
3rd for 9.7%
4th for 12.1%
Done!
Mollinary
Excellent, thanks for that Jasper, I'll keep an eye out for that issue.
Quote from: Praefectusclassis on 03 July 2014, 02:19:27 PM
Leon, so far 10-12mm ranks as follows
1st (favorite scale/size) for 3.3%
2nd for 5.2%
3rd for 9.7%
4th for 12.1%
That's pretty good then, the previous MW survey was only about whether you gamed in a scale or not, so 7% of people gamed in 10mm at that time. Looking at your stats, we can say that at least 12% of people are doing something in this scale, which is a big improvement.
8)
It must surely increase (all to the good in my opinion) as the variety and quality of castings is constantly improving. My first venture into 10mm was Wargames South FPW in the early 90s. A comprehensive range, but rather wooden in appearance compared to today's Pendraken.
I've applied a filter so that anyone who specifically indicates they're not interested in SciFi/Fantasy/Pulp/Alternative History so that you get the 'hardcore' historical gamers.
Then the ranking becomes:
1st - 4.2%
2nd - 5.8%
3rd - 10.3%
4th - 11.2%
Quote from: Leon on 03 July 2014, 02:41:14 PM
Excellent, thanks for that Jasper, I'll keep an eye out for that issue.
That's pretty good then, the previous MW survey was only about whether you gamed in a scale or not, so 7% of people gamed in 10mm at that time. Looking at your stats, we can say that at least 12% of people are doing something in this scale, which is a big improvement.
8)
I would also put that down to the number of new companies producing 10mm figures. Oddly enough, the fact that there is more than one company producing suitable figures for a period is an encouragement to me (and others, I would surmise) to get involved in that period in 10mm. And it's also a confirmation that the scale is increasing in appeal.
Far from odd. Remember the potential of one good custom to corrupt the world.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 03 July 2014, 04:19:21 PM
Far from odd. Remember the potential of one good custom to corrupt the world.
Your such a cynic FK. If you believed in hell you wouold burn in it! ;D
Quote from: Praefectusclassis on 03 July 2014, 03:09:34 PM
I've applied a filter so that anyone who specifically indicates they're not interested in SciFi/Fantasy/Pulp/Alternative History so that you get the 'hardcore' historical gamers.
Then the ranking becomes:
1st - 4.2%
2nd - 5.8%
3rd - 10.3%
4th - 11.2%
Hi Jasper. :-h
So, have you seen the light, yet? FYI The folks at Pendraken also do SciFi and Fantasy in 10mm. Weird War II is also due to make an appearance (goes well with their 10mm Ratte model, as well). But it could be nice to see the results for both? i.e. Strict historical gamers versus strict non-historical. Though I suspect many people always dabble in everything.
Alex
Hoi Alex,
Seen the light how? ;)
Yes, I noticed that they had SciFi and Fantasy too, and I could split those out, but it's a somewhat tricky question. Above reflects ONLY those who said they weren't interested at all in SciFi/Fantasy. I'm sure, as you say, there are plenty of us who may not actively collect and paint a period/setting, but who would happily play it if a friend offered.
Done. Very interesting questions. Looking forwards to seing thr results.
Good sample sise too, given that I seem to remember seeing estimates of 50,000 UK wargamers in totsl..somewhere...
Quote from: Praefectusclassis on 03 July 2014, 05:45:28 PM
Seen the light how? ;)
Next time you're at Crisis, you should go and visit that nice Mr Leon. ;)
Best of luck with the survey, though. Seems off to a good start.
Quote from: Just a few Orcs on 03 July 2014, 04:50:57 PM
Your such a cynic FK. If you believed in hell you wouold burn in it! ;D
I'm referring to Tennyson! Not the most cynical of poets, I'd say.
The old order changeth, giving place to new - isn't that describing 10mm?
Mmm, but every old order was a new order once.
Yeah. Except with Pendraken, who have an excellent delivery service, so that orders don't have time to get old.
:D
Filled it in but some of the options were limited often with no 'other' drop down you could fill in.
Agree that the language was strange but it is coming from across the water.... and did feel a bit WWF/GW 'churlish'.
Sorry if it felt a bit over the top. Was advised that you shouldn't make the survey too boring, or people would fall asleep while answering questions.
Found it amusing, mostly - worke for me :)
5500 and counting. Now we're getting ambitious. Still plenty of time to fill it out if you haven't yet!
It would be more useful if it evaluated the demand for 10mm Aztecs. Most of us have dozed off like Cthulu by now....
You need only ask. It's 21.303%
Many thanks, wise one. Which companies will reap this rich bonanza, and will it be before my faltering vision gives up a losing struggle?
That depends on which company responds soonest. However, the above also comes with a big, fat disclaimer that WSS is in no way responsible for the success or demise of companies acting on the outcome of this survey. :D
If you've done the survey, you'll have noticed the word Aztec wasn't mentioned. The above number is actually the percentage of people who indicated 10mm was in their top 5 of favourite sizes and who liked the Medieval Era. That's as close as I can get.
Yep done :D
Quote from: Praefectusclassis on 08 July 2014, 05:59:09 AM
You need only ask. It's 21.303%
I thought this was a sutble reference to rule 303 ;)
;D I had to look that one up. 8)
Quote from: Praefectusclassis on 09 July 2014, 05:22:42 AM
;D I had to look that one up. 8)
So your not an antipodean then ;)
Nope. Dutchman here!
A nation much overlooked. I can't recall one post on this site about the revolt against the Spaniards, or their taking the English fleet at anchor to the cleaners. About time someone remembered the Dutch were tough fighters before they became Boers (as opposed to boers).
Plenty of Dutch people were Boeren (in Dutch instead of Afrikaans - farmers) both before and since. ;)
But you're right of course. More invasions of England are required on the tabletop! :D
That was the point of the distinction between the capitalised and un- versions.
I get that. It's just that Boers to a native speaker still tends to look odd, especially as a name for a fighting force. Wasn't trying to lecture you.
If it helps FK, I really rate the Dutch - the ridiculous notion that troops should be trained and drilled, and follow orders that are given clearly and in timely fashion according to what's relevant in the battle is not to be sneered at :D I love the "heroic last stands are for the other guy, instead we should just, err, win..." mentality and attention to things like making sure everyone has a working weapon they can use, has boots, food, a hat etc that let them fight off for centuries the most rapacious, fearsome armies in Europe :D
If it wasn't for the Dutch army the British armed forces would probably still be a comedic mess.
AND you get to field a unit of armed women from the defense of Harlem, and arqubusiers on skates.
Now why isn't that a pack on the top ten wish list?!
Quote from: toxicpixie on 10 July 2014, 10:26:18 AM
Now why isn't that a pack on the top ten wish list?!
The list is too cluttered by all these requests for obscure meso-americans ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Ithoriel on 10 July 2014, 12:27:07 PM
The list is too cluttered by all these requests for obscure meso-americans ;D ;D ;D
Isn't that my line ? ;)
IanS
You lot should see the obscure Latina house guest we have just now. You'd be much more cooperative.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 10 July 2014, 08:35:10 AM
AND you get to field a unit of armed women from the defense of Harlem, and arqubusiers on skates.
HAArlem.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 11 July 2014, 07:10:13 AM
HAArlem.
There I was thinking you were advocating the sculpting of female members of Manhattan gangs :)
Now that you mention it....
WARRIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORS!!!!!!!
Ok pop pickers...
Now that'd make a great game :D
Quote from: Praefectusclassis on 10 July 2014, 05:52:54 AM
But you're right of course. More invasions of England are required on the tabletop! :D
The 1688 invasion was enough, thank you very much ;)
Quote from: FierceKitty on 10 July 2014, 08:35:10 AM
AND you get to field a unit of armed women from the defense of Harlem, and arqubusiers on skates.
Funny you should mention that, as there is a recent Dutch film about the siege of Haarlem.
(http://www.biosagenda.nl/ban_image.php?ID=14806&q=90&newwidth=789&newheight=460)
http://kenaudefilm.nl/index.html# (http://kenaudefilm.nl/index.html#)
I'd have a couple of packs of those, they'd look ace :D
Not a bad looking film.
Yes. Do you know the name?
Quote from: FierceKitty on 12 July 2014, 02:50:53 AM
Yes. Do you know the name?
Ah yes. The film is called Kenau, after the main character Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenau_Simonsdochter_Hasselaer
I agree it looks like a good film, but I just love the two horses pulling the cart, there's a dozen sreaming women brandishing swords at the driver but the horses attitude is 'do I look bovvered?'